April 20, 2014

The Lovely Days of Spring…

These lovely little days upon us, so joyful and warm.

I am so happy to be able to peek in again.

Lovely days 14

If you have been by and found that my site would not load…

Well, the same thing happened to me, which is why I have not been by either.

There was a massive attack on Typepad (this blog's service).

So, it's been up and down regarding the site provider's stability.

I hope it's fixed now.

However, if you have been wondering what was up, that was the issue.

I took the forced days away to do all sorts of art, baking and flower arranging.

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The days have been incredible in the garden.

Saturday was beyond delicious.

A little cloudy, then soft rain in pure sunshine for a couple of fleeting minutes.

Sun shower bliss.

Big fluffy white clouds, and diffused magical sun light.

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The roses are coming in.

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As are the strawberries.

Mix up some custard and make a tart.

That's what tugged at my heart.

I use this tart recipe every time, the dough just needs a little extra tablespoon or two of water.

Oh and, I use all butter, no shortening.

So, where it calls for shortening, just use butter if you'd like.

Lovely days 4

That beautiful afternoon sun light beckons while the oven does its work.

When the sun glimmers just so, you can see all manner of tiny flying creatures flutter about.

Catching sun on their wings.

I love, I mean love, that time of day.

Lovely days 9

My little brownie by my side.

Normally he is always my shadow.

But never open to photo ops.

I am getting tricky 🙂

Hello tail.

Lovely days 10

Collecting petals and setting the table for Easter.

Lovely days 15

Bringing out my sugar eggs.

I wanted to do another sugar egg post, alas, the internet gremlins didn't allow it.

Here's my tutorial from last year though.

Lovely days 12

I get so excited about flowers in the garden.

I can hardly stand it.

I am waking up at 5 a.m. these days.

Running out to see what new little buds are happening out there.

Lovely days 2

Some are so perfect.

I know you are probably sick of me saying this.

But I just find flowers so astounding.

They take my breath away.

Such beyond word treasures from nature.

I know you agree and more than likely, feel the same way?

Lovely days 5

I can not choose what time of day I love more.

Early morning…

Or diffused light afternoons.

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Those afternoons, bliss sigh.

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I tiptoe through.

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Friends gather in the front garden.

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I pluck.

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And sniff.

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And run in to check on baking things.

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Fur babes play in wildflower filled earth.

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I collect.

I give bouquets to my sister, to Mister, to my dining table.

Over and over.

Lovely days 17

I love this spring.

All springs.

I saw some photos of autumn, and was reminded of its beauty.

I was taken by the thought, of how, once spring fades and summer moves in…

Lovely days 18

It gives you just enough heat and play and green to prepare for autumn.

To cause a yearning.

It's like, the season shifts just at right moment.

But for now, we swim in spring.

Lovely days 21

Lovely beautiful spring.

Evening spring.

Lovely days 1

Spring days, with all their newness and inspiration.

With skips and laughter under rose filled arbors.

With butterflies peeking in.

With cardinals chasing each other through the trees.

With sunflowers thinking about pushing through winter earth, that slowly becomes a memory.

These are the days.

The days we will look upon with fondness years from now.

We shan't miss them.

Or take them for granted.

Or wish for something else.

But instead, take a little time to absorb the right now.

The, this moment.

Yes, yes, this is what we should do.

Wouldn't you say?

 

I hope you had a lovely Easter.

I made all sorts of edibles.

It was a lovely time.

And now, off I go, to catch that enchanted afternoon light.

As it dances through leaves and trees, right into my front garden.

Don't you love that light?

 

Off, to hug my two handsome fur sons.

And to oversee Mister Lovee's shenanigans.

The kind where he climbs tall ladders, and ties a rope around his waist.

Whilst wielding around an electric saw through branches and air.

Tree trimming you see.

 

Why I think I can save him if he falls, I don't know?

But it makes me feel better to keep an eye out.

Also, he is bringing down last year's gourds that went way up high.

Yay!

 

Stay tuned for the next post.

I have the most exciting lil' visitor to share.

Who, might even take a trip to live at your pad.

Oooooo, he is so darling!

I can't wait!

(I really want him for myself, alas, he must voyage)

 

 

Love, V

 

 

Sparkly heart

 

 

 ps:  I planted two apple trees, that do well in my region, last week.

I have wanted them for many years, I hope they flourish.

Do you have an apple tree?

I love apples.

Also, thanks for the allergy commiserating.

It only lasted a day, I think something I am not used to blew in with the windy days.

The pomegranate bush is full of blooms.

Something to look forward to for autumn.

 

pss:  Typepad is still working on some issues from the massive attack.  If you have issues visiting or leaving a comment, that's why, but hopefully in the next week all issues will be resolved.  It was a doozy, eek!

 

  1. Miss Linda says:

    Everything is so very beautiful. All the new buds and other growth…wow, I’m so jealous of the wonder of it all. Our buds are so very tiny that can’t be photographed yet. Soon….I will post about it when I can see more of them.
    I am so glad that type pad has corrected itself…
    Thank you for sharing it all.

  2. Laura Tieri says:

    Such beautiful flowers everywhere! I still love those purple roses!
    I did try & get on here earlier and I thought it was my computer acting up.
    Happy Easter to you all! The weather was wonderful today! Warm & all sun!
    I had the allergy issues today. We went to my husband’s brother’s house & they just put down some kind of stinky mulch!
    I couldn’t stop sneezing & my head is all messed up now! I was glad to get back home & breathe in some fresh air!

  3. phyllis says:

    Lovely strawberry tart, if I do say so myself!
    Of course the roses…so beautiful.
    I think you should climb up the TREE with LovEE and paint the gourds right where they are 🙂
    Apple trees… I have access to forty of them planted by a cousin, now gone…incredible thing he left us! Just have to wait until hmm…Augusto or Septiembre 🙂

  4. Miss Linda, I can’t wait until your abundance of green explodes there. You will want to skip around madly after your rough rough winter 😉

  5. That allergy things is so interesting to me. I don’t like it, but it’s funny how our body has a chemical reaction and freaks out 😉
    I think something I am not used to blew in that day, because unless I am mowing fat blooming weeds, I am fine around here for the most part.
    YAY for warm and glorious days for you, hoooray!!

  6. I LOVE apples. They are one of my faves! 40 apple tress, oh gasp!! How wonderful!!

  7. Renee says:

    Welcome Back.
    The tart looks beautiful. I made two simple pies today for Easter dinner one with lemon jello, juice and cool whip the other with strawberries, jello and cool whip. They were nice and fruity for a very warm day.
    I love, love, love flowers too. We have been busy planting, starting seeds inside for the garden and we are now owners of a small greenhouse 🙂
    We had a lovely Easter with my daughter and her family. The weather was perfect.
    Spring makes me so happy.

  8. Yumm! And a greenhouse??! OH MY! How beyond wonderful <3

  9. Kimberly says:

    Vanessa:
    Everything looks stunning and lovely! I adore roses, but I just can’t get the hang of proper pruning. My roses always get leggy and gnarly. I’ve watched tutorials, read books etc….but I just can’t seem to catch on. So frustrating.
    What are those purple flowers in the background behind Matty’s rear end?
    xoxo
    Kim
    Gerushia’s New World

  10. Kimberly says:

    Vanessa:
    Everything looks stunning and lovely! I adore roses, but I just can’t get the hang of proper pruning. My roses always get leggy and gnarly. I’ve watched tutorials, read books etc….but I just can’t seem to catch on. So frustrating.
    What are those purple flowers in the background behind Matty’s rear end?
    xoxo
    Kim
    Gerushia’s New World

  11. Kimberly says:

    Hahahahaa…..well, I see my comment finally posted!!

  12. I wish you could come to my house and I could show you how to prune the roses. It’s an art in itself, took me a few years to finally totally see and get it, and be like, OHHHH Doh, that was easy. You have to zen out when you are pruning and work slowly. It’s like reading the shape of your bush. The flowers behind Matty are sweet williams, they are everywhere this year. I love then so xoxo

  13. Alia says:

    Yay spring! I think this weekend I might actually have a smidge of free time (haven’t had much in ages) to buy more plants to plant! I need to get more things growing so my yard looks pretty for our masquerade party.
    Thanks for stopping by to check in on my blog now that I am posting again. I just did a post about The Parish. Have you ever been there? It is about Oracle and Orange Grove so wouldn’t be TOO much of a trek from up in Catalina. It is one of my favorite restaurants here and we had just the best Easter brunch there! Anyway I highly recommend it if you ever get the chance!

  14. Alia says:

    Yay spring! I think this weekend I might actually have a smidge of free time (haven’t had much in ages) to buy more plants to plant! I need to get more things growing so my yard looks pretty for our masquerade party.
    Thanks for stopping by to check in on my blog now that I am posting again. I just did a post about The Parish. Have you ever been there? It is about Oracle and Orange Grove so wouldn’t be TOO much of a trek from up in Catalina. It is one of my favorite restaurants here and we had just the best Easter brunch there! Anyway I highly recommend it if you ever get the chance!

  15. Alia says:

    Yay spring! I think this weekend I might actually have a smidge of free time (haven’t had much in ages) to buy more plants to plant! I need to get more things growing so my yard looks pretty for our masquerade party.
    Thanks for stopping by to check in on my blog now that I am posting again. I just did a post about The Parish. Have you ever been there? It is about Oracle and Orange Grove so wouldn’t be TOO much of a trek from up in Catalina. It is one of my favorite restaurants here and we had just the best Easter brunch there! Anyway I highly recommend it if you ever get the chance!

  16. Alia says:

    Shoot, sorry about that being posted three times. Feel free to delete the extras!

  17. So sorry shenanigans happened with Typepad. I knew something was up, as one blogger’s link on my sidebar didn’t go to the correct site, so I deleted the link but hope to restore it when things are normal again.
    Your strawberry tart looks so scrumptious! Can’t wait to make one too!
    We had some very lovely Iris’s growing and blooming and it seemed they stopped blooming overnight, and withered away kind of like the Wicked Witch of the East’s witchey shoes as they seemed to shrivel up and die that fast. But they were so lovely with their delicate light purple color…I think they are the ones called ‘You’re Special’.
    Your myriad of roses are amazing. I love this time of year and I also love the fall. And you sugar eggs are so divine, they are really amazing!
    😉
    Miss Teresa

  18. Shell says:

    So beautiful! You have been such an inspiration to me for so many years following this little blog – such beauty and awareness of it. I loved this post – full of such spring wonder (It’s Autumn here). 🙂 Thanks for sharing.

  19. Amazing pictures and beautiful flowers. I am especially fascinated by that light lavender/violet rose – what kind is that?

  20. I am not quite sure. I can’t wait for your seeds to arrive. I planted some of the same ones, so you will be planting yours far away, and me here, and let’s see what happens…. there will be pumpkin siblings on both sides of the world 😉

  21. Annalee says:

    I loooooooove to see all of your flowers! It’s just barely, barely Spring here… still chilly/cold at night & not terribly warm during the day… but soon, soon! Until then, though, I’ll make little escapes to your magical place and oooooo and aaaaaaahhh over your flowers & fur babes and tasty treats.
    XOXO
    Annalee

  22. Roselie says:

    These photos are so beautiful, spring fresh! And oooh the tart I want to make it, like , now…

  23. Miss Linda says:

    I love all the beauty of your gardens and home you share. I can smell the warmth of the air from here. We are still having cool air and our little buds are still tiny,but there is still hope. Can’t wait till your next post.

  24. Marjorie says:

    Oh your poor blog! I had no idea…I’m really growing more than sick of hearing about such attacks on sites….for the life of me I can’t think who has the time to do such horrid and pointless things…..I hope all is better now. Your garden delights are such a treat!! : )

  25. Love those lavender roses.
    Yep…Typepad has been a nightmare this week.
    Hey! That photo of Matty is so funny…
    he’s just praying, PRAYING that Douglas will disappear.

  26. Laura, you will never guess this. Douglas hates Miles and Matty and
    Douglas are best friends, and Matty even lets him sleep in his bed now, can you
    believe it????
    Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
    Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
    In a message dated 4/25/2014 12:03:44 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,

  27. Jordan says:

    Such beautiful photos! I adore flowers

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