Out back

We have been enjoying our humble, sweet little backyard from our swing. The beautiful spring weather just sort of calls us outside, especially when the shadows are long.


The rose bush we inherited with the house is as hearty as they get. And lovely.


We have a festive little harvest of strawberries; only when all the bunnies (yes, they are prolific) stay away.


I am so thankful for these spring days.

Valentine flowers

My sweetie picked out some charming flowers for me on our Whole Foods Valentine's date. 
Bonus: Getting to arrange them in some vases at home to enjoy for a couple of weeks.


I love flowers.





We sure enjoyed these beauties for 2 whole weeks.

Hibiscus

Cheerful Hibiscus.




*I promise I didn't edit these photos!

Sunny Flowers

Oh, just here to share some eye candy that happens to be growing 
on 10' stalks in the backyard next door.


Here's the first day that was camera-worthy, ya know, when I was out there and noticed them and just had to snap some pictures. They are so interesting to me and I don't think I had seen any growing before--only in vase arrangements.






And then just a week later, the bees were a-swarmin' 
all around these babes. I love how happy they are.






Golly, I'm such a flower nut.  These aren't even 
our sunflowers and I post about them :)


I hope they make you smile today!

Nature Drawing: Rabbit

Well, it's kind of been plant week around here :) Jill Bliss (via Design*sponge) has inspired me to journal the nature around me. Today I featured a little character known well around these parts.

An outlaw. A rebel. Up to all sorts of mischief.

Nature Drawing: Basil

And speaking of cooking........

Inspired by the oh-so-nice taste of hubby's and my culinary creation (see below and tell me you aren't drooling..), I sat down to draw the little pot of nature we have growing in our kitchen by the window.


I love that God's provision of herbs is both a provision of beauty and of flavorful nourishment for us to enjoy :)



Mmm. Art inspired art.

Nature Drawing: Celosia

We made our annual trip to the nursery to find plants that will survive and thrive in the months to come, the North Texas summer heat that lasts long into November. Pretty plants are in the front beds {we tuck them in each night with a kiss} and we saved these special flowers for the back.

Turns out they are not only ornamental but are edible. Maybe I'll add them to my cooking :)

Nature drawing: Willow

I love the shapes of her roots stretching out, almost slithering down into the ground.
She's strong and has a story of her own.



Just some Design*Sponge fun :)

Sunshine Tea

With the sunlight beaming through our open windows on our beautiful spring Saturday

I lie on my belly next to the pitcher on our floor



and watched as the rays warmed the water, slowly convincing the tea bag

to relax and release its flavorful dye.




With fresh mint leaves added to infuse with the rust-colored brew,



our refreshing liquid treat was complete, the whole process natural,

simply herbs and water melded by our great source of light.

Sunshine tea

Spring

They lay dormant all winter, too timid to brave the wind and cold.  Smothered
under a blanket of snow for a time, they patiently wait.

The soft sunlight beckons their awakening and they begin to peek their heads out from their hiding spots.

Usually seen as invaders--nagging pests, but to me a welcome sign of spring.

Even weeds can be beautiful.

Mar's Day

In honor of my grandmother {I've mentioned her a few times before} Mar's birthday today, 
I wanted to showcase pictures of some her gorgeous greenhouse babies.

Isn't it amazing that infinite God saw reason to precisely design each tiny speckle, each contour and the intricate root system of these delicate flowers?

Just as His mighty hand crafted each orchid, He sculpted each of us. And saw good reason to.

Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8

Seven Blooms

My grandmother has grown orchids for years in the greenhouse attached to their living room. Yes, it's cool. She nurtures and tends her plants with great care, not missing when one of them opens a new bloom or when a little frog pays a visit.
Well, she gave us a beautiful deep violet orchid to care for--I mean, it feels like I've adopted one of her children. After heeding her careful instructions, we have seven blooms to enjoy!

Mar, thanks for sharing the work of your green thumb.






They are so delicate. And picky. She said they are so sensitive to their environment, if you move them to a different spot in the room, they sometimes die. Needless to say, we have let this plant rule the roost atop our kitchen table. Fun to watch it bloom.

May Flowers

We had our first landscaping adventure a few weeks back...and now have some growth to show for it! Hubby dug up some big shrubs, bless his heart, and we're excited about the overall difference our work made!

Thanks to the wisdom of some green thumbs we know (!), we tried to go with plants compatible with our little yard's conditions. Hoping we can keep these beauties alive and well this summer in our hot and dry North TX climate.

Everyday Beauty: Lettuce

isn't this the most gorgeous lettuce you've ever seen?

I love it when something as usually mundane as lettuce makes me run and get my camera.

Thanks for sharing your pretty leaves, Mama :)