Good morning, dear friends. I am so happy to see you and I so appreciate your visit. By chance, does your heart need a little lift? For many, I know the current situation we find ourselves in is becoming quite challenging. Especially for those who may live in urban areas and places to walk or enjoy the outdoors may be limited.
In her book, Gracious Living In A New World, Alexandra Stoddard tells us: “In less sophisticated times, when the pace of life was slower, there was a fundamental grounding in everyday life. We need to find some modern equivalent to feel rooted in our lives today not only to enjoy each day, but to soften the fall when we are thrown by life’s inevitable difficulties and tragedies.”
Now, when Stoddard wrote these words, she had no idea of what we would be currently experiencing. However, we have certainly been “thrown by life’s inevitable difficulties.” And in times of sadness, beauty helps to soften our days. 
“If you get simple beauty, and nought else, you get about the best thing God invents.” ~ Robert Browning
“Then I lifted the hook and flung the window open. Spring came in.” ~ Felipe Alfa
Beautiful delphiniums. They symbolize cheerfulness and goodwill. But a word of caution, bunnies enjoy nibbling on them. So, be sure to sprinkle with cayenne pepper, bunnies don’t enjoy pepper with their delphiniums.
Giving someone an iris says, “Your friendship means a lot to me.”
“I’m learning to listen to the silence, to live in a world without unending noise.” ~ unknown
“We are all dependent on one another, every soul of us on earth.” ~ George Bernard Shaw“But your solitude will be a support and a home for you, even in the midst of very unfamiliar circumstances, and from it you will find all your paths.” ~ Rainer Maria Rilke
Dear friends, I do hope you have enjoyed your visit and perhaps your heart has been lifted.
Know, I wish you and yours a lovely day.
And remember,
“Yesterday is already a dream, And tomorrow is only a vision:
But today, well lived, makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore, to this day!
Such is the salutation of the dawn.” ~ Sanskrit Proverb
We will make it through these troubled times, together.
Amour,
Sandra
Images: via tumblr
Amazing pictures and quotes! Have a lovely and blessed Sunday!
Thank you, Maristella. The same to you.
Very uplifting and enjoyable. You brought beauty that warmed my heart today. I have a sweetheart running rose that is about to bloom that was a cutting from my grandmother’s yard that is bringing anticipation of something living on from another’s life.
The bluebird is so beautiful and all the flowers brought joy. The quotes are uplifting also. I will want to reread. I wish I could pin your images.
Dear Bonnie, thank you so much. I know your grandmother’s rose must be lovely and is a treasure to you. Is she fragrant? Most of the old roses are. I will see about your being able to pin the images.
Wishing you a beautiful day and week ahead. Stay well, my friend.❤
Beautiful, Sandra. I enjoy your words and accompanying photos of gardens and nature unfolding, but especially how they provide lessons in patience. Am I one of the few who is enjoying this downtime? Why do so many feel the need to always be moving in high speed? I’ve had to learn patience a number of times in my life, perhaps that is the difference. We live in a world where the majority demand instant gratification, and a lesson in patience is a good one, indeed. Let gardens and nature be our teachers. Have a lovely week.
Dear Rita, thank you. Such lovely words you write this morning and so very true. I do believe we will be a better society in many ways when this is over.
Wishing you and your family a beautiful day and week ahead. We have glorious sunshine in our part of the state this morning, hope you do too.❤
Good morning Sandra. What a delightful and uplifting post with lovely quotes and beautiful images. I love the first picture of the geraniums in that lovely pot with butterflies. Wishing you a joy-filled day my friend?
Good morning to you, dear Pam. Thank you for your kind words. Wishing you a glorious day and week ahead. May all of you stay well and prayers for your safety from the storms of the south.❤
Thank you for the beautiful pictures and words this morning.
Happy you enjoyed them, Penny. Have a lovely day and week ahead.
Yes, my heart needed a little lifting and this helped! I’ve turned to Alexandra’s words this week too, Sandra, and found comfort and wisdom in them. Even wondered if she were okay and visited her website. I don’t want to lose anymore of wise minds to this virus! Your closing quote is wonderful. Especially since every morning now does seem such a reward.
Your pictures are lovely. That sweet little bluebird!
Good morning, Dewena. So happy to see you this morning. And I am always happy to know another Alexandra Stoddard fan. She truly is a special woman. Many years ago, (2009, I believe) our humble little garden club raised the money to bring her to our town. She gave a talk titled, “Beauty Inspires Your Joy For Living.” It was a magical afternoon. My husband and I had the good fortune of spending time with her and her beloved Peter throughout the weekend. It was a gift. Such things don’t often happen in small-town West Virginia. She drew people from all over the state and surrounding states. I have written to her and she always answers. I will let you know when I hear from her.
Have a beautiful day and week ahead. Hugs for you, sweet friend.❤
Good morning, Sandra! Your words and beautiful photographs are always such a comfort and bring such happiness. I adore flowers and bluebirds. My husband and youngest son have been busy building bluebird houses from scrap lumber we had from a previous project. I know they are building more than bird houses. Together, they are making wonderful memories. Yesterday, I was able to enjoy some gardening, and it was wonderful. Our weather has been very rainy, and yesterday was filled with glorious sunshine. Thanks again for your inspiring posts. They always bring joy and peace. Happy Sunday, sweet friend!
Dear Shannon, thank you so much for your kind words.
Yes, your son and husband are doing far more than building houses. For the rest of his life every time your son sees a bluebird he will always remember the special time with his dad. My husband built nesting boxes for the bluebirds when we lived in VA. I loved to watch them bounce through the sky.
Shannon, we have blue skies this morning but we have also had considerable rain and it has been quite cold. Our weather has been more like March than April. But, I do know spring will arrive in all her glory soon and I will then be in mine. Wishing you a beautiful day and week ahead. Stay well, dear friend.❤
dear friend, between rains and sun we walk every day. “Walking” is just a way of speaking because we continue in our houses without leaving.
Spring is beautiful even though it is raining and sunny in my city, yes, they alternate in silence.
I love everything you show … the quotes are very beautiful … and wise.
The Sanskrit proverb is fantastic. Thank you for displaying floral and literary beauty.
Blessings dear friend
Dear Dolores, I am so happy you are staying well and have a place you can walk. Being able to be outside is such a saving grace. We have had considerable rain here as well and it has been quite cold.
My friend, I cannot thank you enough for your very kind words. They mean so much. Do stay well and we will all come through this in time. And I believe as a better world. Have a lovely day and week ahead. Many Blessings. ❤
This is exactly the beauty I needed this morning and this afternoon. Thank you, Sandra. Perfection.
Thank you, Jeanie. I do hope all is well in your world. ❤
Lovely photos, truly artwork and the dear quotes. I do believe we just need to breathe. We have been retired and have already slowed down our lives. My children are learning, I can see it in their texts and their calls. It’s the children missing school that is so hard…and those who need to graduate—again, we just need to learn to breathe. Hugs, Sandi
Thank you, Sandi. I enjoy being retired and not in the constant state of ‘Rush.’ I know the current situation is hard on the little ones, they miss their school, teachers, and friends. And it is a sad time for those who are to be graduating. But, you are right, “We need to breathe.” We must do the right things to get through this, not only for ourselves but for everyone. Thanks, Sandi for your visit. I hope you will return soon.
This was lovely, Sandra. Uplifting thoughts and gorgeous garden photos. It’s going to be a good week when we can tuck so many beautiful images in our hearts.
Heart hugs,
Brenda xox
Many thanks, Brenda. Beauty certainly helps us go through our days. It is looking somewhat like spring in our area, the lilacs are in bloom and other things are coming along. Hope you are seeing signs of spring in your area also. Be well, my friend.❤