“I am going to try to pay attention to the spring. I am going to look around at all the flowers, and look up at the hectic trees. I am going to close my eyes and listen.” ~ Anne Lamott
Good morning, dear friends. I want to thank those of you who left sweet comments last week on my blog post. You are special friends and I appreciate each of you very much. All went well with my eye surgery and hopefully, by next week, I should be back to normal.
Does today find you with your “eyes closed, listening to the sounds of spring, looking up at the hectic trees, paying attention, and not missing a thing?” Certainly, I hope so. Because spring is too dear to miss a sound or a bloom.
Spring is a whimsical wanderer, blooming beauty along her path. ~ Angie Weiland-Crosby
While typing is still a bit of a challenge, I thought I would send you beautiful words and blooms. Simply to send a little joy your way or inspire you to truly open your eyes to all the exquisite beauty of the garden world. The magnificence is at every turn during spring. You may discover it on a wee walk in your own neighborhood. Just imagine, gorgeousness you have never noticed.
And now one knows what is behind that brick wall.
“Spring unlocks the flowers to paint the laughing soil.” ~ Bishop, Reginald Heber
“Flowers rewrite soil, water, and sunshine into petal’d poetry.” ~ Terri Guilemets
If a peony is not poetry, I can’t imagine what is. I have adored them since I was a child and to me, they are the ‘Queen of the Garden.’
They are available in a wide variety of colors, and forms. There are the singles (such as the one above), the Japanese, anemone, semi-double, bomb, and full double. When I first began growing peonies (40 plus years ago), I was partial to the semi-double and full double. Now, that has changed and they all steal my heart.
“The peony was unchaste, dishevelled as peonies must be, and at the height of its beauty.” ~ Robertson Davies
Dear friends, I hope you have enjoyed your visit. Many thanks again, to all who left such lovely comments last week. I will leave you with a few blooms from our garden that I cut this morning. May they bring you joy!
Know I wish you and yours a wonderful day and a week full of beauty and blue skies. Be well.
Look closely out of the window and you will see the rhododendron just opening.
“Open the bloom of your heart and become a gift of beauty to the world.” ~ Bryant McGill
Amour,
Sandra
Images: Tumblr and M.S. Lambiotte
Good morning, Sandra. What a beautiful gift of flowers, quotes, and personal sentiments you have given us on this Sunday in May. Your flowers are exquisite my friend and I know you are happiest with flowers. Peonies are definitely a stand out in the garden. I am glad to hear you are recovering wonderfully with your eye surgery. Wishing you a beautiful week!
I always love seeing your post pop up in my mail box. I always looked forward to spring when living in NC. Peonies are a favorite of mine. Everything blooms year round here in Florida, so I feel very lucky.
Good morning, Sandra! Your cut flower bouquet is gorgeous! This spring has been especially exciting for me. I’ve always enjoyed anticipating neighbors’ blooms, but this year it’s been my own little garden that has given me more joy! I have four types of peonies (surprised by the fourth one this past week!), and my irises have bloomed, transplanted rose bush survived three weeks of some unusually hot weather and shock, and my annuals are planted. I will try to share soon, but I’ve just been super busy ‘doing’! I’m so glad your cataract surgery was successful. What a relief that must be. It’ll be a few years before mine will be at that defining mark, but my right eye bothers me already with the cloudiness at times.
Have a wonderful week to come!
I can just SMELL those peonies! What gorgeous flowers. Your garden must be going great guns right now and what a haven. I hope you can pull up a chair and just settle in and sniff and smile, a cuppa tea in hand! I’m glad recovery is going well and thanks for sharing these lovely images with us today!
What lovely thoughts and photos, Sandra! Especially smitten with those blue irises. And your peonies, oh my! I agree with your comment, “If a peony is not poetry, I can’t imagine what is.” And that fresh bouquet straight from your garden… be still, my heart!
Glad your eyes are well on the way to full recovery. Wishing you beautiful week ahead. xo
I’m giving myself time to enjoy spring to the fullest this year, Sandra. It all seems so much more precious with every passing year. I love your vase of peonies and iris and they look just right framed by your classic curtains with the sweet little ball fringe trim (if that’s what it’s called). It’s wonderful that you are progressing so nicely after your cataract surgery!
Sandra, I so enjoyed seeing all of the beautiful flowers you shared for this Sunday. Your quotes are lovely as well, and your blog is always a joy to visit. I am glad to read that you are recovering well from your eye surgery. Take care, sweet friend, and enjoy your week.
Hello Sandra,
What a beautiful post, full of the glory of flowers and the delight of words. I’m glad your surgery went well and hope that healing continues. Peonies are such elegant flowers and I’m impatiently waiting for mine to bloom.
Have a most wonderful week.