Evening Reverie

It seems as though SPRING has been a long time in coming here to Northern Utah. But I think she has appeared at last.

I must admit that, several weeks ago, with the persistent winter chill and day after day of cloudy skies and rain (or worse!), I wasn't totally convinced that Spring would ever show her face. But, thank goodness I was wrong . . . and Spring is finally here.

Thankfully, our backyard vegetation hasn't been fooled by the unseasonably cold weather, and the Spring-flowering plants have continued to pop up through the soil undaunted, guided by their internal rhythms.

The crocuses, daffodils, tulips, and early irises have already bloomed, despite Utah's ongoing chill, snow, and rain. Their blossoms now spent, they have given way and made room for the later Spring blooming plants . . . which have also not disappointed.

As I strolled through our back yard this evening, having just finished mowing our "jungle", while the sun was beginning to lower itself in the sky, I was pleased to find a few obscure, almost hidden Spring treasures. . . .

Happy SPRING, Everyone! (It's about time, wouldn't you say?)

I Have Often Walked . . . . .

I have often walked . . . . . . . . . down this street before!


Sometimes I think that my husband Lee and I take for granted the wonderful mountain scenery around us. After all, we have lived here in the same house, on the same street, in the same city, in the same state, for over 20 years! So I guess it's easy to understand how we may have become overly accustomed to our surroundings.

But every now and then, I'm struck by how truly lucky we are to live in such a scenic area of the country, and at times like these, I do indeed feel humbled and blessed by the natural beauty around us.

I grew up in the Midwest (Kansas, to be exact), but I've long been drawn to the mountains. My first recollection of seeing mountains was during my family's early road trips to Colorado to visit my aunt who lived in Denver.

Later, I went to live in Denver for a time with that same aunt, while attending college there. I've been "hooked" on the mountains from that point on.

I lived in Denver for five years, then moved farther west into the Rocky Mountain state of Utah, and have been here ever since.

The weather here in Salt Lake City has been somewhat unpredictable this Spring, not an unusual occurrence for this part of the Rocky Mountains. The past week has been rainy and chilly. . . but today was quite beautiful.

We started the day with a clear sky, full sun and temperatures in the high sixties. A few scattered clouds found their way into the sky later in the day, but luckily, the high clouds brought no rain.

By late afternoon, when I decided to take a leisurely one-mile walk around our neighborhood, the temperature was still mild, a gentle breeze was blowing, and the light was perfect for a few hand-held scenic mountain photos. (Luckily, I had the foresight to take my camera along!)






Even after all these years, I am amazed that these kinds of views can be achieved while walking around our own little Salt Lake City neighborhood, within less than a mile of where Lee and I live.

Thank you all, once again, for visiting my Blog!

And until we meet again. . .may you each have the opportunity to enjoy unique and special views of your own. . . from the street where you live!

Ciao!

SPRINGTIME in the Rockies!

Harley was raring to go this morning for his first outing, so I didn't make him wait for me to put his coat on. . . after all it's not THAT cold outside today, despite the new fallen snow. And he enjoyed a brief morning sprint outdoors, while I ventured out in my robe and slippers to capture a couple of scenes with my camera.


Even though it's not at all unusual for us to experience wide variations in weather here in northern Utah this time of year, it always seems to take me by surprise. (How quickly we forget!)

And now that the daffodils, crocuses, and grape hyacinths in our yard have been blooming for at least a week and the tulips are beginning to open, it seems even more incongruous that Lee and I would awaken once again to several inches of snow on the ground this morning.



But, I have to reminding myself, this is what SPRINGTIME in the ROCKIES (the Rocky Mountains of Utah) is like. And before we know it, the temperatures will be in the 70s!

Thanks for visiting my little corner of the Blog world, and until we meet again. . . . . .may you all enjoy the pleasures of Spring, wherever you are!

Sunday Morning Reverie . . . . . . .

(Click on either photo to enlarge.)

There is Nothing Quite Like SPRING!

Some days are busier than others, and today, at least for me, has been one of those BUSY days! It's actually been a "good" kind of busy day, wherein I feel like I got a couple of projects done and some others at least started.

So, a little while ago, I thought I'd reward myself and give myself a break before thinking about the dreaded "C" word. . . . i.e., COOKING. I decided to grab my little camera, and take an early evening stroll around our yard with Harley, our sweet greyhound, to see what new Spring discoveries we might have missed.

Although it's been a bit of a breezy day, the wind has now subsided, making way for a lovely warmish Spring evening. And although I'm no photographer, I was able to take advantage of the early evening calm and some late day shadows to capture a few scenes from our yard.







I do love all the seasons, but truly, there is nothing quite like SPRING, is there?? (Just ask Harley!)

Could it really be. . . . SPRING??

It's hard to believe, after the unseasonably chilly weather and all the snow that we've had here along the Wasatch Front Range of the Rockies over the past couple of weeks. . . . . . but I think that SPRING might actually be showing her cheerful face in north central Utah!

This morning, I awakened to a clear blue sky and a relatively warm (60ish) blustery day. . . It didn't take long for the wind to blow in clouds and eventual rain, but before that happened, I managed to snap a few photos of the sprouting (or more aptly termed "blooming") flora in our yard.




Yes, I think it really could be SPRING!

April Showers . . . . . .

Here we are. . . .April 1, 2010, and SPRING is (or should be) upon us. APRIL FOOL!

These scenes are from our back yard, just minutes ago. . . . . .

(Click any photo to enlarge.)







Somehow I don't think the old adage,

"April Showers Bring May Flowers,"

was referring to THESE kinds of showers. . . . .



But then again, by the weekend, I'm guessing most of this snow will have melted,

and will have made way for our crocuses and early tulips to add a little color to our yard,

and for the Easter Bunny to make his way through the neighborhood.



Such is Springtime in the Rockies!



Until we meet again. . .

Wishing You a Wonderful Spring,

Wherever You Are!

BEAUTY is . . . . .

Today was the first day in almost two weeks that we haven’t had rain, usually accompanied by thunder and lightning. (Of course, there’s still time…the day isn’t over yet!)

Motivated by the relative warmth and sunshine of the day (along with a pretty strong case of cabin fever), I decided to spend a little time outdoors today exploring our yard from a slightly different perspective than I usually do.

Harley joined me, sometimes walking beside me, sometimes rustling around in the bushes searching for something of interest, and sometimes just lolling in the damp green grass, taking in the sights, smells and sounds of Spring.

It’s amazing what you notice when you’re open to possibilities and take a look at things a little more deeply than you normally do. . . . One thing led to another, I decided to go get my camera, I snapped a few photos, and the idea for today’s blog post (better late than never!) began to rattle around in my head.

Here's what came of it.

Beauty is . . . .

wherever you look for it.

whatever you want it to be.

found not only in the extraordinary, but in the ordinary as well.

Thanks for visiting my blog!

And until we meet again. . . . .may you delight in the beauty around you.

Wordless Wednesday . . . . .

Sunday Shades of Blue . . . . .

Lee and I awakened this morning to one of those cloudy, rainy Spring days . . . . the kind that is just perfect for staying home and enjoying some activities that you feel almost “guilty” doing on a bright sunny day! Activities like curling up with a good book, spending time catching up on reading your favorite blogs, doing a little crafting. . . .the list goes on and on!

As for me, I hope to spend some time on this quiet rainy Sunday to work on a few new card designs, something which I haven’t had much time to do this past week. Inspired by all the spring flowers in our garden and our neighborhood, I have a few ideas for some new paper pieced flower designs rattling around in my head, and am anxious to bring them from concept to reality.

But before I settle into my cardmaking for the rest of the day, I thought I’d take advantage of a break in the rain and take a little walk around our back yard. There’s something quite special about the way an overcast sky seems to add to the lushness of colors in one’s yard, especially in the Spring when flowers are beginning to bloom.

During my little backyard stroll, what especially caught my eye today was the richness of the lavenders and blues of the various blossoms scattered throughout our perimeter and patio garden areas. And I was, once again, inspired to take a few photos. . . . . I thought I’d share them with you.





My favorite flowers have always been Irises . . .

And this Clematis is a Spring show-stopper this year. . . . .

A purple petunia, awaiting a more "permanent" place in our summer garden . . .


And some sweet little Myrtle blossoms, making the most of the rain . . . .


Happy Sunday, Everyone!

Wordless Wednesday . . . .

After the Rain . . . .

Sun shines once again . . .


Scents of blossoms fill the air . . . .


Flowers bloom crisp and bright . . .




Hope you're having a beautiful weekend, Everyone!