Mother's Day, a day or two late!!

Oh it was a very nice Mother's Day!

I like to celebrate events in a an extended fashion, and Mother's Day was right up my alley!  It all started with Mikey bringing over a very nice little floral arrangement from Greg and himself.  So "artsy", so unconventional, so ME!  Cool!

 Actual Mother's Day was spent with my husband instead of the kids!  Which is fine, I will see them in a few weeks.  We started off the day with a trip to my favorite local greenhouse- The Winter Greenhouse. We began with a tour of their springtime gardens.....


We saw bloodroots in flower,

we walked around and saw the bulbs blooming and the adorable pond.....

I discovered a very interesting little frog....

Little frog

But best of all, I bought a few things!  I have to replace some of my Heucheras which froze off this winter, plus a few other goodies including a new variety of Eryngium (Sea Holly) and some Carpthian mint.  There were a few other things, but they are going to be gifts, and I don't want to spill the proverbial beans!

In the afternoon, the Mad-Accountant suggested we go for a drive out to the Stockfarm bridge.  He knows that I am always on the lookout for a photo opportunity!  And photogenic it was.  In spite of the fact that there was little green to be found yet, it was warm and almost sunny.  I looked longingly off towards Glidden where my dear friend Cathy lives in a little place called Shanagolden.  Sounds lovely, doesn't it?  However, the M-A and his cousin, the Barber, were on a mission to drive every gravel backroad west of Butternut.  We covered a lot of territory- saw a LOT of trees.

I topped off the night by finishing up the mosaic piece that I began a week ago!  It turned out pretty well.  I bought some premixed grout instead of making up my own.  I chose white, when I really did want grey, but I think the results are fine.  I believe the recipient of this piece will enjoy it- I'll tell you who later!

Finally, I have not completed my Mother's Day celebration!  In a couple weeks I will be going to Janesville and then attending my first Brewer's game.  Wa Hoo!  Looking forward to that, and you can bet I will let you know how that went.  All of this driving and traveling just might make me Mad!!  :)  At least it isn't snowing....

Until next time, celebrate the big things and the little things- and always find the joy!

Sunday night Photos- Mother's Day Edition Updated

I have found, boys and girls, that photos load slowly on Sunday night.  Apparently bloggers all over America must take the last few minutes of their Sunday nights and upload their armload of photos- all at the same time!  I am going to post a few photos tonight, but will definitely add to them tomorrow, along with a separate Mother's Day post.  When the photos load faster..... and bloggers all over America are tired from Monday.

Beautiful, gorgeous Friday evening!

Hey, this tipped over bucket means I need more water!  Are you listening to me??

Reflections of the Chippewa

Stockfarm Bridge, Ashland county

Chippewa River

In hot pursuit

Moss and water

Wild flowers

Abstract reflections

Blood roots

Winter Greenhouse gardens

Marsh marigolds- not blooming yet

Until next time, find joy where you are!

First blooms! Edited and added to...

Well this is a little more like it!

After freezing myself to death working at the track meet on Monday, today was much better.  The sun was out virtually all day, and it was reasonably warm, like in the 50's warm.  And its about bloody time!

So I was treated to a lovely sight when I got home from putting up yet another art show- this time High School art at the Public Library here in Park Falls- there were 3 fully engaged blooms of my favorite daffodils.  I attempted to capture the entirety of Lola along with the teensy little daffs in her own personal flower bed, but I couldn't get it.  And I was even laying on the ground!  I will have to change lenses and wait for a few more flowers to open.  The things that we do to get these photographs......

Tiny Tete a Tete daffodils

But, here are a couple photos that I found acceptable.  Now I am looking forward to my fancier daffs  blooming, the ones with the ruffles and doubles.  Yay!!

Tete a Tete daffs

Here are a few more- the lovely sun on Wednesday added to the bounty of gold and white.

Lola with her little carpet of daffs!

Fragrant crocus

Nothing like a daffodil to make you joyful!  Now stay that way, until next time!!

May Day Sunday Photos (Funny, it doesn't feel like May)

Alright kids, this Mad Art Teacher is getting cranky about this weather.  For heavens sakes, should we really be getting snow flurries in May??  Really???  I have another track meet to work at tomorrow and I am bringing my long underwear and wool socks.  Sigh.

I did a lot of outside stuff this week, and weekend, in spite of the uncooperative weather.  It MUST be getting warmer, soon, it just must.  After all, it is May, time for the sun to be making the ground toasty, even if it makes the mosquito population flourish.

Well, I am probably preaching to the choir here, who wants cold weather??  Any hands up?  I didn't think so....

So, here are a few photos that I took this week, including some from just this morning.

More tree planting this weekend!

Tufts of green grass in the swamp

Hen and chicks in the rock garden

Lola at sunset

This is the closest I have to blooms!

Beautiful array of greens

Golden sunset

Sempervivum cultivar

swamp still life

Here are a few more abstract photographs.  I love finding abstract beauty in nature- Some of these seem like paintings-to-be.

Milk weed pod

Pussy willow brush

Bark, wood, ground

Frozen puddle

Sempervivum in a decaying stump- rock garden

I managed to find a little color, in spite of the gloom, wind and rain/snow!  Yay!  A big thank you to my friend Tanya for a shout out on her blog- she is a wonderful writer, please check her posts out!  Sunday Baker blog.

So until next time, keep the faith! Spring is on its way- And be a joy giver!