...the Queen of the Garden.

Jasmine, honeysuckle, tuberose, frangipani. All beautiful,white,creamy flowers that fill the air with amazing perfume. All stars of the garden in their own right. None however can come close to the Queen of them all...the Gardenia. Her flower has graced the wrist of many a young girl at proms and homecomings,her petals probably still dried and pressed between the pages of some long forgotten book. She has watched countless weddings from the lapels of anxious grooms everywhere, and has gained worldwide fame as the flower gracing the hair of the inimitable Miss Billie Holiday. Some have tried, unsuccessfully, to recreate her fragrance and capture it in bottles for purchase. All this, yet she can still be content to grow in the humble yards of those who choose to take the time. Mind you she is difficult and fickle to grow, often times dropping her buds well before their time. She doesn't like too much sun, can't quite take the shade, takes a huge amount of patience, but rewards those who dare with her intoxicating fragrance and creamy white petals. She lets us bring her into our homes to float serenely in crystal bowls, imparting her scent within our own four walls.
Next time you pass her at your local nursery, consider taking her home.
I guarantee, with a bit of love and patience, you will be rewarded ten times over.

...a glimpse through my window.

In order to see birds, it is necessary to become part of the silence.
- Robert Lynd

I woke up on Saturday morning knowing I needed to make a Birthday card for a dear friend who loves all things "bird". I had been trying unsuccessfully for months to sit quietly in my back yard and capture some fluttering friends to add to my photo collection. With three finch feeders and a forest of trees and flowers, you would think this would be easy. Absolutely not!
What elusive little creatures!
Well, as luck would have it that Saturday morn, I woke to an unusual amount of chirpy chatter coming from outside my bedroom window. There on the bush outside, were dozens of tiny little birds, scurrying for their breakfast. They seemed to be enjoying an avian gourmet feast. I ran to get my camera, and of course when I got back, not a feather in sight. There I stood for what seemed like eternity, camera to window pane, waiting patiently for their return. As you can see, I was rewarded by one little fellow who landed on a piece of garden art and turned, almost posed, in my direction. Maybe he knew just how wonderful he would look on a card, and what pleasure he would bring to the Birthday Girl.
Thank you little bird, I am very grateful.