Icy Shamrocks

I have always loved clover.  This curl of leaves is bedecked with ice crystals, smiling and sparkling in the morning sun.  Some call this sweet little plant a shamrock--a name from our Irish heritage.  The shamrock is firmly established as the most instantly recognizable emblem of Ireland. It is said to bring good luck, and is usually included in the bouquet of an Irish bride. St. Patrick was said to use the three leaves as a way to explain God.

I adore these lovely little leaves--they grow in my yard and the bees feast on their blossoms throughout Spring and Summer.

I am a friend of the bees and always endeavor to plant flowers they love.

Happy St. Patrick's Day--I know this is a bit early, as that holiday is celebrated on March 17th, still--with Spring's arrival, with its joyous sunshine and bursting of everything green--I am celebrating a little early!

Blessings and joy to you!

Happy Valentine's Day!

This is a Queen Anne's Lace heart.  When summer is done, the flowers dry and curl into little nests.  This one was embellished by winter's touch.  I took this picture last year.  December and January have been unseasonably warm here in the valley--the warmest on record.

The tiny daffodils are flowering and my Rhodies are trying to bloom.  I kept telling them it was too soon--but with the springlike weather--they weren't listening.

And I was right!  This coming week arctic air is dipping into the valley and we might even see some snow.  My Grandfather called unseasonably early warm weather a "False Spring."  I love his take on the weather.  He would call an ice storm a "Silver thaw."  So much more descriptive than just an "ice storm!"  I miss him--he was my best friend growing up.

Today is bittersweet.  This is my third Valentine's Day without my Beloved husband.  This year has been the hardest in some ways.  My heart and mind are finally realizing he won't be coming back and I am truly alone.

However, instead of moping around, I have decided to celebrate friendship.  I have some of the most amazing, beautiful, wonderful friends in the world.  What a blessing they are!

May God bring unexpected joy and beauty into YOUR lives, this day, dear ones.  You know who you are, and you are ever in my prayers.