Unexected Mushroom Surprise

This delightful little mushroom is a little smaller than a pencil eraser.  I was so pleased to have captured this fragile beauty with my camera. 

Have a lovely day, dear friends.  The sun is shining and God is good.

Mossy Forest -Guest Heart Thursday

This is a picture of the woods in winter.  Here in Oregon, up until January, the rains have soaked the ground and forests causing a huge amount of moss to grow.  It grows on everything.  Can you see the outline of a heart here?  I just love the woodlands here.

Have a lovely day and Happy Guest Heart Thursday.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Heart of Fall -Guest Heart Thursday

Mums and I were having a "Pond Moment," taking a break from working in the yard, when I noticed this beautiful heart hanging in the midst of these glowing Fall leaves.  It was breathtaking!

Of course, I thought of Clytie right away!  This heart is for you, Sissy!

 
And then I saw the light--and lookie who it likes--Mumsie!  Isn't she beautiful?  I think she has the most lovely smile.  

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Mossy Heart on Maple -Guest Heart Thursday

My husband took me on a surprise picnic yesterday.  I've never been to this park before.  It was lovely.  There was no sound other than the creek and the wind whiffling through the tops of these immense trees.  The trees were HUGE!

I wasn't surprised to find a heart nearby.

Of course, I took a picture for my sweet Sissy.  This one's for you, Clytie, Queen of Hearts!!!

On our way, we spotted this sign.  Bwahahahahaaa....totally made my day.

I knew you would laugh, SissyBoo.  (giggle)  Of course, I had to take a picture of the "cutest" old fart I know. (grin)

Have a lovely day, everyone!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Whimsical Wizard

Our weather has been so rainy and moist over the past three years, many trees are covered with trailing grey beard moss.  In my vivid imagination, this tree could be a whimsical wizard!  Grey beard moss usually grows near water and can look creepily mystical as it blows in the gentle breeze. 

Have a lovely day, everyone!

Leprechaun Valley

This is from down in the Canyon where a small stream cuts through Leprechaun Valley to join the creek below.  It is a beautiful place.  I have a yearning to walk through these amazing forests.  In winter they are quite different than at any time of year.

Thank you again for your kind thoughts and powerful prayers for our family as we faced the loss of our precious Father and for my darling husband as he faced surgery for cancer.

May the Mighty Creator bless you all with the warmth of His embrace.

Mossy Reflections - Weekend Reflections

It is amazing  that so much beauty can be captured in one tiny raindrop. 

For more wonderful reflections from around the world, be sure to visit James at Weekend Reflections.

Lichen That Heart - Guest Heart Thursday

I often go on heart hunts with my darling little nice.  On our way back from a small park near our home, she spotted this one on the sidewalk.

"Auntie Bee!" She shouted, pointing merrily to the soaked sidewalk, while dancing on the tips of her toes.  "It's a heart for Auntie Honey!"

Indeed--this bit of grey green lichen is a perfectly shaped heart!  And just in time for Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

Icy Moss Heart - Guest Heart Thursday

Visiting a friend in Washington State recently, we awoke one morning to find an icy film glittering over everything.  What a beautiful sight as the sun rose.  But it is truly hard to capture a sparkle!  This is an icy moss heart we found clinging to a tree branch.  I love the color--and if you click on the picture for the bigger view--you'll see the ice crystals outlining the heart.  It is a beautiful combination.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

Gorgeous Green

This Gorgeous Green lichen was growing on some flowering shrubs near a parking lot where we performed last weekend.  I was enamored with the unexpected beauty I found.  What loveliness -- A result of the torrential rains we've had this winter.  The day before I took this photo, there were record-breaking rains soaking the ground.

It goes to show--even when things are soggy and grey--one can often find unexpected beauty.

A Moss Heart for Sissy

I was up early morning in the mountains, when I caught this sweet moss heart with my camera.  I knew this heart must be especially for my darling Sister Clytie, Queen of hearts. 

If you get the chance, pop on over to Sissy's heart page Random Hearts.  Her photos are incredibly creative and unique, not to mention inspiring!

From Lichen to Something AMAZING!

I had no idea when Martina of Chartelaine's Designs said she was inspired by the above photo, that she really meant to do something about it!  Please take a look at the GORGEOUS work she's done...I'm just speechless with admiration.  I would encourage you all to visit Martina's blog--there's a link in my sidebar.  She is such a creative person!  You will love what she does!

I have dreamed of making clothing--dying the colors to match what I see in nature--for years.  Martina has actually done it in real life.  Above you see the fruits of her labor.  I'm just astounded and VERY honored to have shot the photo which inspired her.  WOW!  She is an inspiration to me!

Mountain Retreat

I was up early to watch the sun shyly blink over the mountain.  The silence was filled with bird song and the crashing waters of Silver Creek Falls plummeting over the rim of the canyon.

I could not resist the beauty of the woods and went for an early morning walk.  I discovered this cascade of leaves and Trilliums near a tiny babbling brook.  I stopped and filled my eyes for awhile.

I found a sparkle of dew resting amid some graciously folded miner's lettuce. 

The cheery smile of a dancing Trillium greeted me as I passed along the mossy path.

Above you see the lush greens of the mosses which drape everything in the forest.  I think it looks like a giant ameba--and it's smiling!

 A cluster of georgeous wild flowers caught my eye with their vivid pinks and greens.

It was amazing how quiet it was after everyone left.  My husband was a little late, so I read a book in a cozy little gazebo beneath the tall fir trees.  But I wasn't alone.  Here you see my sweet Guardian.  She was the most gentle of souls and everywhere I went, she was sure to be found close by.

What a wonderful weekend we had!  Some of you have asked what kind of a retreat it was, along with my subject--I had the privilege of speaking to a lovely group of woman about my life's Journey to Joy.  I felt  miracles happening all around us.  It was hard to leave my dear friends . . . it is gives me such JOY to know there are others who are now beginning their own Journey to Joy.

Forest Dryad

In some ancient stories, the Dryad is an old fellow with pointy ears. Hmmmm...Sounds like Spock of Star Trek, doesn't it? Anyhow, there are other old legends which describe the lives of those who live within the trees. These are also called Dryads and Nymphs.

If you look closely at this photo--you can see the form of a woman, reaching upward. I'm sure she must be one of the forest folk I just happened to catch mid-flight.

I know, I know--I have a GREAT imagination!

Gnome? Eagle? Dolphin?

Friday night we had the privilege of performing at a dinner theater for a retreat center near Silver Creek Falls. The performance was powerful and we made many new friends. It was a truly fabulous experience. For dinner the chef served the most wonderfully tasty gourmet food. What a treat! The dinner that night and brunch the following morning were spectacular, both in quality and presentation.

We spent a comfortable night in their lovely accommodations. As soon as it was light I went exploring and found this amazing stump. I see so many things in this beautiful woodland scene--an eagle, a plump partridge, a gnome . . .

So, of course I must ask, what do YOU see?

Bed of Moss

I had a dream Wednesday night. I was in a great green forest. Somehow I was lost, but not afraid. I was tired, so I lay down upon a high stump and pulled the moss up over myself like a soft green blanket.
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Then suddenly there was a snoring bear next to me. Hmmmmm…I nudged the bear, and snuggled the moss closer beneath my chin. Funny thing, it was so soft, fragrant and warm. I could even feel the little sticks moss often has within itself. I was so comfortable. It was a rather magical dream.
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If only life could really include moss blankets in the middle of the forest.

Glory in the Small Things

Monday morning my Sister Clytie and I tromped through the spectacular woods of our childhood. I have never seen the moss grow so thick. It covers everything. Sissy and I enjoyed a magical morning filled with laughter and wonder over our discoveries.

I happened to look down, and saw this lovely bit of moss growing on a sprig of last year's blackberry vines.

Grande Old Tree

In the forests of our childhood live giants of old. This ancient twisted maple has been alive for hundreds of years. Imagine the stories this tree could tell. My Sister, Clytie of Random Hearts, was the first to notice the graceful mossy heart of this grande old tree.