All Creatures Great and Small

We've had a lovely stretch of warm weather the last few days,

 and I have been taking advantage

 of the mild temperatures and clear skies

to work outside. 

Of course I am never alone - all creatures great and small keep me company! 

There are doves cooing, and wild pigeons...

There is a pair of pileated woodpeckers that love to tap, tap, tap on the hollow trees. 

A single pair of crows always nests nearby, keeping watch for eagles and hawks. 

And the swallows are back, gliding gracefully through the skies! 

Of course my domestic companions always keep me company, too! 

A comfort while I am working alone outside. 

Sunshine illuminates even the lowliest plants, bringing forth their beauty. 

This little fellow was making his way across the walkway. 

When I garden, I try to grow plants that are not tasty to the wild things. 

Native plants are greatly encouraged. 

I learned long ago that it was too expensive

 and too time consuming to try and grow anything that needed pampering. 

I reserve those for pots on the deck. But even these are not entirely safe! 

But I never use harmful chemicals. 

I have too many wild things to take a chance. 

I have learned to work with nature. 

I have my own natural insecticides! 

This little tree frog lives on my deck. 

As I work tidying up gardens, 

pulling weeds and spreading mulch, (last year's fallen leaves) 

I think about  plant societies and how closely they mimic our own. 

Some like to live in the bright lime-light, with showy blossoms, but with a high maintenance attitude. 

Some prefer the quiet edges away from others, with only a few friends to keep them company, 

Others like a crowd and form large colonies of like minded companions. 

There are the prickly hedges that nobody wants to mess with, and the proud, stately trees that oversee all. 

Some are generous with many fruits to offer, and others are sweet and shy, hiding in the shadows.

There are bullies that take over...

and some are rare specimens, intriguing and enchanting to know. 

And then there is the rose....angels incarnate. 

Some even have distinct personalities and a sense of humor! 

My favorite society! 

 Others have sweet little curious faces! 

And some stand out in a crowd.

All unique and special in their own way. 

Here's another sweet face!

As I work among the plants, 

I feel such gratitude for these small creatures that share my world. 

And the great ones, too! 

Always a smile....

or a quiet presence waiting nearby. 

Someone to watch over me...

And make me laugh! 

Sweet loving friends to comfort me when I'm sad. 

So as the day comes to a close, and the hummingbirds roost for the night,

And Mount Rainier reflects the evening glow,

I count the many blessings that led me here to live....

among all creatures great and small.

xoxo

All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful,

The Lord God made them all.

-Cecil Frances Alexander-

More Spring Decorating - Vintage Cottage Style

The sun has been shining inside and out, 

which has inspired me to do a bit of re-decorating for Spring. 

A little lighter and brighter, adding some spring colors and small touches for Easter. 

Some fragrant sprigs from the garden (Sarcoccoca - Sweet Box),

 and small keepsakes for Easter. 

The sweet Easter card was one I gave to my Mom years ago. 

She saved it and I found it in her things. 

She loved pretty cards. 

My 'Blue Eyes' bought me the vintage vase - with roses - one birthday. 

These glass daffodils were a gift from a sweet sister. 

The embossed tile was a classroom art project of my son's when he was young. 

The mid-century modern art piece was a recent lucky find. 

I was drawn to the unusual shape and colors.

Mourice - Calif.

These pieces are still relatively inexpensive and come in bright glazed colors. 

Another glazed Mourice piece - this one an urn, holds a nest of chalk eggs. 

The footed glazed pot was also made by my son when he was young. 

I've added sprigs of pussy willow and dogwood to 'Big Blue', my 5 gallon water bottle. 

A copper pot filled with lavender buds, with a small scoop for stirring, keeps things fresh. 

The plant stand is updated with pots of pansies. 

Sweet Peter Rabbit and Flopsy guard a basket of painted wooden eggs on the settee'. 

A vintage style jelly bean tin ( a gift from my sis ) and nested basket. 

Another sister gift, this tin basket holds weeping cherry sprigs on the front door...

With a sweet vintage message. 

The entry table holds some flocked rabbits and basket of eggs. 

A tray I decoupaged with a pretty napkin of violets waits for keys and mail. 

Even the wine rack gets a nod to the season with a blue glass nested rabbit. 

I love colored glass, especially in front of a window. 

I've transferred my collection of green glass to this blue cupboard in the hallway. 

Blue and green are my favorite colors. 

The Seaside Tray was decoupaged using a copy of a watercolor painting of my Mother's.

A pretty custard cup holds a nest with a glass egg
 and glittered bird, a gift from daughter, Heather.

I do love to decorate for the holidays with sentimental keepsakes
which bring to mind loved ones, some now gone, and some far away.

In this busy world we don't get to see the ones we love as often as we like.

These small tokens of love keep me connected to those that I love as I go about my day.

Holidays and special occasions are time for bringing together families, past and present.

Thank you for coming along on my sentimental decorating journey.

I hope this inspires you to do some sentimental decorating of your own.

My grandmother, Beatrice Euphemie would approve.

'Vintage Cottage Style'.

xoxo

I left you in the morning,
And in the morning glow
You walked a way beside me
To make me sad to go.
Do you know me in the gloaming,
Gaunt and dusty gray with roaming?
Are you dumb because you know me not,
Or dumb because you know?

All for me? And not a question
For the faded flowers gay
That could take me from beside you
For the ages of a day?
They are yours, and be the measure
Of their worth for you to treasure,
The measure of the little while
That I've been long away.

-Robert Frost-