PHOTO FRIDAY - Cherry Blossom

Merry Meet, my friends!

Pixabay contributor

One of my most anticipated signs of Spring is when the Cherry Blossom bush bursts with little balls of fragrant flowers. The individual flowers look similar to that of a lilac bloom but the clusters are round rather than elongated. The smell is soooo sweet. 

As the bush began to set buds, we were in for a hard freeze. I pinned a couple of sheets together then clothes-pinned them to the North and West side of the bush to protect as many of the buds as I could. We escaped the hard freeze and I was rewarded with a bush (over 8' tall) loaded with fragrant blooms. They are delicate and don't hold up well under a pelting rain so when storms were headed our way the other night, I clipped several clusters to fill small vases. I keep one by the computer when I'm working and one on my nightstand.

The Cherry Blossom is full of magical properties.

Their delicate nature inspire the future - of things ahead, found in spring they are a sign of rebirth & renewal as well as the energy of abundance 

To learn more about this Spring flower, check out THIS post.

Blessings

~Rain

 

FULL MOON - The Pink Moon

Known by multiple names, including Pink Moon, Sap Moon, Crow Moon and Lenten Moon, the April Moon is the heralding of Spring in all it's glory. Sometimes also referred to as the Easter Moon because Easter is the first Sunday following the full moon.

While the moon may not show as pink, when this beauty rises in the sky at 1:09 a.m (CST) we can truly celebrate the awakening of new growth and a fresh spirit.

We have storms in the forecast for here so I'm not sure I'll get to view the moon... but I'll know it's there and another turn has begun.

How will you celebrate the "Pink Moon"?


Blessings
~Rain

WELCOME SPRING! - Ostara

In like a lion... out like a lamb.

I'm not sure where we fall here in the Ozarks. We did have a couple of decent storms early in the month. On the 11th we had our first winter snow storm - yes our first. Our average snowfall per season is 17"... we have had 1.7" And I'm pretty sure we are done.

We've had rain, sleet, hail from pea size to soft ball in some places... but the snow is done for the year.

Potential peach crops were severely damaged by the freeze last weekend as were other budding flowers and plants.

Tulips are coming up though they've not bloomed yet. The daffodils weathered the cold pretty well and the grape hyacinth are filling the bird feeding area. The Cherry Blossom bush doesn't seem the worse for the cold and the sweet scent of the pink clusters are beginning to fill the air.

While grocery shopping last week I bought a bouquet of colored daisies in blue, white, pink and yellow. I will add a picture of them on my altar in the next day or two. I'm still battling this silly head cold and haven't done much that required leaving the recliner.

Yesterday I brought home 12 straw bales to add to the 8 or so I have in the green house. I'm anxious to clear out the decomposed bales from last year and set in the new bales for a new growing season. The composted bales will fill the potato tires and be the base for the flower beds and planters.

How have you welcomed Spring? Link up pictures of you altar. We'd love to see.

Blessings
~Rain 

WHAT THE WEATHER?

The weather from coast to coast has been a roller coaster. Less than two weeks ago we were preparing for an ice storm - after having experienced several days in the upper 60s*. The ice wound up being nothing more than rain in my area, while other places had ice up to an inch thick or more. 

This week we've had the upper 60s* again. I spent part of yesterday outside taking pictures of projects I want to work on this year, measuring for flower beds, cleaning kennels before more rain moved in today - and it did with a vengeance - finding it hard to believe I was doing this in late January! I felt like I should be hunting Easter eggs. But then I hunted them in the snow in CO as a child so anything is possible.  We are to have a couple more above average temperature days before we start experiencing normal January weather - as we approach February. How much stock do you take in the ground hog? Personally, at the rate we are going, I'm not holding my breath for an early spring. 

But Earth Mother has a plan. Patience has never been a virtue of mine. I think she is training me. 

Speaking of spring, while out and about yesterday I saw the first nubs of the Naked Ladies, Grandma's Lillies.. whatever you call them. I didn't think to see if the crocus' were popping their little heads yet. I hope they know what they are doing. 

Thankfully, this is an odd numbered year so fruits and vegies will not produce as heartily. I take comfort in that if we do get a killing frost, I won't be out much... and that there is a reason...

Always a reason

Blessings

~Rain