Welcome to Small Reflections


"Nothing is ever achieved without enthusiasm."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Duck photo source: Lisa's Chaos
I hope you enjoy your visit. If you're looking for something specific, check out the links to posts by category in my sidebar and down a ways. They'll assist with tracking down different types of posts found on each of my three blogs. You might also enjoy checking out the other sites: Sacred Ruminations, Blog Rolls, Bling & Blurbs, and Happily Retired Gal.

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Giraffe Journal

and/or website ... Labyrinth Journal
both self-hosted at WordPress
where I publish as myself
rather than under a
pseudonym.

I've not had much time for posting or blog visits, but if you're interested I hope you'll find time to check out my new blog, Giraffe Journal or my Labyrinth Journal website ... both self hosted at WordPress.

Thanks for your visit and have a delightful day ;--)
Hugs and blessings,

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Wordless Wednesday - Spring in My Front Yard ...

...near the ocean in
Southern California

I know many of you still have snow
so I decided to share a bit of
color from my yard to
brighten your
morning!











Feel free to enjoy my flowers until yours bloom!

Click for more Wordless Wednesdays participants.
For my other Wordless Wednesday posts
click the label below or the About Me
link in my sidebar.

Thought for Today
The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter." Mark Twain

46 comments:

Neen said...

Now you've gone and made me cry! Flowers are blooming elsewhere and we are covered in a blanket of snow.

Greatfullivin said...

oH how I long for spring! Your flowers are so lovely. It is 19 degrees here in Indiana, brrrrr. Thank you for sharing the beauty of your garden. BTW, thanks for stopping by and you may take anything from my site you like! I wish I could take all the credit for my graphic today, but I only did the color and words. HUGS!

Hootin Anni said...

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh, Spring in the 'southern' areas of the States...isn't it awesome? Beautiful flowers.

As you asked about how to put text on an images...if you have ANY edition of windows...

Go to start...find programs....then look for Accessories...scroll to find "Paint"....you can then open an image saved on your computer and add text.

storyteller said...

Neen – I hope the snow melts soon and you have flowers too. In the meantime, feel free to sit with a cup of tea and enjoy mine here.

Greatfullivin – Brrrrr indeed! My writing buddy lives in the Twin Cities in Minnesota and cracks me up when she calls weekly ... referring to 25 degrees as a ‘heat wave’ after living through temps well below zero. I can only imagine … but I’m happy to share my little bit of Springtime Heaven with all of you in the colder regions. Thanks for your generosity.

Hootin’ Anni – Wow … thanks for the tip. Of course I have Windows but I’ve never explored ‘Paint’ and I’m going to do that today! Oh I can hardly wait!!!

I appreciate all your comments today and hope you’re having a wonderful Wednesday.
Hugs and blessings,

Heather said...

BEautiful.

lareine said...

hello :) i love the photos...i'm really looking forward to spring... you have a nice garden, especially with the flowers:)

have a wonderful wednesday and please visit my site if you have time (it's my first time to join WW:)

Gattina said...

If you could see my face right now it looks green of jalousy !!!

Anonymous said...

What a great Springy yard you have. I loved my little walk around it! Enjoy...

Anne B. said...

So nice! I love the little lemon tree. Now I have Peter, Paul and Mary going through my head... "Lemon tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet, but the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat.."

storyteller said...

Heather – Thanks! Your snowy weather looks like fun for your kids (who are very cute by the way). Oh I can smell the cookies!!!

Lareine – Your 1st Wordless Wednesday post is spectacular! As for adding words, if you check out some of my earlier WW posts you’ll find I was rather wordy at times as well. I loved the information you provided about the photo … so break the rules and follow your instincts! Thanks for visiting here and leaving the link so I could find your blog.

Gattina – I wish I could share a bouquet first hand, but feel free to visit anytime your heart needs a lift until Spring arrives in your yard!

Ellen B – I’m happy you enjoyed it. It’s tiny but mine. I love spending time there daily and sharing it here.

Anne – Hmmm … I left a comment at Heather’s blog that will mystify her if she doesn’t see your comment here because somehow I was thinking you as I left it. Oh sigh! Sometimes my mind wanders and loses track of things. Heheheh. Such is life!

I’m so happy that each of you stopped by for a visit and if I’ve not been to your blog yet, I’ll stop by soon.
Hugs and blessings,

hillgrandmom said...

Beautiful!

Michelle Miles said...

LOVELY! Thanks for sharing and thanks for stopping by my blog. Happy WW!

KatieFeldmom said...

So beautiful. Up here in Northern California, I've noticed only a few trees beginning to blossom. It will be here sooner rather than later.

Betty said...

Beautiful pictures and nice selections for WW. I know everyone is thinging "Spring", but I have some beautiful pictures of our first snow fall of the season that I will be posting shortly.

Thank you for visiting me and leaving a comment. I, too, find blogging very time consuming, but I love it.

storyteller said...

Hillgrandmom – I’m glad you think so!

Michelle Miles – Thanks … and it was my pleasure.

KatieFeldmom – Last week I had no blossoms but the rain last week followed by abruptly warmer weather seemed to produce miracles this week.

Betty – I loved your snowy pictures! Such contrasting conditions exist in our world! It’s good to be reminded of these things.

I appreciate each of you stopping by and sincerely hope you’re having a wonderful Wednesday.
Hugs and blessings,

Unknown said...

oh man. breathtaking. i'm so in the wrong state.

Eve said...

Get the guest room ready - I'm coming for a visit. I envy your beautiful flowers when all I see out my window is dirty snow. It's not even pretty anymore.

Joy Des Jardins said...

Oh those flowers.....if only we had some here. It's looking less and less like we'll be seeing anything that wonderful anytime soon. More snow expected over the next couple of days. I think we're all a little numbed from it all here in the midwest...but...thanks so much for brightening my day with those beautiful picures Virginia....

Jientje said...

Aaaarrghhh, you make me soooooooooooo
yealous! How I long for all of the flowers to bloom again! Althoughwe should not complain, we haven't had any winter, and spring is coming ...

SandyCarlson said...

What a thoughtful gift to the snow-covered world! These are just stunning. Thanks heaps, as my Gram used to say!

Anonymous said...

They are so beautiful! Thanks for stopping by.

storyteller said...

Chuck – Hmmm … I see you did find my Spring flowers ;--)
I’m a native to California and can’t see myself living anywhere else but I’m happy to share a bit of sunshine with everyone everywhere.

Eve – Hahahahaha! You’re not the first (and probably won’t be the last) who wants to visit me.

Joy – When I read your lament (er, poem) today I figured you could use a bit of ‘color’ to lift your spirits! These were a huge surprise to me. Those irises didn’t have buds on Sunday, but Monday afternoon one had a flower already. Amazing transformation!

Jientje – No need to be jealous. Just make yourself a cup of tea and visit any time you need a breath of sunshine and flowers.

Sandy Carlson – I’m happy you’re enjoying my flowers and I’m delighted to share. Everything seems so chilly and bare in other places.

Kat – You’re quite welcome and it was my pleasure ;--)

I appreciate each of you stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
Hugs and blessings,

Sonya said...

Just lovely! If my yard looked like this, I may never come inside again!

Unknown said...

I wish you had some of those lemons about now too. :) Beautiful photos!

Anonymous said...

I'm still not over that lemon tree! In fact, I told my mother and my sister about it last night. Lucky you.

VERB

Makimeji

Anonymous said...

Oh, it's officially spring there! Here in Dubai, we're jumping from winter to summer. It's in 30C on midday already and it's just Feb!!

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

SIMPLY beautiful!

Ari_1965 said...

Lovely.

Christy said...

Some of these photos remind me of the flowers in Alice and Wonderland. Do you remember the flowers that talked to Alice in one segment of the Disney version?

They are beautiful!

Momisodes said...

Goodness! You have a beautiful yard! Do you tend to it all yourself? I love your grass and plantings. When we lived in San Diego, we never had grass like that.

Thanks so much for sharing some Spring with us!

The Buntens said...

That is beautiful!!!
That lemon tree is just amazing.

Thanks for stopping by my blog yesterday as I have enjoyed jumping over to yours! Good stuff.

Anonymous said...

A great morning pick me up!

storyteller said...

Sonya – I do enjoy my yard immensely and spend quite a bit of time out front either pulling weeds, playing with Molly, or sitting in my patio chairs taking it all in (and/or reading, writing in my journal, or visiting with friends and neighbors).

Lisa Marie – I wish I could share them with you. They’re the most flavorful lemons ever!

Zamejias – I am a lucky woman indeed … and most grateful for everything in my life including this lemon tree.

Grace – How wonderful that you’re enjoying Spring in Dubai like I am in Southern California.

MamaGeek – I’m glad you think so ;--)

Ari_1965 – Thanks. I do hope your dog’s paw heals quickly.

Christy – Oh, I hadn’t thought of that for years … but, of course, you’re absolutely correct! Thanks for the return visit. I hope your birthday was as delightful as mine.

Sandy – Thanks. I do most everything myself (including pruning the trees) but occasionally hire help as I’ve written about previously on my ‘Yard Reclamation’ posts. I’m thinking about letting someone else prune the lemon tree next time around however. The grass is Zoysia (sometimes known as Korean grass) and grows in clumps. I needs to be edged regularly but not mowed … just cut back or stripped every 4-5 years or so. It’s the BEST grass ever!!!

Janel – I’m glad you think so. Thanks for following the link back to visit here.

Colleen – When I’m not blogging, I enjoy my coffee out there. When I get my new laptop … I might do both. LOL

It’s such a pleasure to share my yard with each of you and I appreciate all your comments. Thank you so much and have a wonderful day!
Hugs and blessings,

daringtowrite said...

Hi Storyteller, Thanks for this wonderful gift of Spring flowers and for stopping by to with your well-wishes.

Tina Coruth said...

Storyteller,

Thank you! We are about to break the our state's all time record for the snowiest winter. We are at over 100 inches and waiting for more tomorrow. Your beautiful flowers and trees are a very much appreciated. :-)

hugs,
Tina

storyteller said...

Wenda – You’re quite welcome on both counts. It’s my pleasure.

Tina – Oh my … That’s a lot of snow! I figured there were lots of bloggers in similar conditions that might enjoy the ‘color’ and signs of Spring!

Thanks to you both for visiting and sharing your thoughts. Stay warm and well.
Hugs and blessings,

Karen said...

OH...MY...GOD!!! These photos are so beautiful! I want your garden...or maybe I just want my own to bloom...okay, what I want is winter to be over.

Enjoy these flowers for all us on the cold, dreary east coast!

storyteller said...

Karen – Thanks! I’m happy to share my lovely flowers with you until yours burst forth. Feel free to sit down with a cup of tea (or coffee) anytime you have the time and soak it all in.
Hugs and blessings,

Annie Z said...

And as the seasons change we both start finding ourselves appreciating totally the opposite things.
I am getting excited about not having to water the garden so much!
And I'm excited to see knee high leather boots and leather jackets begin to appear in the clothing stores once more. And big fluffy jumpers and scarves and jackets. Its still too hot to wear them yet, but Ooo, I love winter clothing!!
Annie
xxx

storyteller said...

Annie – Well put! Your comment is a wonderful reminder how things change … that embracing these ‘predictable shifts’ is essential to our well-being. I left you some ‘little somethings’ today on my Friday Haiku post, but probably published it after you visited … so when you have time, drop by and see.
Hugs and blessings,

His Girl Friday said...

beautiful photos, Storyteller!! :))

like the quote, too!! :))

storyteller said...

HGF – Thanks for stopping by for a bit of Spring! I’m still chuckling about the joke I read on your blog a few minutes ago. Thanks for sharing it and the quotes.
Hugs and blessings,

NicciN said...

So beautiful. Iris are my favorite. We have blooms too. It is such a great time of year.

storyteller said...

Yertle – Thanks and yes … I love this time of year! I have even more purple irises blooming currently. I assume the yellow ones will follow soon. Last year they were unbelievable! I shared them on one of my earliest posts at Sacred Ruminations. As for adding the last 3 lines to your Haiku at the last minute … that’s interesting indeed. Thanks for sharing.
Hugs and blessings,

Mother of Invention said...

I just love your yard and gardens! I love the blue paint!

storyteller said...

MoI – Thanks for the feedback. When we bought this place it was tan and brown (colors my ‘ex’ liked but I didn’t). I loved the house itself and the location. We ‘discussed’ many times changing the color w/o coming to agreement. One of the 1st things I did after he ‘left’ was have the house painted (first just the trim but eventually the whole thing) … so it’s blue and a grey-white. I also redid the interior in ‘my’ colors and love the brightness inside and out.
Hugs and blessings,

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