Tulips and Lilies and Daffodils, Oh My

This week I drove to a place several towns away to take a class: Making Paper Flowers

Here they are, glued to the top of a small craft box

It was fun and I bought some cool tools to help me make more (especially the Day Lily and also Zinnias, perhaps)

Paper squares, punches, blue stain and washi tape

When I got home, I made this Dogwood blossom (red? hmm...)

Look, Ma, no instructions!

Pink dogwood in bloom

There are still some trees in bloom, but mostly I tried to recreate it from this photo I took a few years ago...

Well, it's yet another skill set that might be useful down the road

I just love bringing a little bit of nature indoors!

Here A Duck, There A Duck

I saw this Mallard couple foraging in our back yard after some rain passed through here this afternoon.

"Domesticated ducks are descended from the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), except the Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata)." (signology.org)

"The Duck is generally thought to be a symbol of resourcefulness. The Duck has the ability to walk, swim, fly and 'duck' under the water to feed or hide from predators. In both Chinese and Japanese culture, the Duck is a symbol of happiness and fidelity. When a duck and drake are together, it is a sign of happiness and beauty. The Duck is a symbol which joins the sea and the sky, according to Native American mythology."

Source: http://www.signology.org

Ducks are related to geese and swans, which we see here fairly regularly. I was happy to see these two taking their ease, away from traffic and (hopefully) predators, just walking through the grass until they came upon the pine tree where I try to keep the bird feeders filled and there's always some seed on the ground. After a while, they wandered off, probably headed toward the pond that I've never seen but I know exists behind our yard.

Be well, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard!


 

The Fifth of May's A Happy Day

Another lovely day here in New England!

I never did light my May Day mini-bonfire! It's been nice but a bit too breezy for a fire, also a bit chilly at night again - it was 40 degrees when I got up this morning - perhaps tonight, for Cinco de Mayo?

I loved the color of this glass "stone" - the wire's thick but nicely wrapped

Several years ago, I went to a craft fair and bought a wire-wrapped glass pendant, thinking I would someday figure out how to recreate it... Well, last night the stars and planets were in alignment and on a whim I decided it was time to copy it, even though I didn't have any glass "stones" the same size or shape and didn't have exactly the same kind of wire.

The wire's a bit uneven along the sides but I like the top!

And this is what I ended up making: It's not the same as the original, but (surprisingly) I was quite pleased with how it turned out. I've done this style of wire-wrapping before, but have never attempted to do all the fancy curly-cues at the top; at any rate, the glass "stone" is in there solid and, although it took me a little longer than the "basic wrap" (see below), I may try to do another one (or two or three).

Tumbled clear quartz (one is a little milky, so it may be opalized)

The other thing I'm looking forward to is identifying and trying to use as many wonderful wild weeds that are growing in my yard as I can; already I can see Cleavers, Mugwort, Chives, Ground Ivy (or gill-on-the-ground), False Carrot (Queen Anne's Lace) and Dandelion. In addition, a few that I planted are also green and growing: Catnip, Comfrey, Kale, Lemon Balm, Mint and Yarrow.

Euell Gibbons says Cleavers (Goosegrass) tastes rather "spinachy."

If you are finally having nice weather, I hope you can get out and enjoy Nature's bounty today!

Happy May Day (and a Bless'ed Beltane) To All

Today is considered the first day of Summer, and it is promising to be a gloriously warm (but not hot) sunny and breezy day here...

A small bonfire (perhaps tonight?)

Beltane is one of four important seasonal Gaelic festivals, along with Samhain (marking the beginning of Winter), Imbolc and Lughnasadh. In ancient times, people commonly observed this cross-quarter day with blazing bonfires and bright yellow flowers (most likely from the early-blooming Hawthorn tree). 

Yellow blossoms (in this case, kale)

Beginning at sunset on April 30 and ending at sunset on May 1, this day was spent appeasing the spirits and fairy folk with rituals that included visiting sacred springs and wells, decorating doors, windows and even cattle with garlands of yellow flowers and, in Merrie Olde Ireland, a thorny shrub was often adorned with ribbons, flowers and shells, transforming it into a May Bush.

Spirit Of the Night by John Grimshaw

The tradition of dancing around a tall May Pole festooned with ribbons has long been practiced by many cultures and, although its exact origins remain unknown and continue to be debated, it occurs to me (perhaps an old memory from beyond the veil?) that this activity could possibly trace its roots back to the May Bush ritual...

Raising of the May Pole at the Robin Hood Springtime Renaissance Faire

At any rate, this is a time of welcome warmth, new growth, mirth, and rebirth. I do so love the month of May...

"May it be" also a time of peace and prosperity for all living things.

TJ