Flying Flowers in My Garden

Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued , is always just beyond your grasp., but which, if you sit down quietly, may alight upon you.~ Nathaniel Hawthorn

"Just living is not enough", said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower."~ Hans Christian Anderson

If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies.~Author unknown

But these are flowers that fly and all but sing: and now from having ridden out desire, they lie closed over in the wind and cling, where wheels have freshly sliced the April mire. ~ Robert Frost,"Blue-butterfly Day"

May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun and find your shoulder to light upon, to bring you luck, happiness and riches, Today, tomorrow, and beyond.~Irish Blessing

Summer Solstice Blessings!

Summer sun, summer sun we watch you as you set, Sending your long arms of light from the west, Summer sun, summer sun, you shine so bright. As you begin your return to the night.

In the garden

There is always Thyme
Beautiful purple Bee Balm

Little buttons of Tansy

Gorgeous Double Daylilies

Sweet suductive Jasmine

Glorious Hydrangea

Lovely pink Bee Balm

Eye Candy @ Lavender Fest

There were so many beautiful things at the Lavender Festival yesterday. I could not take photos of everything but here are some of the ones that really spoke to me.





Gorgeous, peaceful fountain.








A huge throne fit for a goddess or a Sun God as the case may be right about now.
















A faery house, with yarn faeries flitting above it.













A great planter, I love this!















A fiery salamander/lizard just in time for Solstice.












Peace signs and doves~give peace a chance.














A lovely sunflower made of recycled tin.














A 'cocky' rooster also of recycled tin.














Beautiful green and red glass vases.















Luscious, handmade wooden spoons













Fantastic wind chimes, bells, and flowers.


















A gathering of birdhouses.















A beautiful goddess fountain~oh how I covet her.

Beautiful Belly Dancers

One of our favorite things about the Secret City Festival is that there are always belly dancers. Middle Eastern Dancers to be precise. Sophie and I love belly dancing....both watching and doing.


These ladies were organized by a friend of mine and she did an outstanding job. We are so happy to go out and support the dancers each year.


Check them out.....Bella Belly of Knoxville...

Sandsation Dancers also of Knoxville....

Bella Belly again...after costume change...

A beautiful solo cane dance by Hulya.

Some old favorites

OK, I finally did it. I can't believe it and I am so surprised by how many people I know are on there...I joined Facebook....ugh....I know, I know....but it was the easiest way to keep in touch with some people. So anyway, in looking for some photos to post on said Facebook, I came across these few and thought I would share them here too.


This is my poppet doing what she does best...clowning. She can make some amazing faces...just like her dad.

Here she is having her first pony ride at age 2 1/2. She was totally hooked.

She spent most of last summer on the trampoline. It is amazing how little kids never seem to get tired.

This beautiful shot was taken by Emily a couple of summers ago.

This one too, this is the cut out in the porch swing, what a cutie.

Garden Delights

The Bee Balm (Monarda) was host to a lovely butterfly as well as lots of bumble and honey bees. Isn't it beautiful? I just got some red bee balm last week, unfortunately it is just a tiny plant, no blooms yet.

This is my Mugwort,(Artemisia) it is as tall, if not taller than I am!! It is gorgeous and I am so happy that it is doing so well. This was a small pot that I got from the local herb garden shop last summer.

Isn't she lovely? Great Spangled Fritillary. She really enjoyed the bee balm, the bees didn't frighten her at all.

In all it's glory, Bee Balm.

Sophie's carrots, she can hardly wait to pull them. We checked a bit under the soil and they are about as big around as the tip of my pinky finger. Not just yet, I'm afraid. But soon.