Mountains Dreaming Under Foggy Water Window Reflections Celebrations of Light

There is a blanket of dense blue-gray fog beyond Mount Tom . . . 

spreading east towards . . . 

the Mount Holyoke range . . . creating the illusion of mountains beneath water.

As the earth spins this part of the world towards the sun, bringing a new day, the fiery orb appears to be rising out of an ocean of watery fog. The Mount Holyoke Range seems to be solidly sleeping beneath the waves. 

For me, these images offer a haunting beauty . . . both peaceful and ominous.

Fresh light waves glow and fall like honey into our inner spaces . . .  that so delight in the warmth and reflections of the sun. It is a joy to behold each new singular sunrise and truly a celebration of light. 

Helleborus niger 'Christmas Rose'

Cyclamen

Outdoors . . . Bluebirds are cheerfully chirping . . . welcoming the return of sun and essential heat. 

For those that celebrate . . . it is the week of Hanukkah and Christmas. If you still have last minute shopping to do, might you consider giving gifts to the wildlife around you. Bluebirds would greatly benefit from a safe shelter. A new Bluebird house for your garden is a delightful gift for anyone who loves birds and might just save the life of one of these dear creatures . . . especially if you live in the colder regions. In early mornings, I often see six or more flying out of one nest box. 

Happy Holidays! Enjoy your last minute preparations and safe travels to all. 

New England is Slow to Fully Spring but Offers Other Things for Blooming Friday

 Daybreak a few weeks ago revealed heavy wet snow . . . then it all melted away and now tonight was forecast to drop more snow maybe up to two inches! I just checked the National Weather Service and they have changed the forecast to just clear and 16 degrees! Our days and nights are getting colder suddenly, as we march towards the full moon.

There are no blooms to speak of in the gardens except for the brave little snowdrops. I will introduce some images from the past. Inside the sun plays with Amaryllis shadows on the wall. 

'Apple Blossom' pink is a favorite of mine. 

Once the sun is swallowed by clouds . . .  this is what the landscape looks like today. No blooms but bright plumes! The male Cardinal is singing his heart out in celebration of Spring.

Snowdrops are pushing aside old leaves and sticks to stand as tall as they can beneath one of the giant Rock Maples.

The Bluebirds have chosen accommodations near the Weeping Cherry but will have to deal with the Tree Swallows when they return, for that is their favored house. We go through this every year.

As the sun sets and throws a wash of pink across the sky, I sneak in last years Magnolia stellata, which looks so lovely in front of the soft sky painting. She will be blooming soon!

Dusk is a favorite time to sit and watch the waxing moon and listen out for the American Woodcock! 

   Woodcocks call out from the open fields and one takes flight, when there is just enough light to find it's tiny almond shape sailing in a figure eight . . .  winging sounds and songs of rapturous melody. He sings out his grand finale then dives fast into the darkening sky nearly impossible to follow, for he zigzags his way to earth and a possible mate. I so love their return to the gardens! Spring rituals continue and warmer days coax buds into slowly softly swelling . . . cautiously moving towards releasing calyx of armor. Colder nights keep the sleepy trees and shrub's vital life fluids from rising and stretching out into their tips too soon. The gardens and forests are not still but mostly dormant . . . on the edge of slumber . . . and this is a good time to quickly finish pruning and sculpting the forms of Viburnum, Lilac, Apple, and Hawthorn. At the moment rain is lightly falling, as mist rises up from the river and races like clouds between where I sit writing these words and Walnut Hill across from the valley below. Today is March's last Blooming Friday to see other participants visit Katarina's Roses and Stuff. 

Outside First Snowdrop Dripping Inside Amaryllis New Green Bud Growth Lifting

This tiny harbinger of spring drops pendant like snowy white from a tiny stem dwarfed by the giant rock maple it grows beneath. Ah... but it is large in its announcement of flowering processions about to follow. Meanwhile inside my amaryllis are finally growing out towards the sun with new voluptuous buds. Excitement is in the chilly air eight days before the Spring Equinox.