gardening

Rewind: What’s Blooming, May 1, 2015

| Cindy Anderson

The beauty of flowers never ceases to amaze me! I enjoy taking photos of flowers and adding them to my library. Every now and then I look through my folders just to admire the specimens once again.

I’ve been sharing a series of oldie but goodie blog posts all focused on my love of flowers. These posts are timeless and well-worth the second look. Below is another one taken from the garden category on my blog. Please enjoy!

May 1, 2015

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Spring, one of my favorite seasons, brings with it the anticipation of abundant sunshine and balmy temperatures. Anyone living in Wisconsin knows that Spring is unpredictable; the thermometer is far from steady, temperatures swing wildly from frigid cold to pleasantly warm, and the much craved sunshine often lies hidden behind layers of clouds.

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But in amongst the disappointing, unpredictable weather comes the beauty and wonder of the slowly emerging tiny plants. Peeking from the buds on every single branch are hundreds of tiny leaves. These small glimpses of new life remind us of the beauty yet to come.

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On one recent balmy day I snatched my camera, slipped on a pair of flip-flops and headed outside to capture a piece of Spring. As I circled my environment I documented as many signs of Spring as I could uncover. Shown here is what I captured from behind my camera’s lens.

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Thank You for visiting!

Cindy Anderson
Cindy Anderson

Friday Favorites: Sunshine in My Garden!

| Cindy Anderson

IMG_7639_ffWelcome to Friday Favorites!  I look forward to this time each week when I have the opportunity to share some of the things that make my world special.  We don’t have far to travel to experience one of my favorites today.  In fact, all we have to do is walk outside my back door and take a stroll past some of my favorite plants and flowers.  Do you have time to take a walk with me?  If you do then grab your sunglasses and a little bit of sunscreen.  No need for shoes, bare feet are just fine.  Are you ready, then follow me . . .

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Thanks for spending time with me!  I look forward to seeing you next Friday.  Have a great weekend.

Sunflowers For Me!

| Cindy Anderson

IMG_0355031 (2)Sunflowers have always been my favorite flower. I find their large, cheerful, yellow petals totally irresistible. Passing by a bouquet or a field filled with sunflowers is cause to make my head turn.

While visiting a local farmer’s market one day I walked past a farm stand with bouquets of plate sized flowers. I was so tempted to buy my very own fist full of yellow sunshine. If you have ever held such a bouquet then you know how heavy and sticky if can be. Rather than negotiate their transportation right then I decided to postpone the purchase until later.

IMG_9025_newBefore heading for home I returned to that booth and made my purchase. After carefully transporting the flowers home I released the flowers from the binding that held them together and examined each flower.

By the time we had reached home the petals on my five gorgeous specimens had begun to droop, ever so slightly. To quench their need for refreshment I made a fresh-cut on each stem, then submerged their thirsty feet into water. In no time the vibrant petals were once again perky and ready for enjoyment.

IMG_0370For days on end my home was brightened by the presence of my little piece of sunshine. I felt so lucky to have had the opportunity to have my very own bouquet of bright and shiny sunflowers.

As you can see from my photos I’ve managed to incorporate sunflowers in more than one of my quilts. The top right wall hanging was constructed from a pattern designed by Country Lore Designs. If you follow the included link you will see that it is still available as Item # 36. This is one of my favorite mini quilts. It totally reflects my craving for sunflowers.

The photo in the bottom right corner is of a project I worked on with my mother many years ago. Each of us made our own version. The original intention for the mini quilt was a set of placemats. I fell so in love with the finished product that I decided to stop with just one and use it as a wall hanging rather than hide it under a plate. Unfortunately the author of the pattern and where it was purchased is long since forgotten.

I hope by sharing my love for sunflowers it has helped to brighten your day. I know they add joy to mine.

Who knows when I will stumble upon my next sunflower experience!

Cindy Anderson