…….thank you God

Yesterday I turned the soil in “the Generals” garden.  Weeding it and bringing new rich black soil to the surface. As I turned to begin packing up my car, I heard lovely chirps.  When I turned back to look, two Robins were forcing their beaks into the soil and pulling up nourishment…the spring worms, their favorite. I even talked to them a little. Inquiring if they had come to visit me or the worms. They stayed. Regardless…..it was a “moment.”

…..and soon I was happily on my way.  God is so Good.

• AMEN •

Thank you……

 

Good Morning my God,

Thank you for your sunshine and warmth, as I ready for my todays gardening assignment. I treasure your sunshine, your rain, breezes, storms, and your calm days too. Bless the trees, bushes, flowers and beds that I will be tending today. Help me to do some of my best work. My efforts are a personal blessing, as I enjoy my time outdoors in your gardens. I appreciate spiritual reflection, time on my own with you, and  the little blessings of a Robin popping down beside me to to say hello, or a white butterfly fluttering quickly beside me, just to remind me of the beauty of nature. Your earth is truly amazing. Thank you for this assignment today. All I want to do is honor you with my heartfelt thanksgiving for good work, provision, and my time alone with You. Hear my prayer Lord.

* AMEN *

Birds and Blooms, March 2022

March has arrived once again and may I stress the  simplicity and the quality of this publication. I think launching the magazine was a huge stretch in the beginning. But they stood the test and their timing was actually great because just about the time the pandemic came, they began. With more people at home, receiving a nature magazine took on an important addition to home mail delivery. We have enjoyed the photography, and the tid-bits of info about birds and plants; two of our favorite things. 

If you have children, this pub is a perfect way to introduce them to birds and plants and flowers. Plan a nature hike with your kids. They will love it.

Birds and Blooms is simple to read and takes only about a half hours time. It is a perfect way to introduce kids to reading, great photos of birds and plants and mostly getting them to appreciate  “hard copy.”

As a gardener it’s a simple resource, but more than that it’s a way for me to sit down, relax and mindlessly look at and read about nature. There are millions of online resources but holding a publication in your hands and reading it, is so much more….it’s an important experience in our busy, detached and home based work world. It makes you want to go outdoors and search for “birds and blooms.”

“Contessa” says it a good thing.

……be on the lookout for Robins

I saw my first Robin last week. And another one yesterday. These sightings are “the wonderful works of God.”

Job 37:14

“Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,  what a joy to see nature in the early spring. This is our assurance that your creation is wondrous.  The birds are so small and yet you follow each one of them, just as you follow each one of us. Thank you Father for another beautiful day and the joys of nature that I will see today as I am out gardening. Teach me to always consider your wonderful works. Amen

 

Birds and Blooms , February 2022

BIRDS

The Eastern Bluebird (above) announces….Welcome Spring!

Photo 2 – The Eastern Bluebird with her babies

Seen in North America, they live in open habitats. Mostly found in central and southern states during winter. Categorized as thrushes, they wander in flocks in winter and eat berries. If you have berries on your property and are prone to feed the birds now is a very good time to put out seeds for them giving them a variety of both berries and seed. And they live clean unfrozen water. They love Junipers, Dogwoods, Hollie’s and Elderberries. If you live near downed trees they find homes fir nesting in old a woodpecker holes. Notice the male Bluebird is most colorful, as seen in our intro/first photo.

Photo 3 – The Western Bluebirds are seen west of the Great Plaines.

BLOOMS

First Blooms of Spring

 – Dahlia – Rose Mallow – Bleeding Heart –

– Clematis – Hen and Chicks – Bee Balm –

**********

 

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Now is the perfect time for bird watching. Foliage is thin in bushes and trees, and birds can be very noisy and visible at this time of year  They enjoy these cold temp days and if you are inclined to walk early mornings, you may be lucky enough to discover them flitting about and chirping away. Woodpeckers are very vocal and can be noisy, once they get your attention.  They will fill your ears with their banter. This is their “season.”

Why not take a walk today near a wooded area. Surely you will discover one or two. They will love your company, and they will let you know that.

January, Birds and Blooms

Our January issue is here. Once again we are happy to share our copy. Txt us (703-548-1882) if you would enjoy spending an hour looking at very nice photography in a 58 page publication,  and learning about winter bird identification, migration,  feeding and habitat. We are happy to drop it by your location, as a “lend” for one week, and then pass it along to our other followers.

These bird photos are not limited to our area of the country so it’s a good way to identify birds in an area where you might next visit or vacation. Here is a collection of a few photos we are pleased to share.

Bird Tales

Birds and Blooms us a very well done and inexpensive monthly publication. We enjoy its arrival so much, and we do recommend it.

Enjoy……

”Contessa”

Birds and Blooms, December 2021

Our December copy of Birds and Blooms arrived yesterday. A glimpse into berries, birds and their winter presence. If you are lucky enough to have colorful red berries on your property, now is a very good times to watch for the birds to come and grab a morsel. Early morning, or the later half of the afternoon you can find Cardinals especially foraging. In fact, we find the color red is a dominant color to look for in the bushes. Birds love to congregate and you will surely hear and see them when you are outdoors and taking a walk. It’s very thrilling to hear and see them  

We spied this beautiful berry bush without any leaves on our walk yesterday. Each day we pass it, and hope to get a glimpse of a bird in pursuit of a berry, but we’ve not been quick enough to get a snapshot. We will keep trying.

Walks now are perfect times to see the birds. They are singing up a storm especially in dormant Rose bushes.  Yesterday there had to be at least twenty sparrows in one bush as we walked by. They we’re chirping up a storm as we are having very mild temperature days.

November, Birds and Blooms, 2021 (extra)

Isn’t this just the most dear hummingbird perch you have ever seen?  As if a tiny bird who flaps its wings a gazillion times an hour could take out time to perch on a branch. One could only hope to get a glimpse of this phenomenon. It would be spectacular to witness. Oh’ I would love to see this. How bout’ you?

Sparrows

Matthew 10: 29-31

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father…So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

                    FOR YOU……..