MAY DELIGHT

 May brought us gifts. . . 

. . . like the iris blooming on the hill,

and the Linden tree, my favorite, all leafed out and glorious against the sky,

 the chives delicious for the eye and the palate,

 and the late blooming lilacs that fill the air with deep scent.

The Daisies are so very fun. He loves me, he loves me not.

There is new growth on the pines and everywhere else.

The Lupines have seeded themselves in the garden. Thank you sweet Birdies!

Everywhere I turn there is something glorious to see.

                             Ain't life grand?
Of course, the vegetable garden isn't fully planted but that's ok. . . .all in good time.  I need to enjoy the journey.


happy day!

WORDS

A quote for Monday . . .

"Time solely to myself comes in snatches, 

like brilliant jewels on a string of days"  

~Ann Somerset Miles

                       happy day!

HORSE CONNECTION

Sometimes you come across a moment that truly touches your heart. You stand perfectly still, hardly breathing, watching and savoring every moment.


I knew she was sitting on the top rail spending time with Lilly, one of our Haflinger mares, and I went to talk with her. . .but stopped instead . . .and just watched.


The horse had moved over a bit and I could see exactly what she was doing.

Lilly stood perfectly still, allowing her to braid her mane.  A   moment in which girl and horse were content.

It's that horse connection that stirs our soul and rejuvenates us. To just be. . .in their company is enough.

And there are horses who feel the same way about some people .

Let a horse whisper in your ear and breathe on your heart. You will never regret it.  ~author unknown

happy day!

Linked to Farmgirl/Farm Friend and Farm Friday

LIFE IN BALANCE

Sometimes I need to slow down . . . and breathe. 


I need to read more, watch television more, and talk with my kids more. I need to take more naps, stay home more, and always getting a good nights sleep.

It might mean blogging less and cleaning less and cooking less. But it's all to get me to a good place, to feel myself again, to live in the moment . . . with joy.


Whenever something feels less joyful, I need to change it up or take a break for awhile . . . and always breathe. And I need to remember, there are no I have to, only I choose to.


So I have been breathing . . . and choosing. . . 
and relishing in the small joys . . . 


 like the stream of cotton stretched across the skies,

 the delectable fragrance drifting atop heart shaped leaves,

  the green life unfurling before my very eyes,

  the confidence radiating from high in the tree,

 the glorious birdsong of the cardinal,

 the saturated hue of Jewelweed,

and the ripples in the pond from tossed stones.

I relish in the new life emerging on the pines ,

and life, that is itself Art, in the American Copper Butterfly, just about an inch wide,

 the strength and grace of the Great Blue Heron in flight,

and the woodlands filled with life in every nook and cranny.

It all fills my heart . . . and soul. . .

 with excitement, as well as peace, and gives me what I need to go forth.


And I look to the experts on how to breathe and take it easy. . 

I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order ~John Burroughs

                    happy day! happy breathing!




Linked to Barn Hop #14

A MOMENT

Inspiration from SouleMama

              
    happy day!

EAT YOUR VIOLETS

Violet flowers and their heart shaped leaves are edible. They are full of Vitamin C.
The flowers don't have too much of a taste but it's fun to eat food collected in the wild. 


Just be SURE to know EXACTLY what you are eating! 

The leaves are delicious in a salad . They are best picked and eaten while the flowers are still in bloom. They become tougher as time goes on, but they can be cooked and eaten like spinach.

Common Blue Violet (viola sororia)

The flowers can embellish the tops of cakes and cupcakes, and also be candied to save for later use. 

Cake and candied violet recipe here!

They can be used to make jelly which has a mild taste but a very pretty color.

Recipe here.

They can also be frozen in ice cubes to adorn iced tea, lemonade and other drinks

And I just love the sight of their glorious color as I open the refrigerator door !

There are also recipes for violet syrup and violet vinegar.

What are you going to make?

happy happy day!

Linked to: Barn Hop #13 and

Farmgirl and Farm Friend and Farm Friday

WORDS

A quote for Monday . . .

With every leaf a miracle . . . and from this bush in the door-yard,

  With delicate-colour'd blossoms, and heart-shaped leaves of rich green

    A sprig with its flower, I break.

                       ~Walt Whitman 

            

happy day!

FOXES - A CELEBRATION

Once in awhile you witness something in nature that truly touches your heart and changes you forever.

Valarie did. 
And she has written a book about her experience. An experience with a family of foxes in her front yard. An experience that she can now share with the world. . . 


The Fox Diaries by Valerie Budayr 

From her discovery of the mother fox in her front yard, to the kits being born and raised, this book is filled to the brim with glorious photos, information and humor. It is delightful.


Perhaps her fox journey will stir your heart as well.


The book has already become an enjoyable learning experience in my Earth School and has encouraged the children to share their own personal experiences .

In celebration of her book launch, Valarie is giving away a hardbound copy of The Fox Diaries here on Child in Harmony. 

Please leave a comment to be entered to win. 

You may also purchase the book here.
For a 15% discount, please type in the word FOXES in the coupon code box.
The discount is available until May 27th


Valarie is an inspiration to me and I am so happy to be part of her blog tour. Be sure to visit Valarie's blogs here and here.


  happy day!


***The winner is ***
Debi from Go Explore Nature!  Congratulations!