Mary's Prayer Garden in Bloom

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April Love 2017 :: Day 9 - Wild

A close-up of the wildflowers in our backyard.

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My Glorious Spring Beauties

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Sparkling Hello

It brought a warm smile to notice 

my Dogwood Twin Sisters 

were speaking this morning's fond hello 

to me in their love language 

of sparkles. 

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💕    💫   🎇

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Guess who's blooming?

💕. 🌼 . 💕. 🌼 . 💕

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Wednesday Reds

Our azaleas are early this year.

(Ms. Red's pink next door neighbor is already drooping)

Discovered another delightful surprise from my favorite partner at work. 

🍅

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Spring Preview

This gorgeous, spring-like morning held sky blue skies, 

cheerful birdsong, 

mild temps, 

and 

lovely white Bradford Pear blossoms!

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Lookie at who else is waking up! 

 💕

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Spring Peeking Thru

Joyful pink blossoms against today's grey, cloudy backdrop. 

.

My neighborhood Tulip tree friend is already blooming! 

💕

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Breathe September :: Still [Life]

Ever since our only woman partner took over as managing partner, we have fresh flowers 

in the front office every week which has been such a treat.

And even though they are still, this week's bouquet of fresh fall-feeling flowers are full of 

life, laughter, and loveliness. 

🌼

#breatheseptember2016

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Twinkies

Two sweet little marigolds 

greeting us on our way home

from lunch.

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Everyday Beauty :: Softness

#everydaybeauty

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Timely Third

Well, lookie here! 

A third beauty awakens. . .

Abiding this morning in 

her gentle lesson 

that while it might feel late, 

both to those around us who have already nodded off 

and to our own aching hearts?

We all bloom in our own time. 

Indeed, there is a time for every season. 

❤️

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Flowery Fireworks

Mother Nature's flowery fireworks  

in honor of our anniversary 

continues to delight and enchant. 

Although, 

she whispers with a soft smile, 

it's definitely the finale 

as the roses are all starting to nod off.  

As am I, she yawns. 

Sweet dreams!  

❤️

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Morning Mercies

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. 

His mercies...are new every morning."

~ Lamentations 3:22-23

💕

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April Love :: Day 9 :: Dear Imagination

Dear Imagination,

You bring the welcomed gifts of wonder, texture, and surprise into my life.

Thank you for gently reminding me that what at first glance might appear to be a backyard

full of weeds?

With a little creative imagination can become a meadow of wild loveliness inviting me to 

join in the blooming, all while trustin' that I am standing in the beautiful light of Grace . . . too.

(Perhaps even more often than I realize.)

Blessed be. 

❤

#aprillove2016

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Blooming Mercy and Grace Dogwood

Turns out Grace and Mercy 

had just started their blooming last week. 

.

So love that the Twins continue to bless me 

with wonderful, Hope-filled surprises! 

💕

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April Love :: Day 2 :: Dear Home

Spring in the south means beautiful, blooming azaleas everywhere.  

These pink lovelies live (and dance! 😉) in front of our dear home. 

#aprillove2016 

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Grace and Mercy Dogwood

The wonderful surprises continue! Catching my breath as I came upon the Twins this morning, feeling delighted to see they had flowers on them, I thought to myself, "they bloom?!?!" I 

pulled right into this parking lot I drive by every weekday but have never actually been in. 

As I got out of my car, my heart went pitter-pat to realize they are *Dogwood* trees!! One of 

my very favorites! 💕

Affectionately naming them after one of my all time favorite quotes (see below) seems right 

so the front one, with beautiful white flowers, I shall call Grace and the back one, with beautiful 

pink flowers shall now be known as Mercy.

Their flowers have almost all gone but that they held on until I noticed? Well, that means the 

world to me. Smiling softly because this felt like the perfect day to get close to them. 💕

                                           "Mercy and Grace are really sisters. 

 They're not identical twins 

but they are very close sisters, nonetheless. 

 They are almost constantly found together 

and if one is encountered by herself, 

the other is not far away."

~ Philip Edwards

(And then later in the day?, she adds with a grin, I remembered I knew this about them but 

had forgotten sometime before I started their weekly photos last fall 🙃. I'm actually ok 

with this because today's surprise felt like a true gift of soul refreshment.)

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Spring's Unfolding Begins

And so the Twin Sisters' Spring unfolding begins. 

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in the bud 

was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." 

~ Anias Nin

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Epiphany Blessings :: Abiding in a Moma's Love

Taking an intentional moment to bask 

(and Abide) 

(and trust) 

in my Moma's love on this Epiphany morning. 

❤️ 

She died 19 years ago today 

and, as my aunt commented then, 

it still brings me Peace 

to picture her dancing along behind the wise men 

(and women)

as they followed the star.

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