Today, April was a bit of a trickster and surprised me with the emergence of a Black Swallowtail butterfly. I know this post is about March Favorites, but I had to include this April Fool’s surprise. I certainly wasn’t expecting it.
The photo is a bit blurry, but you can see the beautiful creature resting on my carpet. Thankfully, the day temperatures were very warm, and there were blooming flowers. I was glad the butterfly could be released immediately. I hope it found some shelter, sustenance, and maybe a friend.
Several butterflies overwintered on the porch until a hungry wren ate every chrysalis that was not partially held in place by blue tape. I saved four, and three are resting on my curtains; maybe they will surprise me soon.
Winter-sown lettuces and greens have reached a point where they are irresistible to grazing. Oh, the joy of fresh greens. I cut the tops off the milk cartons after sprouting and use the bottoms as pots.
I have many magazines and found them to be a good start for collage journaling. I have stopped coloring my hair, and the grey is a good representation of my new look. I found this project a good fit for a relaxed Sunday afternoon, and I hope to continue throughout the year.
Another creative outlet for Winter’s end has been painting seashells for the Jersey Shore Shells group. I love clamshells and enjoy blinging them up with acrylic paint pens.
The simplicity of dandelions still thrills me.
The daffodils have brought us a lot of joy and a sense of blossoming sunshine.
I’ve been finishing up several reading projects, but did buy a new In Her Garden magazine.
Favorite Signpost for the month…For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ~Luke 12:34
I’m looking forward to a meaningful Easter and a warm and wonderful April.
Winter has been a good time to read, and recently I found a 1946 biography, The Tale of Beatrix Potter at a vintage/antique store. I remember Peter Rabbit stories from my earliest childhood. How can anyone forget Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail? The names are ensconced happily in that area of my mind that delights in old nursery rhymes and stories. Although this biography was published eighty years ago, the writing is wonderful and so easy to read. I never knew Beatrix kept a journal throughout her early life, written in a secret code. When I finish the book, I will watch the movie Miss Potter starring Renee Zellweger again. This movie is available for free on YouTube. Miss Potter I’ve included a glimpse through the trailer below.
Life Hacks by Keith Bradford is exactly what its title implies: good tips for everyday problems. I found several new recipes in 30 Minute Meals by Rachel Ray that look promising. I always like to add a new recipe or two to my files each month.
I have watercolored for several decades, but there is always room to improve, actually a lot of room, and after finding the YouTube videos of Anna Bucciarelli I knew I had to have her book 101 Watercolor Secrets. It did not disappoint me. Here’s a link to her YouTube channel. If you love watching artists in motion, you will enjoy her beautiful narration and techniques.
I’m planting seeds nearly every day. I never abide by the suggested weeks before the last frost date printed on the seed packets. I bump it up by 3 – 4 weeks to match the sizes and blooms available in local nurseries at planting time. I also plant in milk cartons and leave them outdoors to stratify in the cold. Many seeds do best with a period of cold before it gets warm enough to sprout. This method is called Winter Sowing and it will bring you amazing success. Give it a try.
One new technique I’ve run across is a bubble wrap sprouting coil. Huh? (I can’t remember who or what or where I saw it so I can’t give proper credit here.) You take a strip of bubble wrap, add a smaller strip of paper towel, and then a layer of seed starter. You place the seeds you are planting at the top of the wrap and wind it up. I used tape to keep it shut, and it has worked fine. The moisture, the warmth of the insulating bubble wrap equals success. I have quite a few marigold sprouts growing. When they are larger, I will unwind the strip and plant them in separate containers. This was so much fun to try and is perfect for those of us who don’t have a lot of windowsill room. Search through boxes for old bubble wrap, or, as I did, buy a small roll at the dollar store.
Winter has been difficult this year. Ice on top of snow, snow on top of ice, making it hard to get around and causing injuries from falls and excessive shoveling. (One of my friends broke her ankle.) Local geese, starving due to a lack of food, fell victim to Bird Flu, causing lakes and parks to shut down. Still, there is beauty in the ice and snow, such as these color-reflecting icicles hanging from my gutter. This photo is part of Skywatch Friday.
The snow cover and extra cold weather this year have been hard on songbirds too. I’ve thrown seed out onto the snow, and it is soon devoured. I stopped using my feeders when there were rumors of the Bird Flu and haven’t put out any more suet since then. We have a very smart wren who can swoop under our back porch door a bit like a cat slinking through a tight space. I suddenly noticed that four of the eight Black Swallowtail chrysalides that were over-wintering on the porch had disappeared. Nearby were bird droppings. We are assuming the wren feasted on the missing chrysalides. To save the four still on the porch, I brought them into the house and taped them to a curtain so they would get the proper amount of outside light. I am hoping they do not emerge too soon.
I’ve tuned into the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Bird Cams again. Panama is still vibrant with platform feeders and hummingbirds. I am hoping the Red-tailed Hawks thrive and nest this year. Take a look at this delightful glimpse into the world of birds.
I’ve found a new art show on Prime Video presented by the British television company Sky Arts. Landscape Artist of the Year and Portrait Artist of the Year have many seasons available to view. It is a joy to me to watch the artists paint a landscape or a portrait in four hours. If you enjoy art or are an artist yourself, this is a wonderful way to spend an hour.
We also watch quite a few of the old Amazing Race shows on Paramount+ and have begun watching Season 50 of Survivor. This will be the first Survivor we have watched in several seasons. We were appalled at the recent ‘wokeness’ of the show, with Jeff Probst not saying his usual, “Come on in, guys,” for fear of offending someone. We have had enough of that nonsense. Hopefully, they will realize that handling people with kid gloves in a survival situation is detrimental to the concept on which the show was based.
I researched the ratings, and the show’s viewers have plummeted. Perhaps Season 50, with a cast of characters from previous shows when ratings were high, will bring back a little of the magic.
This is one of my favorite Signposts in February.
March arrives in two days, I wonder what kind of fun and interesting events will surprise me over its weeks.
Favorite Skywatch Photograph – As I photographed the rising moon Friday night, I captured an airplane at the perfect moment as it flew towards landing at Philadelphia International Airport.
Garden Joy (Clockwise Top to Bottom Left) Favorite coleus with a ‘mutated’ stem of a totally different color. Crushed eggshells for the garden beds (good for controlling soft bodied bugs), sprouted Dahlia seeds, baked eggshells before crushing, Stone Pine, beautiful bluish needles, soft and flexible, bought during Christmas season. Garden plans – Woo-Hoo! Hurry Spring
One of my favorite Signposts from January. It has the coolness of the season, but also the hope of Spring in the pink blossoms.
We have had icy snow on the ground for over a week. I have been throwing seed out daily, and the birds appreciate and devour it. We also replenish the suet cake as soon as it is gone. (Clockwise from top) One pleasure has been watching the squirrels and birds dive into the footprints we’ve left and gather the seed that skitters across the ice and accumulates in the indentation. A Junco on the new Tris bird camera. A Bluejay having a meal on the Tris camera. A Bluejay is enjoying the mixed bird seed on the snow.
Thanks for looking. I hope to take part in some Photo Challenges this month. Stay tuned.
You could lose yourself in the fragrance and softness of the petals. I’ve grown them for years. They grow high enough to stand and bury your nose in the beautiful bloom. They are definitely one of the joys of summertime.
Thank you to Becky for hosting the Simply Red Challenge.
Eyes were upon me, I felt something watching as I browsed through a greenhouse in search of bedding plants this year. It was a small fledgling sparrow, its feet wrapped around a twig of a bougainvillea plant in a hanging basket. I was in love with his sweet expression, but then wondered if it was sweet, or maybe a bit annoyed at me for disturbing his space. I bought another bougainvillea hanging near the one he perched in to remind me of the moment. Sweet. I think this is one of my favorite photographs taken in May.
As I left the greenhouse, I noticed the nest he occupied as he grew above the door. The bougainvillea flower is part of Cee’s Flower of the Day.
“Raindrops on Roses, and Whiskers on Kittens…ummm…Bunnies?”
~ Oscar Hammerstein II
The Lens-Artists Photo Challenge for this week is Favorite Things. For me, as is true of most of us, God, family, and home tops the list. After these three there are hundreds of items, situations, places, that I love-the list could go on and on.
It’s pouring rain today. Most of the Northeast coast of the U.S. is experiencing rainfall. I thought it a perfect day to photograph a garden rose wearing a veil of raindrops as a favorite thing. When I went outdoors, instead of a dewy rose, the sweetest vignette presented itself: a bunny using my hanging plant as an umbrella. I think this clever bunny is guaranteed to bring you a smile.
I often reblog my favorite tips for seasonal projects or recipes. Every year I also repeat my recommendation of The Nativity Story as a reminder of the events that led up to Jesus’ birth.
My heart is always filled with gratitude as I watch this realistic depiction of God’s perfect plan to bring salvation, through his Son Jesus Christ, to all mankind.
It’s easy to become overwhelmed with holiday shopping and activities. For those of us who find it relaxing to pull up a seat for an hour or two of seasonal entertainment, here’s a terrific movie channel and schedule available through Countdown Until Christmas/Christmas Movie Database. The Journal Sentinel also has a day by day movie schedule that is worth a look. Take a look at this amazing collection of Christmas and holiday movies and their air times. There is also a search box on the site with an amazing database of movies.
I’ve already been playing Christmas music and loving every minute of it. One of my very favorite CD’s is ‘A Walton’s Christmas – Together Again.’ This CD was given to me by my sister many years ago. Not only is it a perfect choice for Nurturing Thursday, the music and show are also an excellent selection for Throwback Thursday. It’s easy to see how well-loved and played the CD has been over the years by the battered state of the case. If like me, you are immediately uplifted by the opening chords of this song, enjoy listening to the Youtube video below. If you have never seen ‘The Waltons,’ try and find these reruns on your cable channels for enjoyable Christmas nostalgia.
“Don’t worry about a thing
‘Cause every little thing gonna be alright
Singing’ don’t worry about a thing
‘Cause every little thing gonna be alright.”~ Bob Marley
As young as they are, my grandchildren already talk about memories they have of ‘Nanny’s house.’ My middle grandchild said to me recently, “When I was a baby, I came here, and I would sing.” It turns out this singing was Bob Marley’s song, ‘Three Little Birds.’ When my grandson was a toddler, I watched him several days throughout the week, we’d play Reggae and when our favorite, ‘Three Little Birds,’ filled the living room with its lilting notes, I’d pick him up and we’d dance together. He remembers these moments.
I came to love Reggae music later in life. I’d definitely say ‘Three Little Birds’ is one of my favorite songs. I’ve said before in these posts, the wisdom in the song, echoes Jesus’ words in the Bible.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”
~ Matthew 6:25-27
Today I read an article with a little more proof that Reggae music will make you smile. Dogs prefer Reggae.
Another Reggae group that fills me with joy is Christafari Band.
The dreariness of winter can put a blight on your happiness…take a few moments to listen to some upbeat music and smile.
A favorite Christmas gift was this jar of buttons and note from my mother:
“These buttons were from Granny Broadwell’s button tin. Many of them were from the clothes she wore early in her marriage. I can remember some of them. The value of these buttons are not very much, but the person whose clothes they adorned is valuable and precious to all of us. I wanted you to have them. I know you will treasure them. Love, Mom”
I placed the note in an old frame. I want to find a piece of burnt sienna overlay to place over it, for protection, and to give it a look of age. If I can’t find what I want, I’ll try to create a piece out of things I have lying around the house.
Season Four of ‘Fixer Upper’ premieres tonight on HGTV at 9:00. I’m looking forward to another season of watching Chip and Joanna Gaines transform shabby houses and yards into unique and beautiful homes and landscapes.
If you have a chance take a look at their new magazine and book, just out this month on newsstands and in bookstores. The book can also be found on their website Magnolia Market.
“Aspenglow was written about Aspen, which is a resort town in Colorado. They have a celebration every year called Winterskol where many skiers come down the mountain holding torches, thus the Aspen glow.” ~ Songfacts.com
I bought this first as a vinyl album, oh let’s see, probably many decades ago. Smile! I recently saw it in CD form in a Christmas Music Display. I’ve played it several times since then. A gorgeous song filled with beautiful words and sound effects.
One of my favorite films this year was McFarland. Released in 2015, the film is still available On Demand, Netflix, Amazon Prime, DVD, and other venues. Don’t miss this inspirational true story. Make sure and watch until the very last minute as the original McFarland Cross Country team makes a cameo appearance.
The Durrells in Corfu is another of my new favorites. Episode 1 of Season 1 premiered last Sunday evening at 8:00 on PBS, but you can find it online or On Demand also. I loved the ‘quirkiness’ of this sweet series and can’t wait for more episodes.
Poldark Season 2 begins Sunday night on PBS. I watched the first season, and must admit, I am old enough to remember the original series broadcast on PBS in the 70’s. The first season was very well done, the characters compelling, the setting magnificent; I’m looking forward to enjoying Season 2.
The planet Mars is close to earth in June of 2016. This week will provide you with a good opportunity for viewing the red planet. Nasa’s website provides good information on how to best view Mars. Nasa – Mars in Our Night Sky.
“In 2016, the planet Mars will appear brightest from May 18 to June 3.” ~ Nasa Website
Morguefile photograph courtesy of TomWildoner
Since I don’t have a photograph of Mars for this post, I searched one of my favorite royalty-free sites for a good example. I found this interesting atmospheric photograph, taken of Mars in 2014, on the Morguefile site courtesy of Tom Wildoner.
I came upon this year’s nesting Barn Owl and realized it was time to repost the information for Cornell Bird Labs.
Take a look at the live-streamed “Bird Cams.” If you love birds you will love this site. To start the live cam click on the arrow. If it appears to be a still shot, look closely, you will see the soft movement of the owl’s breath. Thanks again to JaneM who shared this site with me.
This is my fifth year creating content for “Minding My P’s with Q.” Some good ideas and posts from past years are buried deep in the archives. I’ve unearthed a few November “phavorites” from 2011 to the present to share once again.
Amaryllis are available now as bulbs or potted plants for Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday cheer.
Paper Snowflakes on my windows are one of my favorite Christmas decorations. To have enough by December 1st, I will begin cutting at least five every day.
Last, but certainly not least, enjoy the beautiful “A Song of Thanksgiving” by U2.
