The World's Alive With Beauty

"I must have flowers,

always and always."

CLAUDE MONET

I don't know about you, but it is easy to get bogged down in one's social media feeds these days. And get caught up in the tangle of opinions and facts and misinformation, making it easy to get the feeling that the world is sliding off to 'hell in a handbasket'. Then you step outside... into the wonder of God's world in the springtime, you hear the sound of birdsong and smell the scent of lilacs in the air, and you marvel at how much pansies make you smile. And even though things are gloomy and dismaying out there, we can and must take time to rest our souls and let what is still good and beautiful in our world bring a sense of calm and order. Even if only for a little while. We must carry on with what we believe we are on this earth to accomplish...doing it with kindness, love, truthfulness, and honour. 

Our neighbourhood has been getting brighter and greener and more lush as the days pass. And, all the while, we keep our fingers crossed for some much needed rain. We're grateful for the little bit we've had, but we could do with a whole lot more.

This week has been heavenly around here - our flowering trees and shrubs are in full bloom, adding such colour and breathtaking splendour to boulevards and streets everywhere. Every spring I look forward to the May Day trees blooming. To catch their sweet scent on a breeze certainly lifts one's spirits and reminds one it's good to be alive on such days. The years-old flowering plum in our neighbour's backyard spills over into our yard, its plummy colourful drifts stand in vibrant contrast to our still young golden elder tree which stands in our north east corner. The last few days I find myself standing at the kitchen window and drinking it all in while I sip my glass of water. (I tried taking a photo for you, but I couldn't do it justice, so I'll leave it to your keen imagination.)

Speaking of things beautiful, I want to mention this jewel of a sticker book I found at our local bookstore. It's been so much fun browsing this hardcover "deluxe compendium of more than 800 vintage-inspired stickers, perfect for embellishing any creative project on the go, be it scrapbooking, junk journaling, collaging, gift wrapping, or merely personalizing any page" (Amazon blurb). It's published by Smith Street Books of Naarm (Melbourne) Australia.

On other news, I've been spending some time working on my digital photos files. Oh my, how can a person take that many poses of the same scene or flower! I have several thousand (with so many of them near duplicates) taking up digital space. I thought I'd been culling all along, but obviously not. This downsizing is not for the faint of heart. Digital, I must say, makes it far too easy to click, click, click yet another few dozen poses and angles of any and every thing (all for future creative possibilities). Thankfully, they are organized by years and months (so I know not to look in the December files for summer flowers - haha).

While culling I came across garden photos from previous springs, so I'm taking the opportunity to share a handful with you. The accompanying quotes were recently copied into my journal. I hope you enjoy this tiny glimpse of heaven in my corner of the world.

"Small joys are not small. A moment of peace, a

kind word, a deep breath—they are the quiet proof

that life still holds wonder in its simplest places."

UNKNOWN, as seen on Facebook

"I don't know the secret to happiness, but I do know

this: I've never been sad walking around a

bookstore, watching a sunset, or eating chocolate."

BROOKE HAMPTON

"I'm a very romantic person. I don't mean romantic

in a flowers and chocolate kind of way. It's more like

if it's raining, I'll go up to the window and press my nose

against the glass and sigh at how beautiful it all looks."

AMY WINEHOUSE, as seen on Facebook

"A flowerless room is a soulless room, to my

way of thinking; but even a solitary little vase

of a living flower may redeem it."

VITA SACKVILLE-WEST

"Every day is a potential seed that we can grow

into something beautiful. There's no time to despair."

AUSTIN KLEON, Keep Going

(this photo taken May 16, 2025 on our morning walk)

"If today feels heavy, carry it lightly.

If it feels empty, fill it with the smallest comforts.

A warm drink. An uplifting song. Soft clothes.

A deep breath. You don't have to fix today.

You just have to move through it."

@LOVE QUOTES, on Facebook

"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow,

for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.

Sufficient for the day is its own troubles."

GOSPEL OF MATTHEW 6:34 (ESV)

❦

 

I hope you found a little rest from any anxieties you might be feeling these days.

Sending heart hugs and wishes for a beautiful day,

Brenda

Photo credits:

Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life

My Spring Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays