Ode to Rain!

Rain, rain, don't go away...but please do come back another day!

It's raining in northwest Ohio! It poured earlier, coming down in big bucketfulls (is that a word?) running out of the storm gutters and splashing out of the birdbath, making little rivers and streams in and around my garden. I sat on my (covered) patio, smiling. Okay...I've always considered myself a "fair weather" person. Give me a sunny day and my spirits would automatically soar. I didn't realize how much I like rain - until we were without it. Like much of the U.S., it's been so hot and dry here this summer. I can't remember the temperature ever soaring over the century mark this many days or going this long without rain. So, it was a very welcome relief. I think I heard the poor, brown, crunchy grass going "ahhhh!" I guess I do like a rainy day now and then!

I didn't do this...but I felt like it.

Update: It rained again later in the evening, and this time, I did go out and stand in it. I lifted my face to feel the drops and it was joyous!

Until next time,

Cindy

All pictures courtesy Google Images

Linking to Seasonal Sundays on The Tablescaper

April Musings

Hello everyone,
Well, so far, April in northwest Ohio has been colder than March! I guess that's to be expected for spring in the midwest, but I do long for sunny days and warm breezes. As most of my regular followers know, I've been on a blogging break. Not a vacation (I wish!) In fact, I've been working and getting caught up on some things...and I'm also taking a step back from my blog to decide which direction I want to go with it in the future. I'm so grateful for my followers and the friendships I've made in the ten months since I started this venture! So, I wanted to drop in and say "hello" and share some photos I took on my daily walks this past week. There's a frost warning tonight, so I hope it doesn't harm any of the plants and flowers already blooming! I'll be back to full-time blogging soon and hopefully have a clear vision of what I hope to share with you! I hope everyone has been well - I try to visit as many of you as possible in my spare time. Hugs all around!

Until next time,

Cindy

Linking to:  Outdoor Wednesday at A Southern Daydreamer
      Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound
 

The Colors of Spring

Hello Everyone,
I'm sharing more photos of one of my favorite places to walk - the grounds of St. Frances Spirituality Center. This is especially for Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for her Pink Saturday link party - only this week, we're all invited to share our SPRING posts! This is one of the warmest and most beautiful springs we've had in Northwest Ohio on record...and believe me, I am enjoying it! These are from today's walk.  Enjoy!

“Spring is in the air and my heart feels like dancing. I get out in nature as much as I can. Every blade of grass, every flower, and every bird I see brings joy to my heart. I know that just around the corner new experiences are available to me. I greet each new day with optimism and joy. It is such an exciting time to be alive!” - Louise L. Hay

Have a great weekend! Until next time,

Cindy

Linking to Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound

Angels in Early Spring ~

Incredible weather in Northwest Ohio again this week ~ it was bright sunshine and 75 degrees today, and it's suppose to be the same all week. I walked again today at the St. Frances Spirituality Center, so I'm sharing more pics of the angels and statuary there. These were snapped with just my phone camera. When I took this first one, it was so bright, I just had to point and shoot. I had no idea what I'd captured until I got home, and was surprised to see how the sun is shining right above this statue of Jesus!  I love it! 

If you missed my interview with best-selling author, Cindy Adkins (author of several ebooks, including "Spirituality: Making God Personal - Finding Joy" and  "Angels at My Door")  click HERE. 

Until next time,

Cindy

Linking to: Sunlit Sunday at My Little Home and Garden
                    Outdoor Wednesday at A Southern Daydreamer
White Wednesday at Faded Charm

Spiritual Sundays

                          

Polka Dots and Cherry Blossoms ~

Who are these beautiful young girls? They're my grandnieces! From the left; Lauren, Katelynn and Carmen. Lauren and Katelynn are sisters and Carmen is their cousin. I love their matching pink polka dot dresses!!

We're still having plenty of sunshine and above normal temperatures. I've never experienced a February like this in northern Ohio before, and I'm not complaining! It has me thinking of flowering trees and all the gorgeous pink blossoms and flowers to come. Spring is my favorite season...until autumn arrives - then that's my favorite season! Nothing says spring like cherry blossoms!

All images of cherry blossoms: Wikipedia Images

Until next time,

Cindy

Update: The morning after I wrote this post, I awoke to this (unpredicted) snowfall!!

Linking to Pink Saturday on How Sweet the Sound
                          

Spring-like Weather and a Collage

Hello Everyone,
Our weather forecast yesterday was for snow last night...between 2-4 inches. Well, I awoke this morning to bright sunshine and this is how it looks outside right now:

I know this isn't unusual for some parts of the country, but it is for northern Ohio in late December. I'm not complaining, though, as I know we'll most likely have plenty of snow in January and February.

I'm also sharing a collage that I made for a friend for New Year's.

I found the vintage postcard, with a horseshoe on it for good luck, in an antiques shop. I glued it to a piece of chipboard, and then added the vintage buttons, glitter and other embellishments. The bit of lace originally looked too "white" and didn't blend with the overall look, so I stained it in a cup of tea!

I hope everyone is having a good "in-between Christmas and New Year's" week!

Until next time,

Cindy

Linking to: Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Pink Roses ~

It's time for another Pink Saturday with Beverly on How Sweet the Sound! This week went by so fast! I'm sharing photos of pink roses that I took when my sister and I visited Kingwood Center in Mansfield, Ohio this week. I'm doing another post about it later with more photos of the estate and gardens, but thought these would be perfect for Pink Saturday. I was a little surprised that so many roses were still in bloom - although we haven't yet had a hard frost. I hope you enjoy the roses! Happy Pink Saturday!

These blush pink roses, like in the above photo, are my all time favorites ~ so old-fashioned looking and romantic!

For more pinks, click HERE for Pink Saturday on How Sweet the Sound.

A Walk in the Woods ~

These photos were taken yesterday at the Collier-Howard State Nature Preserve in Northwest Ohio. One of my favorite things in the world to do is hike in the woods. It was so peaceful and quiet - when I stood still, I could actually hear the leaves falling from the trees. Magical!

This preserve contains beech trees, oaks, sycamore, ash, tulip and cottonwoods. As you can see, there is still quite a lot of green on the trees. They're changing rapidly, day by day, however.

 

Mushrooms and moss on a log.

Stairs are built into some of the hillsides. I think they've done a very good job of doing it in a way as to not distract from the natural beauty of the area.

Until next time, wishing everyone a wonderful week!

Linking this to Outdoor Wednesday on A Southern Daydreamer!

~ Heat Wave ~

It's extremely hot and muggy in Northwest Ohio and many other parts of the U.S.A. this week. My cat Rudy, who usually wants to live outdoors 24-7 in the summertime, even wants to stay inside with the air conditioning. Heat advisories are in effect all along the East Coast, Gulf Coast and the Midwest. While the summer sizzles, don't forget to stay hydrated...check on elderly neighbors or those who are without AC...and don't forget that animals can suffer from heat stroke, also. Provide pets with plenty of water and a shady place to escape the hot sun. Stay safe, everyone, and stay cool.

For those not in the grip of the heat wave, I hope you'll enjoy the following "cool" images anyway!