Friday, March 9, 2012

This and That

Fridays are becoming This and That days.

***

Are you tired of the tulip postcards?
That's what I thought.
Here is one more:


Tulip Postcard

From the back of the postcard:
 "Because of its nurturing climate and rich soil,
 the Northwest produces America's most abundant crop of tulips." 
Lefeber Bulb Company, Mount Vernon, Washington

Thank you to the lovely Beth for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday.

***

Monday I spent a lovely day in Hermann Park.
I arrived around 9AM hoping to miss all the school buses dropping off children at the zoo 
and the Natural History Museum.
I knew it was going to be a good morning when I succeeded 
and found a great parking place.
I wanted to take photos of Ai Weiwei's Circle of Animals 
and then play the rest of the day by ear.


Tea House



After finishing at the Circle of Animals, 
I headed to the Japanese Garden.

Do you have a connection to Nature?
Do you like to walk in the woods, on the beach?
Do you like to work in the garden, smell the flowers?
How does it make you feel?

Walking in this beautiful place, suddenly I'm calm, smiling.
All my cares and worries are  gone.
All the sadness disappears.
I feel Nature giving me a hug.
I felt myself slow down.
I noticed things ... the iris are coming up (a big deal with our drought).
Some of the Black Bellied Whistling Ducks that I'm so fond of were in the garden.
I'd never noticed them there before.


Black Bellied Whistling Duck



Look at the reflections! 

I wanted to take off my shoes and feel the ground!
 Lie down on the grass and watch the clouds in the sky.

It made me feel blissful.

"Turn your face toward the sun and the shadows will fall behind you."
~Maori Proverb

***

Then I spent the rest of the afternoon at the zoo, had lunch and finished
off my day by sitting under a tree, eating a chocolate/vanilla swirl ice cream
and watching children enjoy the zoo.

Wishing you WELL and much JOY.

Inspiration for this post from Tiny Buddha and Liv Lane and the Bliss List.

23 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

I love Japanese gardens! I've been thinking of doing a blog series about the various ones I've visited over the years.

Ruth Kelly said...

Nice blog. It's still to cold here to go strolling but I do love nature and walks in the woods.

Eydie Kugler said...

Snap.

I loved your pictures. The reflection in the pond was beautiful.

One of my favorite places to take in nature in Chicago is the Botanic Gardens. It truly is BLISS.

So glad we connected. Have a wonderful weekend.
Eydie

Liv @ Choosing Beauty said...

Beautiful photos and lovely list. So glad you linked up!

Sheila @ A Postcard a Day said...

I really wish I could go and stand beside that field of yellow tulips! I will have to content myself (very happily) with walking along the river bank.

Sabrina DS said...

Hi Snap,
I never tire of looking at tulips, they're bring so much light to the heart! Your blog is really like taking a stroll in nature and enjoying the sun and a light breeze.
Thanks for the nice pictures, the nice words, and for your comment on my blog.
A special delivery of hugs from France.

Janet said...

For me, it's always been about hiking. HB and I used to hike almost every weekend but haven't been for years now. Hiking and camping could put me in touch with nature and make me feel calm and content.

Jess Morrow said...

Oh, I love your blog ... and according to your 'about me', we're a bit similar. Looking forward to reading more of you. Thank you for sharing the lovely photos, too!

Barb said...

Im sending you a big hug for this post which is making me smile - I can see the places you describe. I enjoyed them, too.

Sreisaat said...

One of my fondest wishes is to go visit a tulip garden! I miss taking leisurely strolls in gardens and parks. There is none here in Cambodia.

Have a nice weekend.


Postcards Crossing

Cezar and Léia said...

The first photo could have come straight from Holland!
God bless you!
Cezar

Maria said...

Nope -- I don't think I would ever get tired of tulip postcards. And I'm grateful to you for posting one more! :)

Thanks for posting the Maori proverb. It makes me lighthearted. Happy weekend!

Lindsay said...

That sounds wonderful! Japanese gardens are so relaxing. :)

Jennifer Richardson said...

I love the name of this
beautiful space you've built!
beautiful bliss blooming
over here:)
thanks for the share,
Jennifer

EG CameraGirl said...

That postcard is amazing! Maybe I should move to the Northwest?!

Anonymous said...

I like this tulip farm post card, nice, a little different way to think about them. Feet in the grass sounds really good. Laid in the sun one day in NC it was 80 and it felt like summer, gorgeous. xox Corrine

My Beautiful World said...

I have missed your posts my friend so happy to be catching up again. You have so much beauty to see here makes me smile. Thank you for your get well wishes I'm resting up and hoping for a good recovery be a few weeks yet though. I do hope your week is more wonderful then this past one full of more fun and laughter, catch up again soon.

Always Wendy

Lori said...

A week full of blissful moments. I love your photography!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I don't think anyone could tire of seeing such pretty tulip field scenes, Snap!

I loved hearing about your blissful moments. Have a wonderful week!

Rosa said...

Oh my. I could daydream in those tulips ALL day! I was so taken by the Japanese Gardens in Portland! I wish we had them here; but it gets SO hot in the summer. Ugh. I wish I could settle down enough to sit under a tree. I think I've become ADD in my old age. How wonderful on top of getting old! <3

hannah said...

Hello there,
thank you for stopping by via Our World Tuesday. I was cheered by reading some of your posts. Your writing style is lovely, as are your subjects.

My Grama's Soul said...

I've been to the Tulip Festival in Mount Vernon....it is truly awesome.

xo

Jo

Sherry said...

Snap, I love how you take a take, embrace it and make it your own. And bliss -- you know where to find it! xo