The Joy of......

The Secret Garden by France Hodgson Burnett

Right around this time of year I re-read this book every year. I never read it as a child as I didn't know about it until I was in my 20's. I've always been a reader but, there are many children's classics that I never got around to until later in my life - Ann of Green Gables was another one that I stumbled upon later. Once I started that one I read the whole series non-stop.

The Secret Garden is such a beautiful and mysterious story. I love how Mary blooms into a warm, caring person by connecting with the garden and the life inside. It enables her to care for the people around her. She does maintain her stubborn streak which also makes her a strong, charismatic person. The images the book produces make me feel like I'm there in the garden with Mary, Dickon, Colin and the little robin enjoying a spring picnic of scones and tea. I enjoyed the movie as well even though it doesn't follow the book in certain parts but, the feeling is the same.

My dream is to one day have my own secret garden. I tried to create one in my current yard but, the gophers seemed to love it as much as I did! Hopefully, when we move, there will be a little patch somewhere for a few flowers and maybe a chair or two. Everyone should have a secret garden on their own - whether it be an outside hide-away or a special nook in your home. Everyone needs a place to sit and focus so they can forget about the frustrations of the day and remember that everything around us needs to be cared for one way or another.

Do you have a secret garden or secret hide-away? If so, I would love to see pictures of it if you would like to share.

Fairy Friday

The Narcissus Fairy....

Another flower that is brave enough to pop out in early Spring. I hope everyone is doing well and that any of you that have been buried in snow are seeing bits of Spring green.



The Narcissus Fairy by Cicely Mary Barker


I live in the San Francisco bay area and guess what? Snow. Well, snow is predicted for Saturday. Not a heavy snow, mind you but, flurries. Still, snow in SF?! It hasn't happend since 1976! If it does indeed happen and the snow does stick I'll be sure to take pictures and post. Have a lovely weekend everyone!

P.S. Do you like my new background? I've been wanting to use it for a long time and I think it fits Spring perfectly. It's by Plumrose Lane. Please visit. Sharon has beautiful backgrounds for free and for sale at her Etsy shop.

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

I sort of have a love/hate relationship with Valentines Day. Without getting into details, Valentine's Day, for me, has never been about romance with a sweetheart and all the frills that go with it. I wanted it to be but, it never turned out that way. So for after longing for a super special Valentines Day for years and never really getting one I've kind of poo-poo'd Valentine's Day and become somewhat of a non-romantic. Mind you, I still love chocolate, vintage hearts and lacey things but, I've learned to treat myself to those things if I want them.

One thing that has always been there for me on Valentine's Day are my friends. Throughout the years I've had very special friends that have given me flowers and sweet treats because they cared about me. For me, Valentine's Day is about friends. Those people that are with you no matter how far they are from you and will listen to you vent about everything.

This Valentine is for you my friends. My real friends. I consider all my blog friends my real friends not random strangers I've met online. I realize I've never met any of you. But, I do know that you are all there when I need you when it counts most.

Love,
Joane

Fairy Friday and Cherry Blossoms

We have been so fortunate, weather-wise, in the past couple of weeks here in the Bay Area. The temperatures have been in the high sixties and seventies and in some places even the low 80's. The sun is out but, there is a nip in the air. We will be having rain next week though. Sigh. I am ready for warmer weather. I know when spring is coming because the cherry blossoms start to bloom. A few days ago you could only see tiny little pink tips. Now, most of the trees are in full bloom and washes of pinky-white blossoms dot neigborhoods and parks. I like what I call a "Spring Snow". That's when a spring breeze will make the petals swirl in the air and a gentle "snow" of pink falls around you. It's truly magic and very fairy like when this happens.


Photo by kristininsf

Maybe if I can capture a photo of a Spring Snow I can catch a glimpse of this little fairy fluttering about amongst the petals. You know faires though, they are shy and secretive and have to be in the right mood to let you see them...maybe I'll get lucky, I can only hope.

Have a lovely weekend everyone!



Wild Cherry Blossom Fairy
by Cicely Mary Barker



Tulips and New Projects

I was at the grocery store to pick up a couple of things and I could not resist these pretty pink tulips.

Yes, spring is on its way, even though the forecast is predicting rain all next week here in the Bay Area.

Here are a couple of other pics of works in progress that will be in my etsy shop next week.



These will be pendants....




Pendants and rings.

Please stop by and browse!

Fairy Friday and The Joy of......

....the promise of Spring!

For many of my friends out there in blogland Spring feels no where near. They are covered in blankets of snow and are keeping the fires in the hearth going. Here in the Bay Area of California we are having some unusually warm weather. It's sunny and in the high 60's with rumblings that this weekend it may even get into the 70's in some places.

I have even noticed a few pink cherry blossoms peeking out of their branches when I go for a walk. I do like this warm weather but,  it doesn't do well for crops, gardens and orchards. Plants and flowers are tricked into thinking it's Spring and bloom. We'll then get hit with some cold weather and there goes your garden!

And some people believe there is no green house affect? That's a whole other post or blog for that matter! But to my freezing friends I send some sunshine your way (at least in thought, sorry I can't deliver the real thing). I'm rambling here but, I would think that people that live where it snows would really know and feel the true meaning of Spring. You truly know what it feels like to come out of hibernation and when you see the first glimpse of green leaves you must feel the joy that Spring is near.

Here is a little fairy for you that promises that Spring is not too far away. She is the Snowdrop Fairy by Cicely Mary Barker. She promises to bring Spring to you as soon as the time is right.

Here is the official link to the Flower Fairies by Cicely Mary Barker if you'd care to find out more about her artwork.
Flower Fairies by Cicely Mary Barker

Have great weekend everyone!