Book Launch ...

With the book launch next month of

Dreaming of Dresses 

happening soon, I thought I would take this time to share some information about the venue.

The Eva Rothwell Centre is a community hub in which my daughter Kate (author of Dreaming of Dresses) is a board member.

It provides valuable resources, support and care for its community members, in particular children and teens.  Their literacy and education programming are what encouraged Kate to become a board member in January 2019.

Dreaming of Dresses will be added to their "imagination library" collection this summer in anticipation of their summer programming and camps.

Dreaming of Dresses Book Launch

Saturday, June 28, 2025

2-4 pm

Eva Rothwell Centre

460 Wentworth Street North

Hamilton, Ontario

Light refreshments will be served and there is both parking on site and street parking available.

We look forward to seeing you there! 

With gratitude and love,

Kate & Deb

 

Dreaming of Dresses . . .

My daughter Kate has had her first children's book published!

I had the great privilege to be the illustrator of this beautiful story. 

 Dreaming of Dresses tells of friendship, kindness, and believing in your own unique abilities, strengths and dancing to the beat of your own drum.

Our book launch takes place

Saturday, June 28

2-4 pm

Eva Rothwell Centre

460 Wentworth Street North

Hamilton, Ontario

Life is meant to be lived with joy, purpose and authenticity.

"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken"

~Oscar Wilde~

Lots of fun activities are being planned!

RSVP information can be found in the poster above ☝

We look forward to seeing you!

 

Birds*Buds*Blossoms*Beauty . . .

May ~ the month where each walk in the garden brings with it new surprises!

We love watching the Robins as they splash about in the birdbaths with such joy that they nearly empty the bath out. Heads dipped and wings spread, this bird knows how to turn bathtime into a sacred ritual.

And just like that .... our lovely old (and somewhat worse for wear) Purple Sand cherry tree is in bloom sprinkling our garden paths with confetti blossoms.

A pretty pot of pansies

and the ants tickling the peony buds telling them it's time to wake . . . 

I look forward to Peony season each year. It's such a short season and there is always the question of

do I pick a few for inside or just enjoy them in the garden? 

the tried-and-true annuals like Marigolds have been planted in the window boxes 

and the red Geraniums fill our urns 

"May ~ the very word makes the heart leap.

Birds. Buds. Blossoms. Beauty! ... "

Eva D Kellogg

May

Short lived but so pretty in our garden and filled with memories, as so many of our plants are, 

the lily of the valley has spread.  What started as one plant many years ago 

because I wanted to make my sons High School Graduation boutonniere, has turned into 

a huge, happy patch. 

Wishing you a May

filled with Birds * Buds* Blossoms & much Beauty!

d xo 

 

Dances with the Daffodils . . .

~Happy Earth Day~

***

Beautiful daffodils 

A gift from my grand Suns 

who brighten every moment

of every day 

On this wonderful sunny and (somewhat) warm day,

I thought they'd be happier outside & sitting in a garden urn

surrounded by pussywillow branches. 

 "Then my heart

with pleasure fills

and dances with

the daffodils"

~William Wordsworth~ 

Time & Season ...

I subscribe to a number of newsletters that I really look forward to finding in my inbox.

Filled with positivity, insight, uplifting words, inspiration for the week, quotes . . . 

Hum Yoga & Meditation based here in Ontario, Canada is one of my favourites and I absolutely loved

yesterday's "... three beautiful ways to connect with spring energy" story.

Sonja Den Elzen, shared tips on connecting with the energy of Spring.

One in particular I gravitated too, in fact, I grabbed my camera and macro lens and headed outside after reading the newsletter to put the idea into action. 😊

Sonja suggested choosing a tree to witness from bud to bloom. 

Observe its journey - how the buds begin to swell, the leaves unfold ....

Make it your Spring companion and visit it a few times each week to observe its journey.

What a lovely way to connect & reflect with nature.

I decided on my own little lilac tree to document, which sits outside my kitchen window.

This little tree has brought so much joy, colour and intoxicating aroma for over 30 years.

I found her at the end of the season, for less than $2.00 tossed to the "as is sale" at the back of the White Rose nursery.

She looked a bit worse for wear after a hot season, and all alone, so of course I knew she was coming home with me and going in our garden :-)  

Not only did she plant her roots firmly the moment she hit new soil, but she has also continued to bloom every year.  She has withstood many harsh winters & squirrels sharpening their teeth on her bark, and some years she's bloomed heavier than others, but she never disappoints! 

And . . .  *every year* without fail, when the lilac is in bloom, the yellow finch arrive in our garden!

I had never realized how beautiful yellow and lavender look together until I saw a finch sitting on a lilac branch! 

(you can find a photo in my "Photography" page)

A few little friends stopped by the moment they heard the sunporch door open...

So back inside I went for a handful of walnuts.

 And of course, had to take a few photos of them enjoying their treat.

"Nature gives

          to every time and season

       some beauties

       of its own"

        ~Charles Dickens~

 

Welcoming April ...

We had a surprise with the weather yesterday as it snowed!

A day late for April Fools . . .  but unexpected.

Today, while there are still patches of snow on our lawn, it's 20 degrees C .

~Walk the Earth~

Walk the Earth with gentle feet.

Nod your head to those you meet.

Keep your faith in God above.

And in everything you do, do with Love.

~deb dunn~

I found the loveliest sheer ribbon ~ the finishing touch needed for a collection of wooden Crosses I've just finished painting.

My thoughts written lightly in pencil on the cross before I begin to paint can be found on the back of the cross where I have handwritten it in white ink. 

They can be found in my little Vintage Sparrow Studio Etsy shop

(link in sidebar)

~The Rosary~ 

Bead by bead, seed by seed,

faith is shown in each good deed.

Each and every day, the wisdom sown

yields a life's garden of your very own.

~deb dunn~

~Joy~

He fills my life with Joy

Have a wonderful day

~ deb & the sparrows~ 

 

DVSA Art Auction 2025 ...

Dundas Valley School of Art Annual Art Auction is happening with online previews on now!

Over 1,400 pieces of original artworks in a variety of styles and mediums.

In person visits begin Wednesday, April 2 - 6

at the beautiful Dundas Valley School of Art

21 Ogilvie Street

Dundas, Ontario

I submitted 3 pieces of original art to this year's auction ....

*By the light of the Silvery Moon*

lot 861

... my story underneath the paint reads

By the light of the silvery moon 

all creatures come to rest

nestled together, what lovely dreams you must have

tucked into a cozy nest

~deb dunn~

*The Wild Child*

lot 863

... my story underneath the paint reads

You, wearing twigs in your hair,

your heart on your sleeve,

embracing all of nature

living with Peace & Ease

~deb dunn~

 

*Bedtime Stories*

lot 862

... my story underneath the paint reads

Night has fallen

we're in our nest.

Cuddle up little one

it's time to rest.

Listen carefully,

I've stories to share.

Being an owl comes with responsibilities,

we are a bird that is rare.

When I was an Owlet,

just like you,

I was told these stories

in my nest, I sat too.

When it's time for you to fly,

wandering to the tallest trees

you will have the finest views

of forests, valley and seas.

A watcher of the woods

is what you will be

when you are a bit older

when it's time to be set free.

So many adventures

and journeys await,

but for now, little one, it's time to rest

for it is getting late. 

~deb dunn~

I hope you have a look at this year's fabulous auction .... wonderful art awaits!! 

Upcoming Art Exhibit ...

So very grateful to have my two submissions accepted into the upcoming Art in the Workplace

 Exhibit # 41

McMaster Innovation Park

Hamilton, Ontario

My paintings The Enchanted & When you feed the birds, you feed your soul

can be seen in the beautiful atrium March 3 - June 26, 2025

~The Enchanted~ 

As always .... the words/story penciled in, gently covered over with paints and paper

Forest bathing

barefoot walker

into the enchanted woods you go.

Amongst the wildflowers

is where you wander

at a pace that's nice and slow.

The earth feels cool

between your toes

mindful steps are taken.

There's magic and mystery

in this sacred space

and you are keenly awakened.

For in this spiritual land, you walk

moving with ease and grace

In a silent hush, not a word is spoken

with the sun upon your face.

~deb dunn~

~When you feed the birds, you feed your soul~

Whispers to the birds are spoken

so softly, not all can hear

but those who they are meant for

will listen and gather near.

She feeds the birds

each morning, at the very break of day

seeds for the birds, nourishing both souls,

she does this as she prays.

"Watch over those with feathers

who come here for their feed

may they find what they are looking for

in kindness, may I lead.

And once they are full

and take to the sky

Please keep them safe 

wherever they may fly"

~deb dunn~ 

 

A simple thing like a snowfall . . .

We are living in our own little Narnia . . . 

I was so happy to hear bird song as I made my way into the garden.

And then looking up and seeing our little Dove sitting in the tree just waiting for the feeders to be brushed off!

"I know a little more

how much a simple thing

like a snowfall

can mean 

to a person"

~Sylvia Plath~

 

our little winter wonderland

As I was standing under the canopy of trees, branches weighed down,

all it took was the landing of Cardinals to have me covered

in snow :-) 

JOY 

Our little sparrow who sits happily upon the picket fence 

watching over sparrow garden . . . 

"I wonder if the snow 

loves the trees and the fields,

that it kisses them so gently?

And then it covers them up snug, you know,

with a little white quilt, and perhaps it says

'Go to sleep darlings till the summer comes again' "

~Lewis Carroll~

I think so :-) 

National Flag Day . . .

 Celebrating 60 years of our beautiful flag!

National Flag Day ~ February 15th ~ commemorating the inauguration of our iconic flag

 with its red and white stripes and stunning maple leaf.

Flown with pride!

Home is where the maple leaf is! 

Snow much love . . .

Our groundhog's prediction of an early spring may have been a bit off . . . 

but for two snow lovers we made the most of it!

Layered clothes, snow pants, jacket, scarf, hat, gloves and warm boots and we spent a good part of the day outside.

I had to bring the camera outside and take some pics to show our friends in England whose latest email told us of woodland walks looking at snowdrops .... 18 - 20 " of the white fluffy kind was our version of "snow drops" ;-)

heart shaped sugar cookies

valentine flowers

love notes tucked into handsewn hearts 

bird watching window seat

jotting down birds in the garden for the Great Bird Count which started today

so far, we've seen doves, juncos, blue jays and cardinals

Our picket fence always makes a good measuring tape for snow falls

how snow makes me feel!

~happy Valentine's Day~ 

d xo