raindrop ramblings ...

It may be in my British  DNA

but I have always been a lover of rain ...

the sound of raindrops hitting the window panes

the smell of rain on the grass, the earth … 

watching the rain as it fills up the birdbaths in our garden and knowing

how much the birds will enjoy splashing about...

walking in the rain and feeling it touch my face ~ invigorating, refreshing,  bliss

jumping in puddles (still) 

our dog Ben could never walk passed a puddle … instead, he would lay down in them … 

every* single* time and to this day, large puddles in the road make me smile thinking of him

and how much joy something as simple as a puddle would bring him! 

Be strong … 

things will get better.

It may be stormy now,

but it never rains forever.

someone was watching me as I walked around the garden taking raindrop photos

just look at that gorgeous "dandelion cottony seed tail" 

and the sweetest little raindrops that landed on the sweetest little doggie nose.

to gather ...

I found an unusual piece of bark 

to me it looked just like a squirrel :-)

It even had this quirky little piece sticking out at the bottom resembling a foot

It didn't take much to bring him into existence … a little eye, and sweet ear detail,

a  light wash over the bark with 'storm cloud grey'

& a  little white added to the grey to make his tail bushy & there he is 

bringing a smile to my face (and I hope to yours too)! 

"I have made a great discovery...

In my paintings it is not the objects that matter to me

but what is between them: it is this "in -between" that is the real subject of my pictures.

When one reaches this state of harmony between things and one's self, one reaches … 

a state of perfect freedom and peace - which makes everything possible and right.

Life then becomes a perpetual revelation"

~George Braque~ 

'Silly girl'

the old lady smiled

'your different was your beautiful all along'

~Atticus~ 

"Normality is a paved road,

it's comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow"

~Vincent Van Gogh~ 

"this is the power of gathering:

it inspires us -

 delightfully-

 to be more hopeful,

joyful,

 more thoughtful,

in a word,

more alive"

~Alive Waters~ 

In a little garden ...

Bird song and cool breeze

called us out into the garden 

With the Macro lens on the  Nikon

Archer and I headed outside 

A cluster of snowdrops are growing beside the pond and

channeling my inner "Rosemary Boxer" {Rosemary & Thyme is a favourite show} I shall

call them by their proper name :-)  Galanthus Nivalis 

Tiny little droplets clung to the Pussy Willow

I was thrilled to see the first 2 Yellow Finch in our garden ~ a male and female

… every year, when the Lilac bud the Finch return

Some of the beautiful shades found in the cedars that line our fence.

The sparrows love to tuck themselves in here and you can often see flickering as they sing joyfully.

We were serenaded by red winged blackbirds. There were originally 3 sitting on the wire.

And my boy! Best friend a girl could ever have … my Velcro dog … 

who walks beside me... watches my every move … gives me random kisses … keeps me company and makes everyday better 

Dog walks have been put "on hold" for the time being 

It will be garden walks for us now...

We are use to our long woodland walks off leash and free

I often wonder what is going on in his mind … our routine has changed

And when a breeze passed us and I saw the absolute joy in his face and how he was taking in every sacred moment … pure bliss! 

"The dog lives for the day

the hour

even the moment"

~Robert Falcon Scott~ 

I was thinking as I walked around the yard of how on our "regular day" walks to the woods or lake, how I always found something heart shaped … and just then … a little love note from the Universe … this leaf … right by my feet xo 

Hold on to love & {a gift from me to you} ...

I've been spending time sitting at my kitchen window seat with a cup of tea looking over my garden.

Yesterday, after sweeping the porch and puttering,   Archer and I walked around the backyard looking for "signs of spring". Spotting a patch of snowdrops next to the pond made me smile.

I refilled all the bird feeders. Lately we've had tons of common crackles and red winged blackbirds. The blackbirds song is easily recognizable.  One particularly large crow landed on my neighbours garage roof. I watched as he pulled with determination fallen material from the eaves. Chip our little garden chipmunk showed up looking lovely and plump, sweet Sparrows and as always, lots of squirrels. A few blue jays, the doves and Cardinal couple added some pretty colour. 

This morning the day began with snow falling. Then it turned to rain. When it stops I'm going to put my Macro lens on the Nikon and go out into the garden and take some photos. I haven't used my "big camera" for a while usually depending on my phone or iPad and my Macro lens even longer! There is something so amazing that happens when you see things through a Macro lens and the beauty of the world is something that can bring you to tears (it has me... often). A tiny little droplet hanging on .. the delicate markings of a flower and its stem … vein in a leaf.

And in our tree … a hummingbird nest.

I had a sheet of music paper on my art table and without much thought, did a quick little sketch, wrote down these words and painted.

I have scanned it and uploaded it with the hopes that you can  print it at home on your own computer. 

Simply click on print

Right click "copy image"

Paste into a Word Document

Print 

A little gift from me to you xo

Hold on to love

with gentle hands

unconditionally

with no demands

Much like the birds 

little woven nest

it's  rough weather

 that puts it to the test

And when its strong

 and held together tight

it can survive any storm 

that comes its way outright

I only need to look to Nature

to feel rest assured

that when you hold on to love, much like the birds nest

life's storms, you will endure.

~deb dunn~ 

As we each spend this time in our own little nests,

 may you find health, peace and safety and above all love.

And the people stayed home ...

Read this quote on Instagram . The gentle words spoke to me and I wanted to add them to my art journal.

A quick little painting of Me & Archer , the birds, trees and a book.

***

"And the people stayed home.

 And read books and listened,

 and rested,

 and exercised, 

and made art,

 and played games, 

and learned new ways of being,

 and were still.

And listened more deeply.

Some meditated,

some prayed,

some danced.

Some met their shadows.

And the people healed.

And in the absence of people living in ignorance,

dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways

the earth began to heal.

And when the danger passed,

and the people joined together again,

they grieved their losses,

and made new choices,

and dreamed new images,

and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully

as they had been healed"

~Kitty O'Meara~ 

Thank you for stopping by.

Sending love & positive thoughts to you.

Be well

 xo deb

Mindful ...

Being mindful of the recent news unfolding, I have put my Etsy shop on "Vacation mode".

All orders/purchases have been posted and on their way to new homes. I hope they bring all the love and joy painting them gave me.

Thank you so much for all the support of my Art. It is truly appreciated.

Yesterday, my morning walk with Archer was certainly "different". Not a car on the road as we walked. We were the only ones in the park (Archer was looking for his friends).  A cool and windy morning, the brisk wind had the trees waving, the leaves dancing, birds singing (red winged black birds had so much to say), I found a sparrow feather, visited long loved Oak trees (ones I have visited for 35 years now) and walked amongst some of the largest fallen acorns I've ever seen. Comfort found in Nature.

I walked the labyrinth , returned home and finished "with each step".

Baked a spinach lasagna, made whole wheat bread and cornbread, put on a pot of coffee , listened to the soothing voice of Gregory Porter, danced in the warmth of my kitchen,  lit candles, set a pretty table... said a prayer xo

With each step

***

I walked the labyrinth today

A slow, methodical pace

Each step brought me back to myself

As I honored this mystical space.

One foot in front of the other

Maneuvering all the twists and turns

Taking in the moment mindfully

Acknowledging what I was here to learn.

As I walked towards the center

and stopped to look around

all the "hidden messages" were inside me all along

just waiting for the silence to be found.

Walking back, retracing my steps, things seem clearer now

I say my "Thank you" from where I stand

In gratitude, I bow my head.

In respect, I cup my hands.

~deb dunn~

If there's a print that speaks to you while my Etsy shop is in "staycation mode" just send me a little email and I will make note of it. When Vintage Sparrow Studio starts back up again, I will let you know.

Be Well friends,

love deb & the sparrows

xo

hello March

March … 

Daylight savings time & double digits

A gentle rain

Shady patches in our garden still have snow

Pussy willow has been cut

We are eagerly waiting to see where our sweet Dove couple will nest in the garden this year.

Last year they chose a spot in our pergola which was wonderful for being able to watch the babies without disturbing their peace 

I love listening to their gentle coos …

 Sparrow's Garden is slowly shaking off Winter's blanket … 

bunnies have been nibbling on carrot scraps and lettuce we leave for them

that face!

and I spotted our 1st Robin in the garden today which always says Spring!