Tuesday, March 20, 2018

This is Why I Wander

Some days I walk to the park in my neighborhood, hang a heart (or several hearts), do a couple of laps, 
then head to the walking path where I'll do several rounds.
But today I decided to wander the neighborhood and I'm so glad I did, because I stumbled across my happy flower.
Beautiful hollyhocks!
And while admiring these beauties, I made a surprise discovery.
A very large grasshopper blending in on a stem.
There was a second home that also had a patch of hollyhock outside the front gate.
 Seems to be a wasp frolicking in the pollen.

Today is the International Day of Happiness.
Spending time in nature and spying little pockets of beauty makes me very happy.
Today also marks the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, but if you're still digging out of winter, then this is for you.
Happy Tuesday!

27 comments:

Betsy said...

Awww, The happiness you spread around you with the hearts that you leave for others to find is a wonderful thing to do. The hollyhocks are beautiful. We don’t have any flowers blooming around here yet, so I will enjoy gazing at yours. Happy Spring!
Blessings, Betsy

Maureen said...

Loving these hearts everywhere! and as a fellow wander lover, Wandering is good for the soul, specially with flowers blooming. x

Beca said...

Those are some pretty scenes of your daily walk. Those blooms would put a smile on anyone's face. Happy Spring!
xx Beca

Linda said...

Happy Spring, Tammy. I love Hollyhocks and those are some really beautiful colors. I bought some seeds to plant more this year, in a different location though hopefully from where they have persisted in coming up because in, what I refer to as, our bedroom garden (next to our bedroom window), they took over last year and killed off all of my other flowers in that space (including my beloved Oriental Poppies), so I'm redoing that garden this year and will place the Hollyhocks elsewhere in the yard.

It was in the 20s here this morning, but bright sunshine. I just came back in from my midday exercise routine and that wind is brutal -- the weather says it feels like 29 right now. Thankfully though.... NO snow here in Central Illinois at all. We haven't had any since probably early February and even then, we didn't have much this winter, thankfully. The bulb plants are all growing nicely and many are blooming (they bloom even in the cold temps) so I know it's only a matter of time when things finally begin to warm up here.

Linda

Teresa Kasner said...

I don't think you've ever shown us that beautiful wooded area, it looks cool and shady and nice. And I agree with you on the Hollyhocks.. I adore them too and loved the images you captured. I have one Hollyhock plant that came back last year, I hope it does this year! You're so sweet to leave hearts for people to discover. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Gracey is not my name.... said...

Can't wait to see some flowers, but it may be never...another Nor'easter coming in tomorrow..a possible one this weekend and another maybe next week.....sigh....

handmade by amalia said...

I love your way of giving back with these hearts, Tammy, such a lovely thing to do.
Amalia
xo

Angie said...

"If you're still digging out of winter, this is for you." Oh, thank you so much.

We are in that somewhat ugly middle ground - there is still snow piled around, but it is black with road debris ... and the grass that we can see is matted and brown from 6 months under snow. At this point, I just want the ugliness to go away ....

So, your pictures give me hope that we will have color and flowers soon .... enjoy the rest of your week - may it be just as happy for you!

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

Hollyhocks are among my favorite flowers. I haven't seen any here and so I enjoy your pictures very much. Thank you for sharing, Tammy!
xo Julia

crafty cat corner said...

Our nest door neighbour used to grow hollyhocks, I seem to remember that they attracted a lot of insects, so good.
Briony
x

SusanLotus said...

I had no idea there was an
international "Day of happiness".
Your attitude to being happy is
really something to strive for.

I was like that til a few years ago.
Hope some day I will tune in to/find
those feelings again.

Have a happy day today too!
Sussie

Bee Lady said...

Thank you for sharing. Yesterday was the first day of spring and many areas around us got snow! Up to three inches. So this post give me hope! I love hollyhocks!

Cindy

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Tammy,
That walking path looks like the walk/bike trails we have here near rivers, like in Columbus, Georgia.
Do they bike in your area or is it not done due to the wind and weather?
Oh, the discovery of such little miracles growing in the spring is pure bliss!
Yes, only for the northern hemisphere this is valid, our Roman calendar seems stil not be perfect for half the planet.
Surprised to see Hollyhock doing so well in your region. We were able to grow them only one year, other years it was way too hot.
Sending you hugs,
Mariette

PS Thanks for your visit and comments. It is quite a task for chronicling our life... Hope I will get it all done in time so Pieter gets to read it! On the Dutch website I read this week that one of his new and expensive out of pocket med Entresto will add on average one and a half year... But again, what is 'average'...

Tanna said...

Those beautiful hollyhocks were such a treat!! As your hearts always are! Love the way you spread joy wherever you go, Tammy! blessings and hugs ~ tanna

Draffin Bears said...

Dear Tammy,

Love that you are spreading joy with your hearts when you are out walking. What a special treat to see the hollyhocks they are gorgeous.
Hope you are having a happy week
Hugs
Carolyn

Lisa said...

Thanks for sharing the lovely flowers. They were much appreciated. Our snow has mostly melted. Maybe now our flowers will bloom.

Sugar Lump Studios said...

The crocheted hearts always make me smile. I wish that someone would start that around the US! I can see why you wonder with all the beautiful greenery and flowers! Hope that is coming soon here!

Kit said...

What a great walk! I just love Hollyhocks and really should put some in again. What a happy flower. :)Kit

Melanie said...

Yes indeed, thanks for the photos of the gorgeous flowers. I feel like spring will never arrive here! Still unseasonably cold.

Susan said...

Hi Tammy....Did you by chance check out my Friday, March 23, post? You are in there! Your photos are divine. Sooooo pretty. Susan

Soma @ inkTorrents.com said...

What a wonderful walk! That is so nice of you to spread joy with those lovely hearts.

-Soma

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

You have a lovely place to walk! How sweet to leave the hearts. It reminds me of a time years and years ago that a man from a nearby town used to make birdhouses and he went around everywhere hanging them on fences. The flowers are just beautiful...I can't wait until it is time to plant here. Waiting for Easter freeze to come and go.

Connie said...

What a lovely walk . . . I love old fashioned Hollyhocks . . . thanks for letting us tag along :)

Jodiebodie said...

Dear Tammy,

I have enjoyed wandering with you, especially discovering the wasp and grasshopper. It's always exciting to find wildlife in any form. I have some grasshoppers in my garden - they are brown-coloured and like living in the leaf litter but I am worried that they might decide to dessicate my new leafy vegetables.

It's nice to see your neighbourhood. The hollyhocks add so much colour.
Where there are grasshoppers, there will be birds and other predators. I wonder who you will find next time! :-)

Jodie

Jodiebodie said...

Happy Easter Tammy!

Createology said...

Tammy I truly love your walks and discoveries...except that giant grasshopper would have scared me and I would have screamed. Flowers really are so beautiful. Today I discovered my few pansies and johnny-jump-ups survived all the snow we had and that made me very happy. Spring is not far away...<3

faith76 said...

The colours on those hollyhocks are stunning, I love the reds. Wow if you had not said I would not have spotted the grasshopper xx It's been a bit wet and dreary here in the UK but not today we actually have a blue sky

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