The pleasures of an early spring day will always bring joy to my heart. Before the heat of summer descends upon us, I find it so satisfying to be out in the fresh air planting flowers as the songbirds serenade me.
As I was busy tending to my garden today this momma Chickadee was caring for her little family in a nearby nest box.
Or should I say her big family ... eight little birdies all piled on top of each other in their cozy, fluffy nest.
When I spend the majority of the day outside in the garden, I'm not interested in spending hours in the kitchen cooking dinner.
While watering the vegetable garden I noticed the radishes were ready for harvesting. Thoughts of a simple, yet fresh salad began to take shape.
While watering the vegetable garden I noticed the radishes were ready for harvesting. Thoughts of a simple, yet fresh salad began to take shape.
This year I planted romaine and red leaf lettuces.
I snipped some lettuce and a few sprigs of parsley to add to the radishes for our dinner salad.
If I had a big garden I would love to plan most of my meals around what the garden was producing, but since I have a little garden I'm happy to supplement my menus with fresh, seasonal produce.
With the first course of dinner planned, I knew there was one more thing I needed to collect from the garden.
The season's first bouquet of Knockout Roses.
Food for the body and food for the soul.
Two important gifts from my garden.
As for the blog break ...
For the most part I missed it ... missed you ... missed the inspiration I receive from all of you talented, creative people.
I think after nearly four years, blogging has become a big part of my life and added so many good things to my days that I couldn't possibly walk away from it.
However, scaling back a bit has proven to be a good thing in many ways. So, for now I am working at a better balance.
I'd like to thank those of you who left comments on my last post. I do appreciate your kind words and also felt good to know that I'm not alone in having to step away from it all once in awhile.
A few days ago I had zero interest in taking pictures or trying to create a post. I decided that if I never felt like doing it again I'd give it up and then today, like magic, I saw that radish popping out of the ground and ran for the camera. Ha ha ~ the life of a blogger.
Happy to Be Back Here
&
Wishing You All A Joy-Filled Weekend!!
~ Kim
Oh Kim, I'm so glad to see you back! You would have left a huge hole in the blogosphere. I enjoy peeking into your world and sharing it with you. Have a wonderful weekend! Twyla
ReplyDeleteWonderful to find you here with your graceful, lovely, unique perspective. I have never seen inside a chickadee's nest before! Pretty cozy digs, but it's going to get mighty crowded. What a busy couple they'll be!
ReplyDeleteThe flowers are beautiful...I was so thrilled to see that my knock-out rose will be coming back. I had worried. It gives me hope to see yours fully blooming. And that radish looks like about the most delicious thing I've see all day.
Happy to see you back, and your amazing photos! We've had a great spring, but it's sure not like living in the south. Thanks for the peek inside the nest!
ReplyDeleteKim, I'm so glad you decided to stick around!!! Post when you want to, and don't worry about it when you can't. Balance is so important. Your garden is producing some amazing things already! Salad and roses! Our Farmers Market opens tomorrow for the first time and I am soooooo excited for fresh green growing things!!
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so happy to see you back, Kim! (BIG HUG!)
ReplyDeleteThe radishes are SO photo worthy! I see why you ran for the camera and I smile because I do that all the time.
We are so far behind you here in Colorado. We have glorious blossoms and the beginnings of the peony shoots, but roses? Not for a loooooong time, I fear.
I missed you!
So glad you were inspired to post! How in the world did you get the inside shots of the chickadee nest? I do believe the chickadee is my favorite bird. We had the pleasure of housing a couple and their nest a couple of years ago in a decorative birdhouse I put out for fun. I loved watching their feeding schedule twice a day. Kept me entertained! Thanks you for showing us! And I agree, your radishes look delicious!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you are going to continue blogging! Your blog was one of the first I "discovered" nearly 2 years ago and remains one of my favorites. Your calming and peaceful presence on Happy@Home is always so real - and is so appreciated. Posting when you feel it is right - is just right - for then you know it comes from your heart.
ReplyDeleteI've just found you and, I for one am glad you are back! What wonderful photos especially of the birds. I look forward to following you and seeing more of the world through your eyes. Joan
ReplyDeleteOh Kim....it's good your back....I'd miss you!
ReplyDeleteI wish I'd planted some lettuce. I sure enjoyed mine from last year.
The birdie's and the nest are awesome..
Your photos are happy and beautiful!!!
Hi Kim,
ReplyDeleteI too have been on a break as we are so busy and while working have been contemplating my blogging as well. but like you enjoy it so much, so once again I am back.
I am so glad to see you have decided to stay, as I always enjoy my visits here, your home and garden as well as your thoughts always inspire me.
I also enjoy the fruits of our labor, nothing can beat going out in the garden ,gathering fresh produce and having it for dinner, so fresh. Thanks for sharing .
Hugs,
Sue
Just goes to show we all need a break once in a while. I'm so glad your back.
ReplyDeleteYour post was delightful as always, with great photos and happy thoughts.
You sure have lots of good things to eat already from your garden.
Lisa,
ReplyDeleteThe top of our nest box opens and my (tall) husband was able to open it and point the camera in. We were surprised that the mama didn't fly away.
Hi Kim, I'm so happy to see you are still posting! You have such a lovely blog, so I hope you'll post when you can. That is what I've decided to do...blog when I can and take a break when I need to. I love blogging and reading blogs, but some days real life takes precedence! You always have beautiful photos and I love the shot of the chickadee's nest! The salad fixin's look good, too!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
I understand the thoughts you shared. I feel like I could write the same words from my heart. But, I must tell you that I am so happy to see you posted again. The chickadee's nest pictures are amazing!!! The radishes look so good too. So good to visit here again!
ReplyDelete