Finding My Inner Sparkle

Do you ever feel that you've lost your inner sparkle?
I never do for very long
especially when I feast my eyes on all the beautiful things in nature
at this time of the year.

However, losing a blogging sparkle exists
and sometimes mine wanes a little.

I captured this gorgeous sunshine yellow forsythia at its best
right here in front of my building.
Doesn't it just spell out the word 'HAPPINESS' ?

Nature in springtime certainly allows my heart to blossom
like the delicate petals on this Japanese Magnolia.

Don't these young new leaves on the Tulip Tree
make your heart beat a little faster?

Tulips, like lanterns, lit up from within by the sun.

A pink camellia flower caressed by a sunbeam

and against a deep blue sky

A window box full of spring flowers
and another one reflected in the window from the wall opposite.
These are certainly the joys of spring.

Sharing a glass of Chardonnay wine before lunch 
with an old friend on an outside terrace.

Looking into the heart of a double tulip against a bed of forget-me-not flowers.

Then going for a walk along the lake

observing how the buds on the trees are opening.

 Enjoying the peacefulness.

The changeable weather has taught me to drop everything
on beautiful days and just get out and enjoy it all!

and contemplative moments
gazing at the patterns of the water rippling over the rocks

How are your inner sparkles today?



34 comments

  1. My inner sparkles are all shiny and twinkling today thank you Sandra. I am having a wonderful week thank you.

    I hope you are enjoying your week . . . it certainly looks like you're making the most of it.

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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    1. So glad your week is smiling and sparkling! My week is a good one too ... so let's sparkle together!

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  2. Such a rich and lovely post Sandra. Yes my sparkle is waning, with some physical problems, age etc. Life gets in the way of my sparkle but that is life as it is. I try very hard to go with the flow on most days and that seems to work for me now. Since I retired there are so many things to do or maybe it is that it just take me longer to get things done either way life if full. Such a beautiful area you live in and can enjoy not only with nature but the many friends you have and to enjoy that glass of wine. So if your sparkle wanes go with the flow. Life is short.

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    1. Thanks Barbara. My sparkle for life hadn't waned, but I was feeling a little stuck about a new blog posting. That's what wasn't flowing! I was asking myself where I want to go with all of this - and then the word 'simplicity' appeared in my head - and that's the way I went... with what is happening now!

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  3. Just gorgeous. I love getting lost in your beautiful photos. I can relate to a feeling of lost sparkle when it comes to blogging. I feel like I've been in a bit of a blogging rut, and am hoping that I can regain some sparkle as the spring starts to show itself more around here!
    Kate :}

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    1. Thank you, Kate. Sometimes a little break can bring our sparkle back again!

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  4. You definitely have a style, Sandra. Still waiting for these bright skies and blossoms here.

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    1. Kim, I think that we can notice a style in other people's images and words, but sometimes it's more difficult to identify our own! I hope you will soon be rewarded with sunny days and gorgeous blossoms. Thank you for visiting!

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  5. I can definitely relate to the loss of blogging sparkle. I have the photos but can't find the words. So glad to see your happy sparkly spring photos here! The are so bright and beautiful, so perfect examples of spring. Maybe sometimes words are not even necessary!

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    1. No, Mary. Words are not always necessary, but sometimes the words come easier than the images I need to choose! Thank you for visiting!

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  6. What a lovely post this is, Sandra, and oh my goodness, the magnolias!!
    They are gorgeous.
    I am still waiting for ours to bloom.
    Hopefully not much longer....

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    1. Thank you, Lisa. I especially love these smaller magnolias which have such expressive petals! I hope you get yours really soon!

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  7. So much joy and beauty in these shots.

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    1. Thank you. There is so much joy in spring which makes everything so beautiful after the muted shades of winter.

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  8. Just gorgeous post and this makes me happy. Looks like a great day :-)

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    1. Thank you, Lasse. Happiness is definitely in the air when the spring flowers come into bloom and brighten our days with their cheerful colours!

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  9. Lovely post. I particularly like the tulip shots, the yellow ones look amazing. I think my sparkle, which has been hiding for a while, might be coming back.

    S x

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    1. Thanks, Sandra! So glad your sparkle has come out of hiding and is returning again!

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  10. Whenever I see yellow against a blue, blue sky, I think of you for some reason.

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    1. Well that's rather a lovely association, Sarah. Those two colours go together so well, especially when one of them is a blue, blue sky and something wonderful from nature!

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  11. spring through your eyes, heart and lens is so very beautiful.
    yes, sometimes my spark for blogging wanes a little, so far it has not been for long. I feel that you have a style that carries through in all you share with us, your yarn art, your photographs, cooking and writing. It is fun to see. It is bright, refreshing and lively. Pretty too.

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    1. Such kind words, Tammie. Thank you! I think that most of us get passionate about the things we love - and we like to share that passion. I can see it in all the wonderful details you capture in the beautiful area in which you live!

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  12. Oh, Sandra, this post is so lovely. Your words and images are just wonderful. I especially love the yellow tulips with the sun shining in them and the flower box and reflection; very nice! Spring is looking gorgeous in Switzerland!

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    1. Thank you, Cathy. I always enjoy it when you visit! Spring makes us all feel alive and full of joy, doesn't it?

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  13. Beautiful series of images showing off spring at its best. I'm particularly fond of camellias as they bloomed everywhere in the yard of my childhood home. My mom would work in the garden and then snip 2 or 3 to float in a bowl of water on our kitchen table.

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    1. Yes, camellias are gorgeous flowers, I agree. What a lovely idea to float several of the blooms in a bowl of water!

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  14. Thank you for this gorgeous preview of spring! You've photographed the blossoms and blooms beautifully against that blue sky. I especially like the double tulip framed by forget-me-nots. My sparkle is still coming from snow, but we leave tomorrow (hopefully before the next storm), to drive to the beaches of CA.

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    1. Well, your trip sounds wonderful, Barb! Beaches, here you come!

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  15. Spring looks to be in full force in your corner of the world, Sandra. And, what a gorgeous spring it is! All your images speak to the beauty and promise that is spring!!! It's hard to pick favs, as this is a great set, but here are some of my choices ~ #2, 7, 10, 12 & 13 :) Continue to enjoy the beauty and joy of the season.

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    1. Thank you for visiting, Anna. It's always interesting to see your favourites! It's a question of going out with my camera every single day to catch all the beauty of this wonderful season!

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  16. Gorgeous Spring images -- their energy and beauty just leap off the screen. The forsythia is just amazing against the deep blue sky.

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    1. Thank you, Gina. Despite changeable weather here, the flowers haven't taken any notice and each day brings more gorgeous blooms!

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  17. QUE HERMOSO TODO!!!!!
    SALUDITOS

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