The Blustery Month of April

Daffodils are the darlings of the season.
Lots of walks in my neighbourhood lately to see what is happening
in all the local gardens.

These were captured on an early evening walk

I love this wild garden with all the blossoms, pink and yellow
blowing in the gusty winds we've been having  and showing a lovely mixture of colours. 
The pale grasses in the background were blowing in all directions.

The blackbird was singing so beautifully in the late afternoon
on one of the still bare branches of a tree.

Some trees are more advanced and are showing tiny green leaves
just starting to unfurl and hints of pink blossom here and there.
I do like the birdhouse perched up high waiting
for feathered visitors to choose to rear their young.

The Aubrietia is so dainty and hangs down in rock gardens.
I even planted some on my balcony this spring.

The cherry blossom has been eye-catchingly beautiful this year.
Some are finishing and others are just starting up.

We have been having deep blue skies, but always accompanied
by strong north easterly winds.

These contrast so nicely against the rustic tiled roof.

Young, fresh green leaves are growing on the hedges and bushes.

These last two images are of Hazel leaves.

These are Purple Hazel with matching catkins!

There was a very special event at the beginning of April!
My grandson celebrated his 18th birthday!
I made a collage to show him as an adorable baby with just two little teeth on the bottom,
and then as the young man he is today.

I wanted to give him something meaningful for this special 
coming of age birthday and chose a key
with a short text  concerning the symbolic meaning.

When I turned 21 in England, my father gave me a gold key
on a bracelet, representing 'the key of the house' to show that I had now become
a responsable adult!

It has been a privilege watching my grandson grow up
and to have had him stay with me ever since he was little.
We have many shared memories together which I shall never ever forget
and hopefully he will remember them too!

One of the most beautiful trees during this month of April
have been the Magnolia trees.
There is a whole row of them in front of lovely buildings when walking down to the lake.

The flowering has been amazingly abundant.

Beautiful in bud form

Gently opening up in filtered sunlight

Revealing their beautiful centres.
They have resisted remarkably well during these windy days and a brief return to night frosts.

It's the simple things 
which speak to our hearts the most
and give life meaning.

Here is the little crocheted square doily under the geranium pot.
I chose the colours which remind me of Apple Blossom.

I hope that your are enjoying the month of April too.
 

18 comments

  1. What a lovely post from you Sandra. I hope your grandson enjoyed his special day.

    Beautiful photo's of all the burgeoning flora and fauna. The aubretia isn't quite out here yet and the beauty of the splendid magnolia blooms was short-lived this year . . . the wind and frosts turned them brown almost immediately more's the pity. However, it was warm enough to enjoy eating al fresco in my garden over the weekend. Counting that blessing!
    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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    1. Thank you, Sarn. It's such a wonderful time of the year. How lovely to eat outside in your garden over the weekend. Our winds were too cold to do that, but they will be dwindling over the next few days and then life will definitely be happening on my balcony for meals and reading!

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  2. Hi Sandra, what a lovely post and what a symbolic present to your grandson. Very good idea. Really a key can open many things.
    The pictures of the blooming magnolia is dreamy. Also the doily. Wonderful spring colors.
    Best wishes

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    1. Thanks so much, Gabi, for your kind wishes and comments! I just love the spring months of the year for all sorts of lovely reasons!

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  3. Is there anything more lovely (or hopeful) than spring blooms? Your photos captured the pastel colors and delicate shapes so beautifully, Sandra!

    And Happy 18th to your grandson--a milestone year for sure. Your gift is a very special one. Does he live with you now or nearby? I love that sweet photo of him with his two little teeth--reminds me of the stage my grandson is at at this very moment. Oh, they do grow too quickly!

    Hope you have another lovely Spring week ahead ♥

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    1. Thank you, Carol. Spring is such a magical time full of marvellous skies and pastel colours! No, my grandson has never lived with me full time, but has stayed with me over the weekends throughout the years and always for a stay in his summer holidays! Yes, little children do grow up very quickly and we wonder where the time has gone!

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  4. Ciao Sandra, welcome back and lots of best wishes to your grandson. Good idea your birthday present. Yes , this is a very important milestone.
    Thank you for all the pictures about the flowers and I love very much your spring granny square.
    H & K,
    Miriam

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    1. Hello Miriam! So lovely to have you drop by. Thank you for your kind words. I am so haooy to share the beauties of nature with everyone who visits!

      Yes, an important birthday for my grandson! As you have noticed, I do love to crochet and usually have something colourful happening with my hook and yarn! I'm glad you like the granny square with added flower!

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  5. What a lovely post Sandra ! I hope your grandson enjoyed his special day and your memories together are invaluable!

    Beautiful photo's of all the flowers and I can see that spring is a little bit ahead compared with here where I live. I am a fan of your crochet work :) All the best to you !

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    1. A big thank you, Lasse. I think that my grandson had several birthday celebrations, so it was a very special milestone for him!

      Despite strong winds and night frosts here, spring has continued to delight us with beautiful blooms and blue skies!

      I'm so happy you like my crochet work! ;)

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  6. What a lovely post. Such a beautiful sky. Thank you.

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    1. Thank you! I wonder why I cannot see your name?

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  7. Hello Sandra,
    Thank you for another beautiful blog post. I keep coming back to look at your flower pictures, they are just stunning. I wonder, do you ever print any or have some way to display them?

    What a lovely celebration you had with your grandson. So many treasured memories.

    Christine

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    1. Hello Christine! I think that flower photography is my first love! I print very few of my pictures, but keep telling myself that I should!

      Yes, a great celebration with my lovely grandson!

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  8. You captured the best of outdoors in April. I noticed that the magnolias are blooming here when we went out to pick up our grocery order. Our street is full of daffodils and dandelions, as well.

    Your grandson is a good looking guy! Does he take after his grandmother? The collage was a nice idea.

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    1. Thank you, Sandy. The spring blooms here have been wonderful. As some finish, others start! Your daffodils and dandelions must look so beautiful too!

      My grandson looks very much like his handsome daddy, though with little touches of his mummy, my daughter!

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  9. Lovely views, even bare trees looks good to me. You bring out the beauty of nature in your photos.

    I haven't thought about keys having so much meaning. I don't think I'll have any key gifts as I don't think I'll ever be a real adult. I like to stay young for a while longer.

    Have a lovely day.

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    1. Thank you for your kind comments, Lissa. Nature is so beautiful, just waiting for us to notice and enjoy everything she offers!

      I like the symbolical meanings behind a simple key - how it can open all the doors in life as we move forward to discover new things!

      Retaining a child-like attitude to life is something wonderful that we can nurture at any age!

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