Sunday Morning 6:30 a.m.

It rained overnight or earlier this morning.  Not a hard rain, as the path has dry shadows under overhanging branches.  The tree are a fresh green, washed. Leaves hold reflective water droplets, jeweled prisms that remind me of the cabochons of my moonstone bracelets.  Roadside dandelion seed heads have the  indignant look of a wet cat.  The dandelions are waiting for the sun to dry their whiskers so they can float on a spring breeze.

Thursday, 8:30 p.m. Our walk has been delayed

Tonight the rush and the roar of the Ogden river in runoff is a constant in the background.  The apple blossoms have flown away on the spring breeze like parade confetti.  Lilacs still scent the air, and now the tall spiked clusters of flowers on the horse chestnut tree are ready to burst.  The repetitive chirp of insects underscore the territorial bird songs.  White dandelion puffs dot the edges of our path.  The sky is a brilliant blue with bright white wisps of cirrus clouds.  Another lovely evening.

Monday, 7:30 p.m.

Apples, chokecherries and lilacs are in bloom.  Dwarf iris reminiscence of Van Gogh's masterpiece in shades of blue and royal purple cover a portion of the hill.  The evening has cooled from the warmth of the day.  The canyon is n shadow.  only the peaks are lit by the evening sun.  Lilacs scent the air- sweet.  The birds trill a territorial song.  A perfect evening walk.

Mourning Cloak Butterfly

I have always thought that Mourning Cloak butterflies are beautiful.  Their brown wings are like velvet with ivory lace edging and sapphire dots.

Mid Morning Sun

It is Saturday.  A wonderful day to explore the garden and the way the sun highlights the flowers.

More Teaching

Today, we had 60 students visit the Eccles Community Art Center from West Weber Elementary Schools.  I helped them paint watercolor landscapes.  They created some fun watercolor, and even though we all started out with the same concept, each painting was unique.  

Jill, the center's curator of education taught a packet using prints of paintings from the National Museum's "Pictures across America".

Cynthia took them on a tour of the Historic Home.

Leann lead them through an original Art Center packet.

We each did 4 presentations.  I had a good time with the students.

Teaching

This afternoon, I had 10 students from Dee Elementary school come to the Eccles Community Art Center to create art.  We did two watercolors that we used as the front and back of an accordion fold book.  (Thank you Adele - the book that you taught me worked well with the students).  We then had the students place the books into a bag with a pencil.  They were told that they could fill their books with art or writing.  The books turned out well.  I enjoyed the class, I hope the students had a great time, also.

Mother's Garden

My mother's garden is a lovely blanket of color and flowers.  This morning she is adding more plants and flowers for color later in the season.

Nature the master

Last night the moon washed the clouds in tones of pink, lavender and turquoise.  This morning, before sunrise the clouds blushed pink and coral.  Sunlight gilded the snow capped peaks.  Nature paints beauty that only artists, writers and photographers can hope to imitate.

Another Rainy Saturday

Errands, and chores are done and it is still raining, the perfect time to start reading one of the books I have piled near my bed.  Mollie is already snuggled in close, which book to read.