Goodbye for Now my Tulip friends

Goodbye Tulips - See you next Spring! ©CindyRippe2013

The perennial bed in the center of my yard is filled with flowers from early Spring through Autumn.  It started out as a Tulip bed many years ago.  An 8 foot oval dug quickly the last day of November one year when my Mom announced she had purchased two sets of those mail order Tulip collections.  She had forgotten about them and gave them to me.  The new bed was dug, the bulbs planted and covered, and the snow that fell the next day covered it snugly until Spring.  Over the years the size of the bed has grown, I've added a variety of perennials (and a few annuals each year), but I still keep calling it "The Tulip Bed".

This time of year in that part of the garden is difficult for me.  The tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and crocus have finished blooming.  The leaves need to grow for a while to feed the bulbs for next year's blooms and it's not so pretty.  The Irises peek out between the dying leaves and the oriental lilies reach for the sky.  It's messy.

There are always a few late blooming tulips that seem to hang on as long as they can.  This year they are pink. It's hard to say goodbye but I'm grateful for those 5 tulips today.  They remind me that the messy stage is worth waiting for.  I'll see the early Spring flowers again next year.

Saying goodbye is the hardest part but the hope to see you soon makes it better. Ritu Ghatourey 

Busy Week in the Garden and the Classroom

Bee sculpture at Morton Arboretum - May 2013 - ©CindyRippe

I've had such a busy week!  There have been gardens to visit, garden shopping to do, a convention to attend and finally the first full day of working in my own yard.  This oversized bee by David Rogers in front of the Visitor's Center at Morton Arboretum is the perfect picture for the day.  I stopped there on my way up to drop off my class sample in St. Charles for the Society of Decorative Painters annual convention.

The rest of the week I tweeked my class prep (I always end up thinking of more things to share with students at the last minute), worked in the yard, shopped for plants, and then taught the Intro to Botanical Illustration class on Saturday.

I had a wonderful group of students with skills that ranged from a complete beginner to a CDA (Certified Decorative Artist through SDP).  They did an amazing job completing my Daylily Study on Yupo paper with graphite.  Each was interpreted with their individual style and talent.  It was fun to share my techniques for drawing original designs and I hope that I've encouraged them to go forward to create their own original sketches.  By learning the basics of creating form and finding shapes in a objects (in this case a flower) you learn to draw what you SEE, NOT what you THINK you see.  I know that when I finally figured that out I became a better painter and designer in all mediums.  Great job class!  Thanks for joining me.

Well, my "To Do" list is long again this week and I can't wait to get started.  Here's to a fun, busy week for you all!


Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it. Henry David Thoreau

Lily of the Valley - May's flower of the month in the care of my garden fairy.

Lily of the Valley from my Garden - ©CindyRippe2013

Well, the lily of the valley flowers have finally bloomed!  I know they are late this year but with everything else taking so long to bloom I'm not even sure when they should have opened.  I've been checking for flowers for the last two weeks!  Lily of the Valley is May's Flower of the Month and I had hoped to post an illustration this year drawn from my own garden. The photo from last year turned out to be a Snowdrop.  oops!  There are fewer flowers on my plants this year overall but the delicate little bells are a welcome addition to my desk. I share some each year with my neighbor, Grace, as she says they are one of her favorite flowers.

I'll be drawing and painting them soon, but not today.  Too many other things to do!  Not to worry though.  My little garden fairy will take care of them for me until tomorrow.

Who would have thought it possible that a tiny little flower could preoccupy a person so completely that there simply wasn't room for any other thought. Sophie Scholl 

Blue Sky with Clouds made of Flowers

The blues never felt so good - ©CindyRippe2013

I have no idea why I'm feeling blue.  I'm not sad or depressed, just quiet...I don't know... maybe I just have Spring Fever.  Anyone else feeling like that?

As I walked through Morton Arboretum yesterday I came upon this large crab-apple tree.  The blossoms were abundant (as most of the fruit trees are this year).  The sky was a blue as I've ever seen.  As I looked up, the flower filled branches reminded me of billowy clouds.  I took a deep breath and thought "if this is what feeling blue is like, I guess it's not so bad!"   I found this quote by Vincent Van Gogh and feel the same way.  I just love a beautiful blue sky!

If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things in nature have a message you understand, Rejoice, for your soul is alive.   Eleanora Duse 

Mother's Day Love

Mother's Day Love - quote by A Radici - photo ©CindyRippe2013

We were lucky to spend time with both of our Moms again this year.  We went to church and breakfast together. We spent the afternoon with our own children and granddaughter.  After a hectic start it ended up being almost the perfect day for me.  Time spent relaxing and visiting with the "kids".  The "almost" was due to Tawn not feeling well.  We missed you and hope you feel better soon.

I love my mother as the trees love water and sunshine--she helps me grow, prosper, and reach great heights. A Radici

Lilac Love

The scent of lilacs - quote by Terri Guillemets - photo ©CindyRippe2013

I think the scent of lilac flowers is my favorite.  They are just starting to open this week, so you know I'm starting and ending each day checking them out in the garden.  I remember when we started planning our wedding, many springs ago, I thought I could carry a bouquet of lilacs down the aisle.  Of course, after a reality check, I realized that choosing a wedding date based on the time they bloomed would be pretty difficult. I think I'll always love those moments when the spring breezes carry their scent my way though!

'For behold, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone. 'The flowers have already appeared in the land ; The time has arrived for pruning the vines, And the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land.  'The fig tree has ripened its figs, And the vines in blossom have given forth their fragrance. Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, And come along!' "  Song of Solomon 2:11-13

Are you Taking time to Enjoy the Flowering Trees?

Spring Flowering Trees Captured on my Walk ©CindyRippe2013

I had the best of intentions.  I wanted to take my daily walk for aerobic exercise (especially after eating that ice cream last night.).  At the last minute I grabbed my camera to take pictures of my Red-bud trees before the storm comes through tonight.  That's my excuse for today anyway.  At this time of year I can hardly stand to be indoors.  I don't want to miss anything!  Spring flowers never seem to last long enough and I'm lucky to enjoy taking photos as part of my job.

Well, guess who didn't get any aerobic exercise?  Oh, I walked all over town alright, but I was lost in the beauty of so many flowers on so many trees.  You just can't walk that fast when you're looking up and/or through a camera lens!  Hopefully the distance I walked will make up for the lack of speed.  I guess I'll try again tomorrow.

It's spring fever.  That is what the name of it is.  And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!  Mark Twain