August "Walk in the Garden" Challenge: A Touch of the Divine

Nature always plants 

the most beautiful gardens.

The perfect composition of harmony and rhythm...

to inspire our soul.

The Albion Basin, Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah

 

A tradition our family looks forward to every year 
is our hike high in the Wasatch Mountains above Salt Lake City...

about an hour from our home.

The window to go is just a few weeks, 

as the snow leaves late and always comes early 

in these Alpine meadows, elevation 9,500 feet.

Where the Fairies Live

And of course, the best time to go is early in the morning, 
when the morning light 
just begins to brighten the sky.

Magic Hour in the Albion Basin

Our family calls it "the magic hour".

But you'll just have to experience it to know why...

mere words cannot begin to describe.

Around each corner of the trail is a new scene 

begging to be captured by my camera...

a photographer's delight!

Divine designs of stone and blossoms please the eye...

and captivate the lens...

as Wildflowers find fertile soil 

in walls of rock and crevice of stone.

Our hearts race as we're greeted by the local residents.
They seem to ignore us but wisdom tells us 
they may turn and charge at a whim.

Mamma Moose and Baby

Mindful that this is their home, 

we tread lightly 
and oh so cautiously.

We waited patiently for them to clear the trail.

Other residents seemed to be less aware of our presence,

though we were quite intrigued with theirs...

Why do these butterflies rest along the path?

This was a most common sight as we hiked the trail.

We came to the conclusion 

that they must be warming their tiny bodies 

in the heat reflected from the soil.

We made a few more discoveries...

the higher elevations meadows were filled with shades 

of blue and pinks.

Tickled Pink

While the lower portion of the trail

was scattered with blossoms of orange.

Brilliant!

The variety was alluring.

Lake Catherine

A Crown of Jewels lay at the end of the trail...

a beautiful mountain lake.

We hiked down to touch the water, 
but this is where we came upon the Mamma Moose and her baby. 

Just realized we never did touch the water...

the moose stole the show.

Next year.

♦   ♦   ♦

What have you discovered in your walk in the gardens? 

Perhaps you have a favorite Summer spot to hike.

June "Walk in the Gardens" Challenge...

I've been watching this weed with delight

as I walk through my gardens each morning.  

Common Milkweed

I was hoping it would show up again.

Fit for Royalty

 Most weeds don't stand a chance of growing in my gardens.

This one is nurtured...

for the hope of what may follow.

 Monarch Butterfly

 

In My Garden

I have loved butterflies since I was a little girl. 

I am fascinated by their quiet beauty, 

their colors, 

the grace of their movement, 

the stillness of their existence. 

 In my mind, they are surely a gift from Heaven.

When a butterfly enters my garden, 

a sweet peace fills my heart that my offering has been accepted 

and the whispering of "well done" fills my soul. 

 ♥  ♥  ♥

We don't see many butterflies here. Perhaps because we live in a suburb where caution is thrown to the wind as far as pesticides are concerned. This month alone I have had three young men at my door wanting to sell me pest control.  Imagine the look on their face as I politely share my thoughts on the subject: 

We are stewards over this beautiful earth 

and the creatures who live here. 

When was the last time you saw a butterfly frolicking through the flowers?

If you want to enjoy the wonders of nature in your gardens, you

must find other ways to manage any unwanted pests. 

No, I don't want you to spread a blanket of pesticide over my gardens,
and I hope my neighbors don't either.

BTW, I didn't plant this Common Milkweed.

Last Spring, after eight years of living here, it just sprouted in my flower bed.

And now it holds a royal place in my gardens. 
I'm hoping the Monarch Butterflies think so, too. 


♥  ♥  ♥

May Day Walk in the Gardens

"I love Spring anywhere, 

but if I could choose... 
I would always greet it in a garden."
- Ruth Stout 

My early morning walk in my gardens revealed some beautiful blooms, 

the first of our Spring.

Sensation Lilac

New in my gardens and planted last Spring, this lilac has captured my heart.

White trimmed dainty blossoms with a true lilac aroma...
full growth will be 10 ft. tall and 6 ft. wide.

 

Blossoming Flame Maple Tree

These trees delight me in every season 

and the bees are crazy about them!

 

Red Twig Dogwood

Another every season favorite.

In Winter, bright red branches accent our landscape, 
a stark contrast against our Winter snow.

 

Cinquifoil

Blooms only in the Spring, one of the few yellows I have in my gardens.

 

Windflower

I love the way these blossoms sway in the breeze.

 

Periwinkle

 Sweet little blooms peek out from shiny green foliage.

 

Sea Thrift

Removing the faded flowers will keep this plant blooming all the way to Fall.

 

Seascape Strawberries

Everbearing, these plants produce a high yield of sweet tasty berries 
that are my grandkid's delight.

 

Oklahoma Redbud

These tiny wine colored flowers will soon give way to glossy heart shaped leaves that are heat resistant 

and allow this redbud to thrive in Utah's hot summers.

♦   ♦   ♦

Within just a week or two with the help of a little more sunshine

more blooms will take their turn to dance in the sun!

Can you guess what these buds will become? 

 

Have you taken time to walk in your gardens lately?

Remember... gardens are our link with The Divine.
Surely your troubles will melt away 
as you walk through blossoms 
and God's beautiful creations.

Please join me by publishing your own post 

on what you discover during your walk.

Remember to include a link to 
This Grandmother's Garden

in your post
then link your blog name to the linky list below.

The first of each month we'll do this again!

I look forward to seeing what you've discovered!

February "Walk in the Gardens" Challenge... Shades of Brown

No doubt this Winter will go on record 

as the brownest that I can ever remember. 

Only one measurable snowstorm in my gardens thus far.  

While there's always hope that more snow will fall...

 (Utah is notorious for surprise Spring snow storms)

today I'm celebrating 
BROWN.

It's what I've been looking at most of this Winter...

and I've discovered there is much beauty to be found 

even in a very Brown Winter. 

But don't take my word for it...

come see for yourself!

Dancing Flame Maple Seeds in Winter

Brown-Eyed Susans Twirl in the Winter Winds

Hydrangea Blooms...

...always Beautiful no matter the Season.

Serenity in a Crunchy Leaf

Chickadee Surveying the Food Bank Below

 Yum!

 Empty Plate

Plumbago Seed-pods... Enchanting! 

I've come to learn that every Season holds its own beauty.
You've just got to go out and look!

What have YOU discovered in your  
Walk in the Gardens?

If you'd like to join me
publish your own post on what you've discover during your walk
then link your blog name to the linky list below.

The first of each month we'll do this again!

I look forward to seeing what you've discovered!

In Search of Snow... January "Walk in the Gardens" Challenge

It has been chillingly cold 

but still no measure-able snowfall in my gardens,

so we went to the mountains to find some.

A good excuse for a walk don't ya think?

Not much snow up there either. 

The ski resorts are making snow for their slopes.

But we did find snow, 

though not the deep fluffy stuff we played in last year. 

Click here

and here

and here.

(Oh we had such fun on last year's mountain get-a-way.)


This year was a different kind of fun...

though we did find some interesting pics to shoot during our stay...

things we might have missed if we hadn't gone for a walk or two.

 Winter Whites on the shady side of the road...

give the illusion of lots of snow,
though the sunny side is bare.

 But even a little snow brings Winter interest.

Snow and moss... and *lichen.

*an organism that is formed by the symbiotic association of a fungus and an alga 

and occurs as crusty patches or bushy growths on tree trunks, bare ground, etc.

 Tangled roots from an old tree.

 What creature lies within?

 Roots formed around rocks.

 Rocky outcropping 

gives the appearance of a petrified tree trunk.

Spring water running clear and cold.

 Ice castles for the Fairies to play in...

Can you see them? 

Neither can I but I know they're in there.

 Looking heaven-ward reveals berries for the birds 

and clear blue skies in the chilling 10°F air.

The birds were high in the trees this day,

but I could hear them singing their happy Sunshine Song.

 A mountain cemetery reflecting the twilight blues of the snow.
It was simply enchanting!


What treasures did you find on your January winter walk? 

Post about it, 
then add your link to the list below. 
"Walk in the Gardens" Challenge is hosted the first day of each month 
and the linky is up for a week.

I can't wait to see what you discover!