SMILES -- REARRANGED

 

Nothing much new under the sun this week.  Or actually under the rain and gray clouds.   Rain is definitely needed, so I'm not feeling sad about it at all.  And besides there are photo-worthy skies in the archives.  Here are a few I re-arranged:

 

 

These six pictures are from four of our favorite states.  Can you guess which?   There's a hint (and an answer) at the end of this post.   

 

 

 

No hint  at the end about the above plant, but information from any experts is always welcome.  It's fascinating that it has green flowers!   There's a whole bed of them in a neighborhood garden I walked past last week.  

 

Random soft color from a neighborhood walk before it started to rain. 

   

When I said nothing much new happened last week, I meant in a blog-worthy way  -- the camera didn't get much of a workout.  But things happened.  We read, we walked, we ordered groceries, we cooked, "we" worked on getting our tiny trailer ready for some future trips ... 

 And, as usual these days, we got a delivery or two. Now honestly, does every photo-blogger have a mental list of  things they wish they'd snapped a picture of?  My long list now includes the new mattress FedEx delivered last week. It arrived  vacuum packed and rolled in a box light enough for the two of us to carry from the porch.  Then we watched it magically inflate to a lovely 14"- thick queen-size as soon as the tight wrapping was removed.  I wish I'd taken a picture of that!  It's kind of amazing -- sure beats the old way when a mattress purchase took two furniture store delivery persons . (Of course this time we had to move the old one ourselves -- that was the harder part.) 

 

 

One of these "wildflowers" is not like the other.  Can you find it?   Oh wow it's another puzzle.  Every open space along the walking path is covered with these little jewels, in about the same proportion seen here.  All so spring-like and pretty.  I refuse to call them weeds.

 

 

 

This collection may help with the sky photo locations.  These animals and birds are from the same four states as in the sky photo  -- re-arranged in the same order.   (* see below link ups)

Thankful this week for the rain (but also kind of glad the sun has peeked through occasionally); for the new mattress that feels almost like it was custom-made for us; and for travel -- both memories and future trips now in the early planning stages. 

 

Linking this week to the following:  Thank you to the hosts.

MOSAIC MONDAY;  NATURE NOTES;  THROUGH MY LENS;    TRAVEL PHOTO SOUVENIRS;  OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY;   MY CORNER OF THE WORLD;   THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY;  FRIDAY  BLISS; and  SATURDAY CRITTERS     

 

Top row L-R:   Colorado, Florida, Oregon.   Bottom row:  Oregon, Colorado, Washington.

 

Comments

[NatureFootstep]

beautiful skies and flowers. And really great wildlife in your last mosaic. My favorites the moose and spoonbills. :)

[John's Island]

Hi Sallie, In my "comments awaiting moderation" I see two comments from you yesterday afternoon. Both only have one word, "test" ... so I thought I would stop by and ask you to try again. I look forward to your comments as they are usually exceptionally kind and thoughtful. John

[Beatrice]

No, I didn’t not correctly guess the states, but enjoyed the photo collages regardless, Sallie. The lone dandelion did stand out in that grouping of daisies, just a misunderstood wildflower. Yes, it is amazing that a mattress can arrive as you described and perhaps for our next one as the current one is relatively new at 3 years. We are also getting rainy days and very windy ones. I know you are looking forward to some future road trips when you mentioned the camper.

[mae]

Your puzzles were amusing. I guessed Florida right! Our Ikea mattress for our attic guest room came rolled up like that -- we even brought it home in our car. I sometimes wonder if we can ever get it out of there.

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

[Michelle Banks]

We are getting rain we need too Sallie....

[John's Island]

Hi Sallie, I was looking at your Archive and see that you’ve been a blogger a few years longer than my 10 years. Over my time in the blogosphere I’ve discovered many, many blogs but not so often do I find one that’s put together as well as yours. You simply do a superior job with the arrangement, the photos, and your descriptions. Congrats on publishing a fine blog. We share the joy of snapping photos along our journey to share on our blogs. When I saw your picture of the little daisies (and one dandelion) I smiled. Last week, on a walk down by the waterfront, I sat for a while at a bench looking out over Puget Sound. I happened to look down and noticed a whole bunch of those little daisies, almost exactly like your photo, so I snapped it and will probably share it on a future post. Like you, I can’t call them weeds. I would say, maybe more like … sparks of joy. We all need to take to heart the words near the top of your home page, “It is not so much the destination as the voyage itself that matters.” Best regards from Seattle. John

[JM Illinois U.S.A.]

Greetings and Salutations! What a neat thing to do a collage! Have a nice day. Stay safe.

[Anu]

Hello.
Beautiful collection of photos.
Take care.

[Villroses hage]

A dandelion, no doubt :)
Happy Weekend!

[EileeninMd]

Hello Sallie,

Beautiful sky images and I love all the flowers and blossoms. Is that a dandelion mixed in with the daisies. The critters and birds are wonderful sightings. The moose is cool and I love the Roseate Spoonbill, Green heron and the Big horned sheep. Great photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, enjoy your weekend! PS, thank you for the visit and comment.

[riitta k]

Esutiful collages - happy Firstof May Sallie!

[A ShutterBug Explores]

Gorgeous series of photos ~ the skies are awesome ~ the macro floral shots are elegant ~ love the critter photos ~ Xo

Happy Weekend to you ~

Living moment by moment,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

[Sharon Wagner]

It's been cloudy here too. My favorite was the top right sun. I'm a sun and moon kind of gal.

[Nanda]

wonderful

[My Corner of the World]

You had way too much fun putting this post together! Your archives are full of wonderful jewels :)

Thanks for being a part of 'My Corner of the World' this week!

[Peter B.]

Hey, I got 3 out of 4. Not bad. Beautiful photos! I so wish we would get some rain down here...

[Amy Franks]

Nice to see nature and life coming out of hibernation in your part of the world. I didn't guess the states though sorry.

[Carol]

love that mosaic of soft blue flowers

[DeniseinVA]

It's a new world Sallie getting our mattresses plus in the mail :) Beautiful photos! I'm looking forward to taking some trips. I'm happy with our short ones lately.

[Lorrie]

Yes, rain is good, in moderate amounts with plenty of sunshine in between - perfect weather in my book. Gorgeous photos from your four states. Dandelions pop up everywhere just now, don't they?

[Gaelyn]

I could dream of being in each of the places you shared and seeing so many colorful flowers, no such thing as weeds. Those mattresses are a hoot to watch expand. Glad it's comfortable.

[Laurie]

Love your favorite state photos. I hope to be able to visit 2 of them - Colorado and Oregon - within the next 2 months. Also spotted the dandelion among the other wildflowers. It reminds me of my dad. He loved dandelion greens in his salad. We had to gather a mess of greens each spring.

[Carol]

beautiful photos of spring

[Dixie]

Beautiful sky, bird and animal photos.
I think the plant is a Hellebore.

[handmade by amalia]

Beautiful photos! This really is the nicest time of year.
Amalia
xo

[Little Wandering Wren]

Hello from Thailand Sallie where our rains are here early I wish I could send you some! Your neighbourhood looks lovely bursting into spring. Happy days!
Wren x

[Antonia]

La lluvia es fuente de vida y es bastante necesaria para la Naturaleza.

Vivo en una zona que no es muy frecuente la llluvia y ahora llevamos dos días que está lloviendo intendamente. A ver si se consigue abastecer los pantanos, que tanta falta va a hacer para cuando llegue el verano.

Son muy bellas las fotografías que has aportado en tu entrada.

Que tengas un hermoso día.

[Fun60]

I wonder if the green flowered plant is a hellebore. Wonderful photos of Spring and thoughts of future travel.

[Lady Fi]

What gorgeous spring flowers!

[Lisa]

Enjoy your new matress. What a great way to have it delivered. Love the photo of the "odd one out" wildflower.

[Pat]

Sallie, I believe that green flowers plant is called "Bells of Ireland" It is very pretty!

Love your four-state photo collage--I guessed Colorado and Oregon and Florida but wasn't sure about the fourth although I agree after seeing your answer.

[Alan]

Great collages, I loved the wildflower collage especially. Spring is beautiful!!

[ellen b.]

Wonderful collages. We finally got the rain the last couple days and I'm happy not to have to water myself. That flower looks like a Lenten Rose (Hellebore) but I'm not an expert. Hope your last week of April is a good one!

[Lavender Dreams]

I thought I saw a Florida pic sneaked in there! I hope you get to plan some trips and have some fun! It's beautiful down here right now but we are watching for the arrival of the love bugs...bah hum bug! heehee! Enjoy your week!

[Iris Flavia]

Future trips sounds great!!!

Oh, yes, I dread removing our matress in some time, too...
Oh, I do take the flower before it turns yellow (once in a while), blow all seeds off and make a wish.

Like...travel...

[Gillena Cox]

Lovely wildflowers. Enjoyed all your photos today. I am at #11 on the linky today

Much💛love

[Heidrun]

Thank you for sharing. Wonderful captures. I enjoyed reading.
Have a good week. Stay healthy.

Happy MosaicMonday

[Eileen]

Hello, Sallie

Beautiful images and mosaics! I love the sky shots and the beautiful birds. Colorado, Oregon and Washington and Florida are all beautiful states. We ordered an online mattress, it is neat to see it pop up after the plastic is removed. Take care, enjoy your day! Have a great new week!

[Annie]

Bonjour Sallie : in French, the green flower is named "héllébore". I have the same in my garden. They become green when the flowers are at the end of the flowering. Before, they are white, pink more or less dark. Thanks a lot for your message. I'll answer soon ! Amitiés.

[Angie]

Sallie - it seems a number of people are starting to make travel plans, or at least think about them. We are in that category too - thinking about a trip to Europe in October/November to celebrate our 30th anniversary. Fingers crossed! Thanks for the quizzes in your post today - was it a dandelion that doesn't belong? Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!

[Citu]

Me encantaron las flores y como tu no puedo llamarlas malas hierbas. Te mando un beso

[Sondra]

I got all but one, I had guessed California...All lovely photos...I love the odd ball flower. I forgot about your new trailer...hope you get to use it soon. Have a great week.

[Martha]

Of course I spotted the ones from Florida easy enough - all gorgeous photos. I want to know more about the mattress. Seriously, I hate my mattress and it's not even that old but it's a big heavy pillow top that I can't even flip over like the old days. I'm glad to hear trips are already in the planning stages!

[Peppylady(Dora)]

Hello from North Idaho, sure some amazing photo. My oldest son live in Oregon and my youngest one in Washington.
Found your blog though Iris.
If you have time stop in for a cup of coffee

[William Kendall]

Beautiful sky views!