Happy New Year Blessing, Update and Haiku Poems

This lovely New Year image was custom made for me by my dear friend,
graphic artist Jackie Peeler. You can see more of her work at http://designexcellence.me/

Happiest New Year wishes to you and yours! I pray that this year will bring you closer to our Lord, to those you love and to the goals you hold most dearly.

Happy New Year 2017 Haiku Poems

Happy New Year to

you and yours! I hope that you

have your best year yet! 

May you always feel

treasured, loved, blessed and sure of 

God's great love for you

I'm still praying for direction and for the first time in ages, have no concrete plan for the year ahead. Maybe that's what God is telling me. Be still and listen. Be more open to His spontaneous direction. I don't know for sure. But I do know He loves me and He loves you! May He bless you beyond your wildest dreams!

Related posts:
2015 New Year blessing: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2015/01/happy-new-year-free-gift-for-you.html
2014 New Year butterflies: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/01/happy-new-year-blessings-butterflies.html
2013 New Year blessing: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/01/happy-new-year-haiku-and-blessing.html
2012 New Year blessing: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/01/two-new-year-haikus-inspired-by-god-and.html
2011 New Year poems: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2011/12/new-years-prayer-haikus.html

Merry Christmas! And an Update

Merriest Christmas wishes from my home and heart to yours! I love celebrating the birth of our Savior, the greatest gift of all time! May the joy of knowing him fill your heart with love and peace!

You may have noticed that I've been on a long break from the actual blog but I'm still active on the blog's Facebook page if you'd like to catch up there. I also occasionally post to Instagram.

As we close out 2016, I'm prayerfully considering my path for 2017. There may be some big changes! Regardless of where God leads me, I hope and pray that you are happy, healthy and walking in peace with our Lord. May God bless you and those you love!

Note: Cat photos by me and are, clockwise from top: the Sandman, Braveheart and Baby Cat. Photo of my husband Ben and me by Joshua Otte. I designed the card on Shutterfly. This is not a sponsored or paid post. All opinions are my own.

Autumn Asters, Honey Bee and Capitol Columns at US National Arboretum

Honeybee on purple aster: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

Happy floral Friday! Asters are one of the joys of autumn. I think this honey bee would agree.

Asters and field foliage: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

This week at the U.S. National Arboretum the purple autumn asters are in full bloom. 

Capitol columns with autumn color: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

The area by the capitol columns is a great place to view them.

Autumn aster field and foliage: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

The asters contrast nicely with the autumn foliage of nearby plants.

Thank you for visiting! May God bless you this autumn and always!

Related posts:
Autumn bonsai tree foliage: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2015/10/autumn-bonsai-flowers-and-chrysanthemum.html
2013 Autumn bonsai foliage: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/11/autumn-bonsai-exhibit-at-us-national.html
Fall foliage at USNA: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/11/fall-foliage-at-us-national-arboretum.html

Cooper's Hawk for Wild Wednesday

Cooper's Hawk: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

Happy wild Wednesday! I'm excited to share what I think are our first Cooper's hawk photos.

Downward stare: Copyright © Ben Wheeler, 2016
Used with permission

My husband spotted this beauty, called me over and we got to enjoy its majestic presence for a few minutes before it flew off.

Wild bird gaze: Copyright © Ben Wheeler, 2016
Used with permission

This is one beautiful wild bird! I love seeing local wildlife up close. It's a true blessing.

Hunting hawk: Copyright © Ben Wheeler, 2016
Used with permission

Hearty thanks to my husband for spotting the bird and sharing his photos with us here! And thank you for visiting! May God bless and keep you!

Related posts:
Wet wild birds: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/wet-wild-birds.html
Catbird and Robin: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2015/06/catbird-and-robin.html
Eagle festival: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/03/eagle-festival-photos.html

Grasshopper on Golden Chrysanthemums

Green grasshopper yellow flowers: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

Happy floral Friday! This neat grasshopper and I surprised each other when I was photographing our golden yellow chrysanthemums last week. The insect took off before I could get a second shot but one is better than none.

Thank you for visiting! I hope this autumn finds you well. May God bless you!

Related posts:
Pretty insects on flowers: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2016/03/pretty-insects-on-giant-red-zinnias-and.html
Tiny bee on cosmos: https://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2016/09/big-fat-raindrops-on-beautiful-flowers.html
Yellow finch on black eyed susans: https://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/08/yellow-finch-feeding-on-black-eyed.html

Delightful Dahlias in Early Autumn

Red dinner plate dahlia: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

Happy floral Friday and welcome to this bonus edition of "this week in my Maryland garden!" Often by this time of year all of my dahlias have been killed by frost but this year they're still blooming and I thought that was worth celebrating with a blog post.

Peppermint twist dahlia: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

I'm not sure of the actual name of this cute red and white bicolor dahlia but I think of it as my peppermint twist.

White and yellow dahlia: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

 This pretty yellow and white bicolor dahlia isn't perfectly formed but it is still beautiful.

Burgundy dahlias: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

 This burgundy dahlia plant has been producing beautiful flowers steadily since early spring.

Mr. Optimist bicolor dahlia: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

I believe this is a Mr. Optimist bicolor dahlia. It started out with yellow tipped red petals and then faded to this pretty sunset color scheme. I think I cut it over a week ago and it's been in a vase by my computer ever since. The yellow came out more as the red faded. 

I feel blessed to have dahlias still blooming in mid-October here in Maryland. It is delightful.

Thank you for visiting! May God bless you!

Related posts:
Summer dahlia: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2016/09/bright-summer-flowers-dahlia-tithonia.html
Sunset dahlia: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2016/06/bee-balm-sedum-sunset-dahlia-coreopsis.html
Raindrops on dahlia: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2016/09/big-fat-raindrops-on-beautiful-flowers.html

Two Feral Kittens in a Puffy Bed

Snuggling cuteness: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

Happy wild Wednesday! The wildest things in our home are these two feral born kittens, Braveheart and the Sandman. These cute sibling cats totally love each other. They eat together, play together, groom each other and sleep together. So sweet!

Thank you for visiting! May God bless you and those you love!

Related posts:
Wrestling kittens: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2016/08/cute-kittens-wrestle-and-surrender.html
Yawning kitten with big tongue: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2016/06/cute-kittens-yawning-and-cuddling.html
Tiny kittens: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2016/05/braveheart-and-sandman-our-new-kittens.html

My First Breakfast Cobbler - Quick & Easy Berry Delicousness

Yummy berry breakfast cobbler: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

This might just be the most delicous warm berry breakfast I've ever had! I'd been hearing how tasty Dr. Fuhrman's Blueberry Breakfast Cobbler recipe was and wanted to try it but didn't have the ingredients on hand so I made up my own (much simpler) version with what I did have. I'm glad I improvised because it was yummy and really fast and easy to make.

Here's how I made it:

• 1 sliced banana
• 1 cup frozen mixed organic berries
• 1 tbsp raisins
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

Mix above in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 1 minute.
Stir, microwave one more minute, then add:

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Stir and cook for another 1.5 minutes.
Stir again and enjoy!

Related posts:
Chocolate berry smoothie: https://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2011/11/healthy-chocolate-berry-banana-smoothie.html
Easy blueberry pancakes: https://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/04/easy-blueberry-oatmeal-pancake-recipe.html
DIY sleep tea: https://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/08/diy-sleepy-time-tea-recipe.html

Notes: As far as I know, this recipe is vegan, gluten free and very healthy. There's also no added sugar (the fruit is definitely sweet enough). The measurements are approximate as I just did things by eye and not with measuring implements. I'm not an affiliate of Dr. Fuhrman and wasn't asked or paid to write this post. I am just a big fan of his nutritarian diet style.

Big Fat Raindrops on Beautiful Flowers and a Surprise

Bicolor marigold with raindrops: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

Happy floral Friday and welcome to "this week in my Maryland garden!" This might be my last installment of regular garden photos for 2016 but, God willing, they'll return in the spring. For this week's post I waited and waited... and waited for a break in the rain but it didn't come so I went out and got soaked for you all. Hope my raindrop on flower photos make you smile!

Bicolor lantana with raindrops: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

 If you look closely you can see big fat raindrops filling some of the little lantana flower cups.

Raindrop heavy pink rose: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

 The raindrops were so big and heavy on this rose that it was facing down toward the ground.

Pink dahlia with big raindrops: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

 The dahlia was sturdy enough to support the heavy raindrops.

Little yellow cosmos and surprise: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

The tiny little bug on this yellow cosmos was a pleasant surprise to me. I didn't even notice it until I downloaded the photos.

Thank you for visiting! May God bless you and all you set your hands to do!

Related posts:
Yellow finch on black eyed susans: https://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/08/yellow-finch-feeding-on-black-eyed.html
Bright summer flowers: https://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2016/09/bright-summer-flowers-dahlia-tithonia.html
Butterflies on flowers: https://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2016/08/butterflies-on-mexican-sunflowers-at.html

Mexican Bush Sage, Purple Coneflower, Impatiens, Giant Zinnia, and Tithonia Flowers

Mexican bush sage: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

Happy autumn, floral Friday and welcome to "this week in my Maryland garden!" The Mexican bush sage has started to bloom and I'm always thrilled to not only see the flowers but feel their super soft texture. They're almost as soft as pussy willows. I overwintered this plant in the house as it's not perennial in our planting zone.

Pretty white impatiens: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

The white impatiens I planted in early spring is still putting out lovely flowers in a semi-shady area.

Purple coneflower with red zinnias: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

This volunteer purple coneflower sprung up in the middle of my giant zinnia area but I let it stay. I'll probably move it later this fall or early next spring, but for now I'm enjoying the contrast.

Butterfly, red zinnia, pink zinnia: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

I only planted red giant zinnia seeds but also got pink and purple from the package. The bees and butterflies like them all so I do too.

Mexican sunflower aka tithonia: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

Our biggest annuals this year are the tithonia (also called Mexican sunflower). They are huge and covered in pretty flowers.

That's all for this week's tour. Thank you for visiting! May God bless you!

Related posts:
Butterflies on tithonia: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2016/08/butterflies-on-mexican-sunflowers-at.html
Monarchs on chrysanthemum: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/10/monarch-butterfly-on-pretty.html
Brookside Gardens butterflies: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2015/09/monarch-butterflies-from-brookside.html

Skipper Butterfly on Orange Zinnia

Skipper on orange zinnia: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

Happy wild Wednesday! We must have more than 50 of these skipper butterflies in our garden. They seem to particularly enjoy the zinnias, marigolds, butterfly bushes and tithonia, although I see them on other flowers too. I hope my photo brightened your day! May God bless you!

Related posts:
Dahlia with skipper: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2015/09/dahlia-with-skipper-unusual-zinnias.html
Pretty insects on flowers: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2016/03/pretty-insects-on-giant-red-zinnias-and.html
More insects on flowers: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2015/08/dahlia-marigolds-zinnia-butterfly-bush.html

Bright Summer Flowers: Dahlia, Tithonia, Rose, Marigold and Salvia

Bright pink dahlia: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

Happy floral Friday and welcome to "this week in my Maryland garden!" The dahlias are still putting out nice sized flowers and this pink one is a favorite.

Bright orange tithonia: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

I think some of our tithonia plants (also called Mexican sunflowers) are over six feet tall. The butterflies and bees love them and I occasionally even see a hummingbird visit them. They are especially precious to me because I started them from seed.

Pretty knockout rose: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

 These creamy knockout roses smell like a mixture of honey and lemon.

Blue salvia and yellow marigolds: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

I love the contrast between the giant yellow marigolds and the blue salvia. You can also see some red zinnias in the background.

Pretty butterfly on bicolor marigold: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

Because this pretty butterfly was kind enough to open its wings for a photo I thought it deserved to be included in today's post.

Thank you for visiting! May God bless you!

Related posts:
Butterflies on tithonia: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2016/08/butterflies-on-mexican-sunflowers-at.html
Dahlias and marigolds: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2015/08/dahlia-marigolds-zinnia-butterfly-bush.html
Funky flowers: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2016/05/funky-lavender-thyme-allium-marigold.html

Pretty Water Lily with Unique Foliage

Water lily with unique foliage: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

Happy floral Friday! Hope you enjoy this water lily with interesting variegated foliage photo. I wish you a joy-filled weekend. May God bless you and yours!

Related posts:
More water lilies: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/08/dragonfly-and-butterflies-on-flowers-at.html
Aquatic garden flowers: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/05/flowers-at-kenilworth-aquatic-gardens.html
Wild swans: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2016/03/beautiful-swans-at-thomas-point-park.html

Washington Youth Garden Fun and Unique Features

Washington Youth Garden sign: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

Happy floral Friday! It's been four years since I featured the Washington Youth Garden on my blog so I thought today would be a great day to share some of its unique and fun features. I love the big hand-painted sign that greets visitors to the garden (and there are some flowers in it - can you find them?). One of the rules in the garden is that you must stay on the paths so please forgive some crooked/odd angle photos. I did the best I could while obeying the rules.

Sensory garden within main garden: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

Once you enter the chain link fence area you're greeted by this whimsical sign for the Sensory Garden. I love that they have many mini gardens within the main area. The sensory garden has lots of neat flowers and herbs to experience.

Giant bird Youth Garden mascot: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

This fun giant bird statue is one of my favorite features of the Washington Youth Garden. They move it around from time to time but today it was near the center of the main garden.

Container gardening station: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

They have some lovely signs explaining gardening basics and events throughout the growing season. The Washington Youth Garden is located within the National Arboretum so I imagine you could contact the Arboretum for dates and times of the events. I did see a flyer once at the visitor's center but rarely see any advertisements for this wonderful garden.

Beekeeping area: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

Fun garden bed made from a real bed: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

I'm not sure why this program wouldn't let me put text between the two photos above but it wouldn't so I'll just explain both here. The top features the Beekeeping area within the Washington Youth Garden. I didn't enter the area because I didn't want to disturb the bees. I imagine that's an area best explored with a staff member. The staff members I saw were busy watering and weeding so I'll save that adventure for another day.

I love their unique garden bed in a real bed frame and I think it's fun that they painted the frame purple so it stands out more. They have herbs and flowers planted in the bed and it spills over on either side like a generous comforter.

Pretty fuchsia flowers: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

These pretty fuchsia colored flowers are the same kind in the top left corner of the garden bed photo.

Thank you for visiting! I hope you enjoyed my mini photo tour of the Washington Youth Garden! May God bless their staff, the young gardeners and YOU!

Related posts:
2012 Washington Youth Garden: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/06/fun-ideas-from-childrens-garden-at-us.html
Bright summer flowers: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2015/07/sunrise-zinnia-pink-rose-sunrise-dahlia.html
Mary's amazing garden: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/05/marys-amazing-garden-retreat.html

Butterflies on Mexican Sunflowers at Brookside Gardens

Butterfly on tithonia: Copyright © Ben Wheeler, 2016, used with permission

Happy wild Wednesday! Since I haven't been able to get a nice picture of my own Mexican sunflowers (also called tithonia) yet this year I took some at the Brookside Gardens "Wings of Fancy" butterfly exhibit. Their tithonia had many beautiful butterflies flitting from flower to flower and even some resting on the foliage.

Pretty butterfly wings open: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

The first image is by my talented husband, who was kind enough to let me share it with you here. I thought his picture was the best but wanted you to see the flowers from different angles so am sharing some of mine too.

Butterfly feeding on tithonia: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

 If you click to see the larger image you should be able to clearly see the butterfly's eyes. Pretty neat.

Butterfly on Mexican sunflower: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

I think this might be a Monarch butterfly but it seems darker than the ones I see in my yard so maybe it's a different, but similar, kind of butterfly.

Butterfly on "thrive" hat: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2016

The kind mom of the adorable little girl wearing this "thrive" hat let me take this photo of the butterfly on top. She was very excited to have a butterfly land on her head and stay there a while. Thank you to them both for sharing!

I had one land on my hand, which was amazing! It even stayed a while. But it was on the same hand I was holding my camera with so I didn't get a photo. It's always touching to have a butterfly choose to land on you so I felt blessed by that. Of course, just seeing so many butterflies floating around is a huge blessing. I've enjoyed every trip to the butterfly exhibit, whether one landed on me or not.

Thank you for visiting! May God bless my husband, the family that shared their butterfly hat experience, and YOU!

Related posts:
Monarchs on tithonia flowers: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/10/monarch-butterflies-on-tithonia.html
Monarchs on chrysanthemums: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/10/monarch-butterfly-on-pretty.html
Brookside Gardens monarchs: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2015/09/monarch-butterflies-from-brookside.html