Shades of Lilac

There is something innocent and pure about flowers... I was walking on a trail with the kids when we saw these beautiful flowers along a creek showing off their perfection. To me they seemed like a  reward that day, for not being lazy and staying in the cabin reading a book that I could read at home. At the end of the trail they were there, waiting patiently for anyone who wanted to admire their beauty. 

True colors

This umbrella was against a white wall, each corner having different textures. So colorful, neatly folded, showing some rusty spots... I miss posting here my findings, and the friends I met through blogging, they both add depth and texture to our everyday lives.

Bright and vivid colors

Colorful flowers do make our days shine... When these flowers start to dry out, little thorns come out replacing their petals. Even though I see them around every year in the garden I still don't know their names.

These flowers go to Today's Flowers, the virtual flowers blog that displays flowers from around the world.

Purple

Some purple flowers I found on my computer. It rained a lot today and the song "Purple rain" came to my mind, I haven't heard it in a long time though. The first flower is African Violet, the second one is Agapanthus (Lily of the Nile) and the third one I don't know...

These flowers go to Today's Flowers, a blog that shows flowers from around the world every Sunday.

Marcela - a native plant to South America

Macela, also known as marcela do campo - a medicinal plant native to South America.

To see more flowers from around the world, please visit Today's Flowers blog.

Tropical Santa Claus

A local mall brings Santa to the tropics for a vacation and he seems to be enjoying the high temperatures this Summer.

Orchids

Orchids can be found in different sizes, shapes, colors and scents... and they are fascinating. With all these qualities they still have a reputation as being finicky and hard to grow. I say it is a myth...

To see more flowers, please go Today's Flowers blog.

Giving Thanks

And flowers...

I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High" (Psalm 7:17)

Red Roses

Roses are beautiful, a favorite flower for many occasions throughout time. When I look at roses I see perfection, beauty and fragrance. Like roses I hope that my heart flows a sweet smelling fragrance to those who approach me.

Pease visit Today's Flowers to see more flowers from around the world.

Have a seat on a railroad sleeper

A quiet time... leads me to benches, to a garden where I can sit and relax... this bench is near a friend's neighbor and it seemed just like the perfect place to sit and do nothing.

Say it with pink hydrangeas

Flowers speak of love, friendship, gratitude, simpathy, forgiveness, respect, gentleness... Flowers express feelings. When I send flowers, I also send my love, I send a smile on a face, and a gesture of how much I care.

To see more flowers, please visit Today's Flowers, there are flowers there from all over the world that will make you smile.

A reflection over coffee

Coffee beans

I grew up in a family of coffee lovers. My grandfather planted coffee and so did my dad. Nowadays my father-in-law grows coffee, so when it comes to starting a conversation, we don't talk ask about the weather, we ask for a cup of coffee...

But what do I thirst more than coffee? As a mom I want to make a difference in our children's lives and that their lives have a purpose... that even being ordinary people they can accomplish extraordinary things for God!

Glorious bushes

The beautiful house dated 1924 and built by Letonians who immigrated to Brazil long time ago has near the front porch this faboulous shrub called Glory bush (manaca-da-serra - Tibouchina mutabilis). The reason we visited the Lethonian colony is that we have friends there, we enjoyed some wonderful traditional food and drinks.

This is my contribution to Today's Flowers this week.

Our sweet 15

Today we celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary... We feel gratitude for the blessings in our lives...

Full bloom

The holiday cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) is actually known in Brazil as May flower, because it blooms in May, when it is Fall here. I have had this plant for about 15 years. All you need to do to keep it going is to water once a week and after it blooms, when the flowers dry out, cut the end leaves, this will make the cactus grow stronger and you can use the cut leaves to propagate new plants.
Today's Flower blog, the blog that keeps full blooms around the globe is celebrating its first anniversary. Please stop by to say hello and check the wonderful blogs that join in every week.