The happy blues, mind you! A pretty flowering kind of blue that just takes your breath away.
I made a quick trip to Texas this past weekend. My husband's mother had fallen a week or so ago, and was still in the hospital, so I flew down to spend some time with her and encourage her in the rehab journey she is on. She is still in quite a bit of pain, and yet having to put weight on her leg, and learn to walk again. It was a blessing to be able to visit with my husband's parents, and encourage them.
While we were there, it was also the glorious bluebonnet season in Texas. This year the bluebonnets are spectacular with all the rain they've had over the winter, and I was blessed to be able to enjoy the beauty of the Texas state flower growing in abundance as far as the eye could see.
 |
| Leaving early in the morning, early enough to enjoy the sunrise with a bird's eye view! |
It was a wonderful trip. On the way to visit my dear mother-in-love, I was able to stop and visit family and friends along the way.
 |
| The bluebonnets stole my heart ... this year they were out in full bloom! |
 |
| You don't want to fall on one of these ... a pencil cactus... keeping my distance! |
 |
| Indian paintbrushes growing in abundance with the bluebonnets |
 |
| Roses abloom too! These were growing at my parents home. |
 |
| A Texas sunset |
 |
| Hummingbirds stopping for a drink at my parents' house. they were fighting as we watched them! |
 |
| Indian hawthornes blooming |
 |
| Tempting blueberry bars my mother made for us |
 |
| Visited with my brother. His daughters had just gotten a pet bunny, so cute! |
 |
| A classic Texas sunset, complete with windmill and old oak tree. |
 |
| A tired oak tree made glorious with the rays of the setting sun. |
 |
| Willow City Loop, Texas |
 |
| Willow City - the place to go in Texas to see bluebonnets! |
 |
| I could drink in the beauty of these flowers for hours! |
 |
| A honey bee drinking in sweet nectar. |
 |
| A red poppy growing among the bluebonnets. |
 |
| Whoever thought to put cowboy boots on fence posts had a brilliant idea... just beautiful! |
The old haying equipment looked happier among the bluebonnets
 |
| The quaint little road that winds 13 miles and thrilled with every turn and bend. |
 |
| Can you spot the little guy hiding on the rock? |
 |
| I didn't see him... I heard him as he ran across the rocks. Anytime you hear anything moving in Texas is cause for alarm! So I was quite happy to see it was just this little guy! |
 |
| Magnificent really... the day was beautiful, and the scenery outstanding. How glad I was we took this little detour! |
We spent three days (Saturday, Sunday and Monday) with my mother-in-love in the hospital. My husband's father was in the nursing home, so we would bring him over to the hospital with us and then take him back. It was an incredibly busy three days that I was there! What is it about hospitals that makes you feel so tired? So happy though that my MIL got a good report from the doctor and rehab staff that she made significant progress while we were there, and will be discharged from the hospital this coming Friday! She will go to the nursing home to further rehab there. A long road is ahead of her, but I was glad to come and spend these few days with her.
Headed back home to Idaho.... early in the morning, my flight left at 5:40 a.m.
By the time the sun came up, we were in the mountains of Utah. It was so beautiful to see!
Such a quick trip, yet a truly blessed one. I was able to reconnect with a dear friend who picked me up at the airport, and we enjoyed a lovely lunch together, and then went for a lovely walk with her and her grandson. She then dropped me off at my sister's home where I was treated to a lovely dinner with her family. My husband picked me up Friday and we went to see my family Friday evening. Saturday, Sunday and Monday we visited my dear MIL at the hospital. Monday afternoon while we traveled back to my sister's home, we stopped to see the beautiful bluebonnets in Willow City. I flew out early Tuesday morning back to Idaho.
This was the first time our children had been left alone for this length of time, but they managed everything so wonderfully, and I had great peace of mind leaving my sweet chickens, dogs, and cat in their care. The weather here as I returned home is simply gorgeous, highs of 60 during the day, with bright and beautiful sunshine. I noticed that even while I was gone, that our grass is turning green in the yard, and the buds are about to pop on the shrubs and fruit trees, and lilacs are getting ready to bloom too. Spring does seem to be here, and what a joyous time it is.
I will get back to visiting all my dear friend's blogs as soon as I catch my breath from the whirlwind of activity this past weekend, and can't wait to see what has been happening in your lives. Much love to all. :)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
So thankful to hear you are back home safe, sweet friend. I have been praying for you and hoping all is well with you. So grateful to know it is and that all was well at home while you were gone. God is so good! Trusting your mother-in-law continues to improve and heal...it is so hard to watch our parents age. I so enjoyed the lovely photos, too, as always!! God bless you and keep you always in His care...sending you much love and many blessings across the miles!! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your prayers! It was a wonderful visit in so many ways, and my MIL has been released to the rehab nursing home, and we are thankful for the progress she is making! I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures... love and appreciate you so much, your comments always are such a blessing to me! :)
DeleteIt's good to hear from you and see that you are home and all is well. I have certainly been thinking of you and holding you all up in my prayers. What a praise to hear that your MIL is coming along very well.
ReplyDeleteSounds as if you had a tremendous few days, and your photos prove that you had some time to enjoy the beauty of God's creation.
Wow Karen, your photography is stunning! Thank you for sharing the beauty with us,I really enjoyed looking through every photo.
Enjoy your time of rest and getting back to your normal routine.
Much love~~
Thank you so much for your prayers! It was a wonderful visit in so many ways, and my MIL has been released to the rehab nursing home, and we are thankful for the progress she is making! I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures... it was a joy to be able to be there and see the beauty of the wildflowers in bloom! I just now feel like I'm back in a regular routine, and it feels great :) Hope you are having a lovely week my friend, many hugs to you!
DeleteIt's good to hear from you and see that you are home and all is well. I have certainly been thinking of you and holding you all up in my prayers. What a praise to hear that your MIL is coming along very well.
ReplyDeleteSounds as if you had a tremendous few days, and your photos prove that you had some time to enjoy the beauty of God's creation.
Wow Karen, your photography is stunning! Thank you for sharing the beauty with us,I really enjoyed looking through every photo.
Enjoy your time of rest and getting back to your normal routine.
Much love~~
Welcome home:)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the beautiful Texas photos. I've never seen bluebonnets outside of photos but I know they would be amazing to see. Your Texas photos are just as lovely as your Idaho photos. You live around beautiful landscapes!
Have a blessed week as you catch up on things.
Hugs from Shirley
It was a wonderful visit in so many ways, and my MIL has been released to the rehab nursing home, and we are thankful for the progress she is making! I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures, it was such a blessing to be there during bluebonnet season! Thank you for your kind words about the pictures, it is such a blessing to capture such beauty through the lens of my camera. Hope you are having a blessed week dear Shirley!
DeleteSuch beauty in all the pictures you shared. I'm so glad you were able to go and encourage you mother-in-love in her recovery and that you were also able to visit friends and family while you were there. Continued prayers for a full recovery for you MIL and that you will be able to get some rest now that you are once again home. I'm proud of your kids for holding down the fort while you were gone. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your prayers! It was a wonderful visit in so many ways, and my MIL has been released to the rehab nursing home, and we are thankful for the progress she is making! I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures... love and appreciate you so much, your comments always are such a blessing to me! And yes, I am quite happy that my kids did so well while I was gone, everything was perfect when I got back home, such a blessing! Hope you are having a blessed week my friend!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteStunning pictures! I am happy that you were able to spend time with your in-laws. I am sure your love and support meant a great deal to them. Yay! for kiddos who can hold the fort down while you are gone. It is good to know that things are in good hands when you have to step away for a bit.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your prayers! It was a wonderful visit in so many ways, and my MIL has been released to the rehab nursing home, and we are thankful for the progress she is making! I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures. It was a real blessing to know that my kids were able to take care of things while I was gone a few days, I feel like I've truly entered a different phase of my life with that event, lol! Appreciate your sweet comments and visit... trust you are having a wonderful week!
DeleteLove, love, LOVE the bluebonnets!! Great photos and happy you got to see family and friends!
ReplyDeleteThey are beautiful aren't they! Spectacular this year for sure, I'm glad I got to see them :)
DeleteBreathtaking photos! Even from the airplane!!! I'm in heaven looking at all the beauty you captured and I'm so glad you m-i-l is feeling better. You must have cheered her up really well. What a joy you are!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, I appreciate your sweet words, and glad that you enjoyed the pictures! It was a blessing to be with my sweet MIL and she has been discharged to the rehab nursing home, which is another step in the journey. Sure appreciate your prayers, and appreciate you too! May the Lord bless you dearly today :)
DeleteMarilyn, Your photos are amazing!!! Seeing them makes me want to take another trip to Texas. My one and only was last spring when our oldest son graduated BMT at Lackland AFB.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad your MIL is doing better. I know her recovery will be tough but she sounds like she is determined and will do it!
The best time to visit Texas is definitely in the spring when the bluebonnets are in bloom! Congratulations on your son graduating at Lackland AFB... did you take a trip to the Riverwalk? Another beautiful place there to see for sure :) Appreciate your prayers for my dear MIL, she has been released to the rehab nursing home, another step in the journey! It is a tough recovery for her, because she broke her shoulder in October, and now her leg in March, but she is determined indeed.
DeleteHoping you are having a blessed and wonderful day and I am so thankful for your friendship :)
Hi Marilyn! What a beautiful gift you brought your mother-in-love...yourself! I know what you mean about life in the hospital. Seems like there's nothing else going on in the world but your loved one in that bed. Did she break her leg? You mentioned she can't bear weight yet.
ReplyDeleteAnd what fun to be there at the right time to see so many bluebells! I have a Texan blog friend who put up photos of these little lovelies last year. That was the first time I'd ever 'seen' them. Beautiful! I really appreciated your caption with the old tree in the waning sunlight. Tired, but made glorious. Ah.. I hope the same can be said of me someday.
Blessings,
Ceil
Yes, my MIL broke her leg, after breaking her shoulder back in October, so it will be a long journey of recovery for her, because her shoulder is still weak as well. Hospital visiting is not the best, but we had a wonderful time in spite of it all, and I'm happy that she is making progress. She is such a dear sweet lady.
DeleteIf you ever go to Texas, you want to go in the spring to see the bluebonnets, they are an amazing show, especially in the hill country area, absolutely stunning. I'm so blessed to have seen them, and now wildflower season is just upon us here in Idaho, and I will be blessed by the show here too!
Thank you for your kind words about the picture, and the caption about the oak tree. Oak trees are my favorite trees in Texas, they are so grand and stately, and majestic. I like how you said "I hope the same can be said of me someday"... I agree with you! Appreciate your visit Ceil, and I am continuing to pray for healing for you! Much love to you my friend :)
oh ... those gorgeous bluebonnets! they bring back sweet memories of past trips to TX to see dear old friends.
ReplyDeletethose were the days ...
Those Texas bluebonnets always have wonderful memories attached I think :)
DeleteBreathtaking photos Marilyn! Texas at its finest! And oh so green. Love it!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you were able to go down and visit with your in laws. I'm sure you blessed them by just being there.
I'll be praying for them both!
Hugs, Amy
Yes, indeed bluebonnet season is Texas at its finest for sure! It was a blessed visit in so many ways, and I'm so thankful to have been able to go. Appreciate your prayers, my dear MIL has been transferred to the rehab nursing facility. So thankful for everyone's prayers! Appreciate you dear friend!
DeleteI love the Texas hill country and the blue bonnets! I was just there yesterday.
ReplyDeleteOh my, the bluebonnets were lovely weren't they! Glad that we both got to enjoy them :)
DeleteI have never been to Texas, but it looks so beautiful! I am hoping your in-laws are doing well. It was wonderful of you to go. Cute bunny!! ;)
ReplyDeleteThe hill country of Texas, in my opinion, is lovely, especially in springtime... but then, what isn't beautiful in spring when flowers are blooming :) Just don't go to visit Texas in July if you can help it, lol! Appreciate your kind thoughts about my MIL, she is doing much better. I loved the bunny too, so precious! :)
DeleteGorgeous photos! Bluebonnets are so beautiful, and with the Indian Paintbrush mixed in with it. . .breathtaking. That one phone with the bluebonnets in the background and the stream in the foreground is my very favorite (Photo #30 I think). I showed it to Dennis and said, "This looks like something you would paint." I'd love to visit that part of Texas. Glad you had a nice trip and that your MIL is recovering well. Hugs, Nancy
ReplyDeleteP.S. I love lop-eared bunnies!
Thank you Nancy for taking the time to tell me which photo you loved, and the time to count it out too! I agree, it is a lovely picture... but the pictures really didn't do the view justice. You know what I mean... you see such beauty around you, and it is hard to capture it with the camera.
DeleteIf you visit Texas, do go to the Hill Country and go in the spring... whatever you do, don't go in July, lol!
My MIL is doing much better, and we so appreciate your prayers and concerns!
Hope you are having a wonderful week so far :)
I LOVE EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING IN THIS POST OF YOURS, MY WONDERFUL MARILYN !
ReplyDeleteThe skies, the Bluebonnets - I'm so fond of them - and the cute pet bunny !
Enjoy your weekend, my dearest friend, sending blessings of joy to you
Dany
Oh you are so sweet and kind dear Daniela, it is always such a joy to have you visit me, your comments are so precious to me! I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures, I'm so thankful that I was able to see the bluebonnets this year, and be there for my MIL. It was such a blessed visit. God is so good! Have a blessed week too my friend!
DeleteYour mother-in-law is very fortunate to have such a loving, caring daughter-in-law! How nice that you were able to spend time with her and encourage her through her rehab. Sounds like you connected with lots of other family and friends as well during your trip. The flowers are gorgeous! I have admired these blue beauties on some of my other blogging friends' blogs who live in Texas. The blue is spectacular!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Weekend Marilyn!!!
xo
Linda
It was such a blessing to be there for my dear MIL, she has been like a mother to me. Thank you so much for your prayers! It was a wonderful visit in so many ways, and my MIL has been released to the rehab nursing home, and we are thankful for the progress she is making! I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures. Appreciate your sweet comments and visit... trust you are having a wonderful week!
DeleteWow! What beautiful pictures! That place must be just delightful to visit. I just stared at some of the pictures and their beauty. :) I would love to visit someday. Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about your poor mother in law. Praise the Lord she is on her way to healing.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your prayers! It was a wonderful visit in so many ways, and my MIL has been released to the rehab nursing home, and we are thankful for the progress she is making! I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures. Appreciate your sweet comments and visit... trust you are having a wonderful week!
DeleteI wish you could see my smile....keeping your mil in prayer, friend...again, thank you for the smiles. Blessings
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your prayers! It was a wonderful visit in so many ways, and my MIL has been released to the rehab nursing home, and we are thankful for the progress she is making! I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures. It was a real blessing to know that my kids were able to take care of things while I was gone a few days, I feel like I've truly entered a different phase of my life with that event, lol! Appreciate your sweet comments and visit... trust you are having a wonderful week! Don't work too hard, and we will all be glad when summer gets here I think! :)
DeleteYour photos of the blue bonnets sure lifted my spirits this morning. They are so beautiful and all the scenery around them from rusty fences to cowboy boots on posts are gorgeous. I'm glad you had such a great visit with family and especially your mother-in-law and that she will soon return to her home to recover. Thanks for sharing your trip to Texas with us. Have a blessed week. xx Pam
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your prayers! It was a wonderful visit in so many ways, and my MIL has been released to the rehab nursing home, and we are thankful for the progress she is making! I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures. The Texas bluebonnets were amazing this time of year! Appreciate your sweet comments and visit... trust you are having a wonderful week and that spring is really there!
DeleteOh WOW! This post was filled with so many gorgeous photos. I kept ohing and ahing over each one. The Blue Bonnets are amazing. Loved the Indian Paintbrush, The boots on the fence, and well just everything about this post. I'm so glad you had such a good trip and shared it with us.
ReplyDeleteOh dear Ida, thank you for your sweet words about my pictures, coming from a fellow photographer, they are appreciated! It was a wonderful trip in so many ways. Now, I'm looking forward to the wild rose season that is coming soon here! Appreciate your sweet comments and visit... trust you are having a wonderful week!
DeleteYour photos are amazing.
ReplyDeleteI have family in Texas too, Caldwell. We visited in 2012 during the bluebonnet bloom :-))) oh my what fun.
Praying for your family.
Thank you for sharing your amazing photography.
Carla
Caldwell Texas sounds familiar, but my husband would know better where it is than I, lol! Indeed, bluebonnet season is the best time of the year to visit Texas, I do believe. Thank you so much for your prayers! It was a wonderful visit in so many ways, and my MIL has been released to the rehab nursing home, and we are thankful for the progress she is making! I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures. It was a real blessing to know that my kids were able to take care of things while I was gone a few days, I feel like I've truly entered a different phase of my life with that event, lol! Appreciate your sweet comments and visit... trust you are having a wonderful week!
DeleteAmazing photos! What a delight to stroll through that Texan landscape and drink in the beauty of those azure blue skies and those beautiful bluebonnets! What a beautiful part of the world. How lovely for you to be able to visit your MIL and FIL and spend such special time with them. How lovely that you were able to catch up with family and friends. What a joy to know your MIL will be okay. This post is indeed a vision splendid!
ReplyDeleteOh indeed, bluebonnet season is the very time to best visit the beautiful state of Texas! The colors were glorious. I'm so glad that I was able to go and get so much accomplished in one visit. Thank you so much for your prayers... my MIL has been released to the rehab nursing home, and we are thankful for the progress she is making!
DeleteAppreciate your sweet comments and visit... trust you are having a wonderful week! Enjoy your little getaway, I hope you have a wonderful time!
What magnificent photos. All the wildflowers are beautiful and I love the old farm machinery. The photos from the plane were also beautiful. With all that you did in that short period of time...I would be exhausted too. So nice to hear that your MIL is coming along and that your FIL was able to visit her. Enjoy your week.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your prayers! It was a wonderful visit in so many ways, and my MIL has been released to the rehab nursing home, and we are thankful for the progress she is making! I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures... it was a joy to be able to be there and see the beauty of the wildflowers in bloom! I just now feel like I'm back in a regular routine, and it feels great :) Hope you are having a lovely week my friend, many hugs to you!
DeleteBeautiful pictures! I am glad your MIL is on the mend. I would love to visit Texas during blue bonnet season.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your prayers! It was a wonderful visit in so many ways, and my MIL has been released to the rehab nursing home, and we are thankful for the progress she is making! I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures... it was a joy to be able to be there and see the beauty of the wildflowers in bloom! I just now feel like I'm back in a regular routine, and it feels great :) Hope you are having a lovely week my friend, many hugs to you!
DeleteWhat gorgeous scenery! Bluebells are a favorite of mine~ I would love to have fields of them near by!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely post...I felt like I visited Texas with you :))
I hope your mother in law is doing well.
Have a blessed week,
love Ashleigh
Thank you so much for your prayers! It was a wonderful visit in so many ways, and my MIL has been released to the rehab nursing home, and we are thankful for the progress she is making! I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures... it was a joy to be able to be there and see the beauty of the wildflowers in bloom! I just now feel like I'm back in a regular routine, and it feels great :) Hope you are having a lovely week my friend, many hugs to you!
DeleteMarilyn, I will say a prayer for your mother-in-law. I hope that she feels better soon. I've only been to the airport in TX but I've heard it is gorgeous! Love the bluebells! Seeing the boots on the fence is strange!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your prayers! It was a wonderful visit in so many ways, and my MIL has been released to the rehab nursing home, and we are thankful for the progress she is making! I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures... the best time to visit Texas indeed is in bluebonnet season! It was such a joy to be able to be there during this time to see the beauty of the wildflowers in bloom and visit with my dear mother-in-love too! The boots on the fence was a really unique and creative touch for sure!
DeleteI just now feel like I'm getting back in a regular routine, and it feels great :) Hope you are having a lovely week my friend, many hugs to you!
I liked the last two photos - taken from on the plane the best. The flowers are beautiful- are not they all!? Glad you had a safe trip and that your kids did a great job while home alone.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ronda, I was so happy to be able to enjoy the beautiful wildflowers while I was there, and the fact that my kids are able to manage at home alone without me - a bittersweet feeling for sure! :)
Delete