Springtime Births, Buds and Blooms!

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

It's that special time of year that we look forward to during the winter - the time when the snow has finally melted, the mud has dried up, the cold snowy days have ceased, and Spring in all its glory has arrived.  The beauty of Spring never ceases to amaze every year! This year our spring has been a rollercoaster with days of warmth and sunshine, mixed in with many days of winter's chill.  But still... Spring has prevailed! 


Springtime blooms in Sandpoint, ID




One of my hens hatched out four eggs. On a whim, I bought six more chicks, put them under her, and she adopted them all! She is a proud momma now to 10 baby chicks who are all doing remarkably well under her care. She is a first-time momma, and I am thrilled to have such a good broody momma hen who loves and cares for her chicks! 




Riley was enjoying the beautiful spring day! 


Springtime rainbows are so amazing to see! 



Little Bandit enjoys morning devotional time with me. 



We took a quad ride up into the mountains one beautiful spring day. The views were amazing with all the wildflowers in bloom. 


We came across some trash that had been thrown out off one of the trails - a mattress! Way out in the middle of nowhere. 
So sad that people are trashing the beautiful forest area!



One of my favorite early spring blooms is the Arrowleaf balsamroot. It blooms all over the mountain hillsides and grows in bunches of yellow glory. 


I love the backcountry views of the mountains! 



Spring has been dicey this year! We had lows last week down into the low 20s! I have had hummers visiting the feeders since April 17th. I hope they can survive these difficult spring temperatures! 



Even daffodils wilted under the severe late spring frost that we got. Daffodils will be fine in the high 20s, but when the temps get down into the low 20s, even they hang their heads down low!






We had a pizza night on Sunday evening. Our son and daughter-in-law had taken a camping trip to visit some of the national parks in Utah and got home Saturday. Homemade pizza is always the best! If you want a great tried-and-true pizza recipe, yeast, sourdough, or keto - you can find it in my cookbook :) 



They picked up a National Park Monopoly game and that is what we played together.  What fun we had reading all the cards, and learning all about the national parks of the United States. 



We enjoyed sugar-free, flourless keto peanut butter cookies as a treat.  This is a new recipe I tried - not in my cookbook :) 
I'll share the simple recipe right here! 


 Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies
1 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup sugar of choice (I used Swerve, but stevia, allulose, erythritol, white cane sugar, brown sugar or honey are also great)
1 egg
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt 
1 tsp vanilla

Cream together peanut butter and sugar. Mix in egg until well mixed.  Stir in baking soda, salt and vanilla. Shape dough into balls, and place on greased cookie sheet, or a silicone mat.  Press down with the tines of a fork. Bake at 350 for 9-10 minutes. Let cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes before removing to cooling rack. Enjoy warm! Can be stored on the countertop for 2-3 days or in the refrigerator for 5 days. 
Note: If you like your cookies sweeter, you can add up to 1 cup of sugar of your choice.  


Seeing this Rufus hummingbird at my feeder yesterday was encouraging. 


Hanging clothes out on a line is an exciting springtime chore that is more like a joy! Nothing makes me happier on laundry day than clothes dried in the sun!

 

Mr. Bandit - always looking for fun new places to sleep!
He likes to be close to me, wherever I am. 





While writing this post today, the delights of Spring were filling my heart and mind, so I wrote this little poem about Spring...



Springtime Births, Buds and Blooms

Springtime delights with new births and blooms

A season of life begins with fresh hope anew!

The garden gate beckons mysteriously; come in! Come in!

My seeking soul soaks in the sun's warm radiance.

 

All earth now welcomes its glorious attire

Buds fill the earth with colors to admire

Green triumphs over the Winter's white subdued

Color transforms the earth, Spring's glorious hue.

 

Baby chicks emerge from their shell-opening toil

While robins browse for nuggets buried deep in the soil

Hummers swarm sugar's solution with thirsty drinks

While dandelions adorn the yard in yellow distinct.

 

Trees awaken from their deep Winter's sleep

Buds bursting forth at Winter's defeat

The north wind blows its defiant chill 

Stormy clouds announce triumphant rainbows still.

 

Winter's chill fades and Spring's charms parade

In a glorious crescendo of a merry brigade

Let us dance in the rain and sing in the sun

Oh yes! Spring has arrived! Spring has come!

 ~ Marilyn Moseley ~



Dear friends - thank you so much for your interest in my cookbook!  



 I am excited to share that if you would like another chance to win one of my cookbooks, my dear friend Cheryl is offering a chance for TWO people to win a copy of my cookbook!  Please visit her site at Homespun Devotions and just leave a comment for your chance to win! Her drawing ends on May 8 so you still have time to enter!  




I hope Spring has come for you today, and that every moment of its beauty brings hope to your heart!  I've created a Scripture video for you to enjoy today of Springtime in Texas! These pictures were taken several years ago when we visited Llano, TX during springtime when the iconic Texas bluebonnets were blooming along the Willow Loop trail. I think you'll also enjoy the music as it comes straight out of scripture, and is easy to listen to. Many blessings to each of you - may you have a blessed week enjoying springtime in your world! 



25 comments

  1. The blossoms you saw in Sandpoint are so bright and pretty. Riley sure looks happy in this picture enjoying the Spring day. I really like your blue and green bird feeder, it's very unique. I've never heard of the National Park Monopoly game. I think the girls would enjoy that, as they went to some of the national parks in California not long ago. It's always a sight to see clothes hanging from a clothes line, and something that we don't often see any more. That pizza looks so delicious. Nothing like homemade pizza for sure. Your poem is delightful, Marilyn, and I am wishing you beautiful May days. It's such a wonderful month.

    ~Sheri

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    Replies
    1. Spring is really shining here, and it makes me want to write poetry to see it all! The hummingbird feeder is also a solar light! I just love it :) I think the National Parks Monopology game is one of our favorites now, really a lot of fun! Many blessings to you dear friend!

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  2. A lovely spring-time post.
    I enjoyed your photographs.

    Sending my good wishes.

    All the best Jan
    https://thelowcarbdiabetic.blogspot.com/

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Jan - I always appreciate your visits!

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  3. Dearest Marilyn,
    Spring has indeed arrived in your living space and births, buds and blooms is a good title.
    This spring meant the end of husband Pieter's life. He went HOME one third of a day later...
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    Replies
    1. Oh my dear precious Mariette, how sad this makes my heart feel, and ache for your grief and loss! A wonderful season to go home to be with the Lord, but so hard for you, the one left behind! I know your love for each other is eternal, and someday you'll see each other again, but I am praying for the difficult days now for you, and for the comfort and peace of the Lord to be your strength!!

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    2. Yes, Marilyn our souls are fused forever and Pieter promised to watch over me till I join him... He was alert till the very end 💞

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  4. Spring is such a joyful time and it's really looking so pretty around you!
    Your cookies look and sound good!
    I agree, clothes dried outside are the best.

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  5. A lovely post of all things springy. It really is an inspirational time of year. Oye! That is ridiculous that someone dumped a mattress way out there. Hope you have a lovely Mother's day weekend!

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  6. Beautiful flowers and mountains! How shameful that people would trash the countryside. :(
    Seeing your clothes hanging on the line reminds me of when I was a girl and helping my grandmother hang clothes.
    Sweet Bandit is so content and happy!
    Beautiful poem, Marilyn! God bless,
    Valentine

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  7. Thank you, Marilyn, for sharing these photos reminding us that spring is the season of hope in our hearts as God brings everything in His world back to life. He loves every one of us and every one of His creatures He has placed here; I'm sure He is smiling over your brooding hen and the hummingbirds that are enduring.
    Your poem, too, said so much about your feeling and thoughtful heart. Thanks for all your prayers for Danny; I did respond to your comment.
    Blessings always!

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  8. So wonderful to visit with you this morning, dear friend! I love your beautiful poem! And I look forward to visiting your latest video. Thank you for mentioning the giveaway at my blog. Lord willing, I will be doing the drawing later today! I'm so excited for the winners! Love you and hope you have a wonderful day walking with Jesus!

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  9. The scenery in your pictures are beautiful! I loved seeing the clothes drying on the line. The pizza looks delicious!

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  10. What a sweet poem you have written. I would lOVE a clothesline but there's no where to put one here in our backyard. My sister who lives in the woods has one and loves it. We used to use one growing up and mom would put our bedsheets on it. How I loved that in the spring!!

    Thank you for the PB recipe. It is similar to a cookie one I have from a vegan/plant based cookbook.

    The baby chicks remind me of my teaching days when i would get a dozen eggs to hatch for my special needs prek students. how they loved the process of seeing them born!

    Do you ever hike in the mountains where you live or do you only use the ATVs?? I personally don't like the ATVs and in fact in most places in our beloved Adirondacks, they are not allowed. (not on the state trails I mean). they're allowed in private properties.

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  11. Love the poem, Marilyn. Great photos too. The cookies look good.

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  12. I can see why Bandit has stolen your heart, what a cutie. I have an acquaintance who has chickens and tells me the most fun stories about them. So yours is really a good mom. Trash! I just am disgusted by litter bugs and worse. They can not see the whole picture of Earth. What a fun Monopoly board for the family! Have warmer days ahead. We are having very very mild Blackberry winter this week. Normally it would come with frost or freeze. Lynn and Precious

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  13. Oh Marilyn, the pictures are so good and each tell their own story. I too love riding the old backroads. We do that occasionally on a Saturday afternoon. I detest trash being thrown out like that. We live in the country but we have a dirt road in front of our house. I have sat on my front porch and watched people stop along the way to throw out huge bags of trash! One time in particular Marty happened to be standing in the front yard. WELL, lets just say that I thought I was going to have to lay hands on Marty and it wasn't too pray! LOL!!! Those cookies look so good! I love peanut butter cookies. I am so excited for you with your new cookbook. Girl, you sure have many talents and gifts. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  14. Oh Marilyn... glad spring is approaching there, though it may seem very slowly! The photos of the flowers in Sandpoint are so heartening! I have seen beautiful shrubs here too and they bring me such joy. I didn't have any of that in Madras! The chicks are darling... glad the mama is taking care of them all.. and little Bandit is so sweet. Both my kitties, when they were kittens, wanted to be right by me and so my computer always had a little blanket for their bed, anytime I was working there. I had to teach them..."No you can't walk across the keyboard"! and they did learn!
    I agree on hanging wash out on the line.. nothing better. I was just thinking today I should get a clothes line, or maybe one of those circular ones like my mom had when I was growing up. It's so satisfying to hang clothing and sheets outside.
    Your cookies look yummy.. you say "sugar free" but I see they have a half cup of sugar? I want to attempt some ones mad with almond flour as I'm trying mostly to eat grain free now. It has helped my gut immensely, but still haven't lost any weight! It's the sugar that gets me.
    We have a glorious sunny warm day here in Astoria. I've been sick, but went outside for a little bit to soak up some sunshine and feel the breeze. I think we're going to have a week of sunshine. Oh joy! Take care and enjoy your family.. pizza night looked so fun!
    Hugs.. Marilyn

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  15. So glad you are enjoying spring and the hummingbirds have returned! I am enjoying watching mine right outside the window that my computer is at. How fun your kids were able to get out and check out some parks, my hubby loves Utah. Neat you were able to play a game with interesting facts :) I may try that recipe, we are trying to go lower carbs too, and that sounds pretty easy :)
    Beautiful poem!

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  16. ah just when we think we can't stand another day of winter, spring slides on in, making her subtle debut. the daffodils, pansies, green buds, birdsong and turkeys wandering through the yard are simply delightful ... and oh the sunshine!!!

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  17. Love the Rufus. Gorgeous to see them at the feeders.
    Thanks so much for participating and sharing at SSPS 309. See you again next week https://esmesalon.com/tag/seniorsalonpitstop/

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  18. Hello, oh how I miss my clothes line. I really need to figure out a new way to get hanging my laundry outside.
    Yes, sadly we have trash in our woods and forest too. And now even in our village, people are leaving larger items behind. Very sad indeed.
    Carla

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  19. Hello, Marilyn. I found your blog through another blogging friend, Lynn and wanted to say I really enjoyed my visit here today! What a beautiful area you live in! I live in East TN at the foothills of the Smokies so much of your area looks like mine! Your cookbook looks amazing and I'm going to check it out on Amazon. I enjoyed my visit and I'll be returning. Have a blessed weekend.

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Your comments are blessings to me, and I appreciate each and every one, they are precious to me! I appreciate you taking the time to comment on my blog... this is what makes blogging worthwhile! Have a blessed day!

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