This is strange

I had no idea.

For the first time in 23 years, a pair of wild Canadian Geese brought their goslings to our pond.  

Occasionally we have a brave duck bring her brood.  

When geese stretch their necks like this that means that they are ready for a fight.  They don't have any goslings and they are jealous.  

Every now and then one of the adult geese would disappear for a day or 2.  Then, would reappear with two or more goslings. 

Originally we had 7 goslings. 
Now there are twelve. 

I have not known for Geese, or any other bird, hatch their young in spurts.
Females usually stay on their nests until all have hatched.  

My lilacs are beautiful this year.  
They survived a late frost. 

Amaryllis brought in from my greenhouse.
They used to bloom just before Christmas. 

Since last October I have painted nonstop.  Murals and tiles for new and remodeled kitchens.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend on this very special holiday. 

Gina 

It's not like me

Seldom do I want to go back to places I have been,

no matter how interesting or how beautiful. 

It's because I always want to know what is just around the corner. 

But there is a very special place, hidden in a valley, in the Tuscan countryside, that keeps calling us from year to year.  

It's Relais Sant Elena in Bibbona, Italy. 

Only a few miles south of Livorno and only a few minutes from the Tyrrhinian Sea. 

This beautiful and bountiful breakfast is served every single morning.

Not just one table but several, laden with delicacies.

Everything is super fresh and wholesome.  

I called.  Our suite is available.  

See you there.

Until then, wishing you a great weekend,

Gina

Favorite Tablescapes

A few Tablescapes remembered.

Pictures tell all. 

Thank you for stopping by dear friends.  


Gina 

All it takes is a few tiles

And a bit of strong glue

Glue tiles onto board, add plastic feet to board.

Four small tiles hold several sticky preserve jars.

So easy to keep clean.

Not just for Jams and Jellies.
Also great for condiments.
And many more uses.


Have a great weekend my dear Blogging Friends.

Gina

https://betweennapsontheporch.net/

The Galax Leaf

The most versatile, the most wonderful, the Galax Leaf.

Bouquets of flowers are so much prettier when the rim of the vase is cushioned by a few leaves.  The Galax leaf does it most beautifully.

It only takes 2 Galax Leaves and a single flower to fashion a perfect Boutonniere.

Galax leaves come in bunches of 25 to 30 leaves.  They last in the refrigerator, without water, for months and are ready to use when you are.

They make the perfect Tussie Mussie, a lovely gift.

Galax Leaves grow in Forests of the Eastern United States

Galax grow mainly in the Appalachian Mountains. There have been concerns over the excessive harvesting of galax leaves.  Commercial production, galax propagation and container culture is being explored. 

Galax are an evergreen, herbaceous perennial plant of the genus Diapensiaceae.  Your florist will order them for you...they are very handy to have around.

Have a wonderful and successful week my dear

Blogging Friends.

Gina

Sky shots

Aiming without looking. 

The're called "Sky Shots".

I'm surprised how many photos actually turned out. 

You have to crawl under these Hellebore to see their faces. 

I can't crawl under them to take a photo. 

My ducks and geese have already been there.  

Amazing how my Hellebore have evolved. 

From one original color to many, many colors.

Hellebore are a most rewarding flower.
 They bloom early, through ice and snow. 

Wishing you a great week ahead, 

Gina