Dandelions…dear to my daughter’s heart

“The miracles of nature do not seem miracles because they are so common.
 If no one had ever seen a flower, even a dandelion would be the most startling event in the world.”

–Author Unknown

It’s spring and the Dandelions are popping up all over the green grass.

Seeing a bunch of them today reminded me of a time years back when I worked at the local hardware store as a cashier.  It was Springtime and the Lawn and Garden department was very busy selling all the items homeowner’s might need to keep their lawns green and beautiful.  This day in particular many of the customers seemed to be focused on fighting dandelions.  In fact, our supply of dandelion removers was dwindling as the complaints about the “weed” rose higher and higher throughout the day.

I found myself waiting for the work day to end so I could escape this “dandelion frenzy”.  Driving home I recall thinking ” I will be so glad if I never see or hear about a dandelion again !”

Yet, when I got home a surprise awaited me.  My daughter was waiting for me with a big bouquet of dandelions in her little hands.  “Welcome home Mommy!  I picked some beautiful yellow flowers just for you!” she said.

Dandelions !
How quickly I found myself loving these little yellow blooms that I previously hoped to avoid.  As I hugged my daughter and helped her put them into a water filled vase, a new appreciation for dandelions came over me. Though they might be a nuisance to landscapers, they are loved by children and mothers.

My thought today, on “Earth Day” is:
May we all see the world through the eyes of a child.

Let’s take time to see the beauty and wonder of the earth around us.
Let’s pick a bouquet of dandelions for our table and stop to give thanks to their Creator for giving us beauty and color in our world.

Dandelions actually have many good uses.  Check the links below for some interesting facts about them.

http://www.naturewatch.ca/english/plantwatch/dandelion/fun_facts.html

http://mydandelionisaflower.org/did-you-know/

http://www.ehow.com/about_5374101_dandelion-flower.html

http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/dandelion-herb.html

The Tulips are Blooming !

Tulip Field in Hillsboro, OR.

The Tulips are Blooming !

In Portland’s back yard so to speak, off the beaten path, lies a field full of color. The color comes from Tulips.
Pink, Red, Yellow and White Tulips, they almost look like a rainbow on the ground.
Across the street a large Dutch windmill turns slowly. Spring has come to Oregon !As I stopped to take some pictures of the field vibrant with color, I was reminded of something my Dad used to always say: “Take time to smell the flowers” 
Well, today I wasn’t stopping to “smell” I was stopping to “look”.This action meant I was going to be late to my Writer’s Group meeting, but the tulips couldn’t wait, I needed to seize this moment because tulips don’t last long. 
As I took my photos, enjoying the spring air and sunshine, another car stopped and a couple got out to do the same.  Some of the passing cars honked at us or zoomed by too fast, but it didn’t stop us from “taking time to enjoy the view”.  As I got into my car to proceed on to my meeting I was glad I had taken 5 minutes of my time to use in enjoying God’s beautiful creation.  What better way to start the day ,and then to double the pleasure, I am now able to share it with you!  I hope you will take the time to “Stop and View the Tulips” today and be blessed by the wondrous, colorful works of God.

VanderZanden Farms, located on Jackson School Road in Hillsboro between Hwy 26 and Evergreen Road, sell cut and potted tulips, hyacinths, and peonies.  They are open 7 days a week 7am to 6pm from February to June 15th. but you need to visit soon if you want to catch the tulips in bloom because they don’t last long.