gardenia

I have a gardenia bush in a pot on my deck and it is in full bloom. It smells heavenly and it has attracted a beautiful butterfly. The butterfly was so overcome by the fragrance that it didn't even notice me as I was snapping photos. (At least that's what I am making up about its lack of attention to me.)

Crazy Button Quilt by Pam Kellogg

Pam Kellogg of Kitty and Me Designs has made a lovely video of her crazy button quilt, complete with beautiful music. It's about 3 minutes long, and packed with the kind of eye candy that crazy quilters love. Pam has put together some of her wonderful stitching in an e-book, Elegant Crazy Quilt Seam Treatments.

the least among us

Okay, sorry, I've gone all political on you. I just needed to get this stuff off my chest. I have a surprise for tomorrow! Some cute little gift tags that are fun to make from fabric, but that's all I am saying for now.

does it seem hot in here to you?

Sen. James Inhofe doesn't "believe in" climate change, despite the assurances of the world's scientific community that it is real. I don't know if he doesn't believe in it in the sense of he has no faith in it, or if he does not believe the scientific evidence.

It's kind of amazing, isn't it?

madrecita

I found this prayer in a photo, and I don't know where it came from.

In English, it says

"Little Mother,

Woman of corn, of the earth, of the moon

Thank you for the children,
Thank you for life,
Thank you for light

Thank you, thank you for everything"

Isn't that beautiful? What do you have to be thankful for today?

updated bird and bride

I made a few changes and I like the image much better.

japanese musicians

These lovely Japanese musicians are on a journey, carrying their belongings in bundles. After playing for a wedding in a nearby village they are making their way home. They have stopped at the edge of a stand of bamboo to rest and have tea. While waiting for the tea, they are playing for their own entertainment. No harm will come to them in the peaceful countryside.

Their names, from left to right, are Jin, which means gentleness; Chizu, a thousand storks; and Sen, wood fairy. Their lives are devoted to their music and simple pleasures.

What is Jin thinking about?

bird and bride

She seems to be looking toward the bird, but her eyes are closed. Perhaps she is imagining the bird, hoping that it has some wisdom to share.

The brightly colored bird is wearing a crown, indicating that it is special in some way. Why has it come to her on her wedding day?