No Other Name

Come; take a stroll with me on this beautiful early-summer morn, and I'll share a little tale with you.

Now cast your eyes upon this lovely profusion of pink and white prettiness. 

This was the inspiration for christening my little cottage the Brambleberry Cottage.

After years of diligently searching for the perfect farmstead, we were blessed to find this lovely, sweet cottage tucked among the rolling hills of a national forest. 

I knew right away that she must have a very special name, for it had taken so very long to find her. 

But the perfect one to equal her beauty seemed quite elusive for awhile.

I pondered quite a few names, over the first few months after moving here.  But none seemed befitting. 

Then, one morning, as I strolled along the edge of the woods of the farm, I noticed that the lovely blossoms had given way to something just as delightful.

The huge brambles behind the old barn...

and all along the entrance to the woods were now weighted with a beautiful bounty of berries.

Over the course of the next several weeks, I was utterly amazed at the colorful transformation that was taking place.

Berries—once pale green—now blushed a sweet shade of pink, with an occasional black one thrown in the mix.

Fields that once boasted precious pink and white blossoms were now bursting forth with bright pink berries.

And in a very short time, the pink turned to crimson.

It was fascinating to observe the brambles of blackberries—visible as far as the eye could see—totally enveloping the cottage.

At last, the name for this little slice of heaven had revealed itself.

She would be called the Brambleberry Cottage.

For no other name could possibly taste sound so sweet!   ; )

Sharing this bounty over at Beverly's for Pink Saturday, Tootsie's for Flaunt Your Flowers, Fertilizer Friday and Susan's for Metamorphosis Monday.

Simple Country Pleasures

Aah...the country life. I love everything about it. 

Around our quaint little farmstead, every season serves up its own special delights.

Like the divinely fragrant plum trees scattered near the edge of our forest...

and beside the log barn...

and now—much to my pleasure—in front of the silo, as well.

Whether viewed against the backdrop of the heavenly Carolina blue sky, or the other bucolic settings pictured above, they bring such simple joy.

Not only in their natural environment...

but, as one of the many simple country pleasures inside my charming cottage farmhouse, also.

Heralds of Spring

Each year, I anxiously anticipate the arrival of spring.

As the first slender green blades of my daffodils stretch gleefully through the thick blanket of the remnants of winter, my anticipation mounts.

Though the little guardian of my cottage garden fondly dreams of warmer days, he seems totally unaware of the process of the rebirth that has begun just below him.

With every passing day, I observe more of the lovely spires emerging all around the cottage, breaking forth from the once dormant earth, reaching adoringly toward the warmth of the sun.

Then, quite unexpectedly, the first spear-shaped buds appear.

Almost without warning, a solitary bloom explodes into vibrant color.

Soon, that solitary messenger is followed by an entire host of newcomers…

who dance merrily along the edge of the pump house…

and wave a cheerful greeting all along our oak allée.

In unison, they bow and curtsey to visitors who wander on to the old wooden path leading to the front porch…

all the while, heralding the wonderful news that spring is at the door. 

Indeed, a most welcomed guest!

Let's spread a little of this sunshine around Susan's @