Spring in Door County 2023

“Come with me into the woods where spring is advancing, as it does, no matter what, not being singular or particular, but one of the forever gifts, and certainly visible.” ― Mary Oliver,

Muguet de mai

« Un joli brin de muguet pour le bonheur toute l'année! » - Proverbe français

Magnolias

“Have you ever looked at the bud of a magnolia flower? It’s a tight little pod that stays closed up for a long time on the end of its branch until one day, out of nowhere, it finally bursts open into this gigantic, gorgeous, fragrant flower that’s ten times bigger than the bud itself. It’s impossible to imagine that such a big beautiful thing could pop out of that tiny little bud. But it does.” ― Joanna Gaines, The Magnolia Story

When Piper was a puppy and we lived in Okauchee, we had a Royal Star magnolia bush off the deck outside our bedroom window. I often say that I don’t really miss that house, but I do miss our landscaping. The magnolia blossoms only lasted a few days in early spring, but it remains a favorite memory. Piper really liked them too!

Since we moved to Delafield, we have been working hard to update our landscaping. We have a lot of big, old trees that provide a lot of shade. Magnolias love sun and warmth so we didn’t think we’d be able to have one here. Last spring we lost a tree off the deck outside our bedroom window. We took a chance and planted a Morning Star magnolia. We enjoyed its green leaves all summer and its fuzzy little pods all winter. Last week, we were blessed with unseasonably warm weather — temperatures in the 70s and 80s and lots of sunshine. By the end of the week, our magnolia was blooming profusely! Today, it is raining and the petals are falling. Tomorrow, it is going to snow. That’s spring in Wisconsin. At least I have some lovely images to enjoy until our magnolia blooms again next year.

I think Piper still loves magnolias too.

Door County - Spring 2022

"Spring is far more than just a changing of seasons; it's a rebirth of the spirit." — Toni Sorenson

Tiny, perfect forget-me-nots in Peninsula State Park

Like walking in a fairy tale

Pure white trillium (harder to find after Friday afternoon’s storm)

Iconic Door County cherry blossoms at Seaquist Orchards in Sister Bay

Every variety of violet, Wisconsin’s state flower

Elusive lady slipper orchids in Ellison Bay Bluff County Park

Wild strawberry blossoms, wild columbine, white forget-me-nots, yellow bellflowers

Ferns and funghi

“Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, resign yourself to the influence of the earth.” — Thoreau

We had coffee and cocktails and watched beautiful views and sunsets from our porch in Ephraim. We enjoyed beverages and delicious meals at The Inn at Cedar Crossing (walleye sandwich), SBYC, Clover & Zot (tempura artichoke hearts with cilantro chutney and yogurt za’atar), Chives (brunch board, croque monsieur, macarons), Fika (cherry blossom latte and cardamom roll), and Barringers (truffle burger).

My Wildflower Garden 2022

“If all flowers wanted to be roses, nature would lose her springtime beauty and the fields would no longer be decked out with little wildflowers.” — St. Thérèse of Lisieux

Bloodroot

White Trillium

Virginia Bluebells and Brunnera

White Bleeding Hearts, May Apples, Ferns

Violets

Heptica

Springtime at Marquette 2022

“The tulip is the loveliest of all flowers. So whoever despised the tulip offends God immeasurably.” — Alexandre Dumas