Leaves of Red

FROM APRIL 1, 2012

When you think of red leaves, the first thing that probably comes to mind is Fall foliage. But today, I'd like to share some pictures I captured of our Japanese Maple tree, which is at its most beautiful this time of year.

Yesterday we had lunch on our patio in the courtyard, and the sun was highlighting the brilliant red tips of the tree, as if a spotlight was shining down on it from Heaven.

I couldn't resist a photo opportunity, and didn't want to miss capturing the tree in all its glory, with the tips of its brilliant red branches bathed in the sunlight.

You've probably heard the expression about someone "not being the brightest bulb on the string." Well, this leaf was definitely the brightest leaf on the tree. Isn't it spectacular!

The leaves against the April blue sky were breathtakingly beautiful. You can click on the pictures to get a closer look at the "veins" of the leaves.

The fruit of the Japanese Maple is exquisite. It reminds me of a delicate tropical flower ...

Spring is Bustin' Out All Over!

All those days of waiting and watching and counting the days until Spring seem to be behind us ... as Spring has finally made its presence known here in Vicksburg.  I saw my first butterfly yesterday, and a wriggly worm greeted me when I was digging a hole while planting some flowers. After taking its dear time, Spring seems to have arrived overnight ... slipping up on us, with buds popping out of nowhere, unfolding like flowers in a time-lapse photography scene.  Everywhere I look in our yard, I see new life. In the trees ... And flowers ... Even the honey bees and bumblebees seem excited!  It won't be long before these little Midnight Elephant Ears ...  Will look like this ... And the tiny leaves on this Lantana plant ... Will turn into a profusion of yellow blooms ... In the backyard, I was happy to see two little green Mexican Petunia leaves poking up through the pine straw ... Soon they will look like this ... I also found mint creeping in and amongst the stones on our path leading to the backyard ... I'll have to be sure and keep it under control or it will take over the path! Little green tentacles of my Asparagus Ferns are waking up and reaching for the sun ... And this Umbrella Plant will soon take over its corner of the pond ... I love these little leaf sprouts on our Chaste Plant.                                 It won't be long until they look like this ... The leaves on the Japanese Maple tree in our courtyard are almost ready to transform it into a blaze of color.  Soon ...  And in the meantime, while all of these awesome transformations are happening, our heron, Harry, will be tending this urn of purple Petunias.  I can tell by the look on his face that he, too, is very happy that Spring is finally here.  Here are some close up shots of those petunias that I captured when the late afternoon sun was filtering through the petals. I hope Spring is bustin' out all over where you live, and you can take time to see God's glory up close and treasure each and every "how great Thou art" moment while watching His beautiful world unfold with new life.

The Beauty Around Us

The Japanese Maple tree in our courtyard is at its most beautiful in the Fall, and I don't think I've ever seen it as beautiful as it is this year.       I kept looking out the window at it and, finally, couldn't stand it any longer ... I just had to take some pictures of it in all its crimson glory. Some of the leaves were outlined in white where the 20-degree temperatures we had last week had "burned" them. Others looked as if someone had touched just their tips with white paint ... But the leaves in the center of the tree that were protected from the cold were brilliant crimson. The leaves won't last long now that colder temperatures are here.  They'll soon be falling, but I'm glad I have these pictures to remind us that God's glory is all around us ... even in our own yards.   I hope this has inspired you to take a walk around your yard to see the beauty waiting for you there.   I promise you won't have far to walk.