New Life

I have a neighbor who also has a butterfly garden.  Several days ago one of their caterpillars formed its chrysalis and she and her girls cut the little branch off, stuck it in a pot of dirt, and brought it indoors to watch it.  She called me this weekend and said their butterfly had emerged!  It is an Eastern Black Swallowtail.  You can see the chrysalis still on the branch.

They opened the window and set the pot out on the window ledge in the sun so that it's wings could dry. 

After a little while, they carried the pot down to my butterfly garden where I have some nectar plants. 

It didn't take long and the butterfly fluttered away...

Birthday Blooms

My garden greeted me with birthday blooms this morning -- everywhere I turned it seemed like their little heads and faces were turned towards me and were extra vibrant and strong -- I hope to absorb that feeling for my new year!

The day has barely started and I have already received so many birthday wishes -- thank you!  I feel so loved, and so uplifted -- I am a very lucky girl -- and am living a fabulous life.  I am grateful.