Happy Sunday!
Here in the D.C. area, one of the things we always look forward to are the cherry blossoms. Downtown, of course, are where the magical displays of blossoms take place, but you’ll also find cherry trees here, there, and everywhere in the surrounding area. Unfortunately, this year the poor trees started blooming in early March (a tad earlier than usual) and then we got a freak snow and ice storm. As you can probably imagine, that did not help out the poor blossoms at all. So this year, instead of getting to see the majesty of those delicate petals in full bloom surrounding the monuments, I’ve had to settle for pictures from previous years.
Now we’ve hit the time when all the maple trees are leafing. Guess what tree I’m most allergic to? (If you said maple, you win the prize. I’m not sure what the prize is, but I have a lot of tissues handy, so it might just be a box of those. :) ) I’m usually miserable for about two weeks until all their poison–I mean pollen–has abated. This year, it looks like my youngest son has developed an allergy as well. Poor kid’s eyes look like he’s been in a fight (they’re all puffy with big, red rings — it’s pathetic.)
But you know what? I still love spring. Even with the inherent suffering that blooming things bring, spring is a reminder that God makes all things new in His time. And that is something worth smiling about!
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Last Week
Monday, Elizabeth Maddrey brought us a guest post from Shannon Vannatter
Tuesday, Janet Ferguson celebrated her book’s birthday with a freebie
Wednesday, Marion Ueckermann talked about her busy week (and 15 free novels!)
Thursday, Lindi Peterson talked about Book Clubs and Such
Friday, Jackie Castle told us she’s Just a Girl on a Journey
Saturday, Jill Weatherholt welcomed Ruth Logan Herne
Next Week
Monday – Lee Tobin McClain
Tuesday – Valerie Comer
Wednesday – Narelle Atkins
Thursday – Jolene Navarro
Friday – Krista Phillips
Saturday – Staci Stallings
NEW RELEASES
April 2017
Designing Love (Sunriver Dreams 3) by Kimberly Rose Johnson
Nowhere for Christmas by Heather Gray
Secrets of the Heart (Romance from the Heart 1) (Arcadia Valley Romance 4) by Lee Tobin McClain
Sweet Love of Mine (Magnolias and Moonshine 5) by Lindi Peterson
May 2017
Sprouts of Love (Garden Grown Romance 1) (Arcadia Valley Romance 5) by Valerie Comer
Someone to Trust (Life Unexpected 2) by Melanie D Snitker
Dance with Me by Staci Stallings
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Elizabeth Maddrey is a semi-reformed computer geek and homeschooling mother of two who lives in the suburbs of Washington D.C. When she isn’t writing, Elizabeth is a voracious consumer of books. She loves to write about Christians who struggle through their lives, dealing with sin and receiving God’s grace on their way to their own romantic happily ever after.
Hi Elizabeth, I can empathise- I am allergic to wattle, so spring is not much fun allergy wise, even though they are lovely flowers! Cherry blossoms are beautiful aren’t they? Have you head Nicole Nordeman’s song “Every Season”?
Blessings:)
Growing up outside of the DC area, I always looked for to the cherry blossoms. When they’re in full bloom, it’s magical. Enjoy your Sunday, Elizabeth.
I’m sorry for the absence of Cherry blossoms now in your area. It helps remind us to count our blessings for what we do have. I wonder if you know the history of Wahington D.C.’s Cherry trees? It’d be interesting to find out how they got there.
Hello Elizabeth! Because of our mild winter, above average temperatures, and lots of rain; Michigan is in full bloom with daffodils, tulips, lilac, tulip trees, red bud, dogwood. We are a fruit producing state, so our cherry trees are blooming. All a little early this year due to the warm weather. First weekend in May our are has its Blossom Festival and Mother’s Day weekend Holland, Mi has it Tulip Festival. My sinuses are not fond of maple tree, which are budding. The Midwest is showing God’s handiwork and coming to life through shades of green and color. Definitely a wonderful time of year. Enjoy your Sunday and Happy Writing.
Oh that’s a lovely song. And a good thing to focus on as we sniffle through spring :)
It really is magical. You have a good Sunday too!
Most of the trees were a gift from the mayor of Tokyo City in 1912. The annual cherry blossom festival is set up to commemorate that gift and show our continued appreciation for them.
Ohhh…That sounds lovely. From what I understand, our cherry trees were blooming early because of the warm winter and that’s why the chance freeze killed them.
We often try to make it out to the mountains for the Apple blossom festival, which I think is early May. Those are lovely as well.
Cherry trees are yet to bloom here, and I imagine they’ll be LATE this year due to our long, snowy winter! We’re a fruit-growing area as well, and our town celebrates a Blossom Festival the third weekend in May. This year the joke is that we may actually still have blossoms during Blossom Festival…
Yay for blossoms during the festival! Our cherry trees here are all ornamental. So we get the blossoms but no fruit.
I’m at a women’s retreat this weekend, and there’s a huge lawn. This year it is covered with little white daisies!
Thanx, I didn’t know they came from Japan.
Hope your allergies clear up soon! I am sooo thankful the pollens (in GA) have NOT bothered me this year…..I must walk cause recuping from back surgery!
Saw DC area years ago when cherry blossoms were so beautiful!
Oh how pretty! That sounds delightful.
Thanks! We had some great rain this week that definitely helped. Hope your recovery is speedy!
Here in Ohio trees started leafing out and flowers started blooming earlier than usual due to above average temps. We did have some cold weather after that but fortunately we didn’t have a late season snow storm and most of the flowers seem to have survived the cold snap. Hope you get some relief from your allergies soon.
Thanks, Jessica! The rain this weekend has really helped :)
Here on the Oregon coast it’s been rain, rain and nothing but rain! Usually by this time of year, we start to dry out a bit and get a bit warmer. Not sure what the weather is doing, all I do know is I’m sure ready for dryer skies, at least! :-)
Sorry to hear about your allergies and now your son is too….no fun! :-( I hope this phase passes soon and you can once again enjoy the nice season.
Looking forward to this weeks posts!