This past week was very busy. It was school vacation week, so we we rolled up our sleeves to start on yard work. Spring arrives late in New England. Of course we had a delightful day driving to a lovely old town in New Hampshire, and I had a wonderful day at the Eric Carle Museum (blog post coming). I finally stopped to look around. Finally. Mother nature gives us art every day. Some of that art is short lived.
These beauties won’t be here long. Thank goodness I stopped to look and smell the roses. Life is short. Look around and see the beauty.
Jennie
About Jennie
I have been teaching preschool for over thirty-five years. This is my passion. I believe that children have a voice, and that is the catalyst to enhance or even change the learning experience. Emergent curriculum opens young minds. It's the little things that happen in the classroom that are most important and exciting. That's what I write about.
I was a live guest on the Kelly Clarkson Show. I am highlighted in the seventh edition of Jim Trelease's million-copy bestselling book, "The Read-Aloud Handbook" because of my reading to children. My class has designed quilts that hang as permanent displays at the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia, the Fisher House at the Boston VA Hospital, and the Massachusetts State House in Boston.
A Teacher's Reflections 
I love seeing these photos, Jennie. They are only here for a bit, and I never get tired of seeing them. I hope your back feels well enough to pick up those kids when you go back to school.
I’m so glad I finally stopped to look at these beauties. They really are short lived, and I love them every year. My back is much better, no stopping me picking up children tomorrow to hug them. 🙂
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you are so right. here and gone in an instant.
The most beautiful seem to be short lived, like sunsets.
yes, absolutely
You are so right about spring flowers’ being here for such a short time and the need to appreciate them while they’re here. (Your edging looks really good!)
Exactly! We do all the work, except for the edging. It is worth it!
Ah, Jennie, you are making me nostalgic. Back in the day when I could garden, I had over 100 rose bushes planted all around and I loved to just stand by a bush and soak in the fragrance.
Nostalgia is a good thing, especially when it involves 100 rose bushes! Thank you for telling me about enjoying your roses, Don.
A very good idea, Jennie.
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How marvelous to have the time to work in the yard and enjoy its beauty. I hope you had a restful and relaxing break. I saw your Eric Carle photo on Facebook. I’ve never been, but I instantly recognized The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
It was terrific to spend time working outside. You would love the museum, Pete. It was fun taking that photo. Blog post this week.
So pretty!
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I don’t cultivate much in our garden. Instead, I spend time out with Ollie every day, admiring what nature has to offer with no need of human intervention. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
I think that is wonderful! Best to you, Pete.
Good advice!
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Amen to that, Jennie!! 💗
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Such beauty puts a smile on my face! Thank you for sharing.
You are welcome, Pam. I’m glad this made you smile!
Beautiful colors– and your bushes are so well trimmed. Inspiring
Thank you, Ally. We bought this house 20 year ago with well established bushes, trees, and a garden. It has been years of preserving the old, adding new, and adapting to Mother Nature. The bushes have remained strong and blooming. I think the short life of the blooms makes us stand up and take notice, as nothing is for granted.
I hadn’t thought about Eric Carle. It would be a great day trip along with Atkins Market. Thanks.
It is my favorite day trip. I go at least three times a year. I hit Atkins Market after every trip! The museum always has three major exhibits, plus their bookshop is the best I have ever found (I am picky!) I’m glad I put the idea in your head.
I remember how wonderful their library is.
THE best, and also their bookshop. I just found a new book there this past weekend (which B&N would never have), read it to the class today, and it has moved to the top of my list. That always happens with their books. I’m writing a post about my visit, and I’ll be including this book.
Their library displays new books right when you walk in. Oh, there is always a goldmine.
I look forward to it.
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What a lovely garden. You are right, the blossoms don’t last long. There were magnolia trees in Vancouver and I would pass them on my way to work in the spring, one day they would be in full amazing blossom and two days later the blossoms were gone. The next year I brought my camera and stopped to take a picture.
Magnolia trees in Vancouver? Lucky you.
Those trees only survive in the south. I grew up with those trees and dearly miss them here in New England. The beautiful blossom fragrance is strong, and the thick glossy leaves make the best Christmas decorations. Thank goodness we stop to marvel at the beauty that is right in front of us. Best to you, Darlene.
I know, I couldn’t believe it the first year I lived there and saw them. I had never seen a magnolia tree before but Vancouver has mild weather. xo
Wonderful!
Beautiful reminder! Thanks Jennie
Thank you, Ren.
Ah, the wonder of it all… 💞
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Beautiful. And wise words. ❤
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Forsythia and daffodils never last long enough. (Don’t know the purple flower, but it’s probably the same.)
As a side note to the post, I’ve noticed that if you want roses that actually smell, you really have to grow your own. I don’t know if this came about because florists were breeding varieties that lasted longer, or if it’s the time spent in a refrigerator, but I can’t find roses from a florist that have a real aroma, and I’ve tried hard because sometimes seriously ill people can only lay in bed and maybe smell the flowers.
But if I want roses that smell, they need to come from my garden.
Just a curious little factoid. I thought I’d pass it along, and now you can puzzle over it, too. : )
Hi Cathleen. Yes, if you want roses that truly smell, grow your own. The forsythia and daffodils have no smell. The purple flowers are azalea, and they don’t really have a smell. Gee, maybe the non-smell plants put all their energy into a burst of blooms. Because roses have a long lasting smell, that idiom of stopping to smell the roses and taking time to reflect seems perfect.
It is amazing what you are able to see once you stop and smell the roses, we are so quick to just live fast and not always take the time to appreciate the beauty in nature around us! I catch myself periodically needing to bring myself back to reality and appreciate the little things more often! Beautiful post, thank you for sharing!💕
Thank you.
I don’t own a garden at the moment but this posts makes me want to start planting beautiful roses so I can admire them everyday! Thank you! ❤️💐
Thank you.
Beautiful colours! I always make sure I am physically stopping in my tracks to appreciate the present moment… it’s important! I never want to be remembered as someone who never saw and appreciated the beauty around us!
Good for you, Jen. I was not good at doing this when our children were little. You have a head start on being remembered as someone who saw and appreciated the beauty that was right there. 🙂
Indeed Jennie.. We need to pause and smell the roses… And make the most of every moment of every day ❤ Loved your post ❤
Lovely flowers, Jennie.
Thank you, Robbie. Do you have azaleas and forsythia in South Africa?
Hi Jennie, yes, we have azaleas in our garden. they don’t last long, but they are pretty while they are in bloom.
They are, and I’m glad you have them to enjoy.
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Thank you, Michael!
What a wonderful impression! Thanks for sharing Jennie! The warmth is back, and soon we all are also blooming. 😉 xx Michael
Isn’t it a great feeling when we’re all blooming!