Spring’s Reflections

The Earth tilts on her axis

Temperatures rise

Ice thaws on frozen lake

And as the sun sinks on the horizon

the sky expands

as melting waters mirror

spring’s reflections

~

© Julie Rehnelt 2024

Oh, how I’ve missed being able to see reflections on water. Minnesota is the ‘Land of 10,000 Lakes’, all of which, have been frozen and iced over for the past few months, and many still are. I’m one of those rare ones who actually likes the winter, but ya know what I like more? The changing of the seasons. There’s something deep within me that stirs and seems to come alive. Some internal clock or calendar of sorts maybe, that senses a shift. Springtime is especially appreciated because so many other aspects and parts of nature come back to life during this time. It renews and refreshes the soul. Just hearing the birds singing again makes me breathe a little deeper and sigh…

Nothing like the changing of the seasons to inspire a bit of creativity and the motivation to write. It’s been ages since I’ve written any poetry. Though, it’s always within me, it’s just not written out in words. And even though what came out today isn’t anything exceptional or especially ‘share worthy’, I’ve decided that I want to put it out into the world anyways. You never know how what you have to share might help lighten another in some way. There’s SO much out in the world to the contrary – most things of which I can’t do anything about. But I can do this. I can share from my heart, words and feelings, expressing my appreciation for the beauty of nature.

The above photo was taken on a walk at my favorite local lake/park last evening as I paused to enjoy the reflections, all the while being serenaded by the sound of trumpeting geese who were clearly pleased at finding open waters.

I hope whomever may come across this, in whatever season it may be where you are, feels just a little lighter afterwards. I’m sending out love to you all…

✿~Peace & Love~✿

Mandala Monday ~ Since We Last Spoke

Why helloooo!

Hi there, my dear WordPress friends! 💕

It’s been such a long time! I hope this finds you all doing and being well! I’ve had many of you on my mind off and on throughout this time I’ve been away, and have thought of posting something on numerous occasions, but frankly, I just didn’t have it in me. There’s many reasons for my absence, none of which I’ll go into right now, but today I thought what better time to pop in to say hello than on a Mandala Monday?!

I must confess, I haven’t created a whole lot of mandalas since we last spoke. I haven’t had the time nor the inspiration for as much creativity, but there’s been moments. Blessed moments, where I haven’t been on survival mode and have been able to settle into the stillness and create…

From my birthday last summer…

On top of a tambourine! A gift I received on said birthday…

Playing with sidewalk chalk.

Some keychains I painted for gifts recently. I can’t remember the last time I painted!

More sidewalk chalk shenanigans…

A work in progress from this past summer solstice. I was trying something different. Don’t look too closely at it, it’s sorta crooked oops! 🙃 I plan to paint the bottom half in greens to represent grass. We’ll see how it turns out. 🤷‍♀️

And these aren’t mandalas. But they are circular. Little dandeLIONS I made with my sweet grandchildren…

They’ve grown so much! My granddaughter is 6 and my grandson is 3. They are such a joy and blessing, I can barely contain the immense love I have for them! 💕

And this isn’t a mandala either, but I have to throw this into this post as well. I’ve recently taken on a few Swallowtail caterpillars to foster and I’m very much looking forward to it! I’ve fostered Monarchs several times in years past, but never Swallowtails. Hopefully I’ll have the chance to share some of the process with you.

Well, I better go get ready for work. I hope to drop by some of your blogs soon!

Sending you all good vibes!

✿~Peace & Love~✿

Mandala Monday ~ Strawberries

Sometimes I like to play with my food 🙃

I’ve really been enjoying my little patio container of strawberries this year. It’s such a lovely, delightful little pot, and I’m getting so many berries on it – more than ever before!  It’s an ever-bearing variety, so it’s been non-stop since spring.

Tiny, but tasty! 🍓

And the bright, hot pink blooms are so beautiful..

This is from earlier this spring…

And this is from this morning…

I’ve got to keep an eye out for the pesky squirrels who like to snatch them just as they’re ripening. Those theiving little beasties!

I also have a little strawberry plant that my granddaughter and I started from seed back in March of 2020 when she had her last sleepover just before the big C burst onto the scene here in the US.  It too has been getting tiny berries on it…

I arranged this on my potting bench the other day using some of the berries from that plant while thinking of my sweet granddaughter…

She’s getting so big…

And so is my grandson…

Gosh, how time flies… we’ve really got to cherish each moment, don’t we. 💕

 

May your Monday be filled with sweet moments…

 

✿~Peace & Love~✿

Mandala Monday ~ It’s Been a While

Life is a wheel

constantly turning

ever-changing

staying the same

 

Around and around

right side up

upside down

perspectives in flux 

 

But the Center never moves

 and for that I am truly grateful

 

 

© Julie Rehnelt 2021

Hi friends, it’s been a while! I hope this finds all of you well and that you have beauty and joy and love in your lives!

Things have been extremely challenging for me recently, but in this moment I am ok, filled with gratitude. 🙏

I haven’t been feeling as creative as I usually am, but I have made a few nature mandalas since I was here last and thought I’d share them with you.

My garden is a bit lacking this year, so I haven’t had as much to work with, but I’m sincerely appreciating and enjoying what I do have.  I just harvested some yellow beans from my veggie garden and they were actually what sparked the inspiration for the mandala above. Here it is with the beans…

😁

And here is a mandala I made a couple weeks ago…

And a few others…

I also made a little mini wreath one day just for kicks…

I used peppermint for the base and it was very fragrant!  I’m so grateful for my sense of smell.  And for all my senses.

Well, I guess that’s all for now. I gotta go get ready for work.  Thanks so much for letting me share!  I hope this brightens your day in some small way! 🌼 May it be happy and blessed, and may the wheel of life spin you in beautiful directions today!

 

 

✿~Peace & Love~✿

Welcome Spring

Serene pools created as the warming sun transformed winter snows, reflect the barren landscape of early spring, clothed in amber and gold, soon to join the fresh, lush hues of the evergreens

As these overflowing reservoirs spill out, carrying their replenishing waters to share with all living things along its journey across the land, streams of abundance flow, with laughter, singing a joyful song

 

Welcome Spring!

 

© Julie Rehnelt 2021

Happy Spring to those of you here with me in the Northern hemisphere! Of course, the date on the calendar doesn’t necessarily always match whatever the weather is doing wherever one may be.  Here in my area of Minnesota, we are having some beautiful weather at the moment – although that can change dramatically on any given day.

The above photo was taken on a lovely walk I went on the other day on a trail along Nine Mile Creek. It’s so hard to capture the full beauty of a place or a moment. One thing you probably can’t get the full effect of from the photo I snapped is the ‘serene pools’ I mention at the top of the poem. In the upper middle part of the photo you can just barely see it, but the calm waters so beautifully reflected the landscape there.  It was the stream I was mostly trying to capture though, but the whole scene was so lovely.  And the sound… gosh, it’s wonderful to hear flowing waters again after the long winter…

Hope you have beautiful sights and sounds to enjoy wherever you are on this first day of Spring! I’m off to take full advantage of our nice weather! Many blessings to you, my friends!

 

 

 

✿~Peace & Love~✿

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

 

✿~Peace & Love~✿

Mandala Monday ~ Welcome March

I thought I’d share another diamond painting I did. I love the open flower burst look and the colors of this one.

I also love when the first of a month falls on a Monday.  I think because it feels like even more of a new beginning or something?  🙃

 

Wishing you a bright and happy Monday and March 1st!  May beautiful things come your way!

 

 

 

✿~Peace & Love~✿

Winter Romance

Fresh white snow

bright blue skies

a walk in the woods

your hand in mine

 

My desire set aglow

by the twinkle in your eyes

catching my breath

my heart sighs

 

at the touch of winter romance 

 

© Julie Rehnelt 2021

 

 

✿~Peace & Love~✿

 

Full Moon Friday

There was a perfectly lovely moonrise last night!  So stunning that I had to stop in my tracks to gaze up at it for a while, breathing in its beauty.  Ah dusk and dawn.  Sigh…

I took out my phone to try and capture it, but as usual, I was not able to. I did manage this shot, which although it still falls quite short, it does capture some of the feels. I admit I used a filter to enhance it a bit, but only because this was more what it actually looked like to me. The colors gave me a serious case of heart eyes! 😍  I love the moon so much!

 

Wishing you a wonderful day and beauty that gives you heart eyes!

 

 

✿~Peace & Love~✿

Mandala Monday ~ More Diamond Painting

Another diamond painting I did.  I’m a huge fan! I love the blue and the design. I really wish the sparkles could be captured.

Guys, this could easily become a new addiction. Oh well… there are worse things. 🤷‍♀️😉

I hope you’re all keeping well.  Despite the recent snow (and March typically being our snowiest month) here, I sense spring approaching.  I’m hearing more and more little birds twittering outside.  Such a delightful and welcome sound! 💕

 

Happy Mandala Monday! Wishing you things that bring you joy today!

Tweet! 🐦

 

 

✿~Peace & Love~✿