Mandala Monday – Apples

I’ve been craving all things apple lately, but haven’t had the chance to get to the orchard yet this fall due to the wet, rainy (and then snowy) weather we’ve been having here.  So I caved in the other day and went the boring route and bought some apples at a local store.  I’m feeling like some fresh baked apple crisp is in my near future…

I’ve also been feeling like creating a mandala with apples, so after the snow melted yesterday, I went out and did just that…

This one sort of reminds me of a wreath.

My sister was with me while I was making it, as she had driven down for the day.  I hadn’t really been ‘planning’ on making a mandala, but she helped me prune a few branches on the crab apple tree out on my boulevard that were hanging on the power lines attached to my house, and when I had noticed them earlier in the week I had had an idea for possibly using them in a mandala and I wanted to use the sprigs while they were ‘fresh’.  Thankfully we didn’t get electrocuted while we were at it.  😉 ⚡

We laughed a lot yesterday and it felt really wonderful.  She watched me as my mandala took form and felt my ‘glee’ (as she put it) when I discovered a few browning pieces of Cedar on my shrub, as they were just what I needed to brighten and provide a little contrast.  It was fun to have her out in the garden with me while I was making it.  We always have fun together.  My seester. ❤

So this one has joy mixed in it, along with some delicious little apples. Thanks for letting share!

 

 

Wishing you a joyful, delicious day!

 

 

✿~Peace & Love~✿

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Silent Sunday

 

 

 

✿~Peace & Love~✿

Fall Foliage Friday

It’s happening!

Everywhere I look… heart eyes! 😍

 

 

Wishing you beauty and joy today…

 

✿~Peace & Love~✿

Mandala Monday – Maple Leaves

The Maple trees are starting to turn here in the city!  I love all trees in the autumn (heck, I love all trees all the time), but the Maples especially capture my heart with their bright, vibrant colors.  🍁

I was out running errands the other day and came upon a stunning Maple tree.  It literally called out to me from across the road!  I love when nature interrupts the mundane with its beauty.  Half of its leaves were on the ground and the other half were still on the branches (that’s the best autumn tree viewing scenario, in my opinion), and I had to pull the car over and get out to bask in its beauty for a while.

It was drizzling and a bit nippy out (it’s been doing that a lot lately), but that only added to the autumny feel.  I must admit though, I’d really appreciate some sunny days to enjoy the autumn colors too, hopefully we get some soon.

I also collected a few of the leaves that were on the ground, so I could create a mandala with them…

I LOVE how this one turned out and really wish there was a way I could preserve it somehow.  But it’s its impermanence that adds to the appreciation of its beauty.  At lease I can take pictures.  😉

Here are a few I snapped during the process…

I can’t even describe how satisfying it is adding each layer and the little touches.  The process of creating a mandala truly is a satisfying journey.

 

And my little family joined in this time.  Once I finished mine (I prefer to be alone while I’m making them), my daughter and granddaughter came out to the garden and joined in.  Here is my (nearly 9 months pregnant) daughter working on hers…

She used mostly elements taken from my garden, along with a few autumn leaves.  Here’s her finished mandala…

And here’s my granddaughter working on hers…

And her “finished” mandala…

Her acorns though haha!  She’s such a dear heart! 💕

 

I just keep getting more and more ideas coming to mind for making these nature mandalas.  I wish I could fully convey how wonderfully rewarding and meaningful it is to create these.  Hopefully one day I’ll get back to painting them again too.

 

Wishing you a day of meaning and beauty…

 

 

 

✿~Peace & Love~✿

Welcome October!

Welcome October

my eyes look forward to drinking in the beauty of all of your colorful splendor…

© Julie Rehnelt 2018

Took a little drive north this weekend and came upon some hints of autumn color happening up there.  It won’t be long now until the leaves start changing down here in the city too.  I love the month of October here in Minnesota and all the rich, vibrant colors of autumn’s palette.  I’m truly grateful for eyes to see…

Wishing you beauty and inspiration today

 

 

✿~Peace & Love~✿

Silent Sunday

🙃

 

 

 

✿~Peace & Love~✿

Last Taste

 

On warm autumn days as the sun shines bright

it seems every blossom contains a bee

hungry for its last taste of summer’s nectar 

 

© Julie Rehnelt 2018

 

Over the past several days the bees have been busy, busy, busy in the garden gobbling up all they can.  I can almost feel their urgency.  I’ve really enjoyed watching them and trying to capture photos of them with my phone.  Yes, little bees, we must enjoy the last of summer’s blossoms while we can, as there’s a frost advisory in effect for tonight…

I’ve still got peppers growing out there so I imagine I’ll be ‘buzzing’ around with a bit of urgency myself harvesting them tonight after work.  Buzz buzzzz…

 🐝😊🐝

 

Wishing you beauty and joy…

 

 

 

✿~Peace & Love~✿