Saturday, May 23, 2015

Unexpected Beauty

Sometimes we find beauty where it is least expected. At our house, it's the trash pile. I won't be presumptuous and call it a "compost pile." It is much too neglected for that! However, this year it seems to be the prettiest place on our yard. Last year's zinnias, cucumber, and tomato plants were cast off into the pile. Lots of cold, rainy, winter weather sure did the trick for those tenacious little leftover seeds. What a lovely gift! 










The zinnias and Queen Anne's lace find their way to a pretty cobalt bottle and dress up the kitchen counter. After all, gifts are definitely meant to be enjoyed!



We have new neighbors this Spring. A pair of broad-shouldered hawks were spotted in March. The pair settled on a residence down the road and have been nesting in the treetops. Our neighbor reports that they are in their second nesting cycle and can be seen carrying dinner to the little ones. Preying on the neighborhood squirrels and snakes seems natural, but I don't like the idea of losing our songbirds and dove to this pair! 



Bits and pieces of life here...


Hope you have a wonderful week.. Be sure to look for that unexpected beauty! 

Joining Lavender Cottage for Mosaic Monday ... Drop by! 

Smiles...Susan




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18 comments:

  1. Geo.May 23, 2015 at 5:42 PM

    I must already have been on the lookout for unexpected beauty because I stopped and read this post. It is, and you are, remarkable.

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  2. cedarmerefarmMay 23, 2015 at 6:09 PM

    SWEET! What a nice gift! The flowers look perfect in the cobalt bottle. All the colors work very well together. Have a nice Memorial Day Susan.

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    1. Susan ~ Southern FascinationsMay 26, 2015 at 4:48 PM

      Thanks for stopping by, Christa. The plants continue to fill in and are a mix of brilliant colors!

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  3. JenMay 24, 2015 at 9:37 AM

    That is truly amazing, and uplifting. It's like an English cottage garden! Love the flowers in cobalt--zinnias have become a favorite of mine.

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  4. LorrieMay 25, 2015 at 11:57 AM

    Beautiful flowers from your compost pile. Mine grows tomatoes and potatoes, but no flowers. Hmmmm.

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    1. Susan ~ Southern FascinationsMay 26, 2015 at 4:55 PM

      The "dead heads" from the sunflowers and the dried out zinnias have definitely produced! I sometimes have a pumpkin vine, but none this year. Appreciate your visit!

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  5. Judith @ Lavender CottageMay 25, 2015 at 2:33 PM

    It's always a surprise to find what's growing in the compost pile, isn't it? Yours with flowers was a nice thing to find and make for a pretty vase in the house.
    Wish I could send you the squirrels from our yard for the hawks, it's sad when the songbirds are snatched up for a meal.
    Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday Susan.

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    1. Susan ~ Southern FascinationsMay 26, 2015 at 4:56 PM

      Thanks for the visit, Judith. I enjoy your Mosaic Mondays!

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  6. eileeninmdMay 25, 2015 at 6:02 PM

    Beautiful flowers. I love the zinnias. And the hawk is a cool visitor. I would not mind missing a few squirrels that hang out in my yard..I am visiting from Mosaic Monday, have a happy week!

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    1. Susan ~ Southern FascinationsMay 26, 2015 at 4:58 PM

      Eileen... We usually have an abundance of squirrels and have definitely seen a decline. I'm not sure if the hawks are dining well or the squirrels are hiding out! Thanks for the visit!

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  7. Donna@Gardens Eye ViewMay 25, 2015 at 8:18 PM

    Oh I would love to have my compost pile spring up with flowers...

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    1. Susan ~ Southern FascinationsMay 26, 2015 at 5:00 PM

      Donna.. It has been a lovely treat this year! Toss a few seed heads in and see what happens next year! Appreciate your visit.

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  8. Mary Howell CromerMay 28, 2015 at 5:59 AM

    The flowers are quite a wonderful surprise and treat and the effortlessness was probably a treat too ;) I am not totally certain those are Broad-Shouldered Hawks, for they look more like what my blog is named after, Red-Shouldered Hawks. They have similar colourations, but I am just not sure. They may have lost the first clutch to Raccoon's and hopefully this clutch will survive. I always pend the nest tree so that will not happen if at all possible~

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  9. PoppyMay 28, 2015 at 7:36 PM

    What a sweet and charming surprise to be gifted with these pretty petals, Susan! Spring has certainly arrived with vigour in your parts, with birds and flowers and all of nature's great wonders!

    Wishing you a warm and sunny weekend!

    Poppy

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  10. BrittaJune 21, 2015 at 6:22 AM

    Dear Susan,
    isn't it amazing how vigorous life is trying to succeed and carry on? And a compost heap is a very good choice: they find everything they need.
    The flowers are so beautiful - and to enjoy them in the kitchen is good. My balcony is flowering too (most roses did it when I was away, but some still are there to be admired and they smell so lovely). Brittany Xx

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  11. Mobile App DevelopersAugust 3, 2015 at 7:56 AM

    What you're saying is completely true. I know that everybody must say the same thing, but I just think that you put it in a way that everyone can understand. I'm sure you'll reach so many people with what you've got to say.

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