We woke from our Midsummer Night's Dream to find ourselves approaching the end of May without having taken a single Nature Walk or, other than our Marian May Baskets, completed any of our planned Marian Crafts. With a few days left, we hope to make up for lost time and began yesterday with a long walk through our favorite local gardens (the place that was the setting for our final performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream last week). Here Maureen and Eileen frolic in front of our dream thatched cottage--it is not our own, but we love it as if it were.
It did my heart good to nurse Eileen at a bench, breathing in the wild bouquet of lilacs, watching red-winged blackbirds, flashing fish, and romping, happy children.
Margaret discovered that the unassuming purple flowers dotting the lawn look like fairies' teddy bears. This little fellow rests on my new pink shawl. According to Agnes, the shawl is "the springtime equivalent of the Irish Walking Cape."
How many more chances will I have to see my older two girls holding hands? This photo seems the perfect symbol of a family growing up--with the older ones setting out toward a bright future and the younger ones not far behind.
How is it possible that a little one who was not even born this time last year could trot all over the gardens with us, looking like some pale purple blossom freshly sprung?
Slow down, Time, slow down! Let me tarry a while here in this place with these children!
Blessed be thou, fair, sweet May!
Alice, I absolutely could not get over the beauty of the Midsummer Night's Dream - that was just most hauntingly gorgeous thing I have ever seen. And look how beautiful your ordinary life is!
Posted by: Beck | May 22, 2007 at 10:15 AM
I love, love all the photos but the first one is truly wonderful. My two boys hug/wrestle each other all the day. To watch sibling love grow is truly a blessed experience.
Posted by: Genevieve | May 22, 2007 at 10:46 AM
Beautiful post, Alice! What a glorious day for your sweet children. :)
Love,
Posted by: Dawn | May 22, 2007 at 11:04 AM
Oh, they're all so SWEET!!! How ould she be that big already, sweet Eileen! Many more blessings to you in your days of Summer, Hugs!
Posted by: Meredith | May 22, 2007 at 12:31 PM
Alice, such beautiful children and photos...and that precious baby girl walking already - too cute! :)
Posted by: Cheryl M. | May 22, 2007 at 01:11 PM
Margaret's flower looks a lot like ground ivy, the plant we found in our yard last year: http://melissawiley.typepad.com/bonnyglen/2006/04/the_weed_former.html , as you should find in that link.
Posted by: Jane | May 22, 2007 at 02:07 PM
What a beautiful day you had! How great!
Posted by: Christine M | May 22, 2007 at 02:13 PM
It is indeed precious to see your two older daughters holding hands! That is a rarity in this day and age!!! You are blest to have them give such a wonderful example to the little ones. They are all so sweet!
I loved the Midsummer Night's Dream pics! Do they have any idea how fortunate they are to have a loving, caring, creative Mom like you?!
Posted by: betty | May 22, 2007 at 03:10 PM
Beautiful pictures. When did your baby become a toddler? If I blink she'll be a teenager!
Posted by: Elizabeth H | May 22, 2007 at 03:31 PM
It does look just like a little teddy bear - how observant of Margaret.
Posted by: MaryM | May 22, 2007 at 04:40 PM
What a lovely day, Alice. And what a beautiful, loving family.
Posted by: Account Deleted | May 22, 2007 at 08:08 PM
Lovely family, lovely gardens, lovely day and such a beautiful spirit each of you have as always...what blessings! Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Margaret | May 22, 2007 at 11:14 PM
Oh so pretty. Both the gardens and your children. What a blessed way to spend the day:-)
Posted by: Kathy | May 23, 2007 at 08:31 AM
Slow down, time, indeed -- my eldest is eighteen now. **sigh**
Thank you for sharing your beautiful day with us!
Posted by: Beth | May 23, 2007 at 06:39 PM
Breathtaking, Alice!
Posted by: Kristen Laurence | May 23, 2007 at 11:14 PM
Let me tarry, indeed. And yet Time blithely rushes on.
So we press on to.
Till Home and stepping out of time into eternity.
Press on!
All's grace,
Ann
Posted by: Holy Experience | May 23, 2007 at 11:25 PM
I've been back here a few times just enjoying all the beautiful photos below.
And yes, the one with your daughters holding hands is to be truly treasured.
Hope it's okay that I linked you.
Posted by: Yielded | May 25, 2007 at 02:28 PM
Beautiful, as always, Alice. I love the pic of your daughters holding hands...sure makes me hope I have some someday! (daughters, that is!)
Posted by: Jane Ramsey | May 25, 2007 at 10:41 PM
How cute Eileen looks toddling around :).
Posted by: Kathryn | May 27, 2007 at 11:22 AM
I can return to this post again and again and never tire of it! Beautiful as always!
Posted by: betty | June 12, 2007 at 08:44 AM