Today's Joy: Resilience.

It's been cold the last few nights, Reader. Cold enough that we had a pretty good frost the other day, much to Aunt's (and my) dismay. Her beautiful, creamy-yellow magnolia blossoms were just beginning to open. We've been waiting to enjoy them for several months, but now, they're barely open & they're already turning brown. Rats!

Then I took the dogs outside this morning and got a surprise! Several very young blooms made it through the frost and are now opening in all their creamy-yellow glory. Just when we thought there would be no magnolia joy this spring. Gotta love those little unexpected gifts! Can't wait for Aunt to see them when she gets home tonight!

Today's Joy: Warm Weather.
Slept with the windows open last night, Reader, and was it delightful! Then woke up this morning and saw blossoms opening on the magnolia tree in the backyard. Here are a few shots of them and some of the other goodies popping up in the garden. Hard to believe it's already the middle of April! Am suddenly in the mood to put on a sundress!

Photos (top to bottom): magnolia, daffodil, yellow tulip, crab apple blossoms, daffodil, pink tulips, magnolia, white tulips. April, 2010, Hampshire, IL.