Happy Mother's Day!

From my mother-in-law's garden.

Flowers and butterflies in Audubon

While at the Audubon Gardens in Louisiana we saw many beautiful flowers, and on this one bloom we spied a monarch butterfly. It's challenging to capture the beauty of nature, but I have tried with this butterfly birthday card (the wording can be modified to contain your own message). I could probably spend a year drawing just butterflies, in their infinite variety.

Audubon Gardens

On a recent trip to Louisiana we visited the Audubon Gardens in New Orleans. What a gorgeous day we had, as we rode the St Charles Streetcar to the beautifully landscaped gardens that were in full bloom. At one point, the fountain you see here had 2 Labrador Retrievers circling it, trying to get at the mallard ducks who were paddling around. I think those dogs would have been at it all day if their owners hadn't pulled them back.

May is upon us!

Blue barlow is ringing in this month in the JAKE & META 2013 "Year in Bloom" mini desktop calendar. May is off to an overcast start here in North Carolina, but warmer days are around the corner! Also ushered in by spring is at least one indigo bunting in the backyard. I'll try to snap a photo. We haven't seen him since 2010, and if you've never seen one, they're quite something—like a bluebird on steroids. Stay tuned!