Saturday, December 3, 2022

It's December! YAY!

 
I'm very glad to turn a page in the calendar this month. November was incredibly hard for me. But I am blessed and want to share some photos from recent hikes.


A beautiful quote! 


Bella Moth


Bella Moth


No....I am NOT a chicken!!!


Palm Warblers


What's left of some of the wildflowers!


Downy Woodpeckers


A fancy figurine?


Or a knot on a log! Use your imagination to make it something beautiful!

We all go through hard times but it sure is nice to know there are always interesting blog posts to read and blog friends that go out of their way to be supportive throughout the year...in good times and bad. I am going to use this space for a personal note today. For the blog friends that I usually exchange Christmas cards with, just hang on to those cards until next year. I'm not going to send out cards this month. It just seems like too hard a task to tackle right now. I know you'll understand. (or you can read my last post HERE

I'm going to concentrate on spending time in nature and giving in other ways. 


Let's spread Goodwill all month long!

 And get out in nature whenever we can!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.   

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and I like Thursdays HERE !  

56 comments:

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Give yourself some time and space to grieve the loss of your mother. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Take care of yourself...enjoy the beautiful weather to take your lovely walks. May God comfort and strengthen and help you each and every day. (((hugs)))

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Diane,
I am sorry to hear about the loss of your Mom, Sending prayers for you and your family. I hope spending time on your hikes with nature will help comfort you. Your photos are beautiful as always. I love that pretty Bella Moth. Great captures of the Warbler and Woodpecker. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend.

Tom said...

...the Bella Moth is a beauty, I've never seen one before.

Sandy said...

For those of us who find solace in God's creation, we totally understand the need for quiet walks. I have always said I feel closest to my Lord on a beach stroll. I pray that you will find better days on those hikes. Your pictures are beautiful.

John's Island said...

Hello Diane, You started with a beautiful quote and then some beautiful photos. The Bella Moth is a beauty! I do like the picture with caption, “A fancy figurine?” Looking at that I definitely see an image … face to the right, hair to the left, perhaps a crown?, the neck wrapped with a scarf … 😊 Do you see any of that? 😊 I read your paragraph about exchanging Christmas cards and strongly support your decision to give it a rest this year. The last couple of years have been tough on most of us and taking a break for recovery seems pretty smart to me. Thanks for sharing another fine post! Wishing you a happy day! John

Vee said...

Completely understood, Diane. You do what comforts and satisfies most. I think some hikes will be in your December forecast. ☺️

Cloudia said...

We are all making adjustments and finding the new normal. And I respect you from making this choice. Thank you for providing this party for us to come together and have a wonderful weekend

RedPat said...

A walk in the woods will help you a lot. Lovely pics today as usual.

carol l mckenna said...

nature is the best place for healing ~ sending you lots of distant reiki healing energy hugs with love ~

Your photos are beautiful and heal each moment for me ~ Xo

Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

MadSnapper said...

love that palm sized bird and our November was pretty ugh also..

Terri D said...

Losing my dad was very sad and I still miss him, but when mom died life changed. Our moms carried us and are part of us like no other person can be. I understand. Take your time, and cherish the memories. Keeping you in my prayers, dear friend. xo

Bill said...

A walk in nature is the best way to spend a part of your day. Beautiful photos, they are very nice to see.

Lea said...

Beautiful Moth!
So sorry to hear of your mother's death. I know how big a loss it is. When my mother died, my doctor had to put me on medication (for three months) to help me cope with life without her.
I will remember you in my prayers.

Lowcarb team member said...

The two quotes you've shared are so true.
The photographs you've shared were lovely to see.

At this sad time, you are in my thoughts and prayers.

All the best Jan

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

You are in my thoughts in this time of your grieving. The outdoors is lovely to see, and more so knowing those places are good for you to be there.

happyone said...

All your photos are beautiful and I love your header.
May God comfort you and bring to mind those happy memories of your Mother.

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

Know that I am thinking of you and also share the loss of parents and for me one younger sister--it's so hard--but--!!
Hugs Hugs, di

GreenComotion said...

Beautiful captures - especially the Downy Woodpeckers.
Have a good one!

magiceye said...

Beautiful pictures and quotes.

Shiju Sugunan said...

That’s a beautiful moth! I am so sad for your loss. Thinking of you.

Kathy said...

I am so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. Sending prayers and hugs your way. I so wish we lived closer so I could give you that hug in person. Being in nature will help, I'm sure. I've been in your place and understand.

Kathy said...

I'm so sorry to hear of your mom's passing. Sending you prayers and hugs. I wish we lived closer and I could give you that hug in person. In the meantime, spend some time in nature. I've been where you are and I understand.

Su-sieee! Mac said...

Big hugs, Diane. ❤️

BeachGypsy said...

Just stopping in to check on you. Is there anything I can do? Hugs.......

Ann said...

Grieving the loss of a loved one is hard enough but when the holidays come around it's even harder. Be kind to yourself and do what you need to do to find peace.

Irma said...

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your mother.
You must do what is most comforting and satisfying.
In nature you can relax and you can process this loss.
Greetings Irma

Phil Slade said...

I am so sorry to hear of your loss Diane. You start with a very lovely and true quote. Nature has healing ways and you are right to continue to use nature to heal your hurt.

Anni said...

Sorry to read about your loss. Mother's hold a special place in our hearts. You have my sympathies.

On that note, try to have a great week ahead and your linking up is appreciated.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

We gave up on sending cards several years ago. We take the money we would have spent on the cards and the ever more exorbitant postage, and donate it to a local environmentally charity. If we can help to plant trees or restore grassland better than cards which will be discarded anyway.

Jenn Jilks said...

Just be kind to yourself! When I was a single parent, and a teacher, I used to send out cards after Christmas!

Debbie said...

i agree...that is a really special quote!! i have never seen a bella moth, they are quite beautiful!! fun images of the palm warblers, they are very beautiful...and your downy looks like a mermaid!!

speaking to your mom's passing...let yourself grieve, take this time to do the things that feel right to you. grief is a universal experience, it is a deeply felt emotion & unique to each of us. sending some warm hugs from the jersey shore!!

Ricki Treleaven said...

Happy December! The palm warblers are such a beautiful shade of yellow. I love your nature photos! And that photo did look like a relic from an ancient garden.

Lorrie said...

Nature can be a great solace in times of grief. Praying that you will find peace and comfort as you go through the days. Grief is a process and takes time. Hugs, Lorrie

Bob Bushell said...

I love the Palm Warblers, thanks.

It's me said...

Yeah December is here already…..Christmas time…..love from me and 🎄❤️🍀🐾🎄

Nancy Chan said...

Yes, we are at the last month of the year. There is a time and season for everything. We all need time to move into a new phase. Beautiful birds and butterfly. I too see a fancy figurine on the fallen log.

Hena Tayeb said...

Sorry to hear November was a hard month for you. Hope December will be much better. Lovely photos.

Happy@Home said...

That sounds like a good plan, Diane. You do whatever it takes to deal with your loss. I find nature to be especially soothing in times like this. Hugs!!

Jeanie said...

That bella moth is bella indeed! And what a lovely shot of the bird. Happy week, Diane!

Teresa said...

Espero y deseo que estés bien en la naturaleza, es una magnifica idea. Me gustó todas tus fotos, especialmente la figura en el tronco, yo suelo buscar figuras también. Te dejo un abrazo fuerte y mucho ánimo.

Carla from The River said...

Sending more hugs and prayers.
xx oo

I love the Bella Moth, what a beautiful dress print she has. ;-) Hee Hee!

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Dealing with the loss of someone so special is always hard p, but even harder at a holiday time. I speak from personal experience so know some of the feelings you have, Diane. Take all the time you need and being outdoors in Nature sounds like the best plan.

John's Island said...

Hello Diane, Please excuse a 2nd comment. I stopped by this morning to see if you had a new post and discovered I missed your Nov 28 post where you told us about your mother passing. I am sorry to hear about that and saying a prayer for you. God bless you. John

Marcia said...

You are doing all the right things as you process your grief. Enjoy your beautiful surroundings and relive the good memories.

Julie's Creative Lifestyle said...

It's so nice that you can go out for those walks to see beautiful nature. I always enjoy looking at all of the photos you post up each week. Take care Diane and sending hugs your way.

Linda said...

Thank you for sharing these pretty scenes. I am not familiar with the Bella moth but I like the way it looks.

Rainbow Evening said...

Bella Moth looks so beautiful....
Happy December

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

So sorry for your loss. Your Mother was certainly a beautiful woman. Compliments on your header-- it is such a nice composition and appears three-dimensional. Love the bella Moth. When it flies it shows those very bright orange underwings.

Wally Jones said...

We continue to be blessed with great exploring weather! Thank you for sharing images of your wanderings. Seems like there is always something unique to find when we go out and look!

Veronica Lee said...

I lost my dad in May this year and I feel your pain.

The photos you shared are beautiful, Diane.

Sending you lots of hugs.

EricaSta said...

Walking in nature is most comfortably, I believe. I couldn´t say, Diane, how wonderful your captures are ... each of it. I see what great feeling you have behind your camera! hank you for sharing.

...and many hugs by Heidrun, I`m thinking on you

Inger said...

I'm so sorry for the loss of your Mom. The loss of a good Mom is one of the saddest things we will ever experience. Your nature walks will help you heal. And that moth is so interesting looking, here moths are just plain brown.

BeachGypsy said...

I know you have alot on your mind and on your heart right now-- just wanted you to know I'm thinking of you. Hugs

Red Rose Alley said...

Wow, that Bella Moth is so unusual looking, with a pretty design. When I first saw the knot on the log I saw a woman's face looking down, kind of sad, and then I thought about you losing your mother, and it reminded me of that.....so that is what my imagination brought me to. And I would keep this photo always. I still miss my mom, especially around these very special Christmas days, which she made so special for our family.

Thinking of you, dear friend.

~Sheri

Soma @ InkTorrents.com said...

I have been thinking about you. Nature has such wonderful healing power. Lovely photos, really love the last one.

Take care,
-Soma

Aunt Helen said...

Dear Diane,With thoughts and prayers in memory of your Dear Mother. "Those we love don't go away, They walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near. Still loved, still missed, and forever dear. Blessings and Love, Aunt Helen