Today is the first day of spring! We came back from our trip to Death Valley, California yesterday and even here in Houston, where things are green year round, we could see the trees leafing out in that bright green and our azaleas are bursting into bloom! We were excited to see some spring wildflowers in Death Valley on our vacation there this past week. Lots of these little yellow flowers in certain areas, but when you get up close you see they are pretty spread out.

We had never been to Death Valley before and although I resisted going with every fiber of my being, it turned out to be a spectacular place to visit (as long as I could go back to the car when I got too hot or tired from hiking with my husband and kids!!). I didn’t know what to expect (except lots of hiking!) but as all national parks have done, it delivered more than we could have imagined. I certainly wouldn’t want to be there if it was any hotter, but these temperatures were doable and comfortable enough in the mornings and evenings. The hotel we stayed at was very nice and convenient, the food not so great and very expensive, and we kept our water bottles and  the gas tank filled up so we wouldn’t have to worry.

At times we were BELOW sea level and at times 6000 ft above. The views and expanse were amazing, just amazing!!! The silence in many spots was golden. The mountains were rock, not covered by trees like you usually see, so the landscape was quite different. At times it looked like piles of dirt and rock like you see where mining has gone on or where construction is going on. But then you could see the beauty in all the different kinds of rock and their colors and the way they were laid down or uplifted. And it doesn’t hurt that I’m married to a man who knows all this stuff and which way water runs and how these mountains and landscapes were formed. We even visited a volcano that went off as recently as 300 years ago! The wind was so fierce I was afraid we would all blow in over the edge, but of course my family walked around the rim while I waited in the car! Some parts of the park looked like a moonscape. We also stopped to see some very tall sand dunes. There were people laying out in their swimsuits on the sand as if it were a beach – but there was no water anywhere around!

If you haven’t visited some of the national parks, you are really missing something. I find them to be almost a spiritual experience to see these amazing creations on our earth and to witness the forces of nature going on under our own feet or in front of our eyes, invisible but taking place over eons of time to form these magnificent landscapes that we can enjoy.

Even while I was away, I didn’t forget that Sale-A-Bration was going on! It only lasts until March 31 so don’t delay or you might forget and miss out on your free product with every $50 purchase!

Shop HERE for the best in stamping and papercrafting supplies AND to earn your FREE Sale-A-Bration gift!

If you live in the Houston area and the rain doesn’t get too bad today, you should consider a trip to the River Oaks Garden Club Azalea Trail today. This is one thing my husband and I have done every single year (except one) that we have lived here and we always enjoy it. We like to focus on the houses, because you often get to walk through the main floor in order to get to the garden out back. Sometimes you only get to see the yard and garden. We love to see beautiful homes, and of course the Garden Club ladies have them all spiffed up and beautiful flower (or vegetable – or ???) arrangements in every room (but unfortunately you can’t take pictures inside the houses!). I often love the smallest details the most, like the table arrangements or decorations. It’s a chance to see how the other half lives, as they say! Some of us can only dream!

This is the BACK of a house. How would you like this to be your backyard?!

Just a little fountain for the back of the yard!

An outdoor table set for a lovely party.

Close-up of the tulips on the table.

A small children’s table set for a garden party!

Cute table decorations!

A Tulip tree in bloom!  Spring is coming!

This is how I would like MY flowers to look!

Always my husband’s dream feature! This type of fountain reminds him of one from his childhood.

Unusual pool in a newer house and grass unlike the usual in Houston WAY back in the far corner of the large yard.

Our house and backyard! (Just kidding!) Those plantings on the left are azaleas. About three flowers had bloomed! But oh my, when all those and the ones along the back of the yard burst into bloom, what a beautiful sight that will be! Azaleas aren’t always blooming on the Azalea Trail!

Another fun table for an outdoor party!

Yes, my friends are invited over for an Easter garden party in my beautiful yard behind my beautiful mansion!

This house wasn’t even on the Trail but was across the street and had these beautiful flowers blooming in front! So many pretty houses!

We like to have many parties in our numerous outdoor spaces at our home overlooking a country club golf course!! I really did like all the “spaces” and levels at this home, not that there are too many days in Houston that you can sit outside and enjoy such a thing.

Just a relaxing fountain in the pool!

A cute basket of white freesia (we think).

And finally, some azaleas on the Azalea Trail (if only in a bouquet!).

If you want more information about the River Oaks Garden Club Azalea Trail, just click the link.