Nature - Early Summer Blooms & Walks
As May eased into June, summertime flowers popped open and added cheerful colors to our yard and at McCoy. Warm, lovely walks provided peace and fresh summer air.
front yard bouquet
We had more peonies this year than every before! They always make me think of “My Fair Lady” and I love their delicate scent. All of our rhododendron varieties outdid themselves, too. The mountain laurel showed off, as well.
peony
These delicate perennials are symbols of happiness, prosperity and romance.
rhododendron
This native plant is actually a symbol of caution and danger. Who knew?!? Apparently, the plant does have toxins which can be harmful if ingested. So…don’t eat the rhododendron. I just think they’re beautiful!
mountain laurel
This evergreen can live between 50 and 100 years!
“I stand at your gate, and the song that I sing is of moonlight. I stand and I wait, for the touch of your hand in the June night. The roses are sighing, a moonlight serenade.” - Moonlight Serenade by Glenn Miller & Mitchell Parish
pretty in pink
Our heirloom roses bloomed their heads off this year! We’ve never had so many buds and blooms on these climbers. They have a sweet, light scent.
backyard beauty
This variety of rhododendron is slightly different from the ones in our front beds. The shrub was covered with blooms!
To me, this is THE flower of summer. I’m so thankful our hydrangeas bloomed this year! It’s been years since we’ve had these beautiful, blue blooms!
begonias
These sweet, little flowers make me smile. One of David’s co-workers gave them to us after a friend of hers’ gave them to her. She couldn’t use them, so we gratefully planted them up on our deck.
poppies
These cheery flowers bloomed at McCoy along the stone wall. They are a symbol of remembrance and sacrifice, especially of World War 1, where they were seen on the Western Front. They are used as a symbol around the world to remember those who have died in military service. They are also symbol of peace and eternal life.
purple cone flower
This vibrant flower, also known as echinacea, has long been used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes. Today, it’s well-known for its benefits to the immune system.
larkspur
This pretty purple flower is also known as delphinium and just happens to be the birthday flower of our oldest daughter, Hannah! It symbolizes lightness, levity, protection and bravery.
cornflower
This beautiful blue flower, also known as a bachelor’s button, is a symbol of hope for the future. In folklore, love-sick men wore it to find out if their love was reciprocated. If the flower faded fast, it symbolized unrequited love.
when your shirt matches the flower
I love wearing my Fjallraven fanny pack Lizzy gave me for Christmas! Perfect for your keys and phone when you want to be hands-free and solo.
do you see it?
This one stopped me in my tracks. I’ve seen plenty of heart-shaped green leaves along the trail but this one…I think it’s a petal from a tulip poplar tree. I see hearts in nature as little signs from God, reminding us of His love for us.
The tree canopy along the path at McCoy is gorgeous this time of year! The Big Leaf Magnolias are always stunning, with their huge, jungle-like leaves overhead. They are rare trees to find in common landscapes due to their size. They typically grow in river valleys in the southeast (and apparently on mountaintops, as well).
mushrooms
I have no idea what kind these are but I thought they were pretty. We had a lot of rain in May!
I don’t know what these flowers are, but the butterflies and bees loved them!
mini trail kit
I’d recommend these two. The Hydro Flask with ice-cold water and the adorable Fjallraven fanny pack really come in handy for short walks in the woods.
We took a walk at Mabbit Springs one warm June day.
inaugural hike
This was the first time I wore my new Hokas on a hike. They’re super light and comfy.
There wasn’t much water in the creek this time, which is pretty typical for summer, but still enough to enjoy the gentle sound!
mountain laurel grove
We missed their blooms here last month, but this shady grove of trees beside the creek is so enchanting!