We’ve recently made a trip to Kokomo and Indianapolis, Indiana.  We went for a belated birthday celebration for Frankie, and to celebrate her youngest daughter’s college graduation (with honors!).  It gave us the chance to drive through the farm lands of Indiana and Illinois.

The central and north central parts of both states are further along in disking and planting than the farms north of I80.  The northern farms are still too wet to support the machinery.  If it doesn’t dry out in the coming week, they won’t be able to plant corn this year.

Condition of the farms is always important to me, but the highlight of the past week has been the pleasure of all the blooming shrubs and trees in the Midwest.  We’ve had a glorious season, and I thank God that I am not allergic to them.  I have never seen so many blooms!

Outside the window of my studio there’s a redbud tree..  As I sat and pieced a quilt top I could see daffodils, the redbud blooms, pear blossoms, birdhouses that we collected for my mother, lilacs and more daffodils!  It was the most beautiful view.  Earlier this month the star magnolia and forsythia vied for our attention, and the tulips were amazing!

We are truly blessed with the beauty that surrounds us!