Some Older {in a relative sense} Pics and a Flashback Friday of Sorts

The dogwoods and the azaleas were in full bloom, and it was beautiful weather on Addie's birthday...almost a month ago! And then I went on a blogging hiatus right after that and never got these posted.

We went to a park in Wetumpka that day; and on the way home, we stopped at the beautiful Cafco gardens behind Southern Homes and Gardens. I wanted to get a few pictures of the flowers; so baby in tow, we trekked walked the short way to the tree. It's rather challenging to hold a baby and take a still photograph without shaking and creating too much blur though, especially when she's grabbing the camera strap!

So I plopped her down and took some pictures of her too. And wow do I have a lot to learn about light!

The azaleas were beautiful; but right as I started taking these, I realized that bees find these flowers to be even more beautiful than we do. So I snatched picked my baby up before one could realize that she, in fact, was far more beautiful than any flower, and whisked her home for a nap!

I accidentally caught her hand in this photo, but I thought it put it in such perspective! She was so curious, but so gentle!

Of course my favorite pictures are always of my baby girl; but I'm a sucker for flowers. In addition to wisteria (and azaleas and hydrangeas), one of my grandmother's favorite flowers were found on the beautiful dogwood tree.

Although I'm fairly sure the Legend of the Dogwood is in fact just that, a legend; I love the story. And what a perfect time to post these, right after Easter, as we remember what our Savior did for us!

In Jesus' time, the dogwood grew
To a stately size and a lovely hue.

'Twas strong and firm it's branches interwoven
For the cross of Christ its timbers were chosen.

Seeing the distress at this use of their wood
Christ made a promise which still holds good:

"Never again shall the dogwood grow
Large enough to be used so.

Slender and twisted, it shall be
With blossoms like the cross for all to see.

As blood stains the petals marked in brown
The blossom's center wears a thorny crown.

All who see it will remember Me
Crucified on a cross from the dogwood tree.

Cherished and protected, this tree shall be
A reminder to all of my agony."

I have a feeling that this would have been my grandmother's favorite dogwood picture though:

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So after mentioning my grandmother {Maw Maw} above, I remembered that I had scanned this picture a few weeks ago. Isn't she just beautiful! I remember her being even more beautiful as she got older.

And not to be left out, I found this picture that Paul's mom had sent me a few weeks ago. Paul was about a year old here. Think Addie still looks like her Daddy? I agree, expressions and all!

Happy Friday!