LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Monday, June 6, 2011

Pink All Over the Mountains

We don't have to travel at all to see the beauty of the mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia).  Beginning in late May and continuing to mid-June, the blossoms of this plant add a touch of pink everywhere.  Mountain laurel is an evergreen shrub that is valued not only for its colorful display but also for it twisty vine-like branches.  The branches are increasingly used for bannisters on porches and decks.  We are so lucky...we can drive to different elevations and enjoy the mountain laurel at various stages of blossoming.

Right now you can look out any window in our house and see mountain laurel.


This photograph was taken through my bathroom window.






In the front yard.




Growing over one of our yard birds.




This is a photograph from last year.  My daughter's Poppet is sitting among the branches.
You may want to click to enlarge.


What on earth is a Poppet?  You can read about them here.  These adorable little things are two inches high and are typically given from one friend to another.  Many Poppet owners document their trips with photographs of their Poppet.  They are such sweet little things and always seem to make a person feel better.  A nice little talisman for certain.  Pleasing to the eye and comforting to the touch.  And small enough to fit in your pocket or purse.

Perhaps in a future post I will show you more pictures of my daughter's Poppet with our mountains in the background.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

How beautiful it must be to look out the window and see that flowering mountain laurel. Right now, all I see out my window is rain rain and more rain. So it is a vicarious pleasure to look at your colors there.

Taradharma said...

beautiful blossoms, for sure! That poppet is a cute lil' thing....I went to your link. I like the poppet idea. I was tempted to buy one...but maybe I'll figure out a way to make my own and endow it with certain special qualities that will be meaningful for me. Great idea!

Do the laurels have a scent?

100 Thoughts of Love said...

Beautiful little perch poppet has!!!

carolina nana said...

Love mountain laurel in the woods,it has been so dry here the blooms have already fallen off.
Have a blessed evening
Marilyn

Ms. A said...

Can't imagine being able to look out my window and see such amazing beauty.

Karin said...

Oh such beauty in the mountains - and you get to see it all the time! How blessed you are!

Jayne said...

Love all the laurel! When I was in school on the Cumberland Plateau, my dad used to be enthralled by it as he'd drive over to see me. My senior year, he stopped alongside the road on a trip back home and dug some up. It has thrived on the cool, shady side of his house for some 27 years now. :c)

Jayne said...

P.S. Just ordered me and my sissy one of the Earth Maiden poppets. ;c)

The Bug said...

I am going to have to check out the poppets - too cute! And I miss the mountain laurel...

Jeannette StG said...

The mountain must be beautiful with all these blooms.
And the poppet is so endearing:)

Tipper said...

Love the photos! I'm lucky-I can look out every window and see it too : )The poppet is adorable!

Barb said...

Those Mountain Laurel blooms are creamy and lovely. They looks so fresh against the greenery. I've never heard of a Poppet, but it seems to enjoy visiting at your house.

Melissa Weisbard said...

Lovely photos. The poppet is very cute.

NCmountainwoman said...

Thanks for your comments, everyone.

Robin - Wish you could send a bit of the rain our way.

Tara - The Poppets were originally intended to be pawns in a chess set. They really are sweet.

Carolina Nana - The blossoms downtown have fallen off as well. Amazing how much difference a little bit of elevation can make.

Jayne - I hope you and your sister get as much pleasure from your Poppets that my daughter has.