Coleus Beauty

Good thing tall part of this plant was not snapped off by the gardener. The Coleus plant's leaves are prized more for its burst of color and its medicinal uses. Take notice of the baby blue flowers.They simply put some balance to everything. Not competing but complementing. Everything is in order.

Time is of The Essence

There is a time and season for everything, am sure you are familiar with that.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
A time to bud and a time to blossom. A time for things to ripen and mature which no amount of forcing will make it as it should truly be.

There are just some things which we have no control over. All we can do is wait. And patiently. For wounds to heal, for friendships to blossom, for love to surface, for faith to be strong.

Banana Blossom

While doing the dishes, i noticed that our neighbor's banana plant was with flower and fruit leaning heavily on our side of the wall to my pleasure. Nangangapitbahay. 

The  flower (actually the bracts which hide the rows of flowers) of the banana plant is like a big purple teardrop. In the iconic Darna movie, the sap that drops from the apex of that flower contains the pearl that is said to endow one who swallows it with supernatural powers.

In mother tongue this same flower is called puso ng saging (banana heart). It is more appreciated as a vegetable, being used in many dishes than as a flower to gaze at.  Another perspective.

It's the Little Things

Another occasion over and done with. After all the hype of expressing one's love particularly on Valentine's Day, we go back to the simple and ordinary days where i believe is where all true loving happens. It is extending the little kindnesses, the little things we do for each other to show we care. 

We can expand the love we have for those close to our hearts to love for the bigger world beyond our selves. It is noticing the hand of love even in the most nondescript of things.

VDAY Delight

After just a few sips of coffee early this morning (sunrise peeking through) the doorbell sounds off. My, what beautiful flowers arrive at the gate. Lovely long-stemmed blue roses! with an innocent spray of Baby's Breath. Don't care that almost everybody is getting their own bouquets today. A customary gesture, if you will, on this Day of Hearts. What matters is the hubby's thoughtful gesture -- to express affection. No complaints. 

Love Manifest

As i was stepping out of our neighborhood cafe i took a  quick shot of this vignette: a flower hanging immediately to the right of the door. There is another one to the left, but since i did not want to look like someone who took pictures of everything in sight -- a snapshot of one was enough. 

The owner of the cafe loves her business, i can tell. The place has a homey and personal feel to it, the servers warm and attentive, and their food is consistently good. We always feel welcome here. The fresh pink chrysanthemum in a mayo jar was the latest touch to carry that vibe. Nothing fancy yet love manifest for its patrons.

Heart Lanterns

A couple of weeks ago we attended what i can say is the best wedding that we have been to so far. Non-traditional, non-cheesy, very personalized. The love of the bride and groom for each other was soooo much that it overflowed to the hearts of all the guests. We, it seemed, were the recipients of the wedding gifts --- way before the date we were already booked in hotels reserved exclusively for us, the bills footed by the couple. When we entered our rooms, there were capiz candle holders on our beds with a lovely note -- another gift from them. These are just some of the personal touches the couple have made to make sure their family and friends felt special.

What i loved, too, were our heart-felt wishes inside those huge heart-shaped lanterns that we set free to the stars by the beach. So romantic! 

That love-filled touch was somewhat like the dainty crimson flowers hanging with their yellow skirts and redder tails. Look closer. See how nature has strewn them out like buntings to make us feel special. It is the Great Creator's expression of love to us.