Spring Festival

              There's a small town in the southern part of our state, 

approx 2 hours from where I live. 

Charleston, MO.

 

I'm not sure which came first ...

the founding fathers 

(and most likely mothers who are, after all, 

usually the gardeners in a family) 

noticing that the town was filled with native dogwoods and azaleas 

and it deserved to be celebrated  

OR

the town decided 70 years ago to fill the town with flowering spring trees

so they'd have something to celebrate after surviving harsh winters

before heading into even harsher summers.                 

Whichever way it occurred, I'm grateful for their foresight.
                      

Dogwoods and Azaleas -

what a GREAT combination -

and an absolutely lovely way to spend some hours this past week.

 

The 53rd Annual Dogwood and Azalea Festival started this weekend 

and will continue through next week.

Of course there were extraordinary houses as would befit the towns most affluent citizens

but there was beauty to be found in every house, no matter how humble.

This bungalow was my favorite!

Color me ready to move in!

It was a delight.

I would recommend finding those oases of beauty in your area

and giving yourself the gift of dwelling there,

if only for a few hours.