Color in the Winter

I just love that my two cactus plants bloom in mid-January when winter has come to stay and the colors are at their bleakest.  The pops of color from these two plants are beautiful and refreshing especially when I look at them with a window just beyond revealing the white, wintry landscape.  One cactus has salmon colored blooms and the other one (below) bright, fuchsia ones. 

While doing the dishes the other day, the wide-open blooms on this reminded me of birds in flight, and I had to click a picture.  I'm so thankful for these bright spots of color during the winter months. 

Pansies

The sun was hitting the planter just right this morning to illuminate my pansies.  I just love pansies!  Their pretty, sweet faces always turn upward to give a smile.  They have such an interesting and subtle variance of colors and shading.  All of mine are finally potted and placed around the house outside--some I purchased and most as a Mother's Day gift from the kids. This particular pot full is underneath the hummingbird feeder on our deck to encourage the hummers to linger.  I have yet to get pictures of my roses...but that will come in time.