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Friday, August 5, 2011

Bittersweet August


August is the month of thistles and sunflowers. It's the nesting season of goldfinches, one of the smallest of birds. Goldfinches use thistle down for nests, and feed on the seeds. It's said that their nests are so watertight that nestlings can drown in a heavy downpour.





I became a birder later in life and never saw or heard a goldfinch until I was a grandmother. I love that it nests late. To me it suggests that it's okay to be a late bloomer in anything. And I love it's cheery song.




August is thought of as the last of summer. Even though school starts here in many places, August isn't usually considered the start of anything. In France everybody takes the whole month off for vacation.




It's bittersweet to think of the end of things at the beginning of the month. But August is fraught with bittersweet. Bittersweet is named for its root. When tasted the fiber is bitter, but when chewed it tastes sweet. The lesson I suppose is to get right on with the sweetness of the last month of summer. . . .

















































Have a lovely weekend! Hope it's sweet!
Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline




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Between Naps on the Porch
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23 comments:

  1. Kim @ Savvy Southern StyleAugust 5, 2011 at 8:57 PM

    Sounds to me like the French are very smart. I have just started seeing gold finches here.

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  2. DeniseAugust 5, 2011 at 9:05 PM

    Hi Jacqueline,

    I love your watercolor of the thistle flowers. Those vintage botanicals are just wonderful. My in-laws have a couple of large bird feeders, and they seem to get lots of gold finches. They are such bright, sunny little birds. Some people in our region call them Carolina Canaries. They do love their thistle seed for sure. Thanks for sharing and Happy Pink Saturday.

    Denise at Forest Manor

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  3. lvroftiquesAugust 5, 2011 at 9:14 PM

    Such a pretty and yes...bittersweet post. Delicious to look at, but the reminder that August is here and summer is nearly over when we haven't even started to have one is very sad. *sniffle sniffle* Vanna

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  4. Linda @ Itsy Bits And PiecesAugust 5, 2011 at 9:27 PM

    Lovely! Goldfinches are some of my favorite birds...we get a lot of them each spring...so pretty! August is a lovely month here, especially the last two weeks- the humidity drops and things are more comfortable!

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  5. LynnAugust 5, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    I have not been able to do Pink Saturday for a long time. Your post popped up just now and I am so glad I took the time to stop by. The entire post is so charming. Since I love white with touches of pink/purple shades, I just adore the soft, lovely photos. Just beautiful. In fact, so much so, I have to go backwards through some of your lovely posts to see more. I certainly have missed visiting you.
    Blessings

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  6. Country Wings in PhoenixAugust 5, 2011 at 10:55 PM

    Happy Pink Saturday Jacqueline Sweetie...
    What a gorgeous, gorgeous share this evening. I feel as if I want to sit and have a cup of tea, enjoy the evening with you, listening to all of the beautiful birds. It is so wonderful to see them come to the feeders. (Here in the desert we don't get many birds, but I do have humming birds a plenty.)

    Your write today is beautiful sweet friend. So touching to the heart as well. I love coming to see what you have to share each week. Have a beautiful weekend. Country hugs and much love from Phoenix, Sherry

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  7. SuzAugust 6, 2011 at 12:48 AM

    I'm joining you for Pink Saturday. I love these sweet and charming images.

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  8. MicupofteaAugust 6, 2011 at 2:16 AM

    Isn't that interesting....for us August is not really the end of summer for many reasons; summer actually lasts until the Autumn solstice, and our weather stays quite warm until after Halloween. We have year-round school here, so kids are in school in mid June and return the 3rd week of July! No real summer break. The school district gives us our break from classes in September/Oct. WOnderful post, Jacqueline. Loved reading about the birds. We have those SAME teacups/saucers, given to my hubby by his late Aunt. :)
    Happy Pink Saturday~

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  9. UnknownAugust 6, 2011 at 6:52 AM

    Your comments on the goldfinch..."I love that it nests late. It suggests to me that it's okay to be a late bloomer in anything. And I love it's cheery song".

    could not have said it better. How true...you are never too old to be who you were meant to be.

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  10. Pamela GordonAugust 6, 2011 at 7:35 AM

    What a beautiful post! Your photos are so pretty. I didn't know that goldfinches nested so late in the season. We have a lot of them here and they come to the niger seed feeder I have. I love the brilliant yellow of the male and how it flashes in the trees and the sweet chirping of the birds as they fly through the air. I hope your weekend is perfect. Pamela

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  11. AnonymousAugust 6, 2011 at 8:15 AM

    Hi, I dropped by to visit from another blog, but when I got here, I saw so much beauty, I had to skip out for a sec and add you to my blog reader! I'm back now to tell you how much I love your gorgeous blog. I'll be back often.

    Hugs,
    Mary
    http://Redo101.blogspot.com

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  12. Gypsea NurseAugust 6, 2011 at 8:18 AM

    J~ sshhhhh.... I don't want it to end!
    Lovely post as always...
    enjoy your weekend!
    Smiles~
    C

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  13. Ann@A Sentimental LifeAugust 6, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    Oh what a pretty post! I love that plate and the book with the wonderful graphics...all goes together so well!

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  14. La Vie QuotidienneAugust 6, 2011 at 10:15 AM

    This is such a pretty visual interpretation of August...very soothing and relaxing. I love your little book; charming!

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  15. RobinfromCAAugust 6, 2011 at 10:39 AM

    Love your post today as I've been thinking that this August is certainly bittersweet. So many things still happening, guests coming, great beach weather still here, but, for some reason known only to the school district, school is starting on August 19. Everybody feels as if summer has been cut short this year. But your photos, as always, are beautiful.
    Robin

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  16. Brenda PruittAugust 6, 2011 at 4:04 PM

    Wonderful advice, my friend! And as always, gorgeous and inspiring photos.
    Brenda

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  17. Elizabeth@ Pine Cones and AcornsAugust 6, 2011 at 9:09 PM

    Beautiful as always. Love the thistle reminds me of Scotland. Have a great weekend

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  18. under spanish mossAugust 6, 2011 at 10:22 PM

    Dear Jacqueline,
    Beautiful blanche de chine. We adore the entire collection!
    Hope you are enjoying your weekend.
    Best Regards! XO,
    Renee and Angela

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  19. SarahAugust 7, 2011 at 1:52 PM

    Not a thing bitter about this post! Every inch of this is sweet to me. You have a beautiful way of expressing your thoughts, Jacqueline.

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  20. My Cottage DiaryAugust 8, 2011 at 12:32 PM

    Lovely post and photos! Bess

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  21. Kirsty GirlAugust 9, 2011 at 10:22 PM

    Very sweet post. Love the photos too.

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  22. www.designgivesback.comAugust 10, 2011 at 9:58 PM

    What would this world be like if we didn't have beautiful china to set on our tables. They're just beautiful, thanks for sharing. I hope you can join Design Gives Back for our Miracle Makeover reveal August 12-18 at www.designgivesback.com. I hope to see you there!

    Love,

    Sherry, The DGB Team

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  23. Ann@A Sentimental LifeAugust 2, 2021 at 12:45 PM

    yes the yellow finches will be feeding off my zinnas soon. they are such a delight to see.

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