​          What do dandelions do
          when they sleep at night?
     When their leaves and petals curl
          and fold up oh-so-tight?

     In the morning they wake up 
          and open to the sun
     But at night they go to sleep
          when the day is done.

     When I go to sleep at night
          I dream of traveling far
     Past the silver moon up high
          To the twinkling stars.

     Perhaps when dandelions sleep
          They dream about the day
     When they will open up and then
​          Their seeds will fly away.

How boys and girls will pick them, make a wish and blow
Setting free the little seeds to scatter to and fro.

Sailing high up to the sky on fluffy, silken wings
Back up to their starry home, where the angels sing.

I smile when I think about a secret we both keep
How dandelions and people too like to dream and sleep.

The Marry Month of May

It's the marry month of May when flowers are in bloom
A time for courtship and romance for every bride and groom.

Mister Swallow and his bride donned their very best
They married in a hawthorn tree and then they built their nest.
​

And then there were two pixies dear who lived in Yorkshire dell
The fairy folk who live there still have this tale to tell...

Mushroom Boy, a gentleman, he bowed on bended knee
Asking his beloved one, "will you marry me?"

"Oh yes!" she cried and clapped her hands, her cheeks a rosy hue
And with a sunny smile she said, "I will marry you!"
​

Another couple fell in love when they were young and free
Married in a chapel, filled with friends and family.

They are still together now, a faithful king and queen
Through all the seasons of their life, like a garden green.

Birds and faeries, people too can marry in the spring
​Sharing love and happiness and even wedding rings.

© written and illustrated by Christine Summerfield / May 7, 2020

                  Coats of Blue
       Two little friends in coats of blue
       Went walking one rainy day
       There was no sun
       But they had fun
       Singing along the way!

       The raindrops fell
       Pell and mell
       You might say "my oh my!"
       But 'neath that umbrella you could tell
       That they were warm and dry.

       And then they stopped to take a look
       At birdies one and two
       Under an umbrella big
       With feathers bright and blue!

   I     

​            They too were singing in the rain
            Yet they were warm and dry
            Underneath a mushroom cap
            Big, and fat and wide!

           So when you walk out with a friend
           Who likes to sing with you
           You might just see another pair
​           Wearing coats of blue.
          

Tiny Purple Grapes
On my morning walk one day I saw a funny thing
Tiny clumps of purple grapes blooming in the spring!

Usually they grow on vines and get picked in the fall
But these tiny little grapes were standing straight and tall.

And then I heard a gentle laugh coming from below
He wore a funny purple hat and said "my name is Joe!"

"You see, these are grape hyacinths growing in a clump
Their flowers look like little grapes, they're fat, and round and plump!
But these little purple grapes, these you cannot eat
The honey bees they love them so, for them, they are a treat!"

And then that fairy smiled at me and with his purple hat
He bowed just like a gentleman, can you imagine that!

And when he put his cap back on, he gave a little wink
Then he was gone in a flash, before I could even blink!

And now I smile to myself, because now I know
​How in the fall and in the spring, purple grapes can grow!

"To the tune of Sing A Song of Sixpence"

Sing A Song of Compost

Sing a song of compost by the apple tree
Learn about the secrets there for you and me.
Make your own compost and spread it on the land
It's fun to make and fun to do, so come and take my hand!

First you put some branches at the bottom of the bin
This will make a base for all that will go in.
Then you build the layers, one by one
Making compost in the yard can be so much fun!

Alternate the layers of brown and of green
Sprinkle bits of water all in between.
As the pile gets higher, turn it once for air
Then you let it sit and cook for months without a care.

The compost pile will cook and you know it will get hot!
Red wriggler worms they like it quite a lot!
They eat all the food scraps and make the black gold
Miraculous and magical, a wonder to behold.

When you finally open up the compost bin
Put your hand inside and look right in
No more leaves or clippings or old banana peels
Only dirt so rich and black, how soft it really feels!

Then you take the compost and spread it on the ground
Underneath the roses or in a little mound
Plant your beans and pumpkins or any other seed
Vitamins for vegetables, the soil it really feeds!

If you're feeling fancy, make a kind of tea
Not the kind for cookies, for grandma and me
Compost in a bucket filled with water fine
Gives an extra feeding for tomatoes on the vine!

Now you've made some compost, I hope you've had some fun
Finding all the magic underneath the sun.
Keep a compost cooking by the apple tree
​Tell your friends about it all and share the recipe!

© written by Christine Summerfield/March 31, 2019

Clematis Has Arrived!

Now it is the month of June
I've been waiting for you all
For your flowers bold and bright
On my trellis tall.

The roses they have had their turn
With their sweet perfume
Now Clematis takes the stage
With giant purple blooms!

A fountain full of blossoms wide
In the summer hours
Announcing "we have all arrived!"
A festival of flowers.

"Our petals make a diamond shape
One two and three and four
We love to climb on arbors high
Or grow around your door.

"Our centers they are yellowy green
with tiny funny squiggles
When the bees come tickle us
We give a little giggle!"

We like to mingle here and there
with the other vines.
But we prefer to make a scene
in the summer time!

So when you're in my garden green
Be sure to take the time
To see Clematis bold and strong
The giant purple vine!


written by Christine Summerfield
July 17, 2018

Springtime's Magic Snow

Petals falling on the ground, what makes you wander so?
Silently, without a sound...spring time's magic snow.

When the wind it comes around, blowing to and fro
Like snowflakes swirling round and round, spring time's magic snow.

Fluffy, white and silky soft on my fingers and toes
Tufty white and milky...springtime's magic snow

If you're wondering who it is, his name by now you'll know
Thank you Crab Tree for your gift, spring time's magic snow!

​written by Christine Summerfield, May 30, 2018