The tulip bulbs arrived in a pot and covered by moss.
THE RATE AT WHICH THE TULIP bulbs erupted, then bloomed, surprised even me.
The bulbs, once exposed to light, grew at a rapid pace.
A week after receiving a surprise cluster of bulbs from my blogger friend Paula in the Netherlands, I now have a flower pot of wine-hued tulips in bloom and yellow ones about to open. I’d wondered at the color and that proved part of the fun, waiting to see.
Just beginning to bloom…
What a delight this gift of flowers from someone I’ve never met but to whom I’m connected via writing and being home-grown Minnesotans. But even more, there’s the connection of spirit, of understanding how supporting one another, especially now, is so important.
I can tell you that Paula, who blogs at The Cedar Journal, loves the outdoors, especially canoeing in her cedar strip canoe. She returns to Minnesota often to paddle and explore. She’s a military veteran. Strong. Opinionated. Resilient. Respectful of the natural world and appreciative of its beauty. She’s compassionate and kind.
I’ve never talked to Paula. But I feel like I know her via her blog and the comments she posts on my blog. There’s a sisterhood that comes from a shared love of Minnesota and of blogging and of the simple beauties in life. So when I see those lovely tulips in bloom, I think of Paula so distant, yet so close.
© Copyright 2020 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Those tulips are turning out to be so very beautiful and such a lovely gift. Thanks for sharing them and Paula with your readers today.
Agreed. The tulips from Paula are lovely and such a blessing today, May Day. Do you remember May Days of your childhood, weaving paper baskets and crafting paper flowers to give to your mom. Several years ago, friends’ children left May Day treats for us. Ring the doorbell, drop the May Day basket and run. Such fun.
What a lovely gift from your friend in Holland.
Yes, and especially now with the tulips blooming. Beautiful.
I’m so happy to see those blooms! Thanks for sharing Paula’s amazing gift to you. Happy May Day!
Happy May Day to you also, Kathleen! The yellow tulips opened this afternoon.
They are beautiful….Will you be putting them in the ground this fall.
The directions say I can plant them this spring, which is not the typical time. I checked with my floral designer sister and she says to go ahead and plant them now. However, because the bulbs were forced, they may not bloom outside for several years. Time will tell.
Springtime is the season of hope and these tulip are an exquisite example. With what courage and joy they point the way forward.
“A season of hope.” I love that. Please check out my May 3 post for another pix of these tulips.
😊❤️
Paula, check my post today (May 3) for another pic of the tulips you gifted to me. There are three colors, not two, and the tulips are stunningly beautiful. Thank you again, my friend.
It was so fun to see the blooming end of the story of the traveling tulip bulbs. Thanks for the photos.
You are most welcome! Good to hear from you, Bernadette.