the robins' arrival

The robins have returned once again!  It never seems quite officially spring until they are bobbing around the lawn and singing each morning awake.  Soon the nest building will begin.  Every year there is at least one red-breasted couple who select some odd home site.  Last year's award went to the pair who chose the porch railing bird feeder just a few feet from the ground and inches from the door!  I must admit that I was secretly pleased with their choice for I often got a peek at those beautiful eggs nestled among the selected mosses, various coloured strings and downy feathers.  And then, of course, I was able to watch the babies grow and eventually fledge.  Those final days on the edge of the nest may have been more nerve-wracking for me than for Mrs. Robin!

In honor of the robins' homecoming I found this illustration colour study to share with you.  In the story,  a little brown bird, Robin, must find a way to wake Princess Spring from her long sleep before Winter finds a way to keep her asleep forever.  In desperation, Robin flies up to the sun to fetch some warm light to shine into Princess Spring's window and when he does he get a bit to close and burns his breast feathers leaving them red like the sun. Robin flew swiftly back to the slumbering Spring's window and shined the bright sunlight onto her face.  Spring soon awoke, melted the snow and ice and brought everything into bloom. The little Robin had saved the world from an unending winter!  And that is why, to this day, robins wear this red badge of bravery.

P.S.  Thank you for coming to our little tea party yesterday!  It was great fun and so nice to see everyone.  And the pastries.....mmmmm... scrumptious!!!  Lisbeth and the other dollies are just exhausted and all tucked into their beds after such an exciting day.

Comments

[Courtney]

I am sorry to have missed the tea party. Maybe another day..
Everyday that I visit this page, I can't seem to wipe the grin off my face. I does something..magical. to the rest of my day.
Thank you for that, most days I really need it.
p.s. LB you never got back to me...

[ULLA]

Lulu, your sight is one of the few I visit everyday without fail... Such delight! I love this tale, and have heard it in different variations. Your painting does devine justice to it... I adore the 'ribbons of light' dear old sun is wearing. Have a warm and productive day dear friend.

[Heather]

What a beautiful story. I've never heard it before - thanks for sharing! The painting you did to go along with it is gorgeous!

And who can resist those fat little robins when they make their spring appearances? They always make me happy!

[lauren Mumford]

I've never heard the story either! Thanks for sharing it. It's nice to know what's going on 'behind' your gorgeous art. This is a nice sunny thought to keep in my head during the rainy weekend. Although I do love the rain and it's coziness, I hate being cold, so I will think of that sun's rays warming my bones in the drizzly cold rain.
Thanks for the tea party. I was there in my daydreams all day! Such fun!