Will you just look at the kind of thing that happens when you're not paying attention? Oh my. Like a watched pot that never boils. This lone tulip poked its gorgeous head up and made an unexpected appearance. Well, well, well. When it comes to flowers of any kind, better late---than never, I say. I happened to notice it yesterday as I was passing by with the weed cart. The sun was shining on it like a spotlight and set the petals all a-glow. I stopped in my tracks to stare. Quickly skipped inside to grab my camera. Glad I did too, because its cold and drippy today, a far cry from this scene, but one that I can now continue to enjoy here. I don't recall planting this bulb, or seeing it before. Maybe a squirrel carried it over from another's yard and buried it at the base of the tree. What a wonderful surprise! It's the only tulip growing out in the open here, and it appears to have escaped the attention of the deer, who are still lurking. 
Could. it. be. the deer don't actually eat this one? Or possibly, they're just put-off by the daffodils and grape hyacinth that surround it, which they don't care for. I was once told that deer don't eat red tulips, so on that advice, big red tulips we planted with abandon. However, to my horror, their lovely heads were promptly and thoroughly chomped-off at the neck before they'd even had a chance to bloom. (OK, I thought, so much for that theory.) But now I'm wondering. Maybe there's some truth to that, and this is the red tulip they don't go for. I can only hope and dream that's true, because oh, the loveliness of it is beyond description. Must find out more about it so I can plant some companions. In the meantime though, I'm keeping my eye on this one to be sure. Be brave my darling.
Anyway, after being tagged by several people this month to list my five fave blogs, and finding it impossible to narrow it down to only five, I decided instead, to share those that have *inspired me the most* this past week (and even that wasn't easy), but here they are...in alphabetical order with links so you can be inspired too:
Calamity Kim: Incredible collage quilts and aprons.
Echoes of a Dream: Simmy's fabulous felt dandelions, along with a tutorial for making them.
Molly Chicken: Lynn's "grumpy" doll Hattie and more links to amazing things.
Peace & Serenknitty: Whimsical handmade Shoes, Victoria's gift from her mother.
Tales from Pixiewood: Cherry Menlove's interview with Susan Branch.
Ok that's it. Now I'm tagging these five bloggers to share their fave five: Isabelle, Tatania, Dannielle, Sabine, and Tracy.
And a grand parting-shot of my lovely, unfurling garden gift here. Hope you all find inspiration today!
My goodness, how beautiful! I would indeed count myself lucky to have one of those lovelies just *pop* up in my garden! I love all the different colors on the outside of the petals--they look like they've been painted! Maybe someone will know what that variety is--I've never planted bulbs before but I think I could be persuaded if this is my reward!
Posted by: Heidi | April 21, 2007 at 01:27 PM
Oh, wow! And your photos are so beautiful too! Makes me want to run into the garden with my camera and find inspiration. You should paint that!
Posted by: Anina | April 21, 2007 at 02:46 PM
Vicki,
This magnificent flower is one of the most beautiful I have seen in a long time. I love seeing pics of tulips but never have I seen one in such gorgeous colors. I agree with Heidi it looks like it was painted.........and it was, by His hand alone and He does such fantastic work! I am so glad you took the pics to show us! Thank you. If you ever do find out what type it is, please tell, maybe I could find a beautiful spot such as yours to plant one. Aren't the most precious ones the ones we find hidden in surprise spots? Just waiting for that perfect moment to be spotted and to put a smile on one's face?
Happy spring! Kathie
Posted by: Kathie Hill | April 21, 2007 at 02:50 PM
How gorgeous! And coming as a surprise to boot! What a treasure.
Posted by: Barbara H. | April 21, 2007 at 03:02 PM
Wow, what a beauty! Love its ruffly edges too, like a parrot tulip. And its intense color is just gorgeous.
Our tulips seem to be taking their time. They are growing, just very slowly it seems. I was overjoyed this morning to find that our fist daffodil is opening up.
Posted by: Maritza | April 21, 2007 at 03:28 PM
What glory there is in nature! When you think there could be nothing else to be surprised by, viola, Mother Nature shines her heart on the earth. Live long small wonder.
Posted by: LadyMarcia | April 21, 2007 at 04:15 PM
What glorious colors - hope it is indeed the 'deer-proof' type!
Posted by: tinker | April 21, 2007 at 05:07 PM
I love nature pictures. Lovely tulip. Many of your fav fives are my fav fives. I cannot let a day go past without checking in on them and seeing what's new, indcluding you!
Posted by: Marie | April 21, 2007 at 11:37 PM
Quite an honour to be added to your list...
I visit your blog almost daily and I just love it, lots of inspiration.
Keep on crafting!
Posted by: Sabine | April 22, 2007 at 02:34 AM
Your blog has just beautiful colours and patterns. I'm bed ridden after an operation - your blog really cheered me up!
Posted by: Vasilisa | April 22, 2007 at 05:59 AM
Your tulip is just gorgeous. My tulips are just starting to grow and already the deer have come for a visit. what to do?
lucette
Posted by: Lucette | April 22, 2007 at 10:48 AM
Wow, how beautiful surprise you have. These tulips are gorgeus!!! I think deers don't eat them. I was reading about plants that would poison cats...hmmm, maybe is not a good choice for deers too. Let me check these blogs I don't know yeat!
Posted by: Zabrina | April 22, 2007 at 04:53 PM
Oh, that tulip is breath taking. Your garden must be beautiful!
Posted by: Betty @ She's Sew Pretty | April 22, 2007 at 06:17 PM
Thank you so much for the lovely compliment! People kept leaving comments to say they came to visit me because of Turkey Feathers! Thank you so very much!!! I am inspired by you and your daughters and your beautiful embroidery and quilting and sweetness and kindness. I think you are one of the most wonderful creative forces in all of Blog Land! And your garden is lovely too!
Posted by: Kim Sherrod | April 22, 2007 at 07:26 PM
Wow, you tagged me! Thank you! I just answered on my blog.
I'm away for a week, and shall miss your blog! Take care ♥
Posted by: Isabelle | April 23, 2007 at 12:05 AM
hopefully you will be posting much of your garden, it seems to me that it's going to be lovely. I love your blog, it's so fresh and vibrant, the tulip is lovely! i wish you lots of inspiration:)
Posted by: danielleroothooft | April 23, 2007 at 02:17 AM
So very beautiful. I love this time of year!
Posted by: Felicia | April 23, 2007 at 04:00 AM
WOW--I was so very surprised to be tagged--Thank you so much! You are a super-sweetheart, you know! It is a great honor too, actually, as for many of us you are rather like blog royalty--LOL! What you share here is truly inspirational--you give from the heart, and that means so much. But I better get moving on my tag list too--LOL! Those tulips are sensational...So glad the deer did not get those! Happy Days! :o)
Posted by: Tracy | April 23, 2007 at 05:28 AM
Fences are wonderful things, aren't they? I found one rogue red tulip this year also--under my crabapple tree. I've never seen it there before and am surprised that Quackers the duck didn't eat it because he seems to love all of my pink tulips. Maybe its ducks that won't eat red tulips not deer....
Thanks for the mention, BTW, I love those shoes!
Posted by: victoria | April 23, 2007 at 06:43 AM
I too fight a losing battle with the deer. I'm glad this lone tulip made it. I have read, and heard many things that deer supposedly won't eat. Apparently mine are on a differnt diet!
Posted by: willzmom | April 23, 2007 at 07:36 AM
Your photos are stunning!
And wow! I've been tagged :)
I'll have to give this some thought. And thank you for all the wonderful blogs you've linked. Good reading!
Posted by: Dannielle | April 24, 2007 at 04:16 PM