It snowed this morning. Flurries of lacy white swirled outside my window momentarily and then subsided as the wind died down.

No, it’s not a freak storm–it’s just an ordinary spring afternoon in the orchards surrounding my house. It’s apple blossom season in the Gravenstein orchards, and all it takes is a little breeze to make it snow pearly-white petals. Heaven.

It’s so pretty, my kids can’t help but break into song:

I looked out the window and what did I see? Popcorn popping on the apple tree.
Spring has brought me such a nice surprise! Popcorn popping right before my eyes.
I can take a handful and make a treat. A popcorn ball that smells so sweet.
It wasn’t really so, but it seemed to be: Popcorn popping on the apple tree.

This is the kind of idyllic day that makes me say this is without a doubt my favorite season. The hills are covered with corduroy rows of grapevines just leafing out, the wisteria and lilacs are lush with fragrant purple blossoms, and the bees are nearly drunk with nectar. (But just wait until fall comes around and the vineyards are all afire with autumnal color: I’ll rhapsodize about my “favorite season” all over again!)

Walking among the apple trees, I decided I had to try to capture this lovely phenomenon in jewelry to enjoy all year long. Scattered blossoms in pale silver on a fine chain of gold, or a surprising study in contrast with chocolaty shakudo petals instead:

petals necklace in sterling and 14K

petals necklace and earrings in shakudo and 14K

My tribute to spring in this beautiful place I’m lucky enough to call home.