Did you know the national flower of Ukraine is the sunflower?
I didn't. Until today.
I looked at my Facebook feed and it was becoming flooded with glorious images of sunflower.
They indicate support for the people of Ukraine and their battle to maintain their independence and democracy.
Ukraine is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of sunflower seeds and sunflower oils. It is said that centuries ago during Lent, those in the Orthodox Church were not suppose to use butter or lard for cooking but a the time, there were no restrictions on sunflower oil. By the 1800s, there were large fields of the blooms in the country. (Source)
The face of war is not kind.
I join others in sharing the sunflower -- and prayers for the people both fighting in and fleeing from this war.
So many sunflowers.
So many people displaced.
So many needing our love and support in every way possible.
Sharing with: Pink Saturday / Love Your Creativity / Share Your Style
Amen!!!
ReplyDeleteWow, thanks for this post!
ReplyDeletePrayers are very strong for Ukraine!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jeanie . . .
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Sunflowers . . . a prayer . . .
I am sharing your post.
I am sure that Russian tanks have ploughed under many of the sunflower fields as they tear up the terrain. It is sad, incredibly sad and almost unbelievable, that a former US president, several senators and a prominent news (?) outlet are voicing open support for this invasion.
ReplyDeletePraying for the people of Ukraine!
ReplyDeleteSunflowers for Ukraine, let us hope and pray that they will be strong to hold off the war criminal.
ReplyDeleteI am praying for the Ukraine
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sunflowers for the brave people of Ukraine. So incredibly tragic - my heart is broken. Praying for peace. x K
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard this, but I am all for sunflowers for Ukraine. Ncie post Jeanie. hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Jeanie -- thank you.
ReplyDeleteI have always called the sunflower my happy flower because when I see them they make me smile. Hoping and praying the Ukrainians will soon be able to smile again soon. Janice
ReplyDeleteI am praying for Ukraine 🙏🏻🇺🇦🙏🏻 and her people! Thank you, Jeanie!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know the sunflower was the flower of Ukraine. I absolutely love sunflowers and will try to remember to post some on my blog very soon.
ReplyDeleteI, too, didn't know that the sunflower was the flower of Ukraine.
ReplyDeletePraying for Ukraine ...
Happy Monday, Jeanie!
I also heard about in on Facebook yesterday.
ReplyDeleteIt's so sad what is happening in this day and age! Prayers for Ukraine 🙏🏻
Oh, I didn´t know this! I didn´t expect it!
ReplyDeleteI learned something new this morning, Jeanie. That makes me even CLOSER to Ukraine, since sunflowers are our state flower. Thanks for sharing this. I also stand with Ukraine.
ReplyDeleteThe whole world is praying for Ukraine I think - hope the prayers are heard.
ReplyDeletePerhaps we should all grow sunflowers this year in solidarity
Lovely post. My heart breaks for the people of Ukraine. I didn't know the sunflower was their national flower. I've always loved sunflowers.
ReplyDeleteI am praying for peace and the people of Ukraine.
ReplyDeleteI love the sunflowers photos, beautiful images.
Beautiful post for an ugly situation.
ReplyDeleteYour post is so uplifting and lovely. I posted today my monthly round-up, less positive though. It's too personal to be otherwise. But I did suggest ways to help, including sharing the charity I donated to, who are helping refugees with pets to find accommodation and with food and so on.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that today's flag of Ukraine is yellow and blue: the colors of sunflowers against a clear, blue sky.
ReplyDelete♥
ReplyDeleteThanks for your post. I did not know that but have seen a lot of sunflowers on FB posts.
ReplyDeleteConstant prayer for the people of Ukraine.
ReplyDeleteOur granddaughter was adopted from there in 2009. Our hearts are tender for her homeland.
🙏🌻🇺🇦
That’s exactly what I thought as Linda commented. When I looked at your pictures I thought of Ukraine’s flag, blue and yellow. Thank you for posting. Praying for Ukraine.
ReplyDeleteThinking beautiful sunflowers and prayers for Ukraine! Thanks Jeanie, I will pass this along.......
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that the sunflower is actually a native species to North America and was cultivated by the Indians for thousands of years before European arrival on this continent. Sunflower cultivation became widespread in Russia and Ukraine in the early 1800s. The Ukraine has been the world's largest sunflower seed producer for some years.
ReplyDeleteThe war is a horror show. I hope they manage to negotiate something effective, but I think Putin is cornered and will engage in some terrible war crimes.
best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
I discovered this when I looked into the meaning of their flag. Cool!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post Jeanie. Sunflowers are so lovely. Sending prayers to Ukraine. I cannot the imagine the horror that is going on there. it saddens my heart to see so many people in harms way, lives lost and dreams broken.
ReplyDeleteYes, sunflowers for Ukraine! Love from Hawaii!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jeanie, for the sunflowers today. I hadn't known the sunflower story either, but how quickly we learn when it shows up in our feed. I love each and every thought and sunflower.
ReplyDeleteGood minds think alike, Jeanie. I mentioned the same thing in my post today. I couldn't manage to get it together for Sunday, due to my broken heart. I guess I am no different from so many. Hopefully, this will come to an end and soon.
ReplyDeleteI read about the woman handing soldiers sunflower seeds so when they die sunflowers would grow. But I didn't not know it was their national flower.
ReplyDeletePraying for Ukraine.
Great wax of showing support for the Ukraine! HAVE A GREAT WEEK; HUGS; vALERIE
ReplyDeletethey have long been my favourite flower.
ReplyDeleteI say "Amen" to that. They've been on my heart. Praying for supernatural/God's power to stop this war and the evil in men's hearts.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful
ReplyDelete💔🌻
ReplyDeleteI have heard this from other bloggers.
ReplyDeleteI also just today learned that the sunflower is Ukraine's national flower. I am incredibly saddened by this aggression toward a souvereign, independent and democratic country. A war in the center of Europe - I had thought we had left something like that behind us. I am worried and concerned.
ReplyDeletePrayers for Ukraine. I love sunflowers. Now I love them even more. Nice post.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post. Ukraine & their people are in my prayers every day.
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult to bear witness to the war. But we must. So many reporters embedded, we know exactly what is going on. Shameful, it is.
ReplyDeleteSo sad about Ukraine. Love Cath in Australia.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, Jeanie. It is heartbreaking that one madman causes all of this pain and suffering. And then, to hear those here in this country chanting his name just sickens me.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jeanie, prayers and prayers...I can hardly watch the news, so terrifying...
ReplyDeleteJenna
A beautiful flower. I pray for Ukraine.
ReplyDeleteYes, I just heard that as well. I saw it on a couple friends' blogs showing sunflowers! We are seeing lots of them lately. And it's nice, such a beautiful flower. I like your assortment of photos, Jeanie, especially that field of YELLOW! That was interesting to read about sunflower oil during Lent. I learned something today as well. : )
ReplyDeleteHappy March Jeanie!
~Sheri
Isn’t it a great flower! 🌻🌻🌻 praying for Ukraine!
ReplyDeleteI am praying for Ukraine.
ReplyDeleteYes I did. But we're close to Ukraine and they're present in our lives everyday. Many immigrants from Ukraine have been living with us for a long time. And at the moment more of them are arriving. So yeah, we're close to each other I think.
ReplyDeletewell, the only thing which Putin has achieved for now is uniting the whole world...
I mean - uniting against him
ReplyDeleteLove sunflowers. So beautiful. Such a shame what is happening over there.
ReplyDeleteOh thank you for those bright images. Swoon:)
ReplyDeleteDoes my heart good. I too have been moved by the sea of sunflowers
sweeping across the waves. I have to believe that the love and prayers
are felt by those who need it most.
Thanks for being you,
Jennifer
Wonderful post and way of supporting Ukraine.
ReplyDeleteI dont want war I want peace.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.alyinwanderland.com/2022/02/cute-grunge.html
I love flowers.
ReplyDeleteThat situation in Ukraine is so awful. I can't believe this is happening but I shouldn't be surprised with someone like Putin behind him. And then I think of the narrative he's spinning inside Russian with the state-run media. It's just a horrible, dire, scary situation. I hope he can somehow fall from power - if that is even possible.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful photos. Love sunflowers. Was not aware so many are grown in Ukraine. Let's hope for a positive solution soon for this terrible war.
ReplyDeleteGreat minds think alike I am joining you with Sunflower photos this week. Such sadness to witness.
ReplyDeleteWren x
Beautiful Sunflowers ...
ReplyDeleteSaying a prayer.
All the best Jan
yes indeed prayers for Ukraine. Putin makes me so ... angry. I wish someone would stick some rat poison in his borscht:)
ReplyDeleteIt gives me hope to see so many images of sunflowers.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, Jeanie. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post Jeanie.
ReplyDeleteI saw your beautiful photograph on Pink Saturday and wondered who had posted it. No surprise, when I got to the blog. I took sunflower photographs around Manhattan today and I'll be posting them in the next few days. Continuing prayers for peace.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that. I do, however, know it's a very sad thing that's happening. You'd think we as a race would have evolved to the point where we can figure things out without a war, wouldn't you?
ReplyDeleteI've just signed up to contribute to a poetry anthology where the royalties will go to a charity helping the Ukraine.
It is absolutely horrible at what is happening in Ukraine. We have been supporting Ukraine since the early 2000's, if not the late 1990's, through Mercy Projects.com (formerly Eastern European Outreach). Jeff and his staff regularly visit poorer families in Kiev and outlying areas helping widows, families in crisis because of drug or alcohol abuse, and supporting children/families with gifts of a goat or cow. Last year, people who give to Mercy Projects help fund buying land for a dairy farm to start up. Everything was going so well...
ReplyDeleteIf anyone out there wants to give to a true charity which is currently helping get people in the Ukraine to safety (they cannot publish where they are), Mercy Projects.com out of Murrieta, California (where we moved from) is on the ground helping as we speak. Please consider donating and do check out their website! <3
Thank you, dear friends, and to you Jeanie for bringing us sunshine in flower form,
Many hugs,
Barb <3
Nice reading your journal, but still hoping this stuff goes away soon. We opened our gift store March 1st, 2020 and had to shut down 2 weeks after, It was not a good thing for us at that time. We had to eat and giveaway some of the food we ordered. Love your pics that went with the stories too! Janice
ReplyDelete