A Lovely Day

I woke up yesterday to a beautiful sunrise..

and the sight of lilacs and snowballs.

Amazing!

 

 

      Then a visit from Wren and Whitney. 

 A laughing baby, lots of sunshine

 

and  some time in the garden.

What a lovely day.

Lilacs

"I listened by the doorstep as the evening shadows fell,

While from the distance floated the faint tinklings of a bell,

The night hawk circled overhead then dropped straight down below,

The same as when I first lived there, in childhood, long ago.

 

The trees have grown much taller in the yard where once I played,

And now looked so majestic in their summer robes arrayed;

And near the walk the lilacs flung their fragrance to the air

The lilacs that my mother planted for us there.

 

"...Oh, sweet and fragrant lilac, the one she loved so well,

Thy fragrance brings to memory sad thoughts I cannot tell;

Sweet lullabies of childhood sung at the evening rest,

By mother clasping closely the one she loved the best.

A voice that gently whispered sweet words of love to me,

a face so kind and gentle, a heart with love so free;

Still yet my heart throbs feel them, still yet I see them there,

When lilacs that she planted with fragrance fill the air."

 

~Ed Blair

"It is your Reaction to Adversity..."

These last couple of months we have had our share of adversity. 

When it rains it pours. 

After Jim lost his job we have had many rainy days. 

 But as cheesy as it sounds...the sun always comes out after the rain. 

 For as many down days as we have had..there have been days full of blessings. 

 In February Jim got called to the Bishopbric, which has been a great blessing in our lives. 

 We also had time in February to visit the PA gang which we usually don't do in the winter months.  Each time I go through a difficult time it makes me aware of those around me who have it worse and my compassion for them deepens. 

 Going through adversity continues to strengthen my faith. 

I love this quote. 

 I remember telling my son when he was going through difficult times that when things get really tough, give yourself a day or so to be sad, but then pick yourself up.. start thinking of what you have to be grateful for and get on with life. 

 Have faith that things will work out. 

 Things do work out one way or another. 

 

This last week another bump in the road. 

 My back has gotten to the point where the nerves have made it so I am limping. 

 My left leg is getting more numb and dragging quite a bit. 

 The doctor is worried that some of the damage to my nerves is beyond repair. 

 So I have been a bit down this past week,

 wondering again why..

why is it pouring rain yet again?

And then I go outside

I look at the signs of spring.

I see my lilac blooming

 (the very lilac that Maude gave me for my birthday so many  years ago) 

It thrives and blooms each year reminding me of that sweet lady who taught me to love trees and flowers and nature. 

 I hear the sound of my fountain, so soothing as I fix our evening meal.

I see these beautiful plants waiting to be put in the ground. 

 They will make my garden lovely.

I look out from my front porch and see this view and am uplifted. 

 

So with any adversity that goes on in my life,

 I don't even have to leave my home to find many wonderful things

 to make me grateful that I am alive. 

Things that strengthen my faith, and help me know that all will be well.

Welcome Spring!

As the days get warmer and the spring showers green up the garden,

 I  look forward to being outside once more. 

To start planting, to see the flowers grow, to see their colors.

Each plant is so unique. 

Each adds beauty to the garden in its own way. 

"I think that no matter how old or infirm I may become,

I will always plant a large garden in the spring. 

Who can resist the feelings of hope and joy

 that one gets from participating in nature's rebirth?"

 

~Edward Giobbi

 

 

"I love spring anywhere,

but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden."

 

~Ruth Stout

 

(my sentiments exactly)

Peonies and Foxgloves

I've always wanted to have foxgloves and peonies in my garden and never been too successful.  I do have a peony that used to bloom but since has been covered up by a vine, so it my goal to move it this year into my perennial garden and see if I can get it to bloom.

 

Peonies grow best in the full sun, so mine will never be a success as long as it's hiding behind the vine that has grown so big.  To encourage flowering, they need to be planted on a northern exposure, (which mine is).  It's a good idea to plant in a raised bed because the roots will quickly rot in poorly drained soil. 

 

Both of these beautiful blooms make lovely cut flowers.  Peonies come back each year in the spring, while foxgloves are bienneial, only making it two growing seasons.  But what beautiful spring flowers they are to look forward to!