Friday, June 20, 2025

Sharing Flowers

We love to share flowers. Before ours were ready I received this nice bouquet from the lovely florist in town. We enjoyed these through the crazy busy days of May. 
These flowers have been growing and settling for over 5 years. I got them from a beloved friend after she left her home. I transplanted this plant and waited patiently year after year. Last year at this stage the girls cut all the buds off with scissors. This year I showed them the plant and told them "Don't touch it!". They obeyed and we all waited and watched as it finally slowly opened those tight buds to wow us with beautiful blooms. Most good things in life take a lot of patience. 
Afton made me this pretty bookmark for mother's day. I love it. 
Our lovely inspirational neighbor/gardener Rhia has been bringing us bouquets periodically. She makes big showy displays, I don't have as many flowers or time to do such large arrangements. Hers are captivating from every angle.
Sometimes we just share this kind of flowers. The kids did the annual sprinkler pipe set-up of devils corner. Nowadays we have several corners of pipe but that was the first hence the name. I knew they would appreciate some extra appreciation. In todays age of healthy living and eating we don't do a lot of extra sweets but these are always a crowd favorite. Even though Im relatively out of practice these were soft and perfect! The kids had made a new friend in the neighborhood and wanted to share some with him for his helping them set up another section of handline. He responded with a sweet note asking for more. 
Our closes neighbor grandparents are away visiting family. These flowers bloom every June while they are gone. Not wanting such vibrant and bold flowers to go to waste we cut them and shared them with some sweet friends who always share with us. 
The week before we noticed the rose bushes were full of lovely blossoms. So we harvested those to share. The more moderate June has allowed the flowers to do their best instead of being cooked in a hot oven of summer. 
It was delightful to make some bouqets with such beauty. 


The kids load up with Addie and take the flowers to people that are special to them. I have a few instructions but they mostly decide where these go. It is a favorite activity of summer. This year I planted flowers all over. They are growing. 
I hope we planted enough food stuff too. Where I have an early garden at my house and a summer canning garden in our big spot, it's hard to gauge how much will be coming. I'm happy with all the plants progress though. The peas were a major hit. Andrea and Merle ate the majority sharing sometimes with the rest of us. 
We planted these when Anna was here for Spring break in early April. We are sad they are so short lived. 
And I have learned that one seed packet of Kale goes a long long ways. It is an abundant producer. Thankfully kale freezes nicely and I will be able to continue to choke down fresh homegrown green smoothies for months to come. 
Gardening has been an important diversion this year from all the hustle and bustle. Often I feel I accomplish nothing other than sitting most the day. Watering plants pulling some weeds and enjoying harvesting affirms to my soul I'm not just a lump on a log enduring this year but producing things of worth. Life has thrown some interesting curves this year my plans have been disrupted or changed and I have not been accepting those changes well. Coupled with new worries, the happiness of my kids enjoying peas or sharing beautiful gifts gives me courage that we can keep going. Next plan is a strawberry bed or two complete with weed barrier to hopefully help manage the abundance of weeds in every other growing location. The raspberries I planted are looking great we are hopeful we will get a few handfuls a piece of raspberries this year too. Life is abundant and in spite of my bad attitude we are very very blessed. 


 

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