Tara’s Hydrangeas

I remember hydrangeas from my childhood and I love them. Today we see them all over our local flower markets and in many of our brave neighbor’s yards. There are large ones that blossom into large bushes and smaller ones used for borders. Their colors are enchanting; pure white, ivory and blue are prominent although we are seeing more deep colors as well.

My lovely white and blue hydrangeas were a gift from my dear daughter in law, Tara. She went to an event last night and was given one of the centerpieces to take home. Knowing how much I love flowers, she saved them for me! I feel both honored and blessed. Her affectionate gift went straight to my dining room table where they sit guarded by my two wicker hurricane candle holders. What a lovely combination!

Thank you Tara for thinking of me! It is so like you to keep others in mind rather than yourself. You are so generous and I love you with all of my heart!

Colors of my Closet

One of my most amazing, young friends, Kelley, came to help me organize my closet last Saturday. It was not only too full but I had a suitcase and a wardrobe box full of clothes and shoes sitting in the garage and everything needed a home. I was utterly overwhelmed! Matter of fact, I was paralyzed! I have not been feeling well lately which has prevented my tackling this job on my own, so her help and support were invaluable.

Kelley arrived looking adorable. She was a vision of loveliness as she whisked in the front door ready to work. Because she was aware of my poor well-being, she insisted I sit while she lifted each piece for either my approval or disapproval. One by one she lifted the articles of clothing to be kept or discarded.  If several seconds went by with an empty response from me she usually encouraged me with a “no” and we moved on to the next item. We took several water breaks and sat outside to enjoy a chilly spring day while solving several world problems and by the time two hours had passed we had four large plastic bags ready for the Goodwill!

Now that there was a closet full of good quality clothing, Kelley made certain I was comfortable and she organized everything into colors! It took her only an hour to coordinate everything. Oh to be young again!

I can’t tell you how beautiful my closet looks not to mention how grateful I am. Not many people would spend their Saturday assisting a friend like Kelley did. She is to be commended! Thank you my dear friend for your spirited helpfulness and for all of your love and attention! 

My Own Chef

My home is a modest two bedroom down, one bedroom up with a loft. It has a 1980’s living room/dining room combo with an eat in kitchen. It’s nothing fancy but comfortable for the two of us! It sits on a corner lot and its large yard houses a big pool. I am very fortunate in many respects in that my children all live close by in Dallas and I see five of my seven grandchildren quite often. These fortunes are all undoubtedly gifts which I cherish each and every day. But there is one thing that makes all of this just a little bit of heaven. You see, I have my very own personal chef!

I am blessed to have a dear husband, Guy, who prepares all of our meals. They are not usually ordinary meals, oh no! The food he sets before me has been given great thought and was prepared with sugar and spice, everything nice and two very dear, loving hands!

The meal above was served just this morning! Homemade crepes deliciously topped with his classic chunky apple syrup and a side of Canadian bacon! You just have to imagine how wonderful they were. There was a sprinkling of cinnamon sugar inside the folded crepe and with a cup of coffee on the side it made a perfect Sunday morning meal!

I know how lucky I am and my thank yous shoot out rapidly with every meal. He is a true chef and master of cuisine and I am more grateful than anyone will ever know.

Thank you Guy….I love you dearly! 

Forlorn and Lonely Garden

My forlorn and lonely garden sits midway between our home and the pool. In as much as we moved here in the late summer nothing was done to the garden last year so it patiently rests waiting for loving hands and sore backs to come to its aid and rescue.

I can only imagine what my pitiful, lonesome garden dreams about for its future; fragrant bushes of rosemary and sweet stems of bright green basil, tall multicolored snap dragons lifting your eyes to the abundant purple butterfly bushes and long flowing stems of a single yellow forsythia set in the background. Dark red bark replaces the ugly black that is there now and grape vines crawl up the wrought iron fence and spread their arms wide. Rows of pink and white petunias line up like toy soldiers along the borders and cinnamon colored begonias encircle the tree. Old bricks define the many herbs and bits of moss and ferns peep out from behind the barren rocks. Pots are set randomly around chocked full of spiky plants, ivies and vibrant red geraniums. A newly purchased red umbrella will shade that which the sun hits too harshly and chairs with soft yellow cushions call for company.

The garden knows how much work this will take but thankfully it is patient, calm and composed. It will wait for the spring days to warm a bit. I, on the other hand, am impatient so I have drawn a map of gorgeous days to come. I have detailed on paper what my garden sees as its future. Together, we will make a great team. I can't wait!