"I'd rather have roses on my table, 

than diamonds on my neck."

-Emma Goldman 

Start Quote

I...feel like an artist when I arrange a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

Now is the season for splendor in the vase. 

Let's make the most of it. 

Living with flowers is an exquisite simple pleasure,

and in the spring, summer, and fall,

it's an affordable luxury...

Like Emma Goldman, 

I'd choose roses on my table over diamonds any day.

This is a real possibility if you grow your own, 

which is why I splurged on rosebushes this spring...

Cutting gardens can take years of nurturing

 before they reward you with bouquets of flowers. 

So I weed and water and wait. 

But while I'm waiting I head to the farmers' market 

on the weekends and stop off at roadside stands 

whenever I spot them to smell the flowers 

and indulge by spending a few dollars...

As I arrange bouquets not only for the living room, 

but also the dining room, kitchen 

(remember feng shui!), bathroom and desk, 

I know I am in good company.

End Quote

"Flowers really do intoxicate me."

-Vita Sackville-West  

If I had to choose, 

I guess I'd choose flowers over diamonds. 

But do I have to choose?

Can't I have both?

 

One of the very last things I brought my sister was a bouquet of flowers from the farmers market. It was all grown in her yard, and there was overgrown basil that had this beautiful flower and scent to it. 

Of course she couldn't take it with her into the ICU. 

They don't allow flowers in there. 

I had just told Robbie that no matter what 

I was going to bring my sister flowers all the time, 

no matter what it cost. 

That's probably why I think of her every time I see one.

Flowers are pretty amazing.

The feelings they invoke are almost indescribable.

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Gratitude Journal

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1) Lazy and yet productive Saturdays. Lots of naps, lots of rest, lots of organizing.

2) Robbie. He knew how exhausted I was, and he took the brunt of the work with the kids today so I could get more rest than I would have.

3) My in-laws. I'm so grateful they came over, not to just hang out with the kids, but they brought food too. There was no way I was cooking, pizza was so awesome.

4) Gatorade and water. 

5) The red and pink starbursts, and any other starburst in the red color spectrum.

June 23rd - Midsummer

"I believe the nicest and sweetest days 

are not those on which anything very 

splendid or wonderful or exciting happens, 

but just those that bring simple little pleasures, 

following one another softly, 

like pearls slipping off a string..."

Today Sarah quotes Lucy Maud Montgomery.

Sarah said

"When Midsummer arrives, 

it's time to look ahead and dream.

Perhaps, if one is lucky, 

the days ahead will unfold as a 

'never-to-be-forgotten summer

-one of those summers which come seldom into any life, 

but leave a rich heritage of beautiful memories in their going

-one of those summers which, in a fortunate combination of

 delightful weather, delightful friends and delightful doings, 

come as near to perfection as anything can come in the world.'"

Today Sarah also talks about the Stillwater followers. 

Start Quote

The Stillwater religion, 

which combines the best beliefs of the 

Shakers, Quakers, and Amish, 

is a state of mind...

[They] believe that life's simple pleasures are meant to be savored 

and that Nature is to be revered...

[Tasha] Tudor explains, "Life without stress. 

Nowadays, people are so jeezled up. 

If they took some chamomile tea 

and spent more time rocking on the porch in the evening...

they might enjoy life more...

Life is to be enjoyed, not saddled with."

Tonight I feel it. 

We just finished a huge event, 

and as I sit here writing and getting ready for bed, 

I feel the peace of no stress. 

I'm not worried about what went wrong,

 or how exhausted I am...

I'm just filled with gratitude for all who came out tonight.

I'm filled with the joy of a job well done. 

I'm tired, and know I'm going to sleep well. 

If I had a porch, and I hadn't spent all day in the sun, 

I'd be sitting out on it rocking in a rocking chair. 

Life is to be enjoyed. 

Happy midsummer night, 

and may you have a wonderful midsummer night's dream.

***

Gratitude Journal

***

1) We really did throw a great car show. I'm so grateful for all the time and effort that people put in to make this thing happen.

2) Remembering my sister, and being a part of helping others.

3) Robbie made me a quesadilla. 

4) Showers. Sun block. Sunglasses. Cars, lots and lots of really cool cars. Lavender sachets. Local honey. Lipsense (finally, something that won't come off when you eat or kiss people!). So many good things.

5) My cousins and nana. They watched my kids all day, doing their part for the foundation. I'm so grateful.

 This is my new favorite car.

 I can't believe he let me sit in it!

 Looking like hot messes, but my lip sense is still fierce. 

I love you Shelby. 

Now and forever.

I can't wait to see you again. 

June 22nd - Victory Garden

Start Quote

The 1930s and 1940s were lean and hungry years in America.

People hungered in the 1930s because of the Depression:

debt, drought, dust storms, displacement,

and heartbreaking breadlines and unemployment lines. 

From 1942 to 1945, people were hungry for 

peace, order, safety, security, and homecomings, 

as well as meat, cheese, sugar, butter, coffee, and oil, 

which were strictly rationed because they were being shipped to 

American troops fighting around the world...

In the 1940s, President Franklin Roosevelt ordered 

"victory gardens" as part of the war effort...

American women answered the patriotic call by growing

more than a million tons of vegetables a year...in backyard plots...

Probably the most convincing argument for 

a personal victory garden is a homegrown tomato...

[if you've ever had a home grown tomato 

verses a store bought one, 

you know there is no comparison.

The flavor is a million times more amazing.] 

It's time to completely rethink growing vegetables. 

The victory garden in the 1990s has gone gourmet, 

and it's an affordable luxury. 

Food is grown not just for economy but for delight...

You may not have a gourmet vegetable garden this summer. 

Gardens need to be plotted, planned, and planted 

before they yield their harvest. 

But you can sow the seeds of this simple pleasure 

into your imagination for next year. 

End Quote 

I love to garden.

I love growing things. 

I haven't had much success, but I still love it.

Robbie dug out my strawberries once 

because he didn't know that they were perennials.

I haven't been able to grow a full melon. 

But I can grow zucchini like no other mother. 

Here are some pictures of my last garden. 

Sometime next year, I can't wait to grow another one. 

It's one of the best feelings in the world.

I had a white picket fence. It was gorgeous.

I loved this little plant. Something came and ate the two starting leaves, and it still grew.

I made these into french fries. Super yummy.

Also, think about it this way. 

Apocalypse.

If there were no more grocery stores 

how many of us could feed ourselves? 

Besides bringing joy to our lives,

it's also about self reliance.  

Share a picture of your garden!

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Gratitude Journal

***

1) Costco with my mom and a friend. 

2) My cousin. She is so awesome, and my kids adore her. She came to watch the kids while I went to Costco, and then just stayed the whole day.

3) I'm pretty much exhausted. I'm getting to bed before 11 tonight, I'm so excited.

4) Having another adult to talk to throughout the day. 

5) Dogs. Petting dogs. Spending time with dogs. Doggy kisses...etc etc