P52 - Week 46 - Birthday Blooms

We picked up these yellow roses for Nanny's celebration of life gathering back in the spring. After the service, we planted them in the front yard and they have been such a bright, beautiful reminder of my mom!


But as lovely as these have looked over the last 6 months, it is nothing to the spectacular show they are putting on now! And that seems entirely perfect as this week would have been Nanny's 71st birthday and a bouquet of brilliant yellow roses like this would have made her birthday dreams come true.

Happy birthday in Heaven Mom! I love you and miss you more than I can properly express, but when I see these bright yellow blooms welcoming me home when I pull into the drive, I feel just a little bit closer to you.

P52 - Week 23 - Tough Cookie

When we were getting things ready for Nanny's memorial service, we picked up some really pretty (& pretty BIG) potted plants that we used for a center piece on the table that would hold her urn. But we wanted to cover the room in her favorite color/flower, so we also splurged on a pallet of small pots with miniature yellow roses, with the idea to use them on the tables around the room.

We got a GREAT deal on the plants as the garden manager was afraid they were not very healthy plants. And I guess we should have listened to her concerns as all 7 pots were too sickly to bring with us to the memorial service. But we planted them anyway and hoped that with a bit of TLC, they would bounce back.


This little guy and its nearest neighbor are the only survivors. But when they bloom, they are WORTH THE EFFORT of trying to keep them hanging in there. A bloom like this one is barely larger than a quarter, but it's a wonderful, bold splash of color nestled in the rocks of the flower bed along one side of our home and I just love them! I'm so thankful they are toughing it out for me!

P52 - Week 21 - Summer Showers

Forget the old adage "April Showers bring May flowers." The last few years, May has been the wettest month on the calendar. This is quite unusual, as we typically get most of our rain in late February and early March and have already begun to dry out by the time May rolls around.


I'm not complaining though. And neither are Nanny's roses in the bed in the front of our home. They have been showing their appreciation for the extra moisture by giving us a rather brilliant display of color each day as we pull into our drive way.

I know that the dry months will be on us all too soon, so I am enjoying this while it lasts!

P52 - Week 17 - Soft & Sultry

I found this lovely flower on a trip to Vermillionville Historic Village that was part of the orchestra's spring trip to Louisiana.


When I look at this shot, I wish images could convey aromas! Just imagine the soft, wet air you would expect from rural Louisiana and inhale the almost musky, floral fragrance of this little beauty! It rained on us later in the day, so just imagine the heavy humid air that goes with it. It really was a feast for the senses (especially when you factor in the amazing Cajun lunch spread that came with it!).

P52 - Week 16 - for Nanny

Nanny's memorial service is tomorrow. Yellow roses were her most favorites and these little beauties are blooming just in time to be the centerpiece at the service.


The plan is to plant these pretties in front of the house after the memorial service. I am hoping they will provide a pleasant reminder of our Yellow Rose of Texas each time we pull into the drive way. And since the phrase "home is where Mom is" has always rung true for our family, I'm glad these will represent her at our home.

P52 - Week 9 - a Texas tradition

Spring has come early to Texas. In fact, except for one weekend in January, I think we skipped winter all together this year. But regardless of what that means for the many hot months to come, an early spring means early BLUE BONNETS!


Personally, I just love seeing the roadsides draped in this particular shade of royal blue. It's my favorite color!

I'm told, however, that this obsession with blue bonnets is definitely a "Texas thing." My better half is not a native Texan and he shakes his head as I swoon over the blooms each spring. He plays along when I drag the family out for pictures amidst my favorite flower and never makes a fuss about me wanting to stop the car each time I see a good-sized patch along the roadside.

I can't help it. It's a Texas thing and I'm a Texas gal!

p.s. this snap was actually taken on March 2nd, which happens to be the anniversary of when Texas declared independence from Mexico. Happy Birthday Texas!

3/31

Day 003: Weathering the Storm


We had a HECK of a storm blow through last night. It woke almost everyone in the house (Wonder Boy could sleep through the train running through the back yard) and made for a VERY groggy start to the day.

But I did get to see this little survivor when I went out to survey the damage this morning (note: no damage really found - just lots and lots of water/mud everywhere).