About this week

 First there was a piano recital. Little One is growing up so quickly!

 Then an indoor picnic with burgers cooked on one of these green eggs.

Possibly the best burgers ever!

The final gathering of our mentor group…the end of a two-year journey together.

We celebrated with a wonderful dinner of hors d'oeuvres. 

And lingered enjoying an early summer evening on the porch.

Some of us nearly-lifetime friends enjoy celebrating birthdays--a good 

chance to get together, and we did so this week.

 This little dessert … do you see the center?

Ganache! Oh my.

 School is out this week and Little One and I

celebrated with our third annual end-of-year milkshake
at the counter of the"local." She's goofing around for the photo.

Bonus: Tea tray.

Joining Amy's Five on Friday.
Joining Mosiac Monday.

working breakfast: five on friday

 A friend and I had some plans to work on so we met at her house.

She was going to make us a simple breakfast with omelets.

When I saw her roses on the tray I thought this isn't a "simple" breakfast.

 It actually was "simple made beautiful" by the touches she thoughtfully added.

 A fresh flower adorned each of our plates.

 Her crocheted mug jackets kept the coffee warm.

We ate and talked on her porch while a gentle
rain fell on a cool morning,
interrupted only by a check on the neighborhood's newborn ducklings.

Five photos today so I can join Five on Friday.

up there and back

 A road trip up north has kept us occupied for the last 10+days. 

The Gardener had meetings, and we included some time with old friends,

and family in our travels. We loved seeing Spring for a second time
and enjoyed some cool weather.

 We were near the Gardener's home town so that always
means a visit to the cemetery. 

It rained all or some of each day we were away.

It wasn't bad except when downpours made driving difficult.

I love the abundance of old homes and churches that fill the landscape.

And authentic diners!

It seemed good to have a blogging break, but I know
 I'm in for good reading as I catch up.

broken

My computer charger was broken so that meant a trip to the apple store

at our local mall. I used to call it "our" mall, but don't any more.

Going there on a Saturday was less than smart, but I needed my computer.

The mall was packed with people dressed too well for a Saturday.

Stores buzzed with loud music and crowds cramming around counters.
I waded through droves of shoppers to reach the apple store
and didn't even feel like people watching, it was all so intense.

When we lived closer I'd go early mornings to walk
the mall, and it was easy to drop in to shop.

Then the CHANGE came. I think it doubled in size.

Now when I go I can't find a familiar store and
look in vain to find some semblance of what it used to be
while wondering where all the people came from.

I think I recognize an escalator and maybe the main door.

Our old mall seems broken.

I need to stop thinking about what used to be. 

That's a key to living gracefully with all the changes that come the longer we live.

Accept and go on.

"Broken" reminds me of a sweet story about our youngest grand.

Coming home from the last day at her mom's Bible study and her story time,

she was holding tightly to a little New Testament she had been given.

She loves little books and always goes for an 1800s small book I have on a low bookshelf.

She climbs into a chair with it and "reads"aloud.

But in the car her mama kept hearing from the back, 

"My Bible is broken, Mommy."

"It's broken."

Our DIL finally figured out what Littlest meant.

It had no pictures like her sister's and brother's story Bibles.
Indeed, broken.

Photos of a restroom "island" in St. Petersburg, FL.

I was struck by all the broken windows.

Friday Five: life as it is

1. The knock out roses have become an amazing hedge.

 2. There is a brief window (pun intended) of time when the

pollen is gone, the intense humidity is yet to come,

and the windows can be flung open.

This week was one of those rare times.

 3. Porch scrubbing complete, I am feeling thankful for this tablecloth

I found at a yardsale. It brightens the porch and my day.

4. So happy to be reading an Elizabeth Goudge,

even though it's musty pages bring the occasional sneeze!

5. The reality of life. Our high bed is my folding table.

I do like a neatly folded stack of laundry, which this isn't.
At least yet.

Joining Five on Friday.

up close and personal

Last year the Gardener transplanted our peonies

from a spot where they just weren't getting enough sun.

Last year the blooms were barely worth taking note of.

This season looks promising. I brought our

first bud into the house and its bloom

is magnificent. I love the color and

decided to get up close and do a photo study of

our one solitary blossom (so far).

There's more buds on the bush and I'm looking forward to a great show!

Joining Judith's Mosaic Monday for the last time for awhile.

I think once a month is the plan.

Thank you, Judith for hosting weekly for so long!

five arches on friday

There's something so appealing about an arch.

At least to my eye. I reach for my camera when I see one.

Here are five of my favorites--two from a botanical garden in 

Grand Rapids, Michigan, one from the Blue Ridge Parkway, 

one from Istanbul, and one from Munich. 

You can probably guess which is which.

When I took this one in the pouring rain, I don't think I even realized

 it was an arch in an arch in an arch.

"All experience is an arch wherethrough gleams that untraveled world whose 

margin fades for ever and for ever when I move." Alfred Lord Tennyson

Joining Five on Friday

over the hill

There's a farmhouse on the other side of this little hill.

Joining Good Fences today.

Mostly a garden tour

 

1.  I walked around the garden with my phone camera today,

thinking to catch a few images before spring disappears.

The old swing has survived another winter.

It might be time for a good scrubbing and some repairs.

 2, The irises are on their way--I call them the "ladies with the big show."

There must be some metaphor for life here. They work all year to prepare for just a week of glory.

 3. The phlox are brilliant this year as they march further and further across our front garden.

Our strange spring weather is allowing them extra time this season. 

The transplanted peonies seem to like their new location.

Love their color and love their show, coming soon.

4. Because it got cool again, our winter beauties are giving us a grand finale of gorgeousness.

When the hot weather arrives they will be dug out and replaced by pansies.

5. I made this card for a friend's birthday from a photo I took of her buffet.

I love the painting that hangs in the background and did a little work in photoshop with it.

She didn't recognize it at first. We had a good laugh.

Bonus: I think I must be the tent grandma as they kids are always

asking me for one. Then they pack a knapsack of toys for playing in the tent,
as if they are on a little journey.

I realized today that I probably have more fun with 

my grandees than maybe anyone these days!

For the first time I'm joining Five on Friday, 

and already I've stepped outside the box and added a bonus.

Joining Amy's Five on Friday 
and Mosaic Monday.

tea for two

Actually, we had tea for four. 

When my friend M.E. asked if she could bring her mama from assisted living for tea at my house,

I was thrilled. I called my friend Lydia Grace to see if she could join us.

She is amazing with older people and when she comes to my house,

it's like Comfort walks in the door.

We had a wonderful time with our special 92 year old guest.

She may not see or hear well, but she is as sharp as a tack with 

an incredible wealth of knowledge. 

She tells a good story with a dry dose of humor mixed in.

As we talked we learned she was born in the same hospital as my mom was way up north,

and her daughter, M.E., and I were both born in the same midwestern hospital! A fun fact.

M.E. and her mama arrived with a hatbox filled with "Tea for Two."

They were eager to show it off.

Out came the booklet with directions for having a tea for two box.

Contents: one pretty tablecloth with napkins, two cups and saucers, two teaspoons,

sugar cubes, creamer and suger bowl, tea bags and of course a teapot.

Also required would be some sweets and a thermos of hot water.

This should be kept by the door and ready to take to a friend for tea when needed.

Or to use when a friend comes to your door.

It was delightful to read about "Tea for Two" and see her tea things.

Once back at the care center, M.E. reaches high up to place the 

hatbox on top of the wardrobe in her mama's room.

On top goes a big hat, and it's all lovely to gaze upon.

There's no doubt who received the biggest blessing the day we had "tea for four."

Joining Monday Mosaics.

just dandy

I have a little neighbor who brings me the loveliest

miniature bouquets, stuffed in her tiny hand.

"If it's starting to wilt," she says, "Don't worry, there's more."

Her mama is teaching her how to love others well.

I recently came across this crumbling ledger from my 

great-great grandfather, a farmer, and this particular page is from

this month, a mere 130 years ago.

He has interesting spelling and rough penmanship but he seemed

to keep good accounts. What caught my attention in several places was 

the mention of "dandelions." Twice on this page, though it might

be hard to see. It makes me wonder if dandelions used to be a desired flower.
Or maybe they were good in a salad.

They are bright and cheery and would be charming in a flower bed.

Is a weed just a flower someone deemed undesirable?

I've missed reading blogs. It's been a packed two weeks:

having the grandees here for a few days overnight including rides to school,

homework, piano, and potty training. This tired grandma experienced

exhaustion like never before! (but joyful exhaustion.)

Then we scooted out of town, met some deadlines, and life has just been busy.