My Beautiful Creation......

 

Awhile ago, a seed was planted and I had no idea of the joy that it would bring.  I had dreams of this seed mimicking the best parts of me.


When you are tasked with the care and nourishment of a special seed, you watch it sprout, grow, perhaps a few hurdle's along the way, but the main objective is for that special seed to be the best seed it can be.The hurtles just meant that I needed to water it more, fertilize it more, perhaps share more light with it. In any case, the seed struggled, survived and made the best of any and all conditions I presented to it.  My precious little seedling grew and she grew and she grew.  She thrived and remembered the lessons from the past.  I had to name that seedling, so I called her Johanna.

Johanna Teresa, my Teri

                                                        (Wondering what to do next......)

I wanted to share this because my seedling, in 11 days will be a full fledged adult..one of those milestone birthdays.  She has blossomed like a well nurtured seed and I am so proud of her. This precious seed was gifted to me when I was 25 years old..

                                                   
                                                     (The 3 T's - Me, Teri and Thea)

  I had no idea of the interesting journey that I would encounter,  As any parent knows, the ups and downs can be quite dizzying. However, the power of LOVE can make even the worst of situations, let's say educational and quite interesting.  She has seen me through 8 relocation's, 2 grandsons, 2 life altering scenarios, countless discussions about everything  and is not going to follow my peaceful path towards gardening.  I am circular and she is linear, but when I look  into her face, I see me.

                                    (Sharing girl time while living in Baltimore)

 I see a reflection of a seed that has fallen not so far from my fading bloom.  I see my daughter, ever evolving, ever confidant and forever my beautiful creation.  I would like for her to have a birthday where is she so happy, free and excited about the possibilities...like she was 4 again....

                  (Returning from a birthday outing, returning to a surprise birthday party for Johanna)

However, I do not think she can fit into that dress anymore...........................

                                                      (The Innocent Look of The Teenager)

Happy Early Birthday Beautiful Johanna....I LOVE YOU...I pray you see many more as an adult, as a Mother and as my Friend. Thank God you are no longer a teenager!!!  My parenting manual was missing A LOT OF PAGES...................CHAPTERS ACTUALLY!!!!

The Garden Calleth.....................

I have been inside doing my end of year clean up and I had to walk the dog.  Aminia has been so loyal since I have been inside and under the weather.  When we came out of the house, I was greeted by the most perfect bud......

What a way to start the day!!!!  When I came back from walking her, I realized that I needed to take a walk through my garden....just to see what was going on.  Imagine my excitement when I realized....hmm....December, almost New Year's and a relatively warm day in winter........what season is it????  It is Hellebore season of course!!!

Left to her own devices, my Hellebore Heaven has given birth to some wonderfully healthy babies!!!!!  My Hellebores are nestled beneath a Cornus Florida from Biltmore Estates (I need to plan another trip down there.  Their wine is absolutely divine....their plants are wonderful as well!).  I mulch this area in the Spring and use Kelp as a fertilizer a few times over the season and it seems to be the right spot to increase my brood of Hellebore's.

I seriously anticipate this time every winter.  It is a sign of the season to come and is also more important than the seed catalogs.or the Garden Club first meeting in the new year announcement....yep these things add some kind of excitement to a cold winter day if you are a gardener)!! It is a sign of survival...a sign that my method of xeriscaping has been tried and true for 6 years now...how exciting is this...at least to me it is!!

Since I was outside, I decided to check the pots of pansies, I bought too late, but put them in anyway.....

Yep....still looking good to me.  Which made me think.......what else is gong on out here, while I lay inside nestled under covers with my trusty Aminia by my side......well let me share.................

(Why is this tree peony singing Donna Summers - I will Survive.....as I always say, disco is not dead!!)

Tree peony buds always seem to say - even if you did not water me, I have been known to live for hundreds of years,,,,just check out the tree peonies at the Woodrow Wilson House in Staunton, Virginia.  A intimate garden at the rear of the house has a substantial stand of tree peonies that have been there for quite some time or take a trip to China and see them growing in the mountains. A Xeric gardeners dream plant!  I won't tell you about the blooms..wait til Spring!!!.

From the Dutch Iris...

to the German Bearded Iris (this one is a clear sunshine yellow)

to the Sedum "Neon".....there is a lot of activity in my garden right ow.   uh oh...what s that....I forgot something....drats......I thought I finished ........oh well.....I have a little more work to do....where is that sot ground when you need it!!!.

Let's see what happens!!!!  See ya in the garden.............

It's that time again......Personal Commitment to Self Time

Here we are again.  It is the end of 2013 and we are about to embark upon 2014.  The question in the air - as it always is, this time  the year - is What are your New Year Resolutions going to be??  My answer will be the same as last year.  I do not make New Years Resolutions, instead I make Personal Commitments to Self. What will I personally commit to doing for ME as I enter a New Year.  I know it sounds selfish but bear with me.

Most people can write down a laundry list of resolutions that they forget within the first two weeks.  One might mention it to others, but the follow through is often non-existent. Drinking less, not working too late, reading more, cooking more, etc.  - these are some of the resolutions my friends are sharing with me. While all of these things are good, they speak to behaviors and not to the core of what are you going to do for YOU. 

Will you decide to help others less fortunate than you?  This will enhance your attitude of gratitude.  Will you teach someone a skill that can better their chances of survival in today's world? This will enhance your feeling of self worth and helping create a kinder society. Will you pitch in when you see another person struggling?  The opportunity to give a helping hand and teach someone to work smarter and not harder, just might make you do the same.  These are just a few examples of what we can do as a personal commitment to self to enhance our lives from within.   There is nothing wrong with drinking less, cooking more or making more time for self and doing the things you love to do, but we should incorporate sharing ourselves by volunteering and giving back, for that inner glow.

My personal commitment to self is to mentor a budding gardener and show him or her the joy of working with their hands. This will enable me to share a gift given to me by my parents. I will help another person enhance their skill set to empower his/her spirit and better their future.  After all, optimism breeds effort. I will help out at a shelter or food bank, so that the less than fortunate can be served. I will also, share in the growth of my community, to make it the best community in the area.  I will also teach myself a new skill - felting.  So I can use fibers to share all of the beauty that surrounds me.  Even while doing these things, I will also make more meaningful time for me.  Sharing is a beautiful thing and I am all about all things beautiful.....and dreaming about Parisian gardens, of course!

Monday Night Beach Party........

I have to share that on Monday night there was a party on the beach with some nibbles and punch of course.  The couple I met from Canada who were from Trinidad and Jamaica were there, as well as another newlywed couple...and then there was the couple who got married on the beach just as the welcome party was going on.  Just too sweet!!!! Their first dance together was witnessed by a crowd of strangers who just simply cheered them on.

Then the party started for real............

There were several grandmothers who let loose on the dance floor ....TO REAL MUSIC WITH RHYTHM.....so refreshing..................Don't work too hard ya'll.........

Here are some scenes from this morning to help you start your day.........

This Snazzy Grandmother represented well and was unstoppable!!!

 

A real Palm Tree with fruit/seeds....something not really seen in the Northeastern part of the US...a little too cold for this.........

 

 

 

Okay.....ahhhhhhhhhhh....off to get some sun..............