Inspirational Thursday-The Rose

The other morning while walking, I found myself listening to Bette Midler.

I have always enjoyed her voice so much and she was

  singing one of my favorite songs of days gone by. 

When I got home I just had to take a few pictures of my

red roses from Valentines day-

The Rose

"Some say Love, it is a river, that drowns the tender reed

   Some say Love, it is a razor, that leaves your soul to bleed

                             Some say Love, it is a hunger, an endless aching need

                           I say Love, is a flower, and you, its only a seed
                                                 

               It's the heart afraid of breaking, that never learns to dance

              It's the dream afraid of waking, that never takes the chance
                                                   

                     It's the one who won't be taken, the one who can't seem to give

                                  And the soul afraid of dying, that never learns to live

         When the night has been too lonely and the road has been too long
           
              And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong

           Just remember that in the Winter, far beneath the bitter snow

     Lies, the seed, that with the sun's love in the Spring becomes the rose

Hurts and disappointments have the power to change our outlook on life and 

love, if we allow them to do so.

These hurts have the ability to leave us bitter, fearful and paralyzed and even 

prevent us from viewing love as beautiful, joyful and rewarding.

Isn't it comforting to know that we are woven together in such a way that we 

are meant to give love unconditionally and receive love openly and graciously.

We have been given the gift to love and be loved. 

When we let love fill our hearts,

there is no room for bitterness and fearfulness.


Wishing you love and joy~






Please Join Me~

Elizabeth & Co.

Little Red House

Nancherrow

Common Ground

French Country Cottage

Rooted In Thyme

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

Greenhouse Tales

Thank you all for sharing your gardening stories with me on how you handle 

challenging plants, unpredictable Weather, climate changes and poor 

gardening soil.

I so enjoyed reading each and every comment and found them very helpful-so 

please keep them coming!

We live in North Texas where gardening soil is not great, space is limited, we 

are on constant water restrictions and our weather is erratic and hot in 

the Summer. 

To help out with the conditions which Mother Nature has given us- we have 

purchased a small, very reasonable priced and  functional Hobby Greenhouse. 


I ordered my Greenhouse online and it arrived in a box. 

Can you believe it began in such a simple manner and blossomed into such a 

nifty structure? (Big thanks to my dear Husband!)

A few things which I have learned about purchasing a Greenhouse-

1.Make sure it comes with shelves or at least provides a link on where to 

order them.

Can you believe my Greenhouse had nary a shelf-hum...

It did in the picture-sold separately, neglected to mention that and for a 

handsome price. 

Home Depot and hubby to the rescue-really isn't selling a Greenhouse without

shelving like selling a car without seats?

Oh, well we have moved on and even have some sprouting going on-see 

those cute radishes, we love them in our evening salads.

Most Hobby Greenhouse are made out of clear-as-glass polycarbonate-

offering thermal insulation, 100 % UV protection, aluminum galvanized steel

frames, roof vent and rain gutters, and magnetic door.

2- You will need to anchor your greenhouse in place.

Hobby Greenhouses are super light and need  to be anchored one way or 

another. Our Greenhouse came with some stakes to anchor it in the ground. 

Because of limited space we could not put our Greenhouse on the lawn-so the 

stakes were of no use to us.

Instead we built a wooden base from 4 x 4's and attached them to the frame 

of the Greenhouse with screws.  (First photo shows this)

I am enjoying and loving every moment in my Greenhouse, can't wait to

start planting those tender plants!



Please Join Me~

French Country Cottage

Dwellings-The heart of your home

Elizabeth & Co.

Dedicated House

A Stroll Thru Life

The Style Sisters

Savvy Southern Style

Cedar Hill Farmhouse

Ravishing Blooming Colors

Happy Friday and welcome weekend-you know it is going to be a 

good day when the sun is shining and the wind is not blowing.

We had winds up to 27 miles per hour yesterday and they were a 

bit brutal. 

                                               Source
I did spend a few hours in my greenhouse-I have planted various

vegetables and flowers from seed and now the waiting begins.

Of course, there aren't many flowers blooming in my garden except

for my sweet pansies. 

The daffodils and tulips seem to be a bit slower this year-no pretty 

blooms from them yet.

                                           Source

A few ranunculus, but not nearly enough to make this stunning

arrangement, so I will be going to the market to see what I can find.

In the meantime, I am using my Pinterest board, for inspiration on

how to put together some springtime arrangements.

                                           Source

Don't we all adore hydrangeas? 

What bothers me is that I am unable to grow them-I try every 

Spring, and every Summer they die.

Texas is in a wretched drought and we are always on water 

restrictions.
                 

                                            

So, I guess I will have to be a creative gardener and continue to 

grow most of my plants in pots. 

At first this seemed so odd to me, it seemed as though I really 

wasn't gardening. 

But each Season I have become more reconciled to the idea and 

actually have good success.  

A couple of big problems with this is the expense-you know I 

have to purchase so many pots and soooo much potting soil. 

Growing up on a farm we didn't buy soil, so you can see why this

tends to irk me.

                                               Source

Aren't Dahlias an amazing flower, I grew them one year and they

performed just like the Hydrangeas, they squeaked out a few 

blooms and acted as though they were going to go into full throttle 

glory and then poof...the heat set in and they withered away.  

I will make one more stop while I am out and about today and that

will be to Callaway Garden Center, they have a Friday sale going on

buy one orchid, get the second one for for free.  

I cannot pass up on a deal like this one, especially when the sun

is shining...


Please Join Me~

VMG206

Cedar Hill Farmhouse

The Dedicated House

Natasha In Oz

Jennifer Rizzo

Common Ground

Inspirational Thursday-Finding Joy

As I step out my front door this overcast February day, to see if I

want to go for my morning walk, this is what Winter looks like in 

my neck of the woods.  Not much color...but mild, so I put on a 

jacket and head out.

                



I heard several birds singing this morning and try as I might to 

capture a photo of them in flight,  I didn't.  However, as I was 

walking I did capture a few photos of these wise cranes

and their feathered friends.

We do not have the glorious wonder of pristine and beautiful white 

snow, we have various shades of brown, with a tad of green.

I suppose that is to tease us just a bit to believe that Spring is 

nearing.  

  That tease works for me, just seeing a smidgen of green brings me 

joy.

Joy is so much different than happiness, it resides deep in the soul 

and comes from what is, not what one wants. 

 It is seeing beauty in

the mundane, ordinary and humdrum aspects of life.

Glorious displays of pansies precisely 

planted in late Fall. They bring color and 

joy in the gray days of Winter.

When we moved to Texas twenty five years 

ago, it was February. 

I will always remember feeling amazed and 

joyful at all of the sunshine and blooming

pansies-brightly blooming pansies.

 Brightening 

up little nooks and crannies.  

And, flowerpots with blooming Ranunculus.

Could a flower be any more beautiful...

Where do you find joy in your neck of the  

woods? 

Please Join Me~

Little Red House

Viewing nature with Eileen

The Dedicated House

Common Ground

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

Molly's Minnie Mouse Birthday Party

Just one year ago Molly Emma Wheeler was born in 

Shreveport Louisiana.  It was indeed a joyous and emotionally 

charged day for us all. 

It has been a year of joy to watch this little miss

grow into a thriving one year old. 

 We celebrated her Birthday last week.

She is sugar and spice and everything nice-even when she loses

her temper. 

At least in my mind she is...one of the many perks of being a 

Grandparent...

This is the family of three now- this is their story-One year ago.

Molly loved her smash cake a total therapeutic delight!  Nothing like 

a good hand massage in creamy frosting and moist chocolate cake.

The cake before serving.

Rebecca chose to do a Minnie Mouse theme party complete with 

activities for children of all ages.  Decorating Minnie Mouse sugar 

cookies was a huge hit.

Handmade Pom poms from Molly's baby shower have been saved 

and were used as decorations for her Birthday party-I love these 

little invites too.  

Minnie Mouse cupcakes-these just tickle me-mini oreos for the ears!

Gramps and Molly-Rebecca and I and the goodie bags-

Naturally, no Minnie Mouse party is complete without ears and of 

course bows!

Happy Birthday sweet Molly we love you!!



Please Join Me~

Jennifer Rizzo

Common Ground

French Country Cottage

Maison de Pax

Elizabeth & Co.

A Stroll Thru Life

Little Red House

Dwellings-The Heart Of Your Home

One More Time Events

The Dedicated House

Fashion Friday-Valentine's Day

Fashion Friday just happens to fall on Valentine's Day

so, naturally we must dress accordingly

or at least dream and have a little fun.

Picture perfect table setting, dancing shoes and hearts.

Such feminine sweetness.

Perfectly red, perfectly girly and perfectly yummy cake...

Snow, no problem just add a red umbrella to your wardrobe...

White roses, kisses, heels and hearts

"Love is the only answer to every question.  It is the only thing

that will serve you in every situation.  It is the route and the

destination.  It is medication and liberation..."

 ~ Rasheed Ogunlaru~

Happy Valentines Day My Dear Friends, wishing you true joy

and much love always~

Please Join Me~

Dedicated House

Common Ground

My Winter Windowsill Garden

Each Winter my Kitchen windowsill welcomes a winter garden.

It all begins like this.

I make my pilgrimage to our local garden center. 

Somewhere between December and February and while most 

of the garden center is a ghost town there are always a few 

stragglers who refused to leave in late Fall.

Like this reluctant lavender and white pansy who was shivering and

nearly alone on a weathered wooden shelf.

I am fairly certain there had been many opportunities to leave, but 

she stubbornly stayed behind.

You know, I am so glad that she did...

Lucky for her and her sunshiny yellow friend that I came along- 

I saved them from a random snow storm.

Lucky for me, they were happy to join us in our home- it was a 

win, win for us all.

Who could resist a deal of under two dollars-

for this bright and sun loving Kalanchoe-she has such a great 

attitude no matter what time of the year.

I nestled her between these two anthuriums-

which refuse to quit blooming no matter where I put them. 

Who knew they were such resilient plants -

 Did you?  

I adore this ceramic pot-such an earthy piece of art. 

She was another lonely and forgotten resident of the garden center 

who refused to leave before the North wind blew so fierce. 

I secretly believe she was waiting for me.

What do you think?

And this wee little white bird seems to be flying from windowsill to 

my favorite ceramic pot-did you notice that too?

I have missed my Winter Windowsill Garden more than I realized-

I am so thankful I have her back again.


Please Join Me~

Natasha In Oz                                        The Style Sisters

Savvy Southern Style                              Ivy and Elephants
                       

Coastal Charm

Cedar Hill Farmhouse

Jennifer Rizzo

French Country Cottage

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson