Even In The Rain

Even though there has been crazy amounts of rain the last few weeks, my roses found a way to withstand the wind and water to produce this:

I so wish this post could be a scratch n' sniff - these roses have the most fantastic scent! If I could bottle it and sell it as perfume I would indeed be a millionaire. It is out of this world.

And the gorgeous color just makes me swoon every time. It's called Sterling Silver.

When I was 9 years old, a neighbor on my grandparents block had one of these roses and every year it bloomed I would tell my grandma that when I grew up I wanted a sterling silver rose for my first home.

When hubby and I got marrried 7 years ago, she and I went to pick out the first plant for my garden - a Sterling Silver rose. It was my house warming gift from her... and now that she is no longer with us, it is my daily reminder of the special bond she and I had. How much she loved me. How special she was to remember a wish from my little 9 year old heart.

Sweet memories!

What special memories are you contemplating today?

All photos taken by yours truly.

Earth

Happy Earth Day everyone!

How does one celebrate earth day, by the way? Since I don't think there are egg hunts, presents under the tree and turkey dinners to mark this celebration I do believe that shall make up my own traditions!

After reading the "How to celebrate earth day section" here, I think the only thing I can do is recycle {I'd show you my uber-fancy system.... a paper bag, but I wouldn't want you to be jealous}. There's planting a tree {but it's raining out, and there is no room for a tree in the garden} riding my bike { does a stationary bike count?} crafting with your kids {don't know that my canine child would by up for that} and wearing green or brown {now that I can do!}

 

No photoshop - all colors of nature!

So I am making up my own earth day celebration... by planting seeds for my tomato plants, in recycled egg cartons. Enviromentaly conscious, since I'm reusing the cartons and I am planting a future small tree.. ok, so it's really a tomato bush/plant. But for today , I'll pretend I'm planting tomato trees.

From the garden last year.

As I shared in this post, hubby and I have great plans for our back yard this year. It is time to make it more enjoyable and pleasing to the eye. And part of that will include improving the landscape, so that it is easier to maintain and has room for a few small veggie plants.

These were so sweet... even the pup ate a few!

It may not be much, but a small step here and there to improve the outdoors, "live off the land" with our tomatoes, and recycle in our home is a start.

So I am wondering, are you celebrating earth day today?

All photos taken by yours truly.

Simply Saturday

My oh my, Spring is here!!!! OK, so not really... but today sure felt like it. Today is a glimpse of the sunny months to come. And it got me all worked up with ideas and excitment for Spring and Summer outings, garage sales, parties, gardening, and backyard fun.

I can see it all now:

Tomato plants ripe with Grape, Yellow Pear, and Big Beauty (I think that last one is right) tomatos ready to be tossed into salad, tacos, stew, etc. We just love being able to walk into the backyard and pick what we need. Plus the pup has developed a taste for the fallen tomatoes. Go figure?

Exploring local parks and heading to the farmers market. Keeping a photo log of all the gorgeous sights we see on our adventures around town.

Hosting birthdays, tea parties, get togethers and the occasional bar-b-q. Taking the "fancy" dishes and serving trays from the dining room and useing them in the amazing outdoors.

Roasting hot dogs and making s'mores while sitting around the fire pit my hubby built. We have shared some great times with friends and family around this fire pit. There's just something so inviting and relaxing about sitting around a fire.

We all let our guard down.

We relax.

We share.

Memories are made.

What traditions, moments, or events are you looking forward to? Do you enjoy the outdoors?

Photos from top to bottom: rose from our garden, almost ripe tomatoes in the back yard, local park, Hubbster lighting the candles for me on at a windy afternoon get together, our fire pit and another rose from the flower bed.