May Days

 

Hello, Dear Friends! 

The tulips are blooming! 

Aren't they sweet? 

These are 'species' tulips, 

which means they are seeded from the original wild species. 

They are less likely to be eaten by bulb stealing rodents

and they will naturalize in an area that they like. 

I plan on keeping them in pots on my deck

because of the resident deer, 'Thelma and Louise'

who would think these would be a delectable dessert. 

According to the Mr., he has seen a spotted fawn, too, 

so, we may have a trio working the grounds.

We had our first outdoor dinner party with some 

dear old friends. 

Of course, I forgot to take photos, 

but I did catch the unveiling of the tablecloths 

and umbrellas! 

I prepared a Taco bar with all the fixings. 

Remember when we would celebrate all the wonderful diversity

of all the peoples who make up our great country? 

I miss that. 

It was a beautiful afternoon and evening with the scent 

of lilac, cherry and viburnum wafting on the breeze,

and the gentle tinkling of windchimes and birdsong

to provide the music. 

" You are as welcome as the flowers in May."

- Charles Macklin -

" I cannot tell you how it was, but this I know, it came to pass

upon a bright and sunny day when May was young. 

Ah, pleasant May! "

- Christina Georgina Rossetti -

" May: the lilacs are in bloom. Forget yourself."

- Marty Rubin -

All the bulbs I planted last fall were in full bloom, 

and I have to say, I was a little prideful. Lol! 

These miniature narcissus are sweetly scented. 

I've had these beauties for many, many years.

I bought the bulbs at the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

at least 20 years ago when I went with my dear Mom. 

Tulips are not supposed to live that long, but the spirit 

of my mother is imbued in them - a lovely reminder 

every spring. 

The pansies want to say hello! 

" Queer things happen in the garden in May. Little faces forgotten 

to appear, and plants thought to be dead suddenly wave

a green hand to confound you."

- William Earl Johns -

Did you have a nice Easter? (Those of you that observe)

It was a profound and moving year with the Pope's passing on

the day of resurrection. 

He left us with a message of mercy and compassion. 

It breaks my heart to know that some of those 

in high places, which have so much power to change the world, 

refuse to listen. 

It is left to us, in our daily lives, to embrace these virtues

in every way we can. 

xx

"Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these

my brothers, you did it to me."

- Matthew 25:40 -

We had a wonderful brunch at my daughter, Heather's lovely home

with extended family. 

My contribution was deviled eggs. 

The flowers are in a glass vase lined with carrots.

So clever!  

xx

I also brought cinnamon coffee-cake muffins. 

The grand-boys love these, so I have to always have them on hand! 

Besides quiche and other assorted goodies, Heather made a delicious lemon cake, too. 

She had a lovely Mimosa Bar. 

I chose grapefruit juice. 

A yummy fruit tray from my daughter, Jennie. 

A cute vignette. 

xx

"Then you have to remember to be thankful; but in May

one simply can't help being thankful that they are alive,

if for nothing else."

- L.M. Montgomery -

My sweet grandsons waiting to start their Easter egg hunt.  

A successful hunt! 

xx

I brought potted pansies in painted peat pots lined with burlap

for the ladies, and sugar cookies for the guys. 

I made paper baskets filled with the sugar cookies

for the young ladies. 

They are made from paper plates. 

There are directions on Pinterest.

xx

The cookies after decorating. 

I like how the 'flower' cookies turned out, 

but the egg shapes were rather dubious. Lol! 

(Note to self for next year)

Of course, I brought Easter gift bags for the grandsons, 

but they were dismantled so fast that I 

forgot to get a photo! Lol! 

My sweet daughter set up a 'Flower Bar' for the ladies to create their own bouquet! 

She even provided sheets of brown paper and ribbon to carry them home. 

Beautiful! xx

The lane leading away at the end of a wonderful day. 

xx

" As full of spirit as the month of May, 

and as gorgeous as the sun in midsummer."

- William Shakespeare -

Some lovely scenes on our drive home. 

xx

"Prose and drama are well enough for winter, 

but when nature swells the darling buds of May, 

my spirit craves three things: 

poetry, painting, and love."

- Joan Smith -

And my own lovely country road. 

Country roads - take me home. 

xx

Just in time to see the first rainbow of the season. 

As we watch the light fade, we count our many blessings. 

We are beginning our 7th decade now.

We have time to reflect, to gather the lessons

learned and wisdom gained to add to the tapestry 

of our eternal souls. 

It's a time of personal peace and gratitude. 

Of yearnings for the well-being of our children and grandchildren,

friends and family, neighbors and countrymen, 

and fellow travelers in this earthly journey

we call home. 

We can look at life from a different perspective. 

Gone are the strivings for 'success', 

the comparisons with others, the 

quest to define ourselves

on other's terms. 

We have become who we are, but seek a higher 

perspective of understanding as we prepare 

to leave our humble legacy behind. 

There is a freedom in this, and a certain joy, 

along with acceptance of our limitations, 

both physically and esoterically. 

I've been thinking of these things recently 

as I struggle to understand these difficult times 

in our country and the world. 

I've come to the conclusion that the only 

thing I can do personally, is to be the change I 

wish to see. 

So here's to love, wisdom, kindness and hope! 

Thank you for sharing life's journey, Dear Friends! 

I hope we share many more years together 

as we celebrate the simple, bittersweet ups and downs of life. 

xx

"May is the month of expectation, the month of wishes, 

the month of hope."

- Emily Bronte -