Remember

This weekend is a time to reflect about those who have served, given their lives and protect this country!  Yes, there will be backyard BBQ's, parades, etc. but always remember what this day is for.  There are members in my family that have been in the Air Force, Army and Navy.  They served their country and protected us.  My one uncle was a prisoner of war in the Korean War.  He served his country, struggled to stay alive, was tortured so that you and I could remain free.  I am going to end with a poem that we listened to every Memorial Day when we lived in a little town in NJ called Branchville:

The GreatWar 1914-1918

In Flanders Fields

by John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Happy Birthday Jenny!

Today is my youngest daughters birthday!  Jenny turned 31 today! I remember when she was a little girl she would run around just like a little bee buzzing around the house.  I even called her bee for a little while! 

Jenny is a wonderful daughter, mother, sister, friend, wife!  Jenny loves art and music, her boys, her honeybees, her chickens and pretty much life.  Jenny is a very strong person.  I remember Jenny riding her horse Sadie.  The first time she took a jumping lesson, my heart was in my throat!  She did great though-sailed right over the jump and had a huge smile on her face.  She was about 8 years old.  I remember when she was downhill ski racing in high school and I climbed to the top of the mountain to watch here.  She whizzed by my and again my heart was in my throat but she won her race that day.  Again a huge smile on her face.  Some things in Jenny's life has been very challenging for her but she always pulls through and has that smile on her face.  I'm so proud of her!

I hope Jenny has an awesome day today because she deserves it!  We won't be getting together to celebrate tonight because we celebrated on Saturday night instead.  They have friends from out of town visiting so that is why the celebration was on Saturday night instead.

Love you Jenny!!

Peony from a Friend

I took this picture of this peony bud for a reason.  Over twenty years ago my dear friend, Esther gave me this peony plant.  I lived in Branchville, NJ then.  She told me that because I was a gardener like her and I treasured my plants she would give me part of her peony plant that she had for over 50 years.  This peony blooms earlier than any of the other peonies and it is a beautiful pink/light magenta color.  When I moved down here to Charlotte, I planted this peony and waited and waited nothing happened.  The plant came up ever year but it never budded up and bloomed.  I have been in Charlotte now for almost 10 years (June of this year will be 10).  I noticed the other day that about 10-12 buds have formed and is getting ready to bloom!!  I was so happy, I quickly got John and showed him.  He knows what this plant means to me.  I will be taking a few photos of the peony when it is in full bloom for sure!

The reason why this plant has a special place in my heart is because about 2 years ago Esther my beloved friend passed away.  Esther was 106 when she died.  She was a truly wonderful, spiritual and one of the most positive friends I have ever encountered.  I meet Esther through my church.  She and I went through Disciple I together.  We found we had a love for gardening and old fashioned things.  We used to have tea.  She would get out her silver tea service and I would walk the girls down to her house and everyone would have tea!  Of course, the girls tea was more milk than tea.  Esther taught me how to weave.  I joined the weaver's guild in Warren County with her.  She also brought me to the spinner's guild in Warren County.  We could talk for hours about our gardens, our children, the birds that frequented our gardens and yards and about our faith. Esther kind of reminded me of Katherine Hepburn.  They were both strong women.  There will never be anyone else in my life like Esther, she was one of a kind!  Where ever you are Esther, I hope you are looking down and smiling at the peony bud/flowers!!