This Grandmother's Garden

A Voluptuous Valentine ♥♥♥

2012-02-14T09:39:00.000-07:00

Voluptuous!

And doesn't this rose live up to its name?

Jackson and Perkins 2005 Rose of the Year® winner.

"Exceptionally high-centered, fully petaled, cupped blooms

and satiny, deep fuchsia-pink petals.

Tall, upright, full-branched, disease-resistant plant."

My Honeyman gave this rose to me many years ago,

a favorite in my rose garden...

and it always brings joy when it blooms.

Lovin' my Sweetheart today and forever...

You still put the skip in my step!

Happy Valentines!

Sweet Little Birds... Outside my Window...

2012-02-08T22:40:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't they just freak out to know

I am on the other side of the glass taking their picture?

Shhhhh.... Let's keep it a secret.

February "Walk in the Gardens" Challenge... Shades of Brown

2012-02-01T11:37:00.000-07:00

No doubt this Winter will go on record

as the brownest that I can ever remember.

Only one measurable snowstorm in my gardens thus far.

While there's always hope that more snow will fall...

(Utah is notorious for surprise Spring snow storms)

today I'm celebrating
BROWN.

It's what I've been looking at most of this Winter...

and I've discovered there is much beauty to be found

even in a very Brown Winter.

But don't take my word for it...

come see for yourself!

Dancing Flame Maple Seeds in Winter

Brown-Eyed Susans Twirl in the Winter Winds

Hydrangea Blooms...

...always Beautiful no matter the Season.

Serenity in a Crunchy Leaf

Chickadee Surveying the Food Bank Below

Yum!

Empty Plate

Plumbago Seed-pods... Enchanting!

I've come to learn that every Season holds its own beauty.
You've just got to go out and look!

What have YOU discovered in your
Walk in the Gardens?

If you'd like to join me
publish your own post on what you've discover during your walk
then link your blog name to the linky list below.

The first of each month we'll do this again!

I look forward to seeing what you've discovered!

It's beginning to look a lot like... ♪ ♫ ♪

2012-01-25T07:48:00.000-07:00

...Finally we have snow!

Early Morning Snow in my Gardens...
LOVE the shades of blue
they reflect.

Just when we were beginning to think

it was going to be a snowless Winter.

Never have we had such a season.

Welcome snow!

And to think that last Winter was a record snow season

that kept Utah Ski Resorts open through July 4.

What a difference this year has been!

♦♦♦

Remember to join me the first day of each month for the
Walk in the Gardens Challenge.

I'm looking forward to seeing what you have discovered!

Sunrise in Sweden

2012-01-11T21:51:00.000-07:00

The sun is rising in Sweden.

It is the last sunrise my son will see

before he begins his long journey home.

Two years of humble service

for his Savior

as a missionary called of God

to proclaim His holy gospel.

Two years seems like forever to a mother...

so grateful he could go,

so full of joy that it is finally time
to come home.

Tomorrow night...
and I am so excited!

*actual picture taken in Sweden by my son

In Search of Snow... January "Walk in the Gardens" Challenge

2011-12-31T22:47:00.000-07:00

It has been chillingly cold

but still no measure-able snowfall in my gardens,

so we went to the mountains to find some.

A good excuse for a walk don't ya think?

Not much snow up there either.

The ski resorts are making snow for their slopes.

But we did find snow,

though not the deep fluffy stuff we played in last year.

Click here

and here

and here.

(Oh we had such fun on last year's mountain get-a-way.)

This year was a different kind of fun...

though we did find some interesting pics to shoot during our stay...

things we might have missed if we hadn't gone for a walk or two.

Winter Whites on the shady side of the road...

give the illusion of lots of snow,
though the sunny side is bare.

But even a little snow brings Winter interest.

Snow and moss... and *lichen.

*an organism that is formed by the symbiotic association of a fungus and an alga

and occurs as crusty patches or bushy growths on tree trunks, bare ground, etc.

Tangled roots from an old tree.

What creature lies within?

Roots formed around rocks.

Rocky outcropping

gives the appearance of a petrified tree trunk.

Spring water running clear and cold.

Ice castles for the Fairies to play in...

Can you see them?

Neither can I but I know they're in there.

Looking heaven-ward reveals berries for the birds

and clear blue skies in the chilling 10°F air.

The birds were high in the trees this day,

but I could hear them singing their happy Sunshine Song.

A mountain cemetery reflecting the twilight blues of the snow.
It was simply enchanting!

What treasures did you find on your January winter walk?

Post about it,
then add your link to the list below.
"Walk in the Gardens" Challenge is hosted the first day of each month
and the linky is up for a week.

I can't wait to see what you discover!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-21T09:08:00.000-07:00

May your Christmas be filled with joy

and love

and peace.

Remember to join me the first of each month for my

Walk in the Gardens Challenge.

Take time to get up from behind your computer and walk about in this beautiful world we live in.

Capture images of your walk

and then add your link to the list that will be here on January 1st.

We'll welcome the New Year with renewed energy!

My walk will be through snow scenes of Winter as I bundle up to stay warm.

(Think of me holding my breath as I take each shot so as not to fog up the lense

with my frozen breath.)

Naughty or Nice...

2011-12-12T10:19:00.003-07:00

Several of my grand-kiddos discovered these little Elves

making mischief in the Christmas tree bows.

Lively little characters with curious expressions

that captured a three, four and six year old's imagination.

"Grandma, you have Elves at your house, too?!"

Their bright eyes sparkled with absolute wonder.

Oh, they know all about Elves...

"they watch to see if you're naughty"

the four year old exclaimed with conviction.

"We have one at our house, Mr. Glimpse,

and every morning he's in a different place."

chimed in the 6 year old.

"Do your elves see us Grandma?"

the three year old asked with concern.

Oh yes, they do! I wisely replied.

And I'm certain they will tell Mr. Glimpse

all about your weekend with Grandma.

Love those little elves... they worked their magic.

No naughty kids here.

We just welcomed our 16th grandbaby into our hearts.

Grandchildren are God's gift to tired old mothers who persevered.

~ One who did... me!

Sugar Frosted December "Walk in the Gardens" Challenge

2011-12-01T10:46:00.001-07:00

A Sugar Frosted Morning in my gardens!

Rose leaves frosted to perfection!

Dainty little sugar cubes dancin' in the daisy foliage.

When the edge of your leaves and flower petals

appear as though they've been dipped in SUGAR

they have been touched by Rime Frost.

Rime Frost is ice formed when damp, icy winds
blow through your gardens.

It only occurs when the temperatures are very low...

and it makes everything within it's touch...

sparkle!

But you'll only discover these beauties...

if you go out in the gardens and walk...

but be sure to grab a coat and gloves

cuz baby it's cold out there!

And as soon as the sunlight touches the frost...

the magic will begin to fade.

Better look quick!

It's all melting fast!

Letting Mother Nature do her thing in my gardens...

and this morning was beautiful!

Join me for another WALK in the GARDENS Challenge.

Maybe you're already walking each day,
or maybe you, too, need a little coaxing to get going.
It doesn't matter how far or how long you walk, just that you do it.

If you'd like to join me

publish your own post on what you discover during your walk
then link your blog name to the linky list below.

The first of each month I'll post and invite you to join in again.

Daily Blessings... the end of the series

2011-11-25T07:36:00.001-07:00

Today I am thankful.

So many tender blessings fill my life.

Sweet it has been

to rest my mind on them for the last many days

as I have attempted to post everyday.

Looking back on the past year

there is one blessing that has truly changed my life... my camera.

Through it my perspective on life has forever changed.

So much enchantment, once hidden, now is within my view...

through my lens!

Looking forward to exploring and discovering more!

So blessed.

Daily Blessings... November 23

2011-11-23T08:10:00.001-07:00

My world is all abuzz this morning

as we prepare

for tomorrow's glorious Thanksgiving Day.

So much to do! So much to do!

Over the River and through the Woods

to Grandma's house they come!

O world, I cannot hold thee close enough!

Thy winds, thy wide grey skies!

Thy mists that roll and rise!

Thy woods, this Autumn Day...

~Edna St.Vincent Millay

Thankful today for the anticipation of tomorrow...

Daily Blessings... November 21st

2011-11-21T07:44:00.001-07:00

Just a few more days remaining to post for

Thanksgiving Challenge

began by The Whimsical Gardner.

It has indeed been a challenge to post every day,

but sweet delight to be reminded of the many blessings I hold dear.

Today I am grateful for the opportunity to serve.

♥

To serve...

to lift others by word and deed

is a gift for the giver.

I believe it is the only means by which we can find true happiness...
as we give a portion of ourselves

we are blessed ten fold.

Look around you!

There's an abundance of opportunities that need your talents...

within our communities,

within our schools,

within our families!

Jump in!

Your own troubles will melt away

as you immerse yourself in lifting others.

"I know that we came to this life with a purpose

and the greatest joy we will receive

will be those acts of love and service that we do for others...

There is none too great to need the help of others.

There is none so great that he can do it alone."

~Robert D. Hales

Daily Blessings... November 20th

2011-11-20T07:45:00.001-07:00

Every morning brings a new day....

Morning Breaks above my Gardens

Who knows...

something wonderful may happen this day!

Have faith that it will.

Thankful for the blessings each new day brings.

Daily Blessings... November 17th and 18th

2011-11-17T06:19:00.001-07:00

Life is better with grandchildren...
they are the most precious blooms in my gardens.

When the voices of children are heard on the green

And laughing is heard on the hill,

My heart is at rest within my breast

And everything else is still.

William Blake, "Nurse's Song"

Give children time to explore...

to learn about the feel of the grass under their feet

and the wiggliness of worms in their hands

and their giggles will warm your heart.

I'm thankful today for my grandchildren...

#16 will be here soon.

♥ ♥ ♥

I'm taking another chance at a photo contest with this image... it's one of my favorites and it brings back such sweet memories of a perfect visit to my island grand-kiddos.
Wish me luck!

♥ ♥ ♥

*Sweet!

So nice to know someone else enjoys a picture I adore!

Visit Gardening Gone Wild to see more entries
and read the great comments by the judge.

Daily Blessings... November 16th

2011-11-16T06:36:00.001-07:00

Today I feel gratitude for my kitchen table...

Wisdom gleaned from more than a half century of living...
(oh, that sounds so old)
tells me
This is a very important place.

Place where more than just delicious meals are shared...
here we share our dreams
and the adventures of the day
and we laugh and enjoy each others company.

A gathering place where our hearts are knit together

in unity and love.

This is an important place,

It is the very heart of our home.

Daily Blessings... November 15th

2011-11-15T06:20:00.001-07:00

Today I give thanks for

This Grandmother's Garden

Eight years ago this ground was covered

in stones

and bindweed

and a single wild sunflower.

What a difference vision

and a lot of hard work can make!

Today it is a sanctuary for

birds

and bees

and butterflies

and all of God's creations who grace these gardens.

It is the window to my world.

Daily Blessings... November 14th

2011-11-14T06:58:00.001-07:00

Tis the last rose of Summer...

~Thomas Moore

The Little Rose that Could

Truth be told,

it is the last rose of Autumn

the last rose of 2011

and the very last blooming flower within my gardens

until next Spring

when the sun again will warm the earth below.

Tucked up close to a window reflecting the sun,

I couldn't help but smile

as I contemplated it's desire to bloom...

no matter what.

Neither swirling snowflakes nor morning temps in the 20's

could dissuade this little rose

from fulfilling the measure of it's creation ...

Hmm... there must be something

I should learn from this rose.

Grateful today for life lessons learned in my gardens.

Daily Blessings... November 12th and 13th

2011-11-12T08:16:00.001-07:00

In honor of the Veteran in my life...

My Dad

1925-2000

Yes, I know, yesterday was Veteran's Day,

but I didn't remember it until I looked out my window

and saw the neighborhood blanketed with flags the scouts had posted.

By then my daily blessing post was already published.

All day I felt sad that I had missed an opportunity to honor the Veteran in my life...

my Dad.

But who says Veteran's Day can only be celebrated one day of the year?

Today I'm celebrating... for my Dad and for all veterans.

My Dad blessed my life by teaching me of patriotism and honor and love of country.

While he found it difficult to talk of his experiences at the battle's front,

the way he chose to live his life was always the best teacher.

I will always remember the way he promptly stood to salute the flag

whenever it passed by in a parade.

As a child and as an adult, my heart was touched

as I watched him in this quiet act of honor,

often with a tear in his eye as the flag passed by.

He always considered it an honor and a great privilege to serve his country.

I am most grateful for gift of freedom he participated in giving.

My love and respect for him is mirrored in my own actions

as I teach my children and grandchildren of his great legacy.

♦ ♦ ♦

My youngest daughter, Emilee, wrote this essay several years ago

as a Junior High School student.

It tells our Veteran's story...

My grandpa was in the United States Navy during World War 2. He joined the Navy in 1942 when he was only 16 years old. My Grandpa joined the Navy to defend our country. He left his family and friends and everything he knew to go to war.

Grandpa was assigned to the ship the USS LaSalle, which was a Navy transport ship. It transported marines to the battle front which were beaches throughout the South Pacific. My grandpa’s job was to keep the ship running. He was an electrician and kept the electrical stuff in order. He spent his days down in the belly of the ship and would often go for weeks without seeing the sunshine.

In November 1943 he arrived at the battle of Tarawa in the South Pacific. His ship was shot at by the enemy guns on shore. They suffered no serious damage and were able to clear the beach of the enemy.

The next battle his ship was involved in was the invasion of the Marshall Islands. They dropped off over a thousand marines to fight there. Grandpa’s ship was also involved in the Battle of Okinawa. The ship had to fight off heavy suicide attacks from the Japanese airplanes.

The USS LaSalle was involved in many invasions throughout the Pacific Islands during World War 2. The war in the South Pacific was only a part of the war. This terrible war involved most of the countries in the world. World War 2 finally ended in September of 1945. Many of my grandpa’s friends were killed defending our country during World War 2. Grandpa was given many Medals of Honor for his service to our country.

May we never take for granted the freedoms we hold so dear,

and always remember the patriots who paid the price.

Daily Blessings... November 11th

2011-11-11T06:06:00.001-07:00

What's all the BUZZ about?

I've found a new feature to communicate with my readers...

I can now reply to each of you who leave comments...

and I'm so excited!

I've enjoyed this feature on other blogs for some time

and now with my change of template,

I can use this, too.

So thankful today for my dear readers who comment...

you are the sweet nectar that keeps me blogging.

Now that's something to buzz about!

Daily Blessings... November 10th

2011-11-10T06:34:00.001-07:00

CHANGE!

Today I am grateful for change in my life.

Read about the Little Caterpillar that Changed HERE

I have learned in my years of living not to be afraid of change

but to embrace it!

Change brings new perspective in life

and new growth.

♥ ♥ ♥

Lovin' the changes to my blog this morning,

(This post is dedicated to a darling daughter who is up to her eyeballs in change... Love you!)

Daily Blessings... November 9th

2011-11-09T06:56:00.001-07:00

In my gardens I can see more clearly...

that there is beauty in every stage of life.

Beauty in the Dying Rose

That puts a skip in my step

as I grow older day by day♥

Daily Blessings... November 8th

2011-11-08T06:09:00.000-07:00

Memories of a few of the simple pleasures of life

fill my thoughts this morning...


My Son's Favorite Fishing Hole

How thankful I am for them!

My son and his sweet family are visiting this week.
They've blessed me with two beautiful little grand-daughters
who are filling our home with love and laughter,
and squeals of delight.

I stumbled upon this picture and sent it to him via email as he sat on the sofa in our great room.
He was doing his nightly surfing of the web
and I knew he would discover it shortly after I sent it.

I was sitting right there beside him as he opened the image,
not knowing what his silly mother had sent him.
Immediately a smile came across his face
and I could see in his eyes sweet memories flooding his thoughts.

My simple pleasure was listening to him share his tales
of that perfect fishing hole.

His was reliving that day and all the big fish he caught.

Both were priceless!

Daily Blessings... November 7th

2011-11-07T06:54:00.001-07:00

Nature is always mystical and magical...

Symphony of Seeds

Today I am grateful for the simple joys of discovery
every time I walk in my gardens.

Ready to Dance in the Wind

Daily Blessings... November 6th

2011-11-06T09:37:00.000-07:00

Welcome, Welcome Sabbath Morning,
day I rest from every care.

Glorious Morning View from My Gardens

A day of spiritual renewal and worship,

of laying aside earthly desires.

A day of physical, mental and spiritual regeneration.

Today I am grateful for the blessings of a Sabbath Day,
for the opportunity it gives me
to renew, to refresh,
and to grow closer to my Savior, Jesus Christ.

♥ ♥ ♥

As I honor Him this day and always,

I see the clear path to follow...

and all of my world becomes brighter.

Doesn't everyone need a Sabbath Day?

Daily Blessings... November 5th

2011-11-05T08:35:00.001-06:00

This morning I awoke to a gentle blanket of snow in my gardens.

I can only imagine the whisperings through the trees

as this new season approaches...

Winter's coming! Winter's Coming!

Last Leaf Standing

The birds, dressed in their Winter coats,

are all in a flurry at the bird feeder...

exhilarated by the chill in the frosty air.

Today I give gratitude for the changing of the seasons.

We celebrate every season in This Grandmother's Garden...

there is always joy and beauty waiting for discovery in all.

Follow me through the month of November
as I turn my attention from the hurry hurry of holiday preparation
to the bounteous blessings of Thanksgiving.

Be sure to visit The Whimsical Gardener who is the inspiration behind this theme.

Click on the thumbnails below to view my previous Daily Blessings.