Through The Tulips Words of 'Wiz'dom

June 21, 2016

Celebrations

Filed under: Holidays,Life,Travel — gardener @ 11:43 am

One week ago today we headed home after a great vacation spent with family and friends. It wasn’t our usual vacation, instead we were there for two weddings- one of which I planned and ‘made happen’ in a week and a half time- along with help from mom- and the other I did a little help and directed it, making sure that everything went according to the vision of the gorgeous bride.

Since then, I’ve had a couple people ask me if I would consider adding wedding planner/ director to my ‘job title’ and right now the response is no. I loved doing it for the people I love, but it’s clearly a labor of love. To be paid to do it- I’m not sure if there is enough money. I love planning and making things come together, but it’s something that takes a lot of time, research and thought. Maybe I’ll change my mind once I’m past the jet lag, but right now- nah.

In the meantime- I did come back to a lot of work- I’ve been prepping all week and now I’ll be getting everything ready for delivery on Friday and Saturday. I’m looking forward to seeing it all come together and hopefully will bring a smile to a lot of faces and happiness to everyone’s taste buds.

Keeping Cool

Filed under: Life,Travel — gardener @ 11:05 am

We just returned from vacation in the Deep South where the heat and humidity were creeping up past warm to ‘hot’ and the air conditioning has been on for a while. My friend in Ohio had to call Colombus AC repairs when her air went out two days ago. I felt so bad for her knowing that she was having to endure the almost 90 degree temps until someone got out there to get the air back on. Luckily for her it was a quick fix and it wasn’t long before they came out for the repair, so she didn’t have to be without the cool air for long.

It’s funny how temperature can vary so much depending on where you are geographically. I remember many years ago, I flew into LAX airport and the pilot announced that the temperature was 93 degrees. It was my first trip out to California, but I remember thinking to myself, “Ugh, I thought it was cooler out here than in the Deep South.” Imagine my surprise when I walked out of the airport on to the breezeway to catch the hotel shuttle and it felt like I was standing in an air conditioned breezeway. I was surprised, very surprised. The difference? No humidity. The hotel and the friends we stayed with from San Diego to Hollister didn’t have air conditioner, but they didn’t need it out there. The evening temperatures were cool. Same during the day. Even though the temperatures did spike, it was never unbearable like in Ohio, the Deep South, or other humid parts of the United States.

Keeping cool and hydrated are two very important things during the summer months. In fact, I’d put them on the ‘key to survival’ list. Marcel is always one to talk about how he doesn’t ‘need’ air conditioning, but after spending time back home for our recent vacation- he has grown to love it and understand just how necessary it is. Keep cool y’all. I know I am.

March 30, 2016

Checking-Out and Checking-In

Filed under: Inspiration,Life — gardener @ 11:30 am

Today- I took some time to forget the never-ending and forever growing to do list and I spend the day with a dear friend. I haven’t seen her in several weeks, so it was important to me to forget the lists and do what mattered more, and that was spend some face-to-face time with my friend. We had much to talk about, laugh about, and even feel a little sadness about while catching up on what’s been going on in our lives. Her travels, my work, and everything ‘life’ and love in between.

It was good food for the soul. She’s dear to me, and the bonus is that we spent our catch up time together at one of our favorite places, the beach!

It doesn’t matter where it is, being at the beach is like being on vacation. It’s a time (for me) to relax, unplug and it’s where I come to my deepest relaxation (along with being in the mountains). Forget the fact that this particular beach is 10 minutes from my home via car, being there takes me away, every single time.

What takes you away? Your ultimate relaxation, your ‘check-out’ from the world time- and focus on being in the moment with yourself and those you are spending time with?

I’m grateful for days like today- they not only fill my soul, but also energize me beyond anything words can describe.

March 27, 2016

Happy Easter

Filed under: Holidays,Home,Life — gardener @ 12:00 pm

Happy Easter everyone!

It has been an Easter of a different sort for me. Marcel needed to work and I also needed to take care of a few things for work- so that meant I spent most of the day home alone. I don’t mind- It has afforded for much quiet time, but at the same time- it makes Easter not really seem like Easter.

My parents had their get together with my brother yesterday. They had the traditional feast and spent time together. Living away always has me aching to be ‘home’ on days like today- when everyone is gathered together, enjoying the time together as a family. I spent a little time today thinking about when my brother and I were children- and how we would hunt Easter eggs again and again. It brings back so many fond memories of not only with my brother, but also the Easter egg hunts we would have at my grandmothers house. It made me smile.

Family, there’s nothing like it.

March 17, 2016

Assumptions, Expectations and other Rambles

Filed under: Life — gardener @ 12:23 pm

Life has been moving along this week at a quick clip.  I started the Whole 30 program and so far so good.  I am dedicated, so I suspect all will go fine, even though I did admit hitting a brick wall today-   I wanted to eat sugar, but I refrained.

I had several last minute orders come in for Easter, so I’ll be busy working on those next week.  I’m very grateful for the opportunities- and also that I can be a small part in someones celebration.

Today I had someone message me and in the midst of a conversation say they were saving their money to visit.   It isn’t someone I’m close to, even though they are family, and yet-   they’ve  never discussed with me about coming-  only told me that they are visiting.    I’m flattered that they want to visit, but I know that it isn’t ‘me’ that they want to see, but rather assume they have a free place to stay so they can jet around the area.    I let them talk and didn’t say anything, but I will when the time comes.

I believe having expectations and assumptions are one of the worst things we could do.   It’s a projection of what we ‘think’ should and will happen, but often that isn’t the reality of what someone else is thinking or feeling.    I’ve walked that road, had my own disappointments based on an expectation, and I’ve learned to try not to have them any longer.  Key word being try, as I’m human and it does happen.

My  home space is my sanctuary,  and having people stay in our home, as it does with everyone takes major adjustments.   I’m willing to go to the end of the earth to make that happen for some, and not for others.  I think that’s the case with most of us.

 

In other unrelated news-  the sun has been absolutely amazing!!    I haven’t been able to get out and enjoy it much, because I’ve had so much work to do, but I’ve been soaking it up through the windows.   Fingers crossed that tomorrow we’ll see more of the same, as I will be getting out and about tomorrow and enjoying a free day as we head into the weekend.

 

What are you going to do?

Empire

Filed under: Life — gardener @ 5:36 am

When my good friend was visiting last weekend, we got on the subject of Hulu and some of the great shows. One of the shows she mentioned was Empire. She knows I’m a huge music lover, so I decided to sign up for the free week of Hulu to check it out. She’s right- the music, the riffs, the family dynamics- I love it. There is something special happening when you can pull together the sounds of the stylus rmx and other groove sounds, and add it to a family drama series. Pure brilliance. As for me- I have one day left on my week- so hopefully I’ll get caught up- I’m doubtful, but the music- oh the music. I can’t imagine not keeping up with this show. Who has seen it?

March 14, 2016

Soul Food Time- and Spring

Filed under: Life,Seasons — gardener @ 9:13 am

This past weekend, I spent time in the company of one of my good friends-IMG_0910    She lives several hours away, so we don’t get to see each other too often, but when we do- it’s always a great time of fun, laughter and good food for the soul.

Friday we spent the day exploring some of our favorite foodie haunts and on Saturday morning we went to a weekly market in a town about a half hour from us.    An acquaintance of ours recently quit his day job and decided to live his dream of creating gorgeous artisan breads.   He sells them at this weekly market so we went to support his venture by buying from him.   You can taste the love in the flavor of the bread, plus being a small business owner myself, I love the idea of supporting other small businesses.

The weather was absolutely perfect both days- which is not always a given in the land of never.   As we strolled along the market area, I noticed these pink flowers at a local garden shop.    I loved the color, and the yellow center seemed to scream happiness and Spring.

Spending time with people I love is one of my favorite things.  What about you?

 

 

March 6, 2016

Nurturing What Matters

Filed under: Food for Thought,Inspiration,Life — gardener @ 11:17 am

March seems to have entered like a lion with colder temps and also a little snow here and there.     The one plus to all that- is that mixed in with all the wacky weather has also been some sunshine, some of which that I enjoyed today.

I admit, I planned to do a lot more than I actually did today.   I did get some things done, but there are others that fell by the wayside simply because I was enjoying the weather.

I also put my ‘to do’ list to the side and spent some time reaching out and connecting with people that matter to me.   Nurturing my relationships is something that is very important to me, but I know that like everything- we need to nurture our gardens in life to see them continue to thrive-   that can be our actual physical gardens, or the gardens that are our relationships.    I believe what we receive is in direct proportion to what we give in our lives.     Assuming that we are giving and nurturing our relationships because it matters to us- and not because we want the ‘pay off’.    If the intention is wrong, then it throws everything out of balance.

As I get older (and hopefully wiser), I realize more than ever the importance of family and friends.    Not ‘any’ family and friends, but those who lift us and others, but also hold a mirror in front of us so that we can see our best selves through them.      The ones who encourage us to not only recognize our potential, but also to live it.

Those are the people I want in my life… every  … single.. day.

 

February 25, 2016

Color My World

Filed under: Home,Inspiration,Life — gardener @ 10:12 am

tulipsIt is no secret that tulips are one of my favorite flowers.    Right along sunflowers and Gerber daisies, they can add a burst of happiness and sunshine to the most dismal of days.

Last week, my mother-in-law turned 80.   It’s a huge milestone, and we celebrated with a dinner out, together with family and friends.    We had her gift chosen for quite some time, but I wanted to do a little something extra for her.

Since it’s ‘tulip time’-  I thought it would be fun to visit one of the farms who sell their tulips at a roadside stand and buy ’80’ in honor of her special day.    So that’s what we did.   We visited several roadside stands in order to get a mixture of colors and varieties, but we were successful.   She was thrilled and loved the surprise.

In addition to the 80 we got her, I also picked up some for myself, wanting a little extra cheer in the house.   We’ve had a lot of grey days as of late, and even though the daylight hours are getting longer,  the grey sometimes takes its own toll, so color was in order.

This was the tulips yesterday.    Did you know that after harvested, that tulips will continue to grow?  I generally will trim the stems every few days, but this time I chose to let them ‘go wild’ and do their thing-  which meant leaning over the side of the vase- a look that I find to be stunning.

What is your favorite flower, and why?  Also, what do you do to brighten up a dull week and add color to your life?

February 8, 2016

February- the Month of Love

Filed under: Gratitude,Holidays,Home,Life — gardener @ 11:47 am

Febuary is a special month in our home.  Outside of the traditional Valentine’s Day celebrations mid-month-  it’s also our anniversary month (the 2nd to be exact), so it’s a great reason to celebrate all month long.   I am a firm believer that we should celebrate the love in our life-  be it family, friends or partners- each and every day but doing something extra special, always adds a little joy to someone else’s life.   If I can do that any day- my joy rises.

Our home improvements continue this month, and I have been creating some beautiful Valentine’s Day packages for people to order and spread the love with someone that means something special to them.    It brings me so much joy to be able to play a small part in bringing joy to the lives of someone else.

This past weekend, I spent the day- together with friends exploring the sweet world of a chocolate festival.    It was a great learning experience with the bean to bar process and I’m curious about possibly getting my own beans and a small machine to turn them into something special.   It”s an investment, so something I’ll have to do more research on, plus weigh the pros and cons, but I love the idea.   I also love seeing people so passionate sharing products they love.     Since I do the same with my own business, I can relate to their passion, plus it also is a source of inspiration for me.

Next week-   My mother in law will celebrate her 80th birthday.   It will be a special day for her and we’re all surprising her with a dinner out-  It should be a wonderful time together.

It’s definitely a busy month, but one filled with so much celebration, love and joy!

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