Peonies in the Garden

I had to share one last peony shot from the season.  Last year I planted a few peony bushes and waited through the fall and into the long cold winter for the blooms to appear.  In the age of technology, social media and instant gratification, gardening helps us practice patience - a virtue many of us need to practice from time to time.
    

Peony Season

It's June and it's peony season here in Michigan.  As I drive, I see peonies bring pops of color to suburban lawns and see beautiful long rows of peonies in the country, far from any big box store.  Like all seasons in life, it's short lived, so I take in these amazing blooms as much as I can.  I stop while I wash the dishes and inhale their sent as they sit in a rustic mason jar near my kitchen sink.  I place a slightly opened bloom in the kid's play room.  I buy them from a local store, I cut them from friends' gardens and when I past by a stranger's yard, I still want to cut another stem.  I simply can't get enough.  Soon their large blooms will droop off the bushes, slowly turn and die away, but until then I'll cut and enjoy.  How about you?  Are you in love with the peony too?  For more peony love, follow me on Instagram and share your peony pics with me too.

 

Yellow Roses

The end of the school year has been so busy and I realized that I haven't posted in a while.  I created this arrangement for my sister-in-law and gave it to her on Mother's Day.  This is the last week of school for everyone in my family and I'm excited for fun filled days ahead.
 

Signs of Spring

This week will be busy, so I wanted to share something simple.  We have a pine tree that we planted three short years ago and for the last two years a robin has built a nest there in the spring.  Everyday my daughters would go out and check on the eggs.  My husband took this picture of these marvelous eggs before they hatched and flew away.  Mother Nature creates the most perfect shade of blue, doesn't she?

  

Pink Tulip + Hyacinth Arrangement

One of the my favorite spring flowers is the hyacinth.  The fragrance wins me over ever time.

Spring Bridal Shower

I'm usually behind the camera or behind the scenes making everything look pretty, which means I don't get much of a chance to get in front of the camera.  So here I am, in front of the camera with one of my creative partners in crime, Alora of Alora Rachelle Photography.  This photo was taken at Alora's bridal shower a few weeks ago by Sue of Catherine Suzanna Photography.  Isn't her skirt adorable?!  Hop over to Sue's blog to see more of the Alora's cherry blossom themed bridal shower.   

  

Yellow Tulips

These are the first locally grown tulips of the season that I picked up from Cold Frame Farm!  Lisa of Cold Frame Farm grows many yummy veggies along with some gorgeous blooms.  If you live in the area, stop by and pick up something healthy and delicious for yourself.  Since Lisa grows vegetables, I added some kale, herbs and other greens to this arrangement.  I think it turned out great.

Colorful Spring Floral Arrangement

When this arrangement was delivered, I was told that the recipient cried when she received it.  It's amazing that sending flowers can make someone feel so special. I'm currently obsessed with this colorful palette of bright pink and yellow.  With the long winter behind us, I'm ready for some color. 

Growing

Today's post is about flowers, food, gardening and exploring new things in life.  For as long as I can remember, my parents' yard has been filled with plants, flowers, vegetables and fruit.  My childhood dog would even go out and pick raspberries off the bush and eat them or chew on a peach that had fallen off the tree onto the grass.  Many of our friends also had gardens or farms where they grew their own vegetables. So gardening came naturally and when I moved into my own home, I started a little perennial garden.  The problem with the yard at my first home was that it was heavily shaded and the only thing I could grow successfully were hostas.  Now, I'm in my second home where there is lots of sun.  Hooray!  I've planted more perennials and each year I continue to expand my garden.  This year I'm planning on adding herbs, veggies and an "official" cutting garden filled with annuals and for the first time I'm starting from seed. In the past, I've just bought starter plants.  I'm excited to report that the my seedlings have germinated!  Along with the fun adventure of seeds, my husband and I have decided to change over to a more plant based diet, so the herb and veggie garden should come in handy this summer.  I'm trying to do my part for the earth through flowers and food.  Every little bit helps, right?  I'm learning an entire new way of cooking and now I feel good about what I'm eating.  Have you tried anything new this year?  Go on, grow and explore.  There are fresh, amazing experiences waiting out there for you.