Blueberries and Coneflowers

The blueberry season has arrived in my backyard garden.

I picked a bowlful this afternoon.

We eat them almost daily.

The health benefits are numerous.

They grow well in our region and are easy to pick.

The best kind of local eating. ;D

Once the blueberries were picked, I checked in on the coneflowers.

They are just coming into bloom so I snipped a few.

I added them to the one remaining sprig left from my Mother's Day bouquet.  A cheerful pop of color for the dinner table.

Speaking of dinner, I need to get to work on that now.

Time in a garden is time well spent.

Are you spending time in your garden?

Fabulous Find at the Thrift Store

It seemed a patriotic touch was in order for our Memorial Day weekend.  I took the spring wreath down and scrounged through the cupboards for a few things to bring that touch to the front entrance.  Those little flags come in handy for so many things.

The big flag was also hung and we called it good on the outdoor decorating.

Since we don't have any big plans for the long weekend, I did some leisurely putzing on the inside of the front door this morning.

In the foyer to be exact.

It all started with this chair.

Something about the blue and white topiary fabric was calling my name loudly at the thrift store yesterday.

It was in beautiful, clean condition (which isn't always the case at the thrift stores). It looked like it had just been upholstered.  I went through each of the rooms in my home wondering where I might have a place for it.  Nothing was immediately popping into my head.  Knowing I had to make a quick decision before somebody else grabbed it, I decided I just couldn't pass it up.  Especially when I saw the price tag.  Would you believe it was only six dollars and 99 cents?  I had to look twice to make sure I was seeing correctly.  

Next to my foyer table it will be a nice spot to put on one's shoes before heading out the door.  It will also come in handy when a spare chair is required as it matches the furniture in all of the other rooms.

This long foyer wall has needed something more to fill it better.

I just wasn't sure what was needed.  Sometimes the answers to these dilemmas come in unexpected ways.  I love when that happens.

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Mother's Day Flowers and Charm Bracelets

Outside our bedroom window this morning things are looking a bit soggy.  The downspout has created a raging river at times next to the rosebushes.  The rain is a welcome sight after our rather dry month of April.

While things are a bit dark and drippy outside, this beautiful bouquet of flowers near the kitchen sink are brightening things up inside.  A thoughtful gift from my son for Mother's Day.

Another bouquet from Brett.

Bringing beauty to the dining table.

So nice the be remembered with flowers, cards and phone calls on Mother's Day.

I do hope you, too, had a nice Mother's Day.

A few days before Mother's Day I received a surprise in the mail.

My sister sent me my Mom's charm bracelet.  I suppose I had seen it as a child, although I scarcely remembered it.  As I looked at each charm, it seemed as though the story of her life unfolded before me.  Engraved charms depicting each of her children, tiny baby shoes and a tiny baby carriage which were most likely gifts when her babies were born.  A telephone and victrola ... perhaps from her days before marriage and children?  The tiny warplane... did my Dad bring it from his time in World War 2?  If my Mom were still here, I would be asking those questions.  So often at this stage of my life I wish I would have been more curious about my parents and grandparents younger years.

Either way, this charm bracelet was a little glimpse into my Mom's life and interests through the years.  More familiar to me are the golf bag and tennis racquets.  She absolutely loved tennis and thinking of the pleasure it gave her makes me happy.

After looking at Mom's bracelet, I was compelled to dig out my own.  Far fewer charms on it as I think the fad was beginning to wear out in my generation.  I believe that most of the charms were gifts from my parents.  That little round one to the left of the roller skate says "I Love You" when you spin the circle.  

I can't think of a sweeter gift to receive for Mother's Day.

Although my Mom has been gone since 2009, something so personal brought her memories flooding back to me and that's the next best thing to having her here.

Since I know that many of my readers are from the same generation as me, I am wondering how many of you have a charm bracelet still?

If you do perhaps you would consider sharing it on your blogs??