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??

Mother's Day 2020

It's been a busy couple of weeks around here, but I did want to pop in and wish all the moms out there a Happy Mother's Day.

It seems like a Mother's Day greeting should include something floral so I'm sharing a shot from a recent walk in the neighborhood.  The knock out roses have put out their first flush of blooms and they were especially beautiful on this sunny day in May.

Part of the recent busyness has to do with a visit from this little guy.

On day one of his stay he announced that he wanted to make birthday cards for Daddy, Uncle Mike and a Mother's Day card for Mommy.  So, I rounded up the crafting supplies and we went to work.  They've been tucked into a drawer waiting for the big day.

Today is the day.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Happy Birthday Uncle Mike!

🎂🎂

Every so often Mother's Day falls on the very day my two sons were born.  This just happens to be one of those years.

So, while the celebrations will look a lot different this year, I'm happy we can be together for the day.  Couldn't ask for a nicer Mother's Day gift.

A Busy Little Mama

Perched atop the arborvitae, one might think she was just resting from a day of soaring through the skies.

With a bit of keen observation, it becomes clear that much more was going on than a mere rest.

In recent weeks she wove a cozy little nest.

A safe spot to lay her pretty blue eggs.

Last week her little family entered the world.

No doubt happy to be cuddled up together as they nap and become accustomed to life outside of that little blue egg.

Mama spends her days collecting food for her little family.

Flying back and forth throughout the day.

It's so cute to walk near their little home and hear them

chirping away in there.

Mama has chosen the ideal place to perch while keeping watch over her babies.

It's a straight shot to their little home tweet home.

While watching this little bluebird family my thoughts went to all of the mamas out there who quietly go about the business of caring for their children.

It can be a thankless job at times, yet a job filled with precious moments and rich rewards.

I hope that you are reaping some of those rewards today.

~ Happy Mother's Day ~

Since Last We Met

 

 When Brett went off on a business trip with my laptop (aka:  command central for all blogging activity) I wasn't too concerned.  After all, it was only supposed to be for a few days.  When it became apparent that the trip was going to be extended, I started to get a bit itchy and twitchy.  Ha!  I guess that's what happens when the blogging groove is interrupted for too long.  The next best thing was to keep snapping the moments.  Like a shot from Mother's Day which also happened to be my two son's birthdays.  Lots to celebrate that day :D.

 Right after that I had a visit from an eager little helper.

Each morning he was all too happy to help me keep up with the lettuce harvest.

 He has a great work ethic except for the occasional slowing of production to observe a passing jet.

 Much to my delight the first blooms of the "Double Delight" rose appeared.

As did the first hydrangeas.

 Meanwhile, my little helper happily fed Peanut every day.

Gotta love their enthusiasm at this age.

In the kitchen, great amounts of vegetables were prepped and consumed.

And many new-to-me recipes and ingredients were put to the test.

Here a sweet potato pie with an oatmeal/pecan based crust met with rave reviews.

My interest in a whole food approach to eating was just intensified after completing this workshop .  So well done by Heather who has the lovely blog Beauty That Moves.  

Now that the hubby has returned with the laptop, I plan to get around to visit with you.  I feel hopelessly behind at this point, but will do my best to catch up.

Double Delight

 

 ~ Double Delight Rose ~

The first flush of blooms showed up on the Double Delight Rose this week.  It seemed like perfect timing for the upcoming Mother's Day holiday.  Around here the name also seemed appropriate for the events of the weekend.

May 10th found us celebrating the birthdays of these two...

the ones who are responsible for making me a mother :).

 Today, May 11th, they will celebrate me.

Now, I'd call that a Double Delight.

And now I'd like to wish all of you a

Delightful Mother's Day.   

Mother's Day Wishes

In honor of Mother's Day I brought out some of the china that is normally hidden behind the closed doors of my china cabinet.

When my mom and mother-in-law downsized I inherited many pretty cup and saucer sets.  It seems many of them were bought in Canada many years ago when a favorable exchange rate enticed these two moms to purchase one new set every time they crossed the border from Michigan.  My dad was born in Canada and our summer vacations usually included a trip there to attend his family reunions.  As I recall one of our first stops was at a little china shop where my mom would carefully select her cup and saucer.  Through the years she would use them often when she entertained.

Although they aren't used much anymore, they are something I will always cherish. 

I couldn't resist showing you the mums that are blooming on my patio ... in May.  I can't recall ever seeing them bloom this early.  

My dad used to say "mum" instead of "mom".  We found this to be endearing and assumed it was because he had been born in Canada.  So, whether you are a mom or a mum I wish you a



Happy Mother's Day.