Garden Bouquets

One of my new delights since moving here has been to cut fresh flowers

all spring and summer long.

Such as yesterday ...

coming home from church and feeling like I fit the brown-eyed Susan look. 

The globe thistles have been growing almost wild for months now.

They got tall and burned from the heat, not so nice looking,

so I cut them down, thinking next year they are moving!

But they just grew back into healthy, less spindly looking,

 new plants with new thistle flowers. 

Two seasons in one is okay by me.

I do not know what these are called ... they bloomed a fiery red 

a while back and then turned yellow.

When we had that big heat wave I was so sad to see the hydrangeas wilt and burn,

but they soon forgot their troubles and blooms exploded ...

so many that the plants could not hold them up.

I wonder if it's because the plants  are quite young and fragile yet.

And, for the first time, maybe three months ago,  

I planted dahlia bulbs and they are blooming now.

I need to learn what to do in order to have them come back. 

Does one dig up the bulbs and plant again?

It would be so nice if they would just come back. 

I went a bit farther back into my photos and saw the lupines

that I already posted.

These also can be cut down once they get past their prime,

and they grow lush and green in no time.

Oh, and the lavender ...

I guess I don't have a picture on hand,

but there's lots to enjoy and it's been fun to dry it 

for long after summer days end.

There is so much to learn.

So much intricate beauty in just a flower or even a thistle.

The ones pictured above show the different stages,

from green and spiked, to light purple to a bright purple and 

lastly each tiny spike turns into a flower, reaching out to hold

hands with all the other flowers on the globe.

So amazing!

And if God so cares for the flowers of the field,

how much more does He care for us? 

A New Season

It's a strange feeling day, this day like no other. Last night Herb set his alarm for five or five thirty AM to get up for work for his last official day. It's been a steady, a norm, and possibly a part of life that we never really thought about coming to an end.

I met Herb when I was in Grade 10. He had graduated the year before and was, what he thought, working temporarily for his older brother who had started a floor and drapery business.  His brother had hired two floor installers and two seamstresses. My guy was the driver doing pick ups, deliveries and installing drapes. 

Now let me tell you about one of his first showroom experiences. Not the typical looking Mennonite boy, longish hair and flared pants, he remembers going to help some customers, who  happened to be speaking Low German. They looked at him and said to each other (in his mother tongue) Does this idiot even know what he's talking about?" With a straight face he replied, "Yes, he does." And he still laughs about it. 

Eventually more staff was hired and more services were added, such as area rugs, blinds, bedspreads and wallpaper, calling for a name change to Friesen Interior Decor. Herb became sales manager, then general manager and in 1985 his brother sold the business to him. We were a young family, just taking one step at a time, never having aspired to this, but it basically fell into our laps. In those days, the shop was doing retail with walk in customers. He had a later start than today and was able to drop off the kids on the way to school. 

In early 1990, as opportunities for home decor increased, we moved into a larger premise that included more home decor displays and warehouse space. Herb hired more design staff to assist customers with their  interior decor. We had numerous salesmen and I remember those days as being a lot of fun.

As time and demands changed, the nature and name changed once more. The need for custom made and design help slowly vanished as big box building stores added these elements and customers were given the choice to do things themselves, which is a good thing. With this shift, Herb ended up dropping a number of their custom services and narrowing down on just flooring. He moved into a smaller space, focusing on working with contractors in wholesale. 

Today, it is a small shop tucked into the side of a warehouse. Estimators sit at their computers working through plans for malls and high rises, while the main sales arrangements are made with building contractors, architects and designers who specify the covering of floors and walls. Tile and wood are the main items to source and installed by crews of talented artists. 

It became a career that he never would have dreamt and has been one that he's grown with. One that would have looked impossible back in that showroom with the German speaking ladies.

So, today I'm reflecting on what has been a major part of our lives. He's handing off his keys to another. We have a blank slate for the future. A new season. 

 

When the Designer Showed Up

Earlier this year I posted a tour of this little house,

but I thought it might be fun to do an update on that.

I want you to note what's on the porch.

Natalie texted me one day and asked me what my budget would

be to decorate the playhouse. 

I was a bit at a loss, no idea what would be needed,

but I figured $100 should be reasonable, 

happy to give her a project.

A little while later, she sent me a video, showing me what

she had bought for $98!

I couldn't believe what she had pulled together!

On the day she came over, Evy was with her, wanting to help.

I gave her a pail with soapy water and she was happy to scrub the steps.

I didn't stick around to watch the process

because I looked forward to the reveal.

So, coming in through the front door ...

I was asked to take off my shoes ...=)

There was a super soft carpet with a bean bag in one corner.

(that door goes right through to the back porch)

On the right side where the steps go up,

she had a catch all basket for blankets, etc.

(which came later)

and notice the framed pictures of cousins.

When you look up from that first floor,

you see the rope ladder going to the front loft.

With no electricity in there, she made use of

battery operated string lights.

The landing coming up the stairs.

And the loft, where she was just finishing up.

It's amazing how much fun a Dollar Store 

and some creativity can provide for a teen ager!

I'm not really sure who enjoyed this more, she or I, 

because I sure loved seeing how she took her job seriously.

She had a blank slate and made it a cozy, welcoming place.

We've enjoyed giving other grandmas and grandpas tours

and have come to see that there's a child that loves to dream -

still living inside all of us!

❤❤❤

 

The Birthday Party

After dinner the scattered kids were called back for cake and

well wishes for Papa.

Each of them had made cards with their own tributes ...

special gifts from the heart.

Being together, even though we're missing five,

is also one of the best gifts.

After dessert, we visited on the patio 

and, when the treehouse play got too crowded =)

the boys started a game of soccer

My photos are bad...

but they're still reminders of some "seriously fun" playing.

Kristal shared this photo of the girls.

I believe the older ones ended up sharing secrets in the treehouse

while these two raided the dress up trunk.

I'm always surprised what they come up with,

paired with their priceless smiles.

And this is how we celebrated this non-milestone birthday ...

very grateful for another year.

From the Mouths of Babes

 

 

This weekend we celebrated my H's birthday - which I'll post pictures of yet  - but for now I want to remember sweet Jade's words of encouragement and affirmation that she wrote out of her own accord. She came to me in the kitchen with a tiny notebook and quietly asked me if she could read her note when Papa opens his presents. 

She got a little shy - or eager - not sure which it was -

and decided to read it to him before the rest of the family arrived.

However, once everyone shared their cards with him, she stood up and read it again!

Truly something that burned in her heart to share.

So just in case you need this today ...

God loves you!

No matter what, He cares about you.

He doesn't forget you.

He loves you!

❤ Jade ❤

Father/Son Puppy Edition

You wouldn't know it by this picture,

but Jack's smile, stroking his cousin's new puppy

is a victory, because he has been afraid of "doggies".

When he came over a few days later,

I showed him a photo of his daddy holding a puppy -

and you probably know why. 

Oh, how he loves seeing photos of his dad!

I realized that I should be handing the photo album over,

but just haven't been able to just yet. 

True to life glimpses of a past season give a grandparent

a second chance to enjoy. 

❤❤❤