New Roses and Such

Remember last fall, when we visited the International Rose Test Gardens and I fell in love with so many roses? I actually have a few of them now to plant! The gorgeous Sally Holmes, Graham Thomas, another Abraham Darby (Oh- to die for!) and a Christopher Marlowe. I'm so sad I couldn't find the Honey Dijon locally, but maybe I can get that one next year- if I by chance I can possibly fit another rose in somewhere. I'm already having a hard time deciding where to put a few them. But, I think I need Sexy Rexy too.....

But to make up for not finding the rose, I found this amazing hydrangea- similar to the one we saw at Butchart Gardens! (top photo) Wow- it's a deep burgundy pinkish color- like a good red wine... oh.. I can't wait! It will look stunning with some hostas and maybe a few Lady's Mantle and.. um... what else?! I need some ideas! Sigh, I guess I'd better have some down time soon and look through gardening books...

March

And speaking of jokes, I would love to pass this one along, from one of my favorite jokester customers, as we all bid adieu to March. Not that it's really a joke, but it's sure to make you laugh.
"March is God's way of telling people who don't drink what a hangover feels like. "
-Garrison Keillor

Simple Sundays

My favorite pleasure this week that is shared universally: swapping silly jokes. I love visiting with my customers, catching up on what's going on in their lives- they're all great. But sharing jokes is the best! Have you noticed how healthy laughing hard is? It really changes your whole outlook for a long time. Here's my favorite joke- my husband told this to me years ago during his bartending days.

A string walks into a bar, sits down and tells the bartender, "I'd like a beer please." The bartender says, "I don't serve strings here!" and throws the string out into the alley. The string picks himself up, brushes himself off, unravels his top and ties a knot in it, then walks back into the bar, sits down and says calmly, "I'd like a beer please." The bartender looks at him and says, "Aren't you that string I just threw out of here?" And the string replies, (You have to say this part out loud) "Nope, I'm a frayed knot."

Tell some jokes this week!

Pecan Bars

Omgosh. These are to die for! They are hand's down the best pecan bars. Ever. BTW, Barefoot Contessa is my second favorite cooking show. She's a normal person. I like that. What I don't like is pretentious bimbos with lots of cleavage acting, well, pretentious. That's so NOT what good food is about.

Simple Sundays

I have discovered what has been mising in all the cooking shows I've watched: VERVE. I discovered this by watching "Jamie At Home" This guy seriously rocks. I refuse, yes, REFUSE, to delete any of the episodes from my TiVo! An absolute joy to watch- if you haven't seen Jamie do his thing, you must write a note to yourself to do so- soon. I have plopped down numerous times over the last few weeks I've been sick just to rewatch each episode again and again, and lose myself in the love of this art simply because of the absolute abandon with which Jamie cooks.

Keep in mind that I am still sick, and so if the above paragraph lacks any grammatical cohesion, I really don't care at this point. ;o)

My Own ReDesign

I feel so blessed! A friend of a friend is just starting up her own ReDesign Company and did my Living Room. Just take a look: http://www.aprilmoffattdesign.blogspot.com/ I love it! The photos really don't do it justice. I can't wait to get started on the other projects she suggested, and hopefully I can get her help with more!

Russia

My Sweetie has returned (and as far as blogging goes, so have I! Heehee!) Here he is in Red Square. How cool would that be?! He thought it was amazing. The bottom photo is Lenin's tomb.

Valley of Vision and Goals for the Year

In considering what my goals should be for the upcoming year (yes, I know I'm late!) I am meditating on the following prayer that my friend Linda shared with us recently. It's from the wonderful book, Valley of Vision- A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions by Arthur Bennett.

New Year

O Lord,
Length of days does not profit me except the days are passed
in Thy presence, in Thy service, to Thy glory.
Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides, sustains,
sanctifies, aids every hour,
that I may not be one moment apart from Thee,
but may rely on Thy Spirit
to supply every thought,
speak in every word,
direct every step,
prosper every work,
build up every mote of faith,
and give me a desire
to show forth Thy praise;
testify Thy love,
advance Thy kingdom.
I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year,
with Thee, O Father, as my harbour,
Thee, O Son, at my helm,
Thee, O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.
Guide me to heaven with my loins girt,
my lamp burning,
my ear open to Thy calls,
my heart full of love,
my soul free.
Give me Thy grace to sanctify me,
Thy comforts to cheer me,
Thy wisdom to teach me,
Thy right hand to guide me,
Thy counsel to instruct,
Thy law to judge,
Thy presence to stabilize.
May Thy fear be my awe,
Thy triumphs my joy.

Simple Sundays

My Simple Sunday pleasure this week took two weeks to arrange. Too busy of a schedule for both of us was driving us batty and we were longing for some intimate alone time- time to just be together without being with anyone else, no phone calls, nothing to do, just.... BE. So Friday night, we unplugged the phone, had a wonderful dinner of sandwiches, followed by coffee with Ben and Jerry's Coffee Heath Bar Crunch ice cream, going to bed late, sleeping in late, and then waking up to freshly fallen snow. We opened the curtains- our room has huge sliding glass doors that offer a great view- so peaceful all that fresh snow was, and my sweetie brought us croissants and coffee and we stayed in bed for two hours. We talked, we laughed, we RELAXED! It was heaven! I told a friend later and she thought it was the best idea she'd heard in years! They've been a little stressed and busy too, so I hope they just DO IT!
Visit SimpleSundays :o)