Monday, May 15, 2017

Flowers

  

It's no secret that I love flowers.  Our children gifted me a lovely arrangement for Mother's Day.  One from each of them.  Also Grayden had gifted me roses a couple days before Mother's Day.  It's nice to have so many lovely flowers gracing our home. 






I'm so thankful to have little or no pain in my knee now.  The flareup of arthritis in my knee sure did leave me worried.  I'm trying to be careful and not do any kneeling in my garden.



"The lesson I have thoroughly learnt, and wish to pass on to others, is to know the enduring happiness that the love of a garden gives." Gertrude Jekyll



Here are a few flowers that are blooming now.  Our abundance of rain has made my garden happy.  It's so important that our water table is not low before our usual dry, hot summer begins.  



Can you guess what these flowers are?  They are foxglove.


Red Knockout Rose



Native Columbine



Pinkie Climbing Rose



Pinkie Climbing Rose



Nellie Moser Cematis



Pansy



Rudbeckia



Sarah Bernhardt Peony Bud



Jackmani Clematis





This is not a flower but a host for wasp on an oak tree.  It is also considered a gall and some folks go to great lengths to remove them.  Our oaks are much too large and the few that we get we just let them be. Soon they will look like a golf ball as the gall progresses.





Our eldest grand's birthday is soon so his parents are flying in for a few days.  It is always nice to have them visit.  I can hardly believe that Samuel will be 22 years old.  How in the world can that be?  Time is passing faster than these fast moving clouds. 










    

31 comments:

  1. Beautiful flowers in, beautiful flowers out . . . you are surrounded by beauty!! I am so happy that your knee is feeling better and that you are able to be back in your beloved garden! Do take care, friend.

    I know that you are looking forward to some special family times as you all celebrate your grandson. Happy birthday to Samuel! (Eek! I know what you mean about time flying!)

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    1. Cheryl, I am trying my best not to aggravate my knee again. It's especially hard since it is so much better.
      I think when family members live a distance, the time spent together seems more precious, even though I wish they lived closer.
      Have a nice week, my friend. ♥

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  2. So glad that your knee is feeling so much better. Yay! Mine is cranking a bit and so I will slap some panaway on it before bedtime and toe in. ☺️ Great gathering of flowers...have never heard of a gall...intriguing. Obviously, I have not been paying attention. Happy pre-birthday to Samuel! What fun to be expecting guests soon.

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    1. Vee, you've never heard of gall and I've never heard of panaway--there's always something to learn. We're excited to visit with our daughter and son-in-law, but I know they are more excited to be with their son. Have a great week, my friend. ♥

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  3. I'm behind with my blog reading, a busy time at work, but I'm glad I finally made it to find you feeling better and surrounded by flowers and love.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. It's always nice to see you here, Amalia. Thank you for visiting. xo ♥

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  4. Beautiful flowers! I hope you had a nice Mother's Day!

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    1. It was a nice Mother's Day, Pilar. I hope your week is going well. ♥

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  5. It always makes me smile to get a notification that you have posted and I do so enjoy your words and photographs.
    I am glad to read your knee is improving. I find arthritis is very like that, and when a flare up comes you really feel that this it it this time. I'm so happy it is easing up and you can slowly ease back into things.
    I now have serious Columbine {Aquilegia} envy with that beautiful centre on yours! They are such a simple but beautiful and very giving, and very traditional cottage garden plant. I love them deeply.
    Did you know that Oak Gall was used to make ink in bygone days?
    You have much happening right now in your garden, whereas I am between seasons still.
    Happy Gardening ~~~ Deb xoxo

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    1. Deb, we share a love of Aquilegias. They are such a happy flower and reseed themselves so nicely. I remember seeing so many varieties when we were in England. I only have this one and a purple and white one that has finished blooming.
      I must read up about making ink with oak gall--interesting!
      Take care of yourself and soon you will be out gardening again, my friend. xoxo ♥

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  6. Beautiful Mother's Day flowers Martha Ellen. Love all the pretty pictures of your perennials. I just got a Sarah Bernhardt peony. I can't believe I didn't get one sooner! We have something called Cooley Spruce Gall that's been a problem with our Blue Spruce trees but I haven't seen the kind of gall you have there. Last fall I did some digging with a shovel in my garden and one of my knees became so miserable I really regretted it. I do my best to not have to dig anything that requires me to do that again! Thank goodness Dan has no problems with his knees. I can't figure out how you could have a grandson that is turning 22 already- you look way too young!

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    1. Thank you for your sweet comments, Liz. These past few weeks I've been feeling plenty old! I have Grayden do all the heavy digging here also. I do admit to doing some myself, but now I do believe I must stop it!
      There seems to be a gall for every plant, doesn't it? It would be a shame to lose your Blue Spruce trees.
      I really only get a few blooms on my Sarah Bernhadt peonies. I wish I had a sunnier spot for her. Have fun in your garden today! ♥

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  7. The gift of flowers is one of the nicest presents one can give. How nice of your children to give you flowers on Mother's Day. The foxglove in your garden is such an interesting flower, and the host for wasp on the oak tree is a lovely picture. I've never seen that before. I'm so glad to hear that you have less pain in your knee right now.

    Thank you for the birthday wishes, Martha Ellen. I really appreciate that. And a happy birthday to your Samuel. I hope you have a nice visit with all the family.

    ~Sheri

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    1. I love getting flowers, Sheri. I'm so glad you had such a nice birthday with your family. Combined with Mother's Day it must feel like Christmas to you! Have a wonderful week, my friend. ♥

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  8. I love your flowers...such a beautiful variety! I love roses and my hubby planted them in our flower beds so that I can always have a few in my little bud vases. I have 3 vases right now. Time flies! 2 of my sons have birthdays next week. Don't ask how old they will be! heehee! Hugs, Diane

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    1. Thank you Diane. I would not have any idea how to garden in Florida. How nice to have vases of flowers in your home with flowers from your garden. Your growing season is so much longer than ours. I can hardly believe how old our children are, much less our oldest grand! Have a great week. ♥

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  9. Just lovely, Martha Ellen! I'm so relieved to hear that your knee is feeling better and better. Try only a bit of very gentle gardening, my friend. All of your flowers are gorgeous! I love your old-fashioned Foxgloves. I'm watching very closely to see if my Foxgloves near the picket fence will return this year. Yesterday our Daisies began to bloom and today the first Iris opened. Isn't it wonderful to wander through the garden each morning in Spring to see what is blooming?

    Your family showered you with such beautiful blossoms for Mother's Day! I know how much you are enjoying them. They must make your heart smile. Happy Birthday to Samuel! How can he be turning 22 so soon? It seems like you were just telling us about his special 21st birthday celebration! Sending a big bouquet of hugs from my garden to yours, dear friend! ♡

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    1. Your sweet comments always make me smile, dear Dawn. I'm like you and visit my garden several times a day. I know your iris must make you very happy as they begin to bloom. Iris are no longer content in my shady garden, but I've seen many beauties blooming in our area. A garden really teaches us many lessons. Lately my garden has taught me to be very careful as I go about my chores there.
      We are really excited to have family visiting over the next few days. Samuel is a thoughtful, helpful young man that we are so proud of- Grandma talk here! Have a wonderful week as you tend to your garden, dear friend. ♥

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  10. Your kids did really well...those are so pretty! Wow...looks like you have so much blooming right now. Beautiful.

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    1. Pam, we have had a lot of rain lately and the flowers love it. Toward the end of the week we will be having 90 degree temps! Spring is turning into summer very quickly. Have a nice evening. ♥

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  11. Wow! such beautiful flowers.. belated Happy mother's day.. a big hug..

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    1. Thank you, Krishna. It was fun seeing your Mother's Day fun. Have a great week. ♥

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  12. You have a nice assortment of flowers in your garden, Martha Ellen. And the flower arrangements you received for Mother's Day are beautiful! I'm glad your knee is better. Arthritis in a gardener's knees is a real challenge!

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    1. Cathy, this spring was the first time it was confirmed I had arthritis in my knee. Not being able to walk really took me by surprise.
      I hope you enjoyed your Mother's Day, my friend. ♥

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  13. I'm thankful with you that your knee is feeling better. Your flowers are so lovely--both given and from your garden. It sounds like you had a nice mother's day. I love your new header!

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    1. Dotsie I find I really haven't appreciated my good health as much as I should have. I hope you enjoyed your Mother's Day, friend. ♥

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  14. What beautiful flowers, Martha Ellen! And always a cherished gift from our kids. I am glad to hear that your knee is not giving you as much pain, but still it is very hard to garden without kneeling. That is what I'm trying to do this year, and I miss the olden days when gardening gave me no pains at all! I hope you have a wonderful time with family. We're expecting our family here this weekend and it's always a great time. xo Did I ask you if you saw the Emma Bridgewater tomato plate? Oh, how gorgeous it is!

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    1. Judy, I have seen that gorgeous plate! I hope you order it. I've only collected her mugs, but have a serious case of the wants for her other things. Oh, I do have the large heart teapot, that I adore. Her artwork is so pretty and happy. Have a nice weekend with your family, my friend. ♥

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  15. Your flowers are just breathtaking! I have most of the same and it's been early for all of them to bloom this year. I hope when the hot summer sets in I still have flowers to soothe the soul! XOXO

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  16. Flowers make me happy. What a joy to see yours. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Kneeling is difficult. One day at a time. xo

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  17. Flowers are so lovely both in the garden and to have them in wonderful bouquets around the home. I love your photographs.

    I am also so pleased to read that your knee is healing well, just continue to take care.

    All the best Jan

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