Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Joy and Sorrow

 I always find it ironic that joy and sorrow, sunshine and shadow, seem ever present with each other. This week, for the second time this year, our family has both a wedding and a funeral back-to-back. We will joyously celebrate with one member of our congregation as she marries her true love, and then with sorrow celebrate the life of a precious member of our congregation who was a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many in our church.

All this is happening the very same week that my peonies are blooming. The first one was picked on Sunday and I'm guessing the last one will be picked before the week is finished. Talk about pure joy. This is it! Several times a day I walk out to check on the bushes. Each day I pick some more and then spend countless minutes throughout the day photographing them! Ha ha ha! The children are sick and tired of me driving around town pointing out every incredible peony bush in bloom to them. They do not care!!!


I have a whole post to devote to peonies at some point, but I have to post a few now! :) Tomorrow we'll do wedding flowers -- and right now I have about 80 white peony blooms in my kitchen and fridge!

In the midst of all this real life, all my kids want to do is go to the pool! ha ha! We have had lovely weather for it this week -- mid 80's. 


On Monday I managed to spend some time in the kitchen garden. Just about everything is planted except a few more marigolds and a bunch of basil. Weeding doesn't bother me but planting seeds I find tedious! I am avoiding it..... Once this garden is done I need to move on to the mammoth task of my side garden which is now overgrown with perennials. It will take a solid week to get it done.


 I am slowly unwinding from the school year. I am remembering how much I love homemaking and missing time to take good photos, record recipes, stitch, embroider, quilt, create. I am searching for margin in each day.

Well, I have a little flower girl in the tub who needs her hair washed. :)


May you savor the joys and have strength for the sorrows in your week.

9 comments:

Reneelynn said...

Your peonies are beautiful! I have 3 bushes but they are still in the bud stage. I love the fragrance they bring into the house!! That wedding will smell wonderful!!

Lovella ♥ said...

I love the color of your peonies. I'm not sure if you remember the peony garland that our son and daughter in law had for their wedding. Your peonies would pair so beautifully with mine.

Lovella ♥ said...

Not sure if it will work for me to link to that post.. I'll try.
http://www.lovella.ca/2012/06/peony-and-promise.html

puttermuch said...

Your peonies are BEAUTIFUL !
My favorite of all spring blooms...enjoy your summer!

Lori

HeatherMavis said...

Wow, I haven't even finished raking our yard. I did get some pansies in pots though.

Pom Pom said...

Hi Heather! Oh, I am a peony lover, too! As soon as mine pop, I'll take zillions of photos. You'll appreciate that, won't you?
Don't you wish they bloomed all summer?
I have two and a half more days of school before I am a free granny! Woo hoo!
Your kitchen garden is perfect! I don't know how you do so much, Superwoman!

Kathy said...

Everyone seems to be posting pictures of their flowers this week. (Me included.) Each is more lovely than the last. I love this time a year.

Anonymous said...

Your peonies are absolutely splendid! I can just imagine the great pleasure you get from them. Here I have two peonies in our new garden, and to my amazement there are some buds! I didn't think they would flower this summer.

Once again I am marvelling at how much you accomplish in your life - so many things on the go!

Yes, it's funny how joy and sorrow come at the same time. To remind us what is important, and to enjoy life.

Stephanie said...

Our peonies just started to bloom yesterday, but they are mostly white with a little light pink. I love your vivid pink color! I never bring them into the house because my MIL told me stories about how the ants are usually all over them and I don't want that in the house!