Feelings ...

     This evening is the first time I have thought of this blog in a very long time.  Actually, I had forgotten about it.  Yet tonight, I am feeling nostalgic and thinking much too deeply about life.  This season of my life is a time quite different than for most people my age.  Yes, I am blessed and I have accepted challenges that perhaps I should not have, only time will tell.  Not sure why I am writing this but I think it is for me.  I need to voice my feelings and if someone out there wants to read, well they are welcome.
     Living in a foreign country may seem quite glamorous to some and quite absurd to others.  To me, I think I am somewhere in the middle.  Some days, I love the uniqueness of life here - the antiquities of the buildings and the Spanish culture.  Then, there are those other days when the difficulties far outweigh the joys and I think "how absurd" to stay here when life could be much easier back home.
     So for now, I will try to meet the challenges.  I know life isn't always about what's easy!

South Carolina Spring Days

Spring is my absolute favorite season since moving to South Carolina!  Nothing revives or inspires me more than a walk down my street with the Dogwood trees lining the way.  When I meander down the sidewalk, I can't help but feel a little more cheerful.  The colorful blooms drown out the drab of winter; the new plants bring such beautiful color!  Oh, if they would stay a little longer!

Can you tell that I am ready for these warmer days?  My plants are beginning to pop through the ground.  I wonder what plants have made it through yet another winter and where will the volunteers show up.  We have uncovered the pool, trimmed shrubs and began washing down the outside of our house.  Next, we will be cleaning windows and replanting the flower boxes beside our front door.  

Yet, this Spring is going to be different because it will be my last South Carolina Spring. My house and my gardens, both a labor of love and hate, are for sale. I am moving to Spain to pursue a greater love!

Psalms 42:1
As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God.

My Life's Pleasures

     As I sit looking out over the the water sprinkling down on my garden, it makes me think of the sweet things in life that come my way refreshing like the droplets of water on my thirsty plants.  I surely have plenty of pleasure to drink up and enjoy.

Husband - cup of morning coffee in bed and everything in life

Daughther - dream maker a patience, loving, listening best friend

Son - preacher who's my joy at it's peak with a smile and a hug

Add the son-in-law, daughter-in-law and grandchildren and my list just grows and grows like the garden outside my breakfast room window; it grows, blooms, and brings me joy.  Each person with different beauties to behold, sprinkle me with love refreshing my life.    

                                                       

Spring Flowers Quickly Pass

     Without a doubt, anyone who loves flowers must visit SC in the spring. Just the azaleas in bloom create a beauty that undoubtedly even people who don't garden have to admire. Add dogwoods, daffodils, wisteria and yards are painted with color.  These colors fade quickly and I hate to see them go.
     As I stroll around my yard, I am anxious to to see what else is peeping out of the ground to delight me this year.  The winter was so mild that my snapdragons actually continued blooming so I have high hopes of lots of returning plants.  It is funny but some of these young shoots are surprises to me since I did not tag my garden, thought I would remember them all. I did save the tags, they have to be somewhere!
     Living here, I strive to find the plants that will survive and actually thrive in my backyard.  The soil varies so much depending on the spot; this has helped me to decide that my garden needs to be confined, a small area where I can control the pests and keep everything watered and weeded.  Between the extreme heat and poor soil, I am very pleased to have found  plants that have become quite showy.  I think I will plant more of the same that way maybe I will finally get what I refer to as an "English Country Garden" after all.  Yet as I shop for plants, I can't resist trying the different beauties and hope they will survive. 

To those reading this blog, I welcome any suggestions of plants that you think would be suited for my environment.  I don't have a color scheme  - I am truly an amateur creating what pleases me. 

   

Longing for . . .

Although I have had the privilege of traveling, it seems the desire to go again to yet another place is always with me. When I get there, it is like I just can't wait to see what awaits around the bend, over the hill, or around the corner. I read all the brochures to make sure I don't miss any attraction. More that once, my sweet family endure my adventures. Some turn out quite fun and entertaining, while others not so good. We do end up laughing, sometimes years later just retelling the story. I do love adventure.

John Eldredge's book, The Journey of Desire, is a must read.  He writes, "We all share the same dilemma - we long for life and we're not sure where to find it.  We wonder if we ever do find it, can we make it last?"  I would like to believe that what I feel is quite the norm for most.

Don't leave home without your hat...

As I look forward to spring, I have been thinking about my backyard flower garden and wondering what to plant this year.  Sure keeping my fingers crossed that everything I ventured to buy and plant last summer will make its way through the ground after a long winters' sleep.  This was an especially unusual winter here in SC. We actually got snow that  lasted for some days.

Dreaming the arrival of spring, I began to reminisce.  Pictures tend to put a smile on my face.  As I began to meander through photos, I realized something quite funny. In so many of my winter travels, I would be wearing whatever I could buy to keep me warm.  I would get scarves, hats, sweaters, something for the moment.  I would use them for the time, sometimes never to wear them again.  Here a are few lovely hat days.  I have never had the "need" to wear them again.



I remember walking the mountain in Austria snapping pictures of all the flowers that surprised me on that winter day.  I was warm and happy in my "lovely" hat. It never crossed my mind what my husband saw or thought walking with me that day.

What about this one?  I really had to have a hat this December day in Copenhagen, Denmark.
  I don't know what I was thinking to ever go there in winter without a hat!

Well, I found one!

 Oh well, aren't the flowers lovely?  Denmark was lovely, too!

Garden Treasures

This year I have spent more time in my backyard enjoying my garden.  South Carolina summers are very hot and humid and creating a garden has been a challenge. However, I did not let it defeat me.  My favorite plants that blossomed beautifully were lavender, "hot lips", and plumbago.  While not everything grew successfully, I did get more pleasure from my plants than in summers past.  As spring is approaching, I am hopeful to see what will return.
     The garden became a treasure to our home because it became a place where friends and family gathered often.  No longer was the main attraction simply the swimming pool.  This year, visitors could enjoy the water and the flowers. It was hard work, but it was rewarding work.
     The rewards eventually brought me out of the back yard and allowed me to venture into the front.  My front yard has long been a challenge.  Wanting a fence for privacy purposes has posed many difficulties.  So, this year I tackled the job with foliage.  My entire front lawn has now been secured with plantings of Crepe Myrtles, Gardenias, Ligustrum, and Wintergreen Boxwood.  So far, we have weathered the winter well, considering the record snowfall we have received.  We are anticipating spring and the new life that comes along with season.

     In closing, I will leave you with a photo of one of my favorite garden treasures just before the days grew cold.