My Mom's Dream Memorial

My mom is a Master Gardener.  

She always has been in all of our minds, 

but she actually took the class to become one. 

As part of holding the title of Master Gardener, you have to complete a project to benefit your community. Several years ago, after taking the class, mom created a flower garden at our church as well as at the nursing home where several of our family members

 have resided over the years.

 This is the same nursing home that I volunteered in 

while I was growing up and my mom currently volunteers there 

as well as visits the residents.

Maple Crest Manor -source

The gardens at both locations have flourished 

and been loved by many 

who watch the various flowers bloom over the spring, summer and fall. 

But, that wasn't enough for my mom. 

She wanted to do something bigger. 

Something that she has always imagined.  

This weekend we made it happen.

In front of the Maple Crest Manor in Fayette, Iowa is a strip of land 

that sits between Highway 150 and the driveway into the nursing home. 

In that strip of land are several maple trees. 

My mom has always envisioned hundreds of daffodils 

blooming in that Maple Grove every spring. 

But, she knew it would take a lot of bulbs 

and a lot of workers to make it happen.

All summer long, mom has been digging up her flower beds at home 

and gathering up daffodil bulbs.

I should let you know that if I dug up my flower beds,

 I wouldn't know what the difference between a daffodil bulb or a tulip bulb looked like. 

I can keep plants alive, but my mom has an amazing green thumb.

So, all summer, she gathered up these bulbs and kept them safe until Labor Day. 

She got permission from the city of Fayette to plant the bulbs 

and then made sure they weren't going to mow them over 

before they were done blooming. 

Since the area is under a lot of trees, the grass doesn't grow much there anyway.

 Approval was granted and we were on our way to making it happen.

We all met at the nursing home at 9:30 in the morning on Labor Day.

By all, I mean my two sisters, three of my mom's sisters and her brother-in-law, 

two of my nieces and their four children, and my family 

came with shovels, bulb planters, and gloves to get to work.

My mom wouldn't tell us until it was all done how many bulbs

 we were planting that day and that was probably a good idea. 

I don't think you would ever guess how many bulbs we planted.

Check out all these photos of the hard workers:

One tiny little bulb in each hole.

Many hands make light work.

All the way, 

as far as you can see, 

down to the furthest tree, 

we planted bulbs randomly underneath these trees.

My hands are still sore from pushing down on the shovels and bulb planter.

My mom was completely thrilled. 

Can't you see how happy she is?

Ok, so now I should tell you how many bulbs 

we planted in less than two hours.

Are you ready?

800 Daffodil Bulbs

I am not kidding you. 

We dug 800 holes and planted 800 bulbs in each one of those holes.

Pretty amazing, huh?

Now we just wait and see, hope and pray, that they will bloom.

Some of the smaller bulbs may not bloom this first spring, 

but hopefully each year, more and more will bloom 

eventually filling the strip of land with gorgeous yellow flowers 

and as the breeze blows through, 

maybe the residents will get a hint of daffodil fragrance 

flowing through the door each time someone walks in.

Thanks to my Aunt Kathy for taking the photo 

(and insisting it needed to be taken) 

and my Aunt Cynthia for posting it so I could grab it. 

My Uncle Floyd had already went to the car before we took the photo. 

After the day was done and we had filled up with food 

(of course, also prepared by my mom) 

and headed to our homes, this is what my mom said:

Sept 1, 2014 was an AWESOME day!! Thanks to my AWESOME family!!
 We planted 800 daffodil bulbs in memory of all our dear family members and dear friends who have spent their last years in the excellent care at Maple Crest Manor in Fayette. Thank you seems inadequate! Can't wait till Spring!!!

I think that sums it up exactly.
What a beautiful memory the flowers will be each and every spring. 

Thank you mom for teaching me the value of giving back
and for your amazing gift of gardening
that you have so willingly shared with others. 

Reagan's Fairy Garden

I have been wanting to make a Fairy Garden for some time and with Reagan being 8, I thought she was old enough to help and be responsible for it.  We went shopping for the items together and then I helped her build it.

Most all of our items were purchased at Earl May.  They have an excellent supply of Fairy Garden items.  Amazon also has a number of Fairy Garden items HERE.  I decided to make our Fairy Garden in a pot so that we can bring it inside over the winter and not have to start completely over each year.  We chose a nice big round pot and first layered it with pebbles for drainage and then potting soil.

I let Reagan chose all the pieces for the Fairy Garden.  We placed more of the pebbles underneath the patio set to give it a little more support.  

Earl May has a whole section of "Itty Bitties" or small plants perfect for Fairy Gardens.  We used marbles for the path and the pond which we got in the craft section of Walmart.  We also got some alyssum in both purple and white to put around the bird bath.  Then in Earl May's succulent section we got a Hen and Chicks.  We just used the Chicks to place along the path.  Finally, a bag of moss from Earl May gives it that perfect pillowy touch.

Earl May has a number of Fairy Houses to pick from.  Each has an opening in the back where you could place a battery operated candle to give it a soft glow.  

Our garden is located right out front in our flower bed.  It does need a regular spritzing of water for the moss and water for the plants.  We haven't gone through our first rain storm yet, but hoping it is protected enough by the steps and house that it won't damage the arrangement too much. 

The total cost of the Fairy Garden was about $125, but next year all we will need to replace will be the plants.  We are certainly hopeful that a Fairy will stop by soon for a picnic! 

Happy Monday

I know there are some people out that who really dislike Mondays, but I try to look at them as a kick off to the week.  A way to start my week off with a positive attitude and a fresh outlook.

Today was the only day I had this week to run the numerous errands that needed to be ran.  So, I got started right away this morning. I started laundry and did a few other things before I left home. Then 5 1/2 hours, I was able to shop at Hallmark, Old Navy, Michaels, Half-Price Books, take a 1/2 hour lunch with my Kindle at Noodles and Company, pick out some flowers at Earl May and Hy-Vee Drug Store, and get a few groceries at Hy-Vee.  After stopping for gas, I made it home 10 minutes before the kids got home from school!  Phew, that was a lot of running!  I'm super excited to show you  the items I got at Michaels sometime soon.  I purchased items for 2 projects that I want to accomplish in the next week or two.  Since I am not really crafty, this is a bit out of my comfort zone, but I am hoping I can turn it into something neat.  If they turn out, I will be sure to share them here!

This weekend we pulled out our 8-year old Korean Lilac bush.  It had gotten too big for the area near our front entrance.  It didn't bloom this year and we decided it was time to do something different there.  I am looking forward to making a new area of it including our bird bath and some new flowers.  Photos to come.....

Shortly after I arrived home the phone rang and the caller id said "United States Government".  I thought, hmmmm, I should probably answer that one.  I am so glad I did.  Just over a week ago, I emailed our Senator, Charles Grassley for his help with something and his office called me back today.  I was so emotional and grateful for their assistance.  I can't wait to share with you what his office will be helping me with!

Finally, I made tacos for supper which is the family's favorite, so it was a great way to close out the day.

We are on the countdown until school is done for the year.  Only 13 school days left.  I realized last night that only 2 of those 13 days are ones that I have completely open and today was one of them.  PANIC!!!  All those things I wanted to accomplish during this school year ran through my head.  How am I going to get them done in those 2 days???  Well, I'm just not.  Maybe they will get done this summer, and maybe not.  I'm going to do my best to leave that last day that I have free open and hopefully enjoy one last quiet day at home before I am with the kids every day.  I need to start planning out our summer as well.  Could it really be here already???

How did you start out your week?  Were you cranky or were you ready to hit the ground running this morning?

How the Message Was Truly A Message for Me

Sunday, we attended our church....finally...after being away for a month.  Busy weekends have kept us away.  The Scripture Readings included Matthew 13 and the Parable of the Four Soils. 
Here are the words from Matthew 13:18-23
Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:  When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.  This is the seed sown along the path.  The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.  But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time.  When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.  The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, makng it unfruitful.  But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it.  He produces a crop yielding a hundred sixty, or thirty times what was sown.

I was so glad we were able to go to church!  As I heard the scripture reading I remembered learning that parable in my BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) study.  Then I realized as our Pastor was giving the message, that he was speaking right to me.  Isn't that such an amazing feeling when the message intended for all to hear was maybe just what I needed to hear?  Was God encouraging me that morning that I could take on this task?  As I listened, I thought about my 90 days ahead of reading God's Word, and I realized I needed to be the "good soil".  I needed to be sure my heart was ready to accept the "seeds" of God's Word.  If my mind/heart is full of rocks, weeds, and thorns I won't be openly ready to accept what God is telling me.  I have to make sure the soil of my heart isn't packed down hard and unwilling to accept those seeds he is going to drop down each day.  But, I can't just have loose soil ready to accept the seeds.  It needs to be nourished soil where the seeds can penetrate into the soil.  Where those seeds can then germinate and grow.  I can't let the weeds and thorns come in and prevent those seeds of God's word to take root and multiply.

What are the rocks, thorns and weeds in my life that will prevent God's seeds from growing in me?  Those who laugh and think I am crazy for trying to do this.  My own mind, who isn't sure even I can complete this monumental task.  All those daily distractions we choose to do instead of what is important. 

So, I am going to keep rocks, thorns and weeds from taking ahold of my heart.  Each day I will ask God to bring his "Special Roundup Weed Killer" and get rid of them so I can be ready to accept new seeds of His words every day.  Then it will be my job to nourish, water, and grow those seeds.  I can already feel some growing these last 2 days.  I can't wait to see the garden that blooms after 90 days!  Anyone that has a garden, knows that every day, weeds are trying to come in, so it is a daily job to keep those weeds out.  It isn't an easy job and some weeds will get though, but God's seeds are strong and if your soil is nourished, the seeds will beat out the weeds and thorns!


One of my mom's many beautiful gardens - tended daily with love!



A Week Earlier

Last year I posted on March 22, that I had several crocus in bloom.  Much to my surprise today when I looked out into my flower bed, they were blooming today...a full week earlier!  May Spring be arriving soon in your neck of the woods!

Stargazers and Aunt Em

This is a photo of my Aunt Emily showing off her Stargazer Lilies. She was one of my favorite people in the whole world. Aunt Emily died in 1994 at the age of 98. Yes, 98. She also only lived in a nursing home the last year or two of her life! She was amazing! I loved going to visit her as a child and later as an adult. She was the tiniest little lady I had ever seen, but she was a tough little lady! I remember going and visiting her later in her life in her tiny senior apartment. We would have lunch together and read or watch TV. Aunt Emily also kept a daily diary and I always thought I would do that too. I guess my blog is as close as I will get for now. Every year I am reminded of my Aunt Emily when my Stargazer Lilies start to open. Their scent is so powerful that it instantly takes me back to Aunt Emily's house and reminds me of her. I miss her terribly, but am so glad I have my stargazers to remind me of her!

Spring Flowers!

All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar. ~ Helen Hayes

Yesterday I raked away my leaves and found spring rising up out of the dirt in my flower bed. I love finding the first flower to spring up in my flower bed. Spring is here!

Flowers: Here We Come!

In just 33 hours and counting I will be heading north to the Minnesota Home and Garden Show. I am picking up my mom and meeting my aunt (mom's sister) and cousin in Minneapolis for a weekend of flowers, shopping, relaxing, and catching up. No men and no kids allowed! I can't wait to be surrounded with beautiful, sweet smelling flowers, to not have to take anyone potty, to not have to cook a meal for anyone, to not have to do any laundry, to not have to answer "why", and just enjoy a weekend of laughter, grown-up conversation, and LOTS of fun! Thank you to my cousin Melanie for inviting us along for the weekend and to our husbands for giving us the weekend off. I am sure I will have numerous flower photos to share with you next week!

The New Has Come!

Even though we are expected to get some snow here tonight and tomorrow, I am still focusing on the fact that Spring is just 1 month away.

2 Corinthians 5:17 states Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come!

Soon we will be shedding our sweaters, and jeans for short sleeve tops and capris. Soon I will be opening windows and letting out the old stuffy air. Soon I will be watching the old grass turn from brown to green. Soon I will be watching the branches turn from bare to full of buds. Soon my feeders and yard will be full of birds returning from their winter retreat. Until then, I am enjoying the newness in my own home. From last week, I am still enjoying the beautiful pink gerbera daisy, and now have also been treated to some beautiful violets in my bathroom! Enjoy!

A Sign of Spring?

At the end of every summer I bring all my potted plants into our bedroom and set them in our west window, hoping to keep them alive for the next summer. One of my favorites to have on the porch in the summer is a gerbera daisy. Yesterday, I came into our bedroom and was shocked to find this pink flower standing up to greet me. What a spot of color it brings to the white snow behind it outside. It helped me realize that spring is just a short 6 weeks away and soon the sight of daffodils and tulips will be shooting up in front of our house. Until then, I will enjoy this pretty bloom that greeted me on this snowy winter day!

Flowers and Daughters

Yesterday I finally had a chance to go outside and work in my flower beds and plant some of the flowers I had bought the week before. My 3 yr old daughter was so excited as she had been asking me every day since we had bought them together when we could plant them. She picked out some pink ones, of course. We had such a good time outside digging in the dirt and watering the flowers together. While I was out there, I had one of those moments where I realized I had dreamed about this. Not literally, but I always wanted a girl and had imagined doing things like this with her as my mom had done with me. It was just a special moment for me. I know there will be lots of moments like these in our future. I am just so thankful that God gave me this beautiful girl to raise. Saturday we will have the chance to get her brothers involved when we plant our vegetable garden. I just cherish these family times and I hope you can take the time to connect with your children like this too. I know I need to do it more often.

My mom has a beautiful flower garden that she spends hours tending. I found this quote and I keep it taped to the mirror in my bathroom...

All winter long, 

I envision what beautiful blooms I'll have...

I can even smell them, 

their scents as wonderful as in my mother's garden.

So, after the long hard winter, spring is finally here. Go out, plant and smell some flowers.