Through The Tulips Words of 'Wiz'dom

February 8, 2016

Honoring Mom

Filed under: Holidays,Life,Shop til ya Drop,Women — gardener @ 8:47 am

One of my life’s greatest inspirations has always been my mom.    Even though life has taken me thousands of miles from ‘home’, I still call her at least twice a day, sometimes more.   Then there’s always Facebook, WhatsApp and other means of interaction.     She’s been my greatest teacher, my greatest cheerleader and supporter, and my ‘go to’ person when I need an ear.   I can not imagine life without her.

She has always put others first, which is one of the many things I admire about her.    This year, I have been talking with my brother about doing something special for her.   I saw some beautiful  mothers rings from joyjewelers.com and thought it would be a wonderful gift for mom.     I’ve sent a few ideas to my brother and I’m waiting to hear his thoughts on my suggestions.   He may counter with a few of his own, but I would love to be able to give her something, that when she looks at it reminds her of my brother and I.   We both appreciate our parents so much and want them to know it through our every action.

What about y’all? What’s your favorite gift to give your mom for Mother’s Day?

December 5, 2015

Oh Christmas Tree

Filed under: Gratitude,Holidays,Home,Life — gardener @ 12:30 pm

To know me is to know how much I absolutely adore Christmas. I love the decorating, the madness, the festivities- and of course, everything that surrounds the REAL meaning of Christmas, and that’s the birth of baby Jesus.

This year, I went back and forth on whether we were going to purchase a large tree like usual, or if we would go with a smaller one that we could sit on a table and look festive, yet take up less space. In the end- that’s exactly what we decided to do.

Our small tree deserved small lights, so I picked up some of the Central Park LED lights and they add the perfect glow to our little three foot tree. Since it was too small to hold my usual fare of decorations, I went out and picked up a few new little things. It’s festive, and when I think about how joyous it makes me- I smile.

Marcel and I aren’t exchanging gifts this year- We have everything we need and that brings me much happiness.

What about you? What makes your Christmas merry and bright?

Spreading the Love- Music Style

Filed under: Holidays,Life — gardener @ 12:23 pm

As I was listening to a good friend practice on his porch last night with the band he’s a part of, I couldn’t help but smile at how far they’ve come in such a short time.      They started out with sub-par equipment and as they would do local gigs and save money, they would buy new things-  one at a time with their latest being the telecaster style guitars. The sound is clean and it makes it very obvious just how much they’ve grown and continue to grow.    I can’t wait to see where the journey takes them.  One thing I do know, is that it will be taking them to a local winter festival and I will be there to show my support.

November 10, 2015

Holiday Hum and Gratitude

Filed under: Gratitude,Holidays — gardener @ 12:03 pm

Life has been humming along at a good pace, and just as the holiday season starts approaching- I think I’ll have a few weeks to unwind a bit before life starts taking off again.   I’m excited though, because holidays mean time to share gifts with others-  practice acts of kindness and other awesome things.

This was my gratitude list for today-   as shared with my friends on Facebook.

 

Tuesday’s bits of gratitude.

1- Those who show up where they are- who are fully present and authentic. It says not only – I am ‘here’ and not distracted, big also I ‘want’ to be here.

2- Pulling out my plaid mug- which means the holiday season is upon us, and also makes me smile, because I adore plaid. Always have, probably always will. The gift that keeps giving.

3- Plotting acts of love and kindness for the holiday season. (I challenge you to do the same. Little things to us can be big things to others.)

4- Finishing my sugar work for this upcoming weekends cake and being satisfied with the results.

5- The beautiful threads of friendship and the tapestry of joy it adds to my life.

July 31, 2015

Celebration Month- Day 31

Filed under: Gratitude,Holidays,Inspiration,Life,Things I Love — gardener @ 10:33 am

shineAs the evening draws on the last day of my ‘celebration month’-  I find myself very much in awe of the beauty in my life.    These sunflowers-  a gift I gave myself, because I love them so much and how they remind me of the importance of keeping my head facing the light-   and to keep my own inner light shining bright.

I look around, and I see little reminders of how much I am loved-  from a box of Happy Birthday tea, roses from my sweet neighbors, cards and little gifts from friends, and much love.

I was having a very serious conversation with a friend yesterday about various situations we have gone through in life- and she mentioned a particularly difficult time I went through- and said how sorry she was that I had to encounter that.

I explained that it was a gift.   It was painful, but there is no rule that I know of that says all gifts are to be wrapped up in a gorgeous box with a perfectly tied bow.     Instead, some gifts come to us in challenges, pain, obstacles, so that when we work through them and exit the other side, we can embrace the entire situation for what it was-   a gift in whatever way it was meant to be.     Those are the most precious gifts of all-   the one we have learned on the other side of heartache/heartbreak.   So for those who allowed that lesson to come into play in my life-  I thank you.

The past several years have been brilliant and blessed in so many ways, but littered with challenges and pain along the way.   Last year was exceptionally difficult for me, but yet when I think back now-  I realize it was a period of growing for everyone involved, again- another gift (although it didn’t seem so at the time).

This year-   more than half way through- has been riddled with one blessing and beautiful moment after another.     I know that as I enter my 49th year-  that great things are on the threshold and I can not wait to see them unfold.

One thing is for sure-  I will welcome them with gratitude and enthusiasm.   The slate is clean-  the potential endless.

For those of you who share in this journey with me-  I am grateful.

July 14, 2015

Birthday Month Greatness Continues

Filed under: Food for Thought,Gratitude,Holidays — gardener @ 11:36 am

I am absolutely adoring this birthday month-   The beauty keeps unfolding more and more and more-   Marcel, gave me these gorgeous roses for my birthday and we had an amazing dinner out at one of our favorite local restaurants.

The girl day I had with friends couldn’t have been better-  and I even surprised myself by making a splurge purchase of an adorable Michael Kors summer tote- and a matching leather wallet.   Granted, I did not need either of them-  because I have plenty of handbags, but the yellow was calling my name-   and even Marcel suggested that I make a bee-line back to the Michael Kors shop and buy the bag- so I did.

Coming up-   time away with him for a few days along with some fun with friends.     My garden is growing at a beautiful pace and I can’t stop smiling-   I am blessed.. beyond measure.   For everyone who is a part of that – I thank you!

 

 

January 27, 2015

Back in the Saddle

Filed under: Holidays,Home,Things I Love,Travel — gardener @ 4:28 am

I didn’t have much time to spend writing when we were on our trip home. Instead, I spent all of my time focused on spending time with the people I love dearly.

We had adventures on top of adventures, and a few that we didn’t even bargain for- but it made the journey even better. I didn’t have a lot of time for pause, and to think about 2015, but now that we are back home- and I’m getting back into the swing of things- I’m not only being proactive in the great things swirling around for this year, but I’m also pulling a few things together that will allow me to continue to learn and grow.

I have a couple of workshops that I’ll be attending- all in the spirit of learning, plus new potential business ventures on the horizon. I am blessed beyond words, and grateful beyond measure.

October 18, 2014

Final Countdown

Filed under: Holidays,Home,Travel — gardener @ 12:14 pm

Less than 30 days til departure- but who’s counting right? haha MEEEE, that’s who!

Helping a Friend

Filed under: Holidays,Shop til ya Drop — gardener @ 11:09 am

Our Neighbors who have a son who is a musician stopped Marcel on the street the other day asking him if he could help find some particular music related gifts that he is looking for to order for his son for Christmas. Marcel and I are much more tech savvy than this guy, so we offered to browse around and see what we could find.

The guy really encourages his son to stay with the music and doing what he loves- and has really been supportive of getting him various lessons, and now some new equipment. We’ve sent him the link to musciansfriend and he’ll take it from there. I hear he’s going to be doing a concert this Christmas season for their annual holiday party. I can’t wait to hear more details. I love seeing people following their passions.

September 18, 2014

P.S.

Filed under: Holidays,Home,Things I Love,Travel — gardener @ 10:48 am

We are on the countdown til vacation! YES!! I tend to check the flight app a couple of times a week for no other reason than to look at the countdown til ‘check-in’ and feel the joy it brings me to know that our vacation isn’t too far away. We have been making plans and looking forward to spending time with family and friends during the holiday season.

Can you tell I’m a tad bit excited?

« Newer Posts — Older Posts »

Powered by WordPress