I spent a good part of my morning in the garden snipping off dead flowers from my Roses. It appears that Spring and Fall are the ideal seasons for my Roses to thrive and produce gorgeous flowers. All of my Rose bushes have a distinct, strong fruity fragrance and I enjoy living the moment. They make beautiful cut flowers too.
I cut a few fresh flowers which I placed in my Vintage Cruet (Chicago Peace® Hybrid Tea, Scarlet Knight, Queen Elizabeth and Iceberg Floribunda). Doesn’t it make a beautiful centerpiece and display?
Rose in a Vintage Cruet.
I am still learning about pressing and drying flowers for keepsake. Click here to learn how to make dry flower arrangements.
“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
The past couple of weeks have been quite a roller coaster for me with mix feelings. I reflected a lot about my life and the path I wanted to follow. I spent quite some time figuring out how to break a very unhealthy bond and set my mind free. As painful as it is to end a relationship, it is always the right thing to do. When you come to the realization that nothing you do or say will change a situation, then it is time you end the story, turn the page, move on and begin a new chapter in your Life. Second chances at life are rare. How do we account for wasted years?
They say that things have a funny way of working themselves out and it’s true. I was set free by the same individual whom I have been praying to distance myself from and I am very grateful for their obnoxious act which worked in my favor. Thankfully for me, that is one less headache to worry about. I am free and I gained peace of mind.
Outback Steakhouse Restaurant Gift Card
Our neighbors graced us with a set of gift cards for Outback Steakhouse and a beautiful heartfelt Thank You card in appreciation for all our help and unconditional love. They often refer to us as their God sent Angels and this time wasn’t any different. As I gently hugged the husband, I felt as though they were our God sent. On one hand I was dealing with an individual who went through their life causing division amongst us and spreading hatred. Here I was in the arms of a Man whom I have only known for the last seven years. A Man who thinks I am an amazing Spiritual being, who uplifts my Spirit and understands the true essence of living.
“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.”
― Romans 16:17 (NIV)
Everything will be just fine. This, I know for sure.
For being one of those individuals who are quick to comfort, nurture and help others get back on their feet, I realize today that I have been holding back on my own healing process; thus I have failed to embrace Happiness to its fullest. Like the saying goes, you keep doing the same old and you will keep getting the same old.
Image Source: Oprah.com
Today I Resolve to be Happy and I will be Happy.
Today I am breaking the bond and rejecting negative thoughts and people.
Every year, around this time of year, I pray and ask the Almighty God to give me the strength to do what I have to do for myself and Family as well as the strength to bless someone in need. This year my prayers went out to one of our neighbors, an elderly couple, who have so much on their shoulders at the moment.
On Thursday I finally rid my entire property of weeds, for the second time, following last month’s three-day rain storm. This morning we headed over to our neighbors and began cleaning their front yard with the same love and care we did ours. It felt good and we were grateful to be able to gift them part of our time for a task that would give them peace of mind and a beautiful yard until next Winter, when the weeds return.
Image Source: QuotesPictures.com
There are many ways to bless others:
Pray for someone
Visit and spend time with someone
Compliment and Express Gratitude
Volunteer your time to a meaningful task
Make time for your loved ones
Donate money to help a cause
Be a good example
Assist someone in need (make dinner, give a ride, babysit, tutor, etc)
Pay something forward and start a positive chain of action
Forgive
“When you wish someone joy, you wish them peace, love, prosperity, happiness… all the good things.” ― Maya Angelou
For two and a half years we had a couple of Potato Vine growing in the front yard, alongside the arches. The plants were thriving until early last year when they died. We had quite a rough Winter and they didn’t survive the repeated freezes. We dug them out last Summer and replaced them with climbing Roses.
Cecile Brunner Climbing Rose.
Cecile Brunner Climbing Rose (also know as The Sweetheart Rose and Climbing Mademoiselle Cécile Brünner Rose) were quite small when I purchased them and have doubled their size since then. I trained the main canes of my ‘John Cabot’ Rose to grow horizontally on a trellis to encourage the plant to put out more blooms and it is always full of flowers. I planted the Cecile Brunner Climbing Rosebushes on each side of a Vintage wrought Iron Arch set, a gorgeous decorative feature in my front yard, by the garden gate, leading to the backyard. These arches will support and showcase the plants.
Cecile Brunner Climbing Rose Flower.Cecile Brunner Climbing Rose Flower.Cecile Brunner Climbing Rose Flower.
During the coming days, I will begin training the Roses to grow horizontally on the arches, to create a beautiful and inviting gateway. The Rosebushes bloom profusely from mid-Spring until frost with fragrant light pink blossoms.
Click here, here or here to learn about Training Climbing Roses.
By JM Perez
