I’ve Fallen In Love With A Lady

February 12, 2016March 23, 2019Leave a comment

‘Tis true, the ever-blooming Lady Emma Hamilton has stolen this gardener’s heart. Despite having little to no real estate left to toil, my heart yearns for this English beauty best described as sunset in a rose. Her shades of apricot, coral, and petals of pink invite me into a sacred romance. If only I discovered David Austin’s roses sooner!

Thankfully, this abundantly fragrant rose can thrive in a hospitable pot or even as a glamorous tree rose. However she blooms, her presence invokes happiness. Soon, this radiant rose will be united with my beloved family of roses where her radiance will be warmly welcomed! Just don’t tell my husband. 😉

Snow-Laden Roses

February 10, 2016Leave a comment

{photo credit: Rick Oros on Pinterest}

After the 2016 Blizzard buried my rose bushes in 28 inches of pure white snow recently, my spirits lifted upon seeing glimpses of green Earth once more. It took nearly three weeks to even see that much!

Today, another snow storm, albeit far less intense, glazed my roses yet again. Despite the evidence of freshly snow-laden roses, I find myself counting down the days till Spring…just 40 days to go! It may be cold outside, nevertheless, my heart is warmed knowing Spring is right around the corner.

Growing Horizontally

February 8, 2016August 19, 20232 Comments

Growing Horizontally

Fourth of July

Have you ever noticed how climbing roses produce far more shoots and consequently, stunning clusters of blooms when forced horizontal? As a rosarian, I’ve learned if I gently bend the rose’s cane while fastening it securely with string, the cane will produce significantly more blooms than if I let it grow as it pleases. I have to be careful though as the pliable and tender canes can snap. Equally important is the tension of the string. If the string is too loose, it defeats its purpose of guiding the growing cane. Conversely, if the string is too tight, it can pierce the tissue of the cane causing damage or complete destruction. Ultimately, I have the authority as the master gardener to sculpt each cane as I see fit.

“My body and mind may waste away, but Elohim (God) remains the foundation of my life and my inheritance forever.”
Psalm 73:26

Blaze (Note: Blaze is a climber that only blooms in the Spring)

Similarly, once upon a time, this frustrated cane found herself no longer free to grow or go wildly as she pleased. Instead, Jesus, the Master Gardener, placed enough strings to tenderly, but securely force me horizontal through intense back and joint pain preventing me from escaping my bed.

Much to my despair, in a matter of weeks, my full-time income rapidly dwindled to part-time income, then unemployment. My financial stability was seemingly ruined! But God provided and worked everything out for my benefit just as Romans 8:28 promises. Consequently, those difficult days produced a soul harvest I would not trade for any paycheck or even my health.

“I have riches and honor, lasting wealth and righteousness. What I produce is better than gold, pure gold. What I yield is better than fine silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, on the paths of justice, to give an inheritance to those who love me and to fill their treasuries.”
Proverbs 8:18-21

Though uncomfortable, OK, frankly it was miserable at times, I blossomed spiritually and emotionally. Through that season of physical pain, this life slowly, but surely surrendered to His nurturing as He wasn’t hesitant to tackle my prickly thorns one by one. His strings were His boundaries inviting me to grow according to His purpose for my life. I could have rebelled against His plans and His boundaries or I could cooperate. The choice was mine. Thankfully, whether vertical or horizontal, I decided to grow with God’s flow!

Stepping Things Up

February 2, 2016Leave a comment

As I perused the internet to assist me in planning out an updated look for my back porch, which overlooks my rose garden, I stumbled upon the creative idea of using white picket fence spindles as the railing. Although I am only researching changes to the outdoor of my home at the moment, these indoor steps certainly invoked my imagination. Much to my husband’s demise, my home decor is adopting more and more of a rose cottage look due to my obvious obsession with roses. Naturally, this idea inspired me.

Equally intriguing is the idea of placing rose wall paper along the back treads of the steps. How charming! My husband may disagree, however. When it comes to roses, home decor, and planning out my garden, I tend to elaborately dream. Unfortunately, my husband lacks such creativity because he knows he will be the one making such dreams come true. Indeed, Pinterest could be the demise of many marriages! Ha!