sweet sixteen

You were absolutely right. The white peonies bloomed just in time for the party. The only problem, that night it poured...

Morning found the white blooms, covered in mulch. The heavy rains caused the stems to bend, despite the metal peony frames.

I carefully washed each flower, much to the chagrin of various tiny insects. To be on the safe side, I washed each one, twice. If it's worth doing, it's worth over-doing.

Their scent, heaven sent. Much like my birthday girl.

We hosted her lovely friends at our local Paddle Tennis Club for paddle, dinner, and lemon cupcakes. The birthday girl's favorite.

Set-up and clean-up was a piece of cake. The girls seemed to really enjoy playing paddle. It's fun, fast, and easy to play. A hybrid mix of tennis, racquet ball, and ping pong.

Perfect for a pack of sixteen-year-old girls. A sweeter group of girls would be hard to find.

Do you think we had enough pizza? 

i like may

 The garden is really bursting with color this spring. Vibrant shades of blue, pink, green, and white...

An astonishing amounts of blooms.

Just when one tree is winding down, another is eager to take its place...

Butterflies flit here and there, quite drunkenly.

 

May's been good. 

But busy, busy. One's graduating from pre-school another from eighth grade. Chorus and band concerts. Math team state championship, games, finals, and a sixth grade trip to the state capitol. 

We've a party this weekend for my oldest. Sweet sixteen. There can't possibly be a sweeter sixteen-year-old on the planet. She's smart, kind, thoughtful, and she makes me laugh. Happy birthday, sweet Margaret, m'love!

 I'm hoping the peonies bloom by this weekend. Otherwise, I'll have to go to 'plan b' for the flower arrangements. Do you have anything special planned for Memorial Day? 

in the garden

Someone's been busy getting her window box into shape...

While pausing to admire each and every flower.

Keeping an eye out for little fairies.

Convinced they're to be found in the mossy patches.

Leaving a little offering of love.

And then, learning to swing all by herself.

Legs pumping, smiling ear to ear.

mother's motto

A few years ago, I came across a vintage Mother's Motto print at a yard sale. I'd just read an article where someone had an entire wall covered in framed mottos. 

Spotted this one in a sad, rusted frame. Easy enough to fix. Loved the soft 1940's shades of green, blue and pink. Not to mention the forget-me-nots, you know I've a thing for forget-me-nots....

Wishing you a very happy day this Mother's day.

xo

Molly

daisy wreath

The other day, I pinned a simple daisy wreath on Pinterest. The original source was sold out. After a little sleuthing, I discovered the company's name and several retail options. The prices differed considerably.

The least expensive option was Amazon. And the cherry on top... free shipping.

There's something so fresh and sweet about daisies, don't you think?

And speaking of daisies...

I ran out to the stuff-mart, otherwise known as Ikea, the other day. After reading about how their spring line, was rather 'Liberty' in nature. Florals mixed with gingham, and colorful stripes.

Worth the trip. 

Picked up lots of party supplies for someone's upcoming sweet sixteen. 

Party planning in progress...

charmed

Consider the charm bracelet. Quirky, colorful, and usually completely unique.  Laden with fond remembrances, sparkly charms, and sweet forget-me-nots. I collect them, and can usually be seen with one or two on my left wrist, accompanied by several beaded bracelets. The more the merrier.

A number of years ago, one of the stores I frequented for my girls, offered charms to match their various collections. For their birthdays, the girls each received a starter bracelet and a couple of charms. I decided I needed one, too. Picked up a few more charms, whenever I spotted them on sale.

Resulting in more charms, than can comfortably fit on my bracelet. While this isn't one I wear every day, I thought you might enjoy taking a peek at it. It's a little delicate, but the memories are indelible.

Would you be surprised if I told you, my girls can confidently locate me in any aisle at the store, from the 'jingle jangle'?

Do you have a charm bracelet?

happy may day

But I must gather knots of flowers,

And buds and garlands gay,

For I'm to be the Queen o' the May, mother,

I'm to be Queen o' the May.

~Alfred Lord Tennyson

Wishing you the happiest of May Days, my friends.

Did you find any surprises on your doorstep this morning?