There have been some spectacularly cool late spring days these past few weeks. Being outdoors has been so refreshing. There are beauties blooming all over my yard. The hybrid tea roses are outdoing themselves. At last count there were eleven blooms on my bush called Gypsy, there are several Tropicana buds, along with a few Tiffany and First Prize buds. Next week they should really put on a show. The rose bushes are only one year old, so I am very impressed with their performance. Along with the roses, I have had yellow and orange daylilies, pink and white hybrid lilies, and lovely hydrangeas. I must admit, the drought is really taking its toll on my oak leaf hydrangeas which are too far away from my watering source to water regularly. I picked the first gardenia blossom today and the scent is just fabulous. I have it sitting on my computer as I type, so that I can enjoy the aroma.

These past few weeks have been a lot of fun with the ending of school and beginning of summer. We have been making plans for all the summer fun we’re going to have. Although I am a little worried that as it hasn’t rained in days and days, that this summer may be full of cloudy, rainy days. Let’s hope not; the kids are looking so forward to having the freedom to golf and swim. And speaking of golf, I got an e-mail from my mother today. She is in the United Kingdom for a few weeks. Here’s what she had to say, “….we are going to St. Andrews today. Rode the beautiful countryside yesterday …. Lots of sheep, castles. Had lunch on the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. Saw Prince Andrew. Walked nearly 6 miles… We are well.” Well, indeed. Now, if that doesn’t sound amazing, I don’t know what does! I CANNOT wait to hear about the trip and see wonderful pictures of the Old Course! Maybe she’ll even let me share some with you.

Til then, dreaming of bagpipes…

What a wonderful Mother’s Day this one turned out to be. After a very full weekend, my children and husband made sure Sunday was a day just for me. After church I returned home to be treated to a brunch with all the trimmings cooked by my children. And as “icing on the brunch” after cooking, they also cleaned up quite thoroughly. In addition to this wonderful treat, I was given a beautiful book on garden design, a book on tea, scone mix with Devonshire clotted cream, and a large Ghirardelli chocolate bar. My children know me very well, and I suppose because I wasn’t really expecting anything, this was one of my best Mother’s Day surprises ever!

I was able to celebrate with my mother and mother-in-law on Saturday in between piano and ballet recitals. We had a nice lunch at a lovely restaurant here in town which, not too many weeks earlier, had celebrated its centennial birthday. Now that we have successfully navigated the rough waters of end-of-year recitals, we are trying to complete schoolwork. My daughter has also completed a first round of ice skating lessons which went very well. And lest we think we might get a break, ballet and ice skating lessons continue through the summer. Such is the life of a mother. I have become Mom’s Taxi Service, but what a pleasure it is to be able to take them places that bring them such joy. I am fortunate to be able to take my computer with me, so that I can do a little work while taxiing.

It’s time for summer articles, and I have some intriguing ideas percolating. Be sure to check back in a couple of weeks to see what you may find. Until then, I wish you a few of those late spring days with cool breezes and sunshine …and a yard full of beautiful blooms to enjoy!