Our friend Bella frequently asks me how my garden is doing. She loves gardening, and has a luscious rose garden in Washington which we all love. When I see her gorgeous flowers of all kinds, I always think that my own garden is nothing at all in comparison. Which is actually true if you choose to look at it that way.
I have a few rose bushes that were exciting in spring, but that have done nothing so spectacular since. The heat and insects have made for small and imperfect specimens. A bloom here. A bloom there.
But I suddenly realized that I have been guilty of thinking that one lonely and almost spent rose is somehow unworthy of praise and attention. Until today.
Today I remembered something I saw that Zuzu had posted on her Tumblr blog, A Cottage in the Woods. . . .
So I gathered up my homely roses. One or two each from four or five bushes, and put them together. They are soft and fragrant. All floppy and cheery together in their imperfection. And I found that they were truly far more than merely "enough" . . . .
Thanks Bella for always asking, and Zuzu for sharing! And thank you all for stopping by with all your inspiration and friendship that makes for yet another lovely gathered bouquet in my life.
Jacqueline
Dear Jacqueline, Lovely flowers and lovely thoughts! Years ago I heard the one, "All that I have is all that I need." And "Too much of what you don't need, will never fill you up." I tell myself these things when I am tempted to buy more things that I think I want but don't have space or money for. And Corrie ten Boom's book was a real teacher in the value of gratitude! To be grateful for what is, and for what we already have. It's all comparatively speaking anyway. And your roses are quite beautiful! Oh and those cards are adorable!!! Happy Bday!! Love, Kay
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post, Jacqueline...your roses are beautiful! Mine are gone until next year...
ReplyDeleteHi J,
ReplyDeleteWell my ears are burning!! You are way to kind! Thank You :-)
I love seeing your garden... all roses are amazing, none are homely, floppy is beautiful...romantic :-)
Your bouquet is STUNNING! As are your words.
You have once again been reading my mind... as I was weeding today, I was thinkng about perfection or more like imperfection. We look for character in out furniture but weed free perfection in our gardens :-) Shabby has soul :-)
Hugs,
Bella
Jacqueline: You have found out that all roses are beautiful whatever state they are in. After the last ones are gone, pick them apart and put them in one of your spectacular white bowls and they will continue to be a delight to all eyes as they wither and die. I admire how you put things together that seemingly have no connection, such as the flash cards with the roses and there you have another feast for the eyes..Happy Thursday..Judy
ReplyDeleteAmen, sister!
ReplyDeleteThat attitude is better than all the tea in china, my friend.
The fact you live in a VERY hot and dry DESERT and have any semblance of a garden in itself is a major feat!
and the fact it is loved and nurtured makes it even more so in my humble esteem.
Allow me to compare: yes it has been brutally hot here in Ohio - but it tends to most times be very green and very lush.........I have 5 2 year old rose bushes that have been nurtured and loved.....and I have had less blooms and much smaller than your lovely bouquet.
Why? Unsure. Love yours? By golly, yes I do, ma'am! Even at 3am when I should be sleeping, heh heh.
♥
Yes, Doug Walton, the famous artist, told me years ago, You have what you need. Look around and it is all there. Beautiful floweres. They look porcelan. xo Jenny
ReplyDeleteBeautiful roses, I love the ones with blush of pink in them. :-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful thoughts inspired by roses! As I walk life's journey, I try to keep in mind that " Abundance is not how much I own, but how much I appreciate" Your charming roses are truly far more than " enough", indeed! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteAmazing, isn't it?! ... How abundant our lives are without us noticing!!!!!! I frequently need the Universe to give me a swift kick! Your roses are gorgeous. This time of year I cheerfully cut roses from all the bushes and say thanks and wish them a rest during the heat. I'm sure going to hibernate the month of UGHUST! Great quotes here, too.
ReplyDeleteI never have liked florist long- stemed roses. Those wound up tight, unopened (a lot never really open) roses. I love the old-fashioned, one of a kind ones! Yours always look good.
ReplyDeleteBetty
That is a lovely attitude. I cannot grow non knock out roses in our humidity but I love what I have. Your are beautiful. Right up the street from me a man that everyone calls "The Rose Man" has hundreds of beautiful roses but he is out there all the time caring for them and fighting the diseases that come with our climate. It is all he and his wife do. He sell bouquets on the weekends. I am not patient enough to grow roses like that. Have a lovely weekend Jacqueline.
ReplyDeletebeautiful roses! ...my favorite flower! being grateful is a great attitude
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love white pitchers and often put my roses from the garden in mine too. Beautiful "homely" roses and pictures!!
ReplyDeleteJacqueline,
ReplyDeleteWhat a precious post, dear friend! The roses are similar to the ones my Grandmother had near her porch during my childhood of Summer visits! I can (almost) smell their heady fragance! The cards with bees are adorable...and much like those that were inside the heads of the first opening rose buds on the bushes! Thank you for reminding us to view our possesions through a grateful heart!
Fondly,
Pat
I can never get enough of seeing beautiful roses.. yours are divine Jacqueline. It does'nt matter if they are a little withered with the heat. Somehow they shine through. Your colours are stunning.
ReplyDeletewe have 41º here today. I picked a bunch to put on my front patio.. they need a little asprin!! it works
You have set out your roses in lovely props and the little additions at the side..so special.
Happy weekend..
val x
Beautiful roses! Where did you get those darling little tea (espresso) cups?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful roses...lovley colours:)
ReplyDeleteMaria
They are gorgeous Jacqueline! They take lovely pictures. I also love your playing cards. We have spent hours playing Go Fish around here. Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, beautiful, beautiful! I love your roses, and you've caputred them in such a lovely way.
ReplyDeleteOh Jacqueline (my daughter's name :) ) What beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteI love each and every one of these!
Happy Pink Saturday!! ~Lorraine ♥♥♥
Absolutely gorgeous, Jacqueline....the pictures and the words.
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday!
XOXO
Floppy and imperfect roses are such a joy and thank you for reminding me. I have been less than diligent in pruning my roses this summer and have been thinking that they weren't as beautiful as in summers past. Of course, my fault for ignoring them! But now, I think I'll go out and cut some for a floppy and imperfect bouquet!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend,
Robin
perfect! words and images. xo
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely garden! Roses are so sweet and the photos are gorgeous. Thanks for the share.
ReplyDelete