My Grama's Soul

He never forgets! I am so very grateful to have my husband, Brad.  He never forgets.....today is our anniversary. 36 Long Stemmed Red Roses One for each year. He is my true soul-mate. Happy Anniversary Honey... xo Jo

I turn 67 today.....and actually I feel better as the years accumulate.  Since I've gotten older I actually have decided that I will celebrate each day during the month of October...just being grateful for being healthy and alive.   I hope each one of you who follow this little blog of mine celebrate each day along with me.... Here are some of the things I have planned for my birthday month: 1.  Listing our current home the end of the first week in November.  We are pretty excited to be moving into a little smaller spot as it means less work and maintenance.  We just want to be able to live more and work less.  Although we still have not found our new spot.....we know it is out there.   2.  Taking a 15 day cruise on the Rhine from Amsterdam to Budapest.  We will visit 5 countries along the way.  One of the stops will be in the place I was born....Nuremberg, Germany.  My  family  left Germany right...

These are blooms that managed to sprout during this hot, hot summer we have had in AZ.  It does always amaze me how anything can grow so beautifully in this heat of ours.  Roses, garlic and oregano in a little vase....fragrant and nice combination....don't you think? Fall is around the corner......the light is changing....it is in the air. xoxo Jo

Please pick a bunch!! Happy Valentine's Day to All xo Jo

Today I wanted to share with you some of the wonderful roses from my rose gardens.  I have more than I know what to do with and deadheading and cutting is keeping me busy. I bring in as many as I can and make arrangements....because once the heat starts they don't last long on the bush. April and very early May is the short season for roses here.....at least that is how it is at our house. I may get one more batch of beautiful blooms depending on the heat here....but I always enjoy them no matter how few or how many bloom. ~~~~~ In closing....I want to share information on a book I have been reading and enjoying to the fullest. This book, by Diane Ackerman, is a gardner's dream book.  It is not a how to book about gardening...but it is rather a book about all the sensual delights she derives from her gardens during each season of the year. It is beautifully written and her descriptions make you feel as though you are part of her magi...

"Life is like a rose garden~~watch for the thorns and keep the pest dust handy." Anonymous I'm having a bad day today....usually....that doesn't happen to me..or if it does....I keep it to myself. Watching the news about the looting and the hurricane destruction.....makes me sad and angry. Reading about a dear friends distress over a family members recent suicide....makes me sad and angry. Getting dragged into other people's messes ..... makes me sad and angry. Following all the politicians in the news with the bickering, backstabbing, and downright nastiness.....makes me sad and angry. All the unemployment and entitlement issues in our country.......makes me sad and angry. All the children in the foster care system whose parent's are totally irresponsible.....makes me sad and angry. I could go on and on....... Sometimes.....I wonder if our Forefathers are turning in their graves.....looking at the mess we have mad...

"Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth." Buddha This is truly a spectacular time to be in Arizona....beautiful weather and lots going on with the Phoenix Open, Barrett Jackson Collectors Car Show and many, many art shows and flea markets happening around the valley. I know many of you are covered with snow...but here....we are planting flowers and tending gardens. I know....I'm busy tending mine.  I am basically a gardener who gardens organically as much as possible.  I use coffee grounds on my roses and fish emulsion on most of my plants.  You will not believe the size of your flowers or the size of their leaves with this combination.  It seems to work here because our soil is really "crap" ......yes that is a technical gardner's term. LOL Wanted to share a little bit of my garden with you today....I wish I could send you my Arizona weather....too! Hugs to all, Jo

If I could..... I would send all of you fresh flowers this Christmas..... Please Enjoy! Sugarplum squeezes, Jo