the simple life
here, i am learning the art of flower arranging after reading a how-to article that made it seem both logical + learnable in a magazine at my grandparents’ house.
this is an excellent way to practice imperfection. my bouquets never look the way i envision them and i am usually less than satisfied. this is partly because i am using wildflowers; the wildflowers that grow in profusion are tiny and ideally i’d have a few large blooms for contrast.
here, my adventures in wildcrafting continue. last month, i made red clover lemonade and red clover tea.
the red clover tea was good. the red clover lemonade was ok. at least, that was my verdict on the lemonade until i realized i hadn’t made lemonade at all. somehow, i forgot to add the lemon and only realized it when the lemonade iced tea was almost gone.
here, the strawberries are ripening. i am hoping to gather enough wild strawberries for a shortcake. or at least for my breakfast.
here, the fourth of july weekend was full of small-town celebration. there were fireworks, a bbq, art at first friday, ice cream cones, the milkman’s jamboree, blueberry pie, and family, including adult time with a childhood cousin and her husband.
there was also a swim in the lake – my first for the year. i didn’t duck – i just couldn’t get my head underwater – but i certainly swam. after much balking + squealing while standing waist-deep in the water, i paddled around for a bit and then shivered my way to shore.
when i reflect on my days, they seem so simple, and yet they feel so full + rich.
here, i am counting my (simple + beautiful) blessings.
LOVELY sentiments, Elizabeth… And there’ something about SUMMER that’s extra rich with blessings, yes?! :o) ((HUGS))
i think your arrangement is lovely.
the english have been doing it that way for centuries! unstructured and natural and exquisitely fresh.
and your 4th celebration was fabulous!
i remember trying to “swim” in northern Minnesota lakes. LOL. the water so cold it literally caused pain.
had to laugh at your lemonade.
is that the same way you invented picklewiches? LOLOL. ♥♥
i love this. i am so working on embracing the simple beauty. this sings! (i miss you.)
Kelly: You do it so well! I miss you too!
Tammy: LOLOL. No. The picklewich was clearly divinely inspired. ;-p
Tracy: I was going to say yes, except then I thought about winter, and the rich blessings in winter, and then I thought about fall .. so I wondered if maybe whatever season we are in feels especially rich with them. Maybe?
I think simplicity invites richness and fullness, it leaves from for it all.
Reading about your lovely doings I’m reminded how much I miss the wild red clover that grew in the most unexpected places when I lived in the south.
Love having a peek at your days!
Kimberley: I think you are right. You make me want to do more simplifying! p.s. I am going to cross my fingers that you spot some wild red clover where you are now. Somewhere totally unexpected.