Peonies and Cartwheels

Last week was peak for our peonies and those of our neighbors. As I said in my last post, I am not shy about stealing shots of my neighbor's flowers in Stone Hill. These deep pink peonies are also in our neighbor Ken's yard. 

The sun was setting as I took my photo walk for the evening.

Our yard was in full bloom last week with the azaleas, peonies and creeping hydrangea. The figs are growing so fast it's scary. 

Azalea sunset

I'm over the moon that our foxglove grew back and sprouted more babies. I had no idea they would spread. Check out my feed on the right from Instagram to see the progress this week. Yawn fest, I know, but this growth tickles me to pieces.

Our peonies are the same color of the flowers my bridesmaids carried in their bouquets. 

Instagram

You need ants for peonies to open. Mom told me that a thousand years ago and I think of her every time I see these little insects chewing away at the peony leaves.

Our succulent garden is going gangbusters around the mailbox and our Shasta daisy's have twice as many blooms as last year. We split them and moved them around so the dirt had room to breath. I like to garden. I guess you could say I have a green thumb, but God truly gets the glory. This spring has been abundant and so, so green it makes my heart sing.

These creeping hydrangea's hid a precious robin's nest. That baby bird was in and out in less than two weeks. I swear. It was the fastest nesting period. I guess I just didn't notice them beforehand. 

Thank you Momma for teaching me fun facts about the garden. Thank you Charlie for obsessing over the grass. I would never care so much about the grass as you do. I love flowering plants and vegetables. Once again, you prove a great match in our ying yang Team Somerville ways. I love your face to pieces and want to do cartwheels in honor of you on your perfectly cut lawn.

Memorial Day Rose Walk

After a very busy and wonderful weekend E. and I found ourselves in the back alley with our Stone Hill neighbors. Our neighbor Ken wasn't home, but I helped myself to visit his  amazing roses. I couldn't help myself! Every year they bloom with glory, but this spring has been so cool that his roses were in perfect form. Enjoy.

Guy and Pam's blueberries are doing well too! We have some very gifted green thumbs in our little village. Can't wait to see Nancy and Kristian's vegetables soon!!! 

Thanking all of the veterans today and everyday for our freedom. Especially my step-father, David, for serving in World War II. He passed away years ago but I think of him so often and especially on these patriotic holidays. We could play in our garden, visit friends, stalk roses due to David and other men and women serving. Thank you also Ken for your dedication to your roses. They are so stunning. Now I just need to learn the names of them.

Lizzo and KC's Wedding Brunch

After getting shin splints from dancing so hard, we landed at Lizzo and Katy's childhood home for a post wedding brunch on Mother's Day. It was a gorgeous, chilly spring morning.

We were greeted by the most wonderful wedding present that KC and Lizzie got from her camp besties. They all grew up going to camp together in Canada and this canoe was a hand made gift from, I think, the same guy who made the boats at their camp. When Lizzie was a teenager I remember her saying that her one requirement of a good catch was that he knew how to stern a canoe. KC will learn fast I'm sure! The sisters both rowed crew at Harvard together, one year apart.

Lizzie is explaining the story of how the four camp girls have all given each other this canoe. Lizzo is the third out of four pals to receive this meaningful gift. So meaningful that the canoe was a big part of the photo session at the cathedral the day before.

Totally stole this from Facebook.



It was the perfect backdrop for this lovely party.

Rowing sports have always been a big part of the Thompson family. This scull hangs on the front porch to welcome friends.

The flowers from the night before worked double duty at the brunch. They were simply gorgeous in a sun filled home as well.

Warm frittatas, mimosas and coffee were just what this crowd needed after a late night of dancing.

They too have an enormous fig tree in the garden. Aren't the boxwoods and terrace swoonworthy?

The weather couldn't have been any more beautiful. I love that we are having a chilly spring. Everything is lasting longer in the garden.

The Cleary's!

Katy and Lizzo's oldest childhood friends Owen and Genevieve.

The girl's daddy is kind of a big deal in the art world. I remember him talking casually about having lunch with Jasper Johns once and I flipped out. Dodge is my version of a rock star. He is always so sweet to Eric and we were thrilled he and Lizzie were able to attend our wedding. One of my dearest memories is of a "museum march" on the fourth of July with Lizzie, Sylvia and Dodge. We went to seven exhibits, an air conditioned movie at Union Station, and later watched the fireworks from the National Gallery of Art's sculpture garden. It was one of the hottest days of the year but I will cherish the memories forever. 

I noticed an incredible collection of silver goblets in the dining room display cases that I hadn't seen before.

They are rowing trophies Dodge has been collecting for years.

Someone joked at the brunch that they didn't know this museum allowed parties.

It was wonderful seeing the couple and all of their friends and family one last time before we headed home to celebrate Mother's Day with Eric's Mom.

Again, wishing the happy couple many calm seas and lovely canoe trips together! Thank you for including us in all of the festivities.

Dodge we truly look forward to a museum march in Baltimore soon. KC, give your family my love. They are absolutely darling and I wish we had more time to get to know them even better. We may need to organize a Michigan tailgate meet-up. Look forward to having all of you, Katy and Andy too, at Stone Hill one of these days.