Every year the spectacular garden display of iris reminds me how carefully my Grandma Ruth tended these very same flowers. I love the beautiful, intricate petals and falls that actually shimmer in the sun. The fragrance is different for each flower, which gives another way to experience them. Definitely my favorite flower, not only for their beauty but for the wonderful memories I have of my dear Grandma Ruth. An additional bonus is Iris are forgiving because I know I am not a gardener like Grandma Ruth was and yet the Iris accept this about me and flower each June anyway.
Here is something I never, ever would have believed if it hadn't happened in my own flower bed. Iris blooming in October... actually on October 19th, to be exact. The only person I really want to show this to is my Grandma Ruth, who loved iris and whose birthday is on October 23rd.
I know she would love it as much as me. It certainly is a tribute to the particularly mild, warm Fall we have been blessed with this year.
Saturday, February 20th was the annual Tea fundraiser for Someplace Safe, which is a local organization for battered and abused woman. The local Fergus Falls chapter of AAUW, which I have been a member of for 6 years, sponsored a tea table for eight at the event. I volunteered to decorate our table along with fellow AAUW member, Jo Schmidt. The theme we chose was Easter, which allowed both Jo and I to collaborate and decorate using items we each had. Jo had beautiful sterling silverware, stemware and napkins, along with a vintage paper-mache bunny. I had an Easter wreath given to me by Aunt Syrie as well as my beloved grandma Ruth's china which features a delicate rose pattern. A few bits of ribbon, pastel bunnies and fluffy yellow chicks and the table was complete.
But the finishing touch was provided by Kristi Hastings, our AAUW Fergus Falls chapter president... a little bouquet of roses, which each of the 8 table guests were able to take home.
There were many other marvelous table-scapes to admire. Each with their own unique themes and decor. This table featured vintage wedding photos along with gorgeous china.
I loved the pop of black, pink and white at this table.
Doesn't it look divine?
This table was themed for Breast Cancer Awareness and looked spectacular!
I loved the addition of t-shirts to dress up the chairs.
This daisy table was so beautifully set.
Each guest's plate had a little flower and lemon lift tea.
The vibrant greens and splashes of color from bright gerbera daisies caught my eye on this table.
Look at these adorable little bird's nests at each setting! Too cute!
The event was so fun, especially since I had such wonderful table mates to visit with.
Including this little beauty.... only 2 months old.
And this precocious, 5 year old... so darling!
As well as entertainment sponsored by the Fergus Falls school of dance and a vintage fashion show.
All added up to a great event for a wonderful cause. Can't wait until next year's Tea!
Steve went back to the farm this past weekend for some much needed male-bonding-time (a.k.a. hunting) with his nephew and brother-in-law. While at the farm, my Grandma Ruth's niece, Joan Anderson, asked him to stop by her house before coming back to Fergus because she had something for me. Here is a sweet picture of Joan, my 1st cousin once removed, with Angelique who was 4 years old at the time. Joan looks just like my great-aunt Genevieve (Grandma's sister).
And I never would have guessed what Steve brought home with him...
It is a beautiful 26 x 29 picture given to my great-aunt Genevieve and great-uncle Palmer on their 50th wedding anniversary by my grandparents.
This was a gift given 28 years ago in 1981.
My grandma did the detailed embroidery and I even remember her working on this particular piece when I was visiting with her at her house. Such a great memory!
My grandpa Rudy made the frame out of old barn wood.
It is a little hard to see in this picture, but the date is embroidered of 6-1-31-81, meaning June 1st, 1931 was when Palmer and Genevieve were married and their 50th anniversary was in 1981. Grandma's initials of "RS" are also stitched there.
All in all, we are very happy to have this new heirloom in our home and are greatful to Joan for thinking of us.
Milestones have a way of making me reflect on things. This past week marks the 1st anniversary of my Grandma Ruth's passing. In Grandma's honor, I received a beautiful rose bush from my dear BFF, Kathy. Steve worked to help me create a new flower bed in August of last year in our backyard where I planted this rose bush. Last October, my girls and I sprinkled some of Grandma's ashes in the flower bed which made me feel like she was a part of it all. Just like my flower garden, I have grown and matured over the past year. I feel like I am wiser in many ways including being more appreciative of what I have and not taking it for granted. I have experienced so many blessings from God including the continued love and support of my wonderful husband, watching our adorable daughters grow and mature, the support & camaraderie of amazing friends, physical health to meet my goals and the mental strength to handle disappointments. I can't really take a picture and compare the changes in me to show the differences from last year to this year. Well.... maybe I could and you would see a few more wrinkles and pounds, but it wouldn't show the wisdom gained and the way experiences and relationships over the past year have shaped and effected me.
Maybe I'll just show some pictures of the flower bed created in Grandma Ruth's honor and how it has changed and evolved over the past year. Those who know me know I really like analogies.
August 6, 2008... grass was removed and landscaping bricks were being added.
By mid-August, 2008... topsoil had been put in and the memorial rose bush planted along with other perennials.
BEFORE: Completed flower bed on August 17, 2008
AFTER: View on July 30, 2009
The plants and flowers have grown and filled in.
This flowerbed will continue to change and evolve just like me. I'll need to work on my weaknesses (the weeds) and cultivate relationships (the fertilizer) so that I can gain wisdom and inner beauty (flowers). All I need is sun (God & his Son) and my family & friends (water).
Today would be Grandma Ruth's 96th birthday and I have been remembering lots of wonderful moments with both of my grandparents. In 1932, Grandma attended nursing school at the University of Minnesota and also at Wrights Memorial in Fergus Falls, MN, where I now live. She was a hottie, wasn't she? This is my Grandparents wedding photo on June 15, 1934. They had secretly eloped and were married for a year before they told their families and could actually live together. They had a wonderful 66 years together. I was always fascinated by the unique start of their relationship and the adversity they faced with their parents not approving. Grandpa had even proposed 3 times before Grandma accepted! I feel so privileged to have grown up on the same farm with them and having been a witness to their love. I have had 39 years with Grandma in my life and for that I am eternally grateful. Each day since we celebrated Grandma's Life on July 29th, I have worn Grandma's wedding ring. I love looking down at my hand and seeing a daily reminder of her presence in my life. I am also thankful that both of my daughters knew their great-grandma and have their own memories. I think, tonight, I will snuggle into one of the afghans crocheted by Grandma and remember her. Happy birthday, Grandma. I miss you.
Every year the spectacular garden display of iris reminds me how carefully my Grandma Ruth tended these very same flowers.
I love the beautiful, intricate petals and falls that actually shimmer in the sun. The fragrance is different for each flower, which gives another way to experience them.
Definitely my favorite flower, not only for their beauty but for the wonderful memories I have of my dear Grandma Ruth.
An additional bonus is Iris are forgiving because I know I am not a gardener like Grandma Ruth was and yet the Iris accept this about me and flower each June anyway.
