Friday, June 10, 2016

Friday, June 10, 2016


Tonight's picture was taken in May of 2007. We took Mattie to Pennsylvania over that Memorial Day weekend. Mattie got to see Amish Country, ride on an Amish wagon, see farms, and also go to Dutch Wonderland. A theme park geared toward preschoolers. Mattie had a great weekend, and at the hotel we were staying at..... the chef took a liking to Mattie. So he dawned on Mattie's head a chef's hat. Mattie clearly thought that was great given his big smile!!!





Quote of the day: The greatest gift of the garden is the restoration of the five senses. ~ Hanna Rion

Yesterday Mattie's class graduated from middle school. After you lose a child to cancer, each day moving forward has its challenges, but milestone moments like these are even harder. I think it is ironic that of all days, our butterfly ginger lily decided to flower YESTERDAY. I take that as a Mattie sign!!!

The butterfly ginger lily produces clusters of beautiful blooms that look like butterflies, hence its common name. The scent is delightful, reminiscent of a spicy gardenia! But as beautiful as the flowers are, unfortunately, they only last for a day or so. The stalks grow to a height of 3-6 feet tall and has large, sword-shaped leaves that grow to be 2 feet long!

About two years ago, Peter and I went to the Outer Banks of North Carolina after the Foundation's Walk. While there, we toured the Elizabethan Gardens on Roanoke Island. The Gardens are absolutely amazing! But in the gardens was a caretaker, who struck up a conversation with me. I will never forget him. He was a young fellow who lost his grandmother recently. He was very close to his grandmother and missed her dearly. He told me that he found working in the garden therapeutic and helped him feel connected to her. Needless to say, what he was telling me resonated with me. Standing in front of us while we were talking was a flower bed. I happened to ask him what was growing because I had never seen big green leaves like this before. He was the one who introduced me to the Butterfly Ginger Lily. He told me to consider purchasing one in the gift store before leaving and also mentioned that the blossom of the lily is intoxicating. He told me I wouldn't be disappointed. 

I am so glad that I listened to this fellow. At first I debated buying this plant because we live in a different climate than North Carolina. But I have to admit two things sold me on this plant..... the name (because it had butterfly in the title, and I like ALL things butterfly), and the hopes of smelling an intoxicating flower. 

He was absolutely correct! This plant doesn't disappoint. You feel like you are in the tropics when you see it growing and blooming! The fragrance is so strong, it is like being in a field of gardenias!

The flower pots on the deck are our green beans! We planted seeds about two weekends ago..... but look at them, they are taking off. 

These wispy fellows are carrots! We have never grown carrots, much less in a pot..... but we will see what happens.