I truly feel like the transformed pumpkin each time I am near one.
No wonder it was the flower at my wedding
and every birth of my children
and all the Mother’s Days there-after!
Not to mention, I am quite certain my family will know
which flower should be at my wake!
(giggles.)
One of the fondest memories I have of the Gardenia was on our Wedding Day some 30 years ago, walking down the aisle of St. Joseph’s Church with my cascading bouquete of Gardenias clutched tightly in my hands! The elderly women in attendance commented how, “We could smell the gardenias as you walked down the aisle toward your groom!”
And I do so very hope it will be the same with Jesus one day!
As an eternal bride, with her favorite flower, headed toward her beloved Bridegroom…in Heaven. AndI do verily hope He will be just as pleased by the fragrance, as I process toward Him.
But first, by the grace of God,
I have a few more Gardenias here in this earthly worldto enjoy!
This potted miniature-gardenia plant was gifted to me by two very dear friends for my 50th birthday celebration!
Last count it had 48 gardenia-buds waiting to burst into bloom!
These two Gardenias, outside our sun-porch, were purchased during a “surprise-BOGO” at a local nursery! Lucky me!
The Gardenia’s are beautiful this year because of the unusually high-humidity we have had during the summer months. I wish I could explain the giddy-feeling I have each time I walk outside from the sunroom and am struck by the heavy-aroma from the fresh blooms! My joy is especially heightened, as this is the first time I have ever been able to wear a Gardenia, tucked in my hair or behind an ear, without needing to purchase it from my favorite people at Allburn’s Florists.
I have done a lot of research on preserving my potted bushes during the cold Northeastern US winters; however, saddly it doesn’t sound promising. My research also suggests “even if” you are successful in nursing the bushes through the winter months indoors, it is difficult to get the bushes to rebloom the following year.
Can you hear my sad-sighs?
However, as I am learning this new knowledge of the Gardenia it has helped me to appreciate the gift I’ve been given with these 3 ‘make-me-smile’ bushes even more! What a blessing to remember how important it is to fully embrace the joy which is given to us in the moment...for we never really know if we will always have it in our midst.
Yes, God is constantly teaching me!
Whether it is through the wave of a magic-wand,
the surprise of an unexpected sale,
the heat of an unusually humid summer,
or a favorite flower readily available to be tucked in my hair…
life should be appreciated fully (in the) NOW.
And praise be, He allows the fragrance from the joy to linger with us,
even when it’s gone.
A dried Gardenia from Mother’s Day 2016
3hugs n’ blessings for all the pumpkins turning into carriages in our everyday lives!
“I’ve invited a few friends over for Cookie Baking Day!!”
“My friend Helen said to come prepared to eat cookies. Well…I’m ready!”
Since Helen has invited so many “friends” to join us I guess we had better prepare for a larger crowd this month!!
And what better way than with one LARGE COOKIE!
COOKIE CAKE
1 cup crisco
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 tea baking soda
1/2 tea salt
1 package (12 ounces) chocolate chips (I like Hershey’s Best!)
Heat oven to 375. Mix shortening, sugars and egg. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt (dough will be stiff). Stir in chocolate chips.
Spray round aluminum pan lightly with baking spray. Place entire chocolate chip mixture in center of pan and begin to flatten/press evenly, until dough is within 1/2 inch of edge(s). (Dough will spread to edge during baking.)
*Recipe can also be made for individual medium-size cookies. Drop dough instead by rounded teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake until light brown, 8 to 10 minutes. (Centers will be soft.)
Makes 1 round cookie-cake
0r
6 dozen medium-size chocolate chip cookies.
“Wait, so you mean if someone ‘dresses up’ they can expect bigger cookies to be served?”
“If so, I sure do hope this will work!!”
nibble, nibble, nibble…
crumbs on the plate.
nibble, nibble, nibble…
it’s almost too late!
Hurry-Up!
Or you’ll miss the last bite
of something that is great!
hugs n’ blessings to ALL the friends who joined us this month to share in Cookie Baking Day!
hugsnblessings 