Happy Birthday Little Sister!

I remember the day my youngest sister was born.  I was fourteen years old and she seemed so tiny and fragile. 

Now she is all grown up with a beautiful child of her own.  These days I have the lovely privilege of spending a lot of time with her.  We often will say the same things at the same time, and there are times I know exactly what she's thinking and vice versa.  Having a little sis is a LOT of fun.

Happy Birthday, Honey!

I love my little sister.  She is one of the lights of my life--and a precious gift of the Lord to fill the emptiness of my home after my husband passed away.  I am truly blessed.

Greetings From Spring Valley -Postcard Friendship Friday #352

Greetings dear  Friends.  This beautiful postcard of white roses seemed perfect for today's blog. Did you know there is a certain language presented by flowers?  Books have been written about this.  According to the fascinating book Tussie Mussies, by Geraldine Adamich Laufer, in Victorian times, white roses carried the meaning of "unity, silence, keep my secret, I am worthy of you, love, respect and beauty." 

I adore roses--my garden is filled with all colors and types of them.  June is when the roses begin to bloom.  I long for the lovely aroma of those lovely flowers.

Here in the beautiful Willamette Valley of Oregon, Spring has sprung with a vengeance!  Last week almost overnight, daffodils and purple crocus burst from the ground and all the fruit trees were suddenly covered with masses of pink and white blossoms. 

This morning the sun is peering through the clouds and hope fills the air.  It is going to be a beautiful day. There's something about this time of year which melts the heart with joy. This will be my third Spring without the love of my life.  He liked to work outside this time of year--I miss the camaraderie we shared working in the yard together.  Sometimes when I am outside doing the work which must be done, I fancy my Beloved is there beside me.

And so, Greetings from my own dear Spring Valley to you, dear ones.  Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week! 

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*THEMES:  You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday.  Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them! 

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To my Best Love -Guest Heart Thursday

 

July is nearly here, with its sparkle and pagentry--especially here in the United States for the Fourth of July.   The air is filled with sparklers, feisty poppers punctuate the night air.  Flags fly and red, white and blue are everywhere.

I wanted to post one more romantic June postcard in celebration of this lovely summer of fragrant roses, beauty and true love.  Have a beautiful day everyone!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

National Rose Month -Postcard Friendship Friday #170

June is National Rose Month.  In Oregon, Portland is known as the Rose City.  There are roses everywhere.  Portland is home to the International Rose Test Garden, which was founded in 1917, making it the oldest continuously operated public rose test garden in the U.S.  I've visited there and it is beautiful.  This week is Portland's Rose Festival Week.  It is a great time to visit!

Roses have a long tradition in the United States.  In fact, George Washington was the first rose breeder in the United States.  85 percent of all Americans say their favorite flower is the rose.  I am numbered among those.

I have my own special rose story to share.  Years ago, while searching for a new home, we stayed in my darling Grandmother's basement.  I look back and realize it was one of the happiest times of our lives--we had the privilege of living there for two whole years.  Even with all five of us squashed into 450 square feet, it was a wonderful place for children to grow and play.

I remember the day my small daughter wanted to help in the garden.  While my back was turned, she happily whacked Grandma's favorite red rose bush down to the quick.  Not knowing what else to do, I found some gauze and we bound it back together.  Every morning, we placed used coffee grounds upon its roots and hoped for the best.

Our family moved mid-summer.  I'll never forget the letter I received a few months later.  

Grammie wrote:  I wanted you to  know that the rose that dear Joybells cut back has been a blessing to  me.  A lesson.  I really thought it was a goner.  Then you bound it up, gave it special care and now it is more beautiful than ever.  It’s like life.  God knows the root is there, but sometimes He needs to prune it severely to bring forth beauty--then with loving care, He brings it to fulfillment.  All my love, I miss you, Grammie

May the fragrance of Roses fill your lives, dear Friends.

NOTE:  Recently I've had two different people put in linky links which are suspect.  I report each one and have alerted Linky to this problem.

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  PFF is open for the entire week! 

* BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you!

*  THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

*  REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising will be deleted. 

Red Roses -Guest Heart Thursday

I love this postcard.  The red roses in her arms match the flawless blush in her cheeks.  Ah, youth!  And look at those dimples!  There's something utterly lovely about this painting.  And yes, there are plenty of hearts to be found in that gorgeous rose red bouquet. 

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.
 

Friendship's Token - Pink Saturday

This is an illustration from a wonderful vintage book of poetry. My dear friend Marian gave it to me with this inscription: “To a very special friend. From among my OLD memories.”

She flew away to heaven some time ago. I will always miss her very much. And so in honor of my dear Friend I share this poem:

Only a little token,
Offered for Friendship’s sake—
Picture and song together
Here, with my greeting, take.
*
What though on brightest pictures
Time’s hand at last be lain;
What though earth’s songs awaken
Only to sleep again?
*
Voices once loved ring ever
In faithful listening ears;
The sacred hand of Friendship
Gleams through the mist of years.
-- Ellis Walton

For more wonderful pink moments please visit Bev at Pink Saturday.

Blue Birds!

Isn't this card lovely? It is also from Grandma Jenny's collection.

I love blue birds. There has been a resurgence in the population of blue birds in our area...they were going extinct until some folks in our area took notice and worked on building them back.

When we were small, my siblings and I were on our way out of the canyon. We saw a interesting long pouch of moss lying in the middle of the road. I picked it up and three small blue birds flew out of it. It was a blue bird nest and by picking it up, I had probably saved the lives of the tiny birds within. It is a delightful moment I will never forget.

I'm Thinking of You

My Darling Mumsie, I am thinking of you today. You are one of the bravest most lovely people I know. You are not alone, my sweet little Mums. I love you more than words can say--and I know there are a lot of people out there who love you, who value you, and who care about you.

I am so grateful I have you for my Mother. You are wise and winsome. Even when you are sad you express yourself with elegance. You are wonderful. I love your heart.

You can read my Mom's fascinating blog, Everybody Loves a Story, at http://evagibson.blogspot.com/!