I love the month of May for several reasons. (This has the feel of a very proper 5 paragraph essay...note the topic sentence.) First, the weather is warmer. I have received my first sunburn and while my dermatologist will not be happy (and I'm definitely not advocating sun worship without 80 plus protection) it does represent a positive turn in climate for me.
This represents the bright red coloring of my sunburn after serving meat at the school carnival for too many hours. Second, the tulips. I can't put into words my affection for tulips. They are happy and glorious and burst forth in our yard with such vigor and color that I can't help but feel gloriously spring like every time I walk out my front door. While we do not claim to be master gardeners, we do have a certain flair for tulips. Glorious tulips.
Our front yard during the month of April and May. It is a splendid place to be!
The tulips at Thanksgiving Point Gardens. Every variety, every color, every shape and size. Magnificent!
The tulips at Temple Square. See what a tulip junkie I am? If there is a beautiful tulip to be appreciated in this state, I'm there.Third, Mother's day. I look forward to it all year. I don't have to turn a year older, I don't have to buy gifts for anyone else, I get chocolate, a chance to sleep in, and sometimes a nap. I don't feel any obligation to cook or clean. Primary children sing in sacrament meeting and everyone is relatively nice and pleasant. Long ago I abandoned any guilt feelings associated with the day. I'm doing the best I can and occasionally that involves some really ungraceful moments but I've vowed to live and learn, say sorry alot, and move on. It makes my nap on Mother's Day so much more pleasant.
This Mother's Day was especially stupendous. It started on Saturday evening when my husband prepared my absolute favorite meal of steak on the grill, yummy potatoes, and salad complete with a tulip center piece. My heart and stomach sang his great praises!
I married a genius. A kind-hearted man who understands his wife's need for red meat seared to perfection on the grill. And those potatoes...ah.
Did I mention the perfectly seasoned potatoes?
Homemade bread wrapped in parchment paper with a big, spring like bow and a delicious jar of lemon curd. Our gift to some of our favorite women! (I guess I lied about not giving gifts...but this gift giving was fun and not painful.)Saturday night my father-in-law showed up with a delicious box of chocolates and a very kind, thoughtful card. Kind-hearted men who understand a woman's need to indulge runs in my husband's family. I'm so grateful! It was a lovely treat!
Sunday morning I received a beautiful daisy plant and a scrumptious breakfast. My husband made me the largest omelet I have ever laid eyes on filled with veggies and heavenly bacon. (That was "heavenly"...not "healthy") I received a large package of Rees' Peanut Butter Cups and a fabulous new CD by my favorite singer, Diana Krall. We slow danced to sultry music in the middle of kitchen for a second before the children broke it up claiming we were making them sick to their stomachs. (Truly all we were doing was dancing...ah, if they could just maintain that attitude until they were safely married!)
The primary children sang in sacrament meeting. Always a favorite. And the bishopric presented each woman with a package of truffles. The church is true!
Due some unfortunate throwing up, our evening plans were altered a bit when the boys and I took off without Chris or HB and headed to SLC to celebrate the remainder of "Lady's Day" with my family. I was so grateful for my husband's sweet gesture. Normally I would not have left him but I'm becoming really possessive of the time I have left with my parents. Hong Kong is really far away.
Our evening started with a stroll through Temple Square and the magnificent gardens.
Out of all the people present, my brother-in-law was the only person I could get to pose for a picture in this ever so fabulous place to take a picture. So...here is Todd.
Oh, these darling, darling boys. How I love them! The one on the right made me a mother for the first time. The one on the left snuggles in my lap every morning and reminds me why I love this job.
Is this couple capable of not looking perfectly "vogue" and photogenic ALL the time? I love Chip and ML.After a garden stroll, we headed up to Mo and Papa's "social" room for a feast. Mo had prepared a Cafe Rio buffet that was spectacular. Of course I was so busy eating that I neglected to get out my camera. I was so touched at the labor of love this meal was. Here it was Mother's Day and she had been laboring to feed everyone else. The woman is a saint...and a divine cook. The evening was cozy and warm and perfect. I love family and grandparents and aunts and uncles and nieces and nephews. I sorely missed my husband and daughter but I was so grateful to be able to celebrate with my extended family! Thank you again Chris.
And so the saga must pause for a moment. I haven't finished my 5 paragraph essay on why I love spring but I must go feed my hungry children and watch a 3-inning T-ball game. Life is calling!
