What's the story, Morning Glory?

This is my savage looking garden.
I have not yet trimmed back the daisies. I just can't bear to.

But it is the morning glories which are proving the most insidious.

Right there in the center, with their trumpeting purple faces. They seem so innocent and so beautiful.

But the truth is much more sinister.

Here they are sneaking over the back wall.

And on over to my neighbor's garden. He doesn't seem to mind them. They look so sweet, smiling their we're-just-here-to-cheer-you purple smiles.

But when I looked over the wall. . .

I could see that they had taken over the entire hillside behind our home.

And it reminded me of the book Jurassic Park. (quite a leap, isn't it?) But let me explain . .

The mathematician, Ian Malcolm, the expert in "chaos theory" explains why the dinosaurs have gotten loose with the following statement:

"Life finds a way."

And so it does. And I have to admire their tenacity.

I just hope the City of Mission Viejo sees the existential lesson in this, too. ;-)

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood

If you're driving south towards San Diego on the I-5, you'll see this amazing sight.

Color. Color. And more color.
Miles of color.

"What is that??"

It always makes me think of Moses:
"I must turn aside now and see this marvelous sight.."
~ Exodus 3:3

Of course, he was talking about the burning bush . . .

But, this. . .

This right here is a Holy Moment.

It's spring in So Cal and The Flower Fields in Carlsbad are in bloom.

For a Garden Dork like me, it just doesn't get any better than this. =D

Promises, promises

Dork alert!

I go a little nutty this time of year.  I start walking around my garden and taking mental inventory of what is going on out there.

Of course, I have my camera with me. And really, is there anything worth documenting yet? Well, technically...no.

Then I notice that the lavender is pretty fragrant already and that the sweet peas are climbing the trellis. They will be blooming and fragrant very soon.
So I take a picture now.
Because I. just. can't. wait.

Yep. That's me.

The Garden Dork.

I know all my roses by name, too. (Gosh, this is kind of embarrassing...)

This one grows over 15 feet tall. It's called Stairway to Heaven. And when it blooms, it goes crazy! Tons of red flowers! And they seem to last forever! And in July we appear to be the MOST patriotic family on the planet because those blooms look so cool with the flag flying and our bright red door! (notice all the exclamations to show enthusiasm?)

Umm... well...no. There are no blooms on it... yet.

But it is so full of promise. And I get so excited about that. And again I think (as I always do when I am in my garden) that this is sooo like God. ;-)

Repeat after me. Out loud. 3 times.  "oh-wah-tah-dor-kai-am." =D

Welcome Back!

The daffodils have come up.
And the freesias.

The day lilies will be blooming in time for Easter.

They surprise me every year.

Every year.

I have this big "Wow!" moment.  I get so excited.
As if I had anything to do with this.

Well... it is my garden.  LOL

I don't take this amazing miracle for granted.

And yet, I know this is how it works with bulbs.

They are supposed to bloom every year - and they do.  Then they disappear... and return...etc.

And yet...

It's like magic.
Or a surprise party.
Or Christmas.
Such a gift.

Every time.

I know I sound absolutely goofy.  But I've told you before - not only am I a total dork, but I am very easily entertained.

Is there such a thing as an everyday miracle?

I'm not ashamed to tell you that I believe there is.

Happy Monday. ;-)

San Francisco and Margaritas

I know what it sounds like.

You probably thought this post was going to be about my favorite city in Northern California and salt rimmed glasses full of lime juice and tequila.

But, noooo......

"Honeeey, your mom's trying to tell me something about eating in San Francisco and Margaritas..."

I go outside to investigate and ask my mother to please repeat what she's trying to tell Eric.

She rolls her eyes at his gringo-ness.

"Las margaritas se comieron a San Francisco."
"The daisies have eaten St. Francis."

Explanation:
I have a small statue in my garden of St. Francis of Assisi.
The daisies are so overgrown that they have obscured it. My mom is trying to point this out to him.

But now, I am laughing too hard to explain this to my perplexed husband, so I just respond with:

"She'd really like for us to take her to San Francisco and buy her dinner and a margarita."

I'll let them work it out. =D

The Desires of My Heart

I love violets.
The scent from the tiny flowers always amazes me.
It probably has to do with my Cuban childhood.  As I said in an earlier post, "all Cuban babies smell like violets."

My mom has a patch of violets growing along the side of her house and she brought me a pot full of them two years ago.

And they make me so happy.

I keep thinking I will plant the violets on the side of my house, but I have not done anything about it.  Well, that's not entirely true.  I had Eric clear a space, but have not actually done any of the real work of turning the soil and preparing it, etc. 
That patch of cleared soil is a great metaphor for my new year's intentions and resolutions.
I have a big, long list of excuses, too.  Last winter was too wet. Last summer it was too hot. My knees start to ache if I have to kneel for a long time.  I have lots of other things that always seem to be more important and need my attention.  So, I am embarrassed to admit that I have neglected my garden. And no, I have not gotten around to planting the violets.

So, yesterday I'm out in the garden making mental notes:

• It's time to prune the roses. 
• The soil needs to be prepared to plant the sweet peas for an early spring bloom
• I should really commit to planting those violets.....

Imagine my surprise when I look over to the cleared, but still rough patch along the side of the house and find this:
Those are violets!
Violets I did not plant.
Clear across the garden from my potted ones.

It is a miracle.
It is a gift.
It's just like God to surprise me like this and remind me that He knows the desires of my heart.

Yes, I cried.

I will not be making resolutions for this new year.
I will be making my desires known to God.
That's a much better plan, I think.
He's so much better at following through. ;-)

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4