Today is Memorial Day ~ the time to remember all who have died while serving in our country’s Armed Forces. I could never be thankful enough for the freedoms my family and I enjoy daily because of the great sacrifice of these individuals and their loved ones.

Guns & Roses

It just so happens that our roses are at their peak during this time. We typically cut the best of them and visit a local cemetery to decorate the graves of soldiers. It’s a practice that has led me to instinctively connect soldiers with roses. I’m hoping the same will happen in the minds of our sons.

A very special Memorial Day in Washington D.C. 2010 ~ Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Arlington National Cemetery

The Parade along Constitution Ave.

YES! That’s R. Lee Ermey who was riding along in the parade, but spotted the boys holding their posters and pulled over to autograph them. Pretty cool highlight to our trip huh!

Simple everyday activities like caring for our families, helping others, going to work and tending a garden are even better than decorating graves or participating in a parade once a year. It’s how we live each day that ultimately says “thank you for your sacrifice.” Let’s strive to daily remember the price of our freedom and live thankful.

Speaking of remembering — I’m fascinated by the way our sense of smell is strongly connected to memories. Here is an interesting article that touches on aromatherapy and and the olfactory system. God’s design is ahh-mazing.

The garden delights all of my senses, but the smells may be my favorite. I crave them, especially when snow is on the ground and the garden is a distant memory. I believe one of the best (and safest) anti-depressants are these God-given, natural fragrances.

Rose Petal Potpourri

Now is the perfect time to prepare for that stretch of cold, barrenness sure to come. No need to be sad about fading roses when we can keep enjoying them by turning them into fragrant potpourri — so easily.

I’d love to hear what your favorite garden delight is and any tips you have for preserving it.

I’m definitely an amateur, but I also love to preserve with photography. That little tractor is such a sweet reminder of our sons ~ truly the most rewarding of all I’ve nurtured in this life. (sniff sniff)

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Happy gardening, friends…

In life, faith & art

~ Jamie