Peonies

 While waiting for my own peonies to open, I picked up a small bunch from the grocery store this weekend.

 There are only three simple stems, but they are just so beautiful and fragrant. 

I can't get enough of them.

If I had to guess, I would think the two pink stems were Sarah Bernhardt's and the white Festivus Maximus. I have a lot of the white in my gardens. They both smell divine.

The petals start off so tightly closed together, and then they slowly unfold into these big, beautiful booms. 

They've found their place on my table in the living room beside my reading chair. I also got around to lowering the painting to fit the height of the table.

Today it's a rainy, gray day, but it doesn't bother me. Everything looks so bright and green and fresh. It's beautiful.

The ants are busy helping the peonies open. I've always found this the most beautiful thing. The ant, such a small and seemingly insignificant insect, has been left with the most important task of opening the peony buds. 

My roses are budding as well.

We have Bowl of Beauty peonies lining our front walk way. They were planted last year and I received only one single bloom. This year they are full and established and covered in buds!

On another note, a while ago I came across this publication called Life: Beautiful. It's a Christian publication  that is so beautifully done. It's full of lovely entertaining ideas, delicious recipes, articles on decorating and lots of other great reads. I have a subscription, but I know you can purchase it at Chapters in Canada, and Barns and Noble in the US. They only publish 4 issues a year.

Life: Beautiful Magazine

"Faith isn't just for Sunday mornings - it's a lifestyle choice that when woven into the fabric of daily life impacts a person's outlook, plans, purpose, decisions, home, health, relationships, success, and legacy."

Wanda Ventling, 

editor Life:Beautiful.

A Cup of Tea

[All Photos - The Growers Daughter]

I took a trip over the river yesterday afternoon to pick up a few things from Pottery Barn. For the first time in a while, I was able to just leisurely browse through shops. Normally I'm either with someone who wants to run in and out, or I'm with my son who isn't a fan of spending time in a cart.

Yesterday was different though. I planned the trip around nap time. This meant my son slept peacefully (he's a great sleeper) while I pushed him up and down aisles, and in and out of stores. Eventually, when he did awake, we were at the mall and I rented one of those tacky little cars for toddlers that push like a stroller. It kept him happy for the rest of the afternoon. He was so busy making car noises and asking other shoppers to "beep beep", that he didn't make a fuss once. I even got to treat myself to a latte (he sipped milk out of a sample cup happily).

It was just one of those days. I was completely relaxed and it felt good.

Anyway, I came across this little pot of honey for $3! It's packaged in the cutest little tumbler with a pretty bee printed on the front. What can I say, I'm a sucker for packaging. It's called Braswell's Select Orange Blossom Honey and it's 100% pure honey.

I've been trying to limit my sugar. I take it in both my coffee and tea because I need the sweetness, but it's just getting excessive. I figured adding a touch of honey would sweeten a cup of tea while being less refined and more natural and healthy.

This morning, I tried it with breakfast and, I have to say, it really is delicious.

I prefer Twinnings Earl Grey - not to be a tea snob or anything. I just do. It's the same brand Queen Elizabeth drinks - at least that's what the package says.

A slice of lemon made it even more refreshing, especially with the fruity flavours in the honey.

There's something about these garden roses that I love. They're called O'Hara (so rightfully named), and they're just gorgeous. They smell amazing too - like a true garden rose. One little bloom in an old milk pitcher is a pretty little addition to the breakfast table.

 I simply substituted my sugar for honey.

I picked up my new spring copy of Life:Beautiful. It's a Christian publication that I recently came across. It's a really great magazine with pretty vignettes, delicious recipes, gorgeous decor, along with regular columns by favourites like Joyce Meyer. It's full of really inspiring scripture verses and is beautifully styled. I was so happy to find it! Often I find that Christian publications, though wholesome, really can lack visual appeal and aesthetics, and I think both are an important part of a magazine.

If you're interested in checking it out more visit their website:

http://www.lifebeautifulmagazine.com/

It was getting really hard to take some photos with my sons little hand continually reaching for the pear. He kept saying "Peeer peeeer - Honey honey". Finally, I just gave in and handed him the pear.