Welcome to the final FFF of May. I’m not really ready to go from spring to summer. I know it’s not officially summer for a few weeks yet, but I’ve always felt that summer was June, July, and August. And whether I am ready or not, summer is coming! So I’d better gear up for it.
Susanne at Living to Tell the Story invites us to share what blessings the Lord has graced us with each week.
1. Memorial Day. Though I am sorry for the cost of life, I am thankful for those who gave their all that we might have the freedoms we enjoy today. I always like to watch the National Memorial Day concert on PBS the Sunday night before and hear stories of people from various wars.
Then we enjoyed having the family over for Jim’s grilled burgers and playing games.
2. A new camellia bush. Jim had gotten it for me for Mother’s Day, but it arrived late. He planted it this week. It’s not supposed to bloom til later in the summer, so I hope it will be established by then.
3. New flowers. Jim cut back the spent daffodil foliage and planted some annuals by our front sidewalk.
4. Mild weather. The weather apps have been showing rain every day for almost two weeks. We’ve not gotten nearly as much as predicted. And, thankfully, we haven’t had any storms. The rain that we have received has been pleasant and gentle.
5. More impromptu times with the kids. Mittu brought dinner over when they came to do laundry, then they stopped in later this week as well. We went out for lunch Sunday after church, too.
How was your last week of May?
Stray Thoughts 
May was filled with highs and lows. But, God is good and there were more highs than lows. 🙂 The grands were here yesterday. Lots of laughter and fun. Have a blessed weekend! 🙂
May was busy and June-Sept will be busy but a different kind of busy if that makes sense. My duties as a small group Bible study leader end next week BUT i have the hiking group to run/lead and have scheduled 2 hikes a week in July! Except for the one when Dave and I are away. But time with Christian people is always a blessing, even when busy. I enjoyed your faves and I wish I had remembered to turn on PBS for the concert!! When the girls were little we would be camping Memorial Day weekend but i was happy to be home as we had rain almost the entire weekend! It was needed and then the rest of the week was lovely. Pretty annuals! Jim did a great job!
I’ve not minded the rain, and I too am thankful that we didn’t have any storms in our area. I’m not ready for hot temps though.
I’ve been toying with getting a large pot and planting some small plants or flowers in it. Unfortunately, plants seem to fear me so I don’t know how it will work out!
This feels like a gentle pause at the end of a busy week. The mix of gratitude, family time, and simple everyday blessings makes it very grounding. It’s a good reminder to slow down and notice the small things that are often the most meaningful. Thanks for sharing this Barbara.
Gentle rain is so nice! Waters everything just perfectly. We could use a little right about now since the past 2 mornings I’ve been out with watering cans. All your plants look very nice! I hear ya on the camellia. I transplanted a peony from my mom’s and it looks pitiful, but I hope if it can just “hang in there,” next spring it might do really well.
Happy Memorial Day and summer (I know, how did that happen so fast?!) to you!
We’ve had very hot weather here this week but next week is forecast to be much cooler and rain is expected. We need it. Nice to have family so close that they can just stop by. Jim did a good job in the garden. Hope your Camelia beds in ok. Enjoy the weekend.
Sounds like a lovely week! We have had rain every day for the last week with the exception of today. Some were hard rains and some were gentle rains, but we also had a few thunderstorms.
I think Camellias are so pretty. I know you will look forward to seeing yours blooming.
The annuals that Jim planted are so pretty and the colors go so well together. I have three of the Coleus in my new planter that Carroll bought for me a month ago. That was a flower that my grandmother always had.
I love the rain because it reminds me of my home state of Oregon in the Pacific Northwest. And rain means I don’t have to water the garden.
Camellias remind me of my grandma who had a row of them in front of her home. I hope yours blooms this year.
Time with family is always the best. Living near adult children is the best.
Willow
We had a cold, gray week and then this last week went straight into hot summer temps and now it is pouring buckets and will be over the next three days. Can’t tell what season we are in around these parts. You don’t see camellias around these parts. Can’t wait to see pics of your plant as it grows and blossoms. Love your natural rock borders.
Hi Barbara, summer goes from July-mid October over here. It has been nice but going to the high 80’s this week. We did get some rain a couple of evenings ago. We need a lot more. I haven’t planted anything in awhile, but I do have a few plumeria plants that are growing. I have a few more to plant. I just can’t do much because of my back. Your flower arrangement in the yard looks nice! We were gone during the Memorial Day week and didn’t watch much tv. I did get to work in my faith journal. Have a great week!
I like your Memorial Day tradition very well.
Some nice annuals Jim planted — they’ll put on quite a show. Summer weather here starts in May and tapers down in October. At least you all get the occasional rain during summer.
What lovely visits with your kids and Timothy.