Sunday, July 3, 2011

Always a silver lining.

Oh it's good to back writing on this blog again.

Everything went well and I feel awesome!
I slept pretty much the entire five days after the surgery, but everyday after
has gotten better and better. The past two weeks have
passed very quickly.

It seems like every cloud I've had in my life ends up having a silver lining.
I know this is true for almost everyone.
Mine was the fact that I have read more in the past two weeks than I have made
the time for in the past two years.
I also have caught up on some projects that I had sitting in the studio unfinished.
I have also been able to walk in the garden and enjoy
just looking at how things are growing and making a few notes on ways I can
tweak a few things out there.

Isn't it funny how life has a way of sending something our way that
has the power to slow us to a crawl so we can actually take in how great life really is.
Am I bummed that I haven't been able to work in the garden---yes!
Am I itching to get in and do some deep cleaning in my sorely neglected house---yes!
But I also want to read a little more.
Plan a little more.
and watch a few more movies.

So the garden is finally catching up to the calendar and things are now growing fast.

I thought today I would share some of the shots I have taken while walking through
the garden the past few days.    
























































































 I also wanted to share a few of the pictures that I had taken before I took my blog break.
My little Lily of the Valley.








The Brandywine crabapple.








A few of the many lilacs here in the garden.












I will be back in a few days with pictures of some shopping for 'good goods' I
did at Rebecca's. (the little shop I go to every Fourth of July and Memorial Day.

I hope all of you in the US are enjoying your holiday weekend.


83 comments:

www.MaisonStGermain.com said...

Oh, it is so glad to see a posting from you. Sooo happy you feel much better. (Didn't I tell you that it was God's way of telling you that you needed to slow down a bit)lol Love your garden pictures. Everytime you post pictures of it I want to go outside and plant something:) You have inspired me this year to plant so many peonies that I lost count of how many are there. I am hoping they all come up next year and are nice a big. Now I see I need to go and find more lilacs:) There is something so wonderful about getting into the garden and doing some work and then bringing in flowers that you grew yourself. Love it! Well, welcome back my friend. I missed you:)
~Debra xxx
Capers of the vintage vixens

Lisa said...

I'm glad you're up and about too! just take it easy, and enjoy your garden, and home, and projects! Don't pick up anything heavy, just take more photos! Gorgeous!

xoxoxoxLisa

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi June,
I'm so glad that everything went well with your surgery and that you are on the mend.
I wish that I could walk outside and be able to take photos like yours. I truly believe that your garden is a little piece of heaven that you have been given for us to enjoy. Thanks for sharing such lovely photos. The lilacs are breathtaking.

hugs
Sissie

Victoria said...

Welcome back June and I'm so glad you're feeling good! Continue taking it easy and your flowers are gorgeous:)

time worn interiors said...

Yeah! So glad you are back and feeling much better! I would love a chance to slow down sometime! Enjoy it while it lasts! Lovely photos of the garden!
tot

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

Hi honey! Great news that your walking around your gorgeous garden and taking pictures for us.
Nice to hear that you are catching up on reading and resting
I can just picture you walking through your flowers and making plans for changes. hahaha
We are so lucky that you share such beauty with us.
Take care and don't over do to fast
Love
Maggie

Pondside said...

All so beautiful! Has the allotted recuperation time passed already??? I hope you're taking it easy.
We experienced a postal strike up here - it ended just this week by order of parliament. What a bother! I'll be in touch.....

The Green Pea said...

Hello June, so glad to hear that you are on the mend. Your garden is beautiful. It must be a real pleasure to walk and see how your flowers are growing. Enjoy your restful time. hugs, sandi

Katherine said...

I'm happy to hear you followed Doctor's orders and are recovering well. You realize that you have a second calling as a photographer, your pictures are stunning (again).
Be well, remember all white at tracks Angels......

Hugs
Katherine

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

So glad to hear from you. Glad you are feeling better each day! Love your bleeding hearts. I used to have those in Michigan.

Draffin Bears said...

Welcome back dear June and so glad to hear that you have the surgery behind you and you are now able to relax and recover.
It must make you so happy to walk around and admire your garden with all those gorgeous flowers. The Lily of the valley, the lilacs and the poppies are so beautiful.
Enjoy your relaxation, reading and watching movies, and the garden and house work will be able to wait.

Sending hugs & well wishes
Carolyn

Unknown said...

...soooo happy you are on the mend and are doing things you love
~ it shows ~
swooning over your lilacs in all shades,
but,
simply ADORE those gorgeous poppies in their colorful elegant ruffly skirts...so enchanting...

delicate healing squeezes to you dear one:)
xo, Rosemary

Anonymous said...

June, it's so lovely to find your post among my blogroll. I am glad to hear you're better and can I tell you how absolutely beautiful your pictures are! I received my complimentary issue of Somerset Life and if I'm not mistaken I discovered one of your embellished tags in the issue, how beautiful!!!

xo,

Abby

maría cecilia said...

Dear June, it´s so good to know you are doing so well, I´m soooooo happy for you!!! And also is good to visit your Grace Gardens and see how wonderful is your garden these days.
I have two questions and hope not bothered you with them: do you have rabbits in your garden and if you do what do you do for them not eating your wonderful poppies... and second, what is the camera and lens you use, I´m so inspired by your wonderful images and would love to know it.
sending you lots of hugs and recovering wishes to you

Carolyn said...

Hi June,
It is good to hear you are on the mend. I often thought of you and I am glad for the silver lining.
It is also nice to see all the beauty in your garden. I love the lily of the valley shot in the 3 bottles.

Take care,
Carolyn

Diane said...

It's great to see you back and know that things went well with you. It IS wonderful that the Lord gives us so many good things, whether we know we're going to get them or not. Take care of yourself.

When I go down through your pictures I think "that's my favorite, no that is, no this one is". They're all beautiful. Great shots June. Diane

Julie Marie said...

Hi June, so happy to hear you are feeling better... I know what you mean about every cloud having a silver lining... I had another kidney stone and I have had to slow down a bit too, and you are sooo right, we need that sometimes!... Your gardens are so pretty... looks like you are finally getting Spring! (we went right into hot summer!)... I have also been enjoying your gorgeous garden blog and all of your beautiful poppies... so glad your surgery went well and you were able to go to your special sale!... I can hardly wait to see what you bought... Happy Fourth of July to you!... xoxo Julie Marie

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Hi June
Glad to hear you are on the mend and feeling better!!! Your garden shots are wonderful.. and that first shot is just delicious!!!!

Have a great 4th July... ciao xxx Julie

koralee said...

Welcome back...your garden images are so pretty...those chairs of yousr make my heart sing.
So glad you are feeling better and all went well. It is good to slow down and take some time to take in life..boy what a smart God we have. xoxoxo

Cheryl ~ ZanyMayd said...

So Happy your back & Feel Better, Now don't be overduing anything... Relax & only take time to Smell those Beautiful Blooms... xox
Cheryl

Unknown said...

I had to restrain myself from picking up that phone as I was truly getting worried about you, June. So relieved you are doing well.

You garden florals are breathtaking. I am pink, orange, white with envy on your beautiful poppies ... mine didn't even come up this year, sniff.

You capture your subjects so eloquently, June. The romance of each petal comes alive in each pictures.

Please take good care, know prayers were lifted & you are dancing jigs soon.

May her flag fly high & proud forever over this great land ... may God see the changes we need & grant us that blessing.

Happy 4th, my friend,

TTFN ~
Hugs of love,
Marydon

Debra@CommonGround said...

Hi June! Oh so glad you're getting back up to speed. Be sure and take things slowly, Loved seeing your post sitting there on my sidebar.
Hope you're really enjoying the garden this year. xoxo Debra

summersundays-jw said...

Looks like someone took mighty good care of your flowers for you. Your pictures are gorgeous. So glad it's over & you can get back to your life. What do they call it -- a bump in the road. Happy 4th! Jan

Deborah said...

So glad to hear you are on the mend!!
Now who but God could have designed these beauties.
Love every shot!!!
Its true isnt it, that He has plans for us...and sometimes in the midst we get to slow down and be still.
There are treasures in that quietness...
Sending you hugs today xoxoxo

Love,
Deborah xoxo

Victorian1885 said...

June I am so glad you are taking it easy so your body can heal..
Your garden is lovely, beautiful photos..the foxgloves are my favorite. Please continue to relax and be taken care of by your wonderful Family! Enjoy your reading time too! Great big hugs from Canada!

Wanda

Jane said...

Good to hear from you June! So happy to read that everything went well and you are feeling better every day. Your garden is gorgeous....the colors amazing!
Have a very happy 4th.
Jane

NanaDiana said...

June- Your gardens are lovely...and yes..reading and playing catch up might be the best thing about post-op days. Not sure if you know (probably do) that it takes a LONG time for all the drugs to wear out of your body. Depending on how long you were "under" the longer it takes...and they just have to work their way out you don't expel them through kidneys, etc. So, if you have some shoulder pain etc..that is just the anesthetics working their way out of your body. Take two Tylenol and call me in the morning!;>) (For some reason Drs kind of neglect to tell you that part).

Happy Recovery and I hope you have a grand 4th of July~ xo Diana

Anonymous said...

So thrilled to hear you are mending well and enjoying your "slow" time. My sis just came back from Europe and said that that was the one thing she really noticed is how much slower pace things were. Oh to retrieve that back in our part of the world!

Oh goodness there are those to die for poppies that I am still trying to get my hands on some!!

bee blessed
mary

Faded Charm said...

I'm so glad to hear things went well and you are recovery nicely. thanks for sharing some of your lovely blooms. We have many of the same ones.

Take the time to stop and smell the roses....that's what I keep telling myself and you know what, they smell heavenly right now:-)

xoxo
Kathleen

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

Dear June, You were on my mind a lot during the last days and I was wondering how you would do. I'm happy to hear that everything went well and you are on the mend. I can imagine that there are so many things you would like to do but please listen to you doctor a bit more this time and take it slow.
As always not only your flowers are gorgeous but your pictures are as well. I don't think I have seen white bleeding hearts before. They are so pretty and I also love your pink poppies so very much. I can never get enough of the sweet crabapple blossoms and of course you always get me with licacs. The Lili of the Valley look fantastic in your turquoise bottles. Thank you for sharing all that beauty with us.
I wish your all the best for your further recovery and a Happy 4th of July to you, my friend!
Hugs and warm wishes,
Julia

Wendy & Megan Chamberlain said...

Hi June
So pleased to read that all is well and you enjoyed a much welcome break. So wonderful to catch up with reading.
Thank you for the beautiful pictures of your garden and flowers.
Have a special 4th of July.
take care
with best wishes
Wendy

joanne said...

Your garden is joyful and thriving, we finally have some weather that the gardens love!! So glad to hear that you are doing well and taking the time to get your strength back. Be well my friend and enjoy your holiday..;j

Dorthe said...

Dear June, how good to read you are feeling better and that all went well.
The garden of yours must be fantastic- I love the poppiès-gorgeus colors-and your photo skills are wonderful.
Happy 4 of july day, June.
xo,Dorthe

Suz said...

June, I am so glad the surgery went so well. It takes a special person to see the silver lining. I am so glad that you were able to appreciate what you have and not wish too hard for what you didn't have.

Your garden. Oh, my! Each flower a work of art!!!

Hugs,
Suz

Claudia said...

Happy to hear you're doing well, June. I was just in the hospital for 3 days for a procedure to remove a gall stone blocking my bile duct. The doctor says I will have to have my gall bladder removed.

Sigh.

xo
Claudia

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

I am barely getting around to new blog posts as I spent a most gorgeous day yesterday antiquing in a lovely town east of us, on the Wisconsin border. Summer is a reflective and healing time for many of us, and dearest, I am so happy to see you back. WE ALL MISSED YOU SO, and your garden speaks of the beauty of renewal for us all. God is so merciful to awaken the earth from her winter sleep, and to awaken our souls and bodies from their process of renewal. Blessings to you for a super day of fun, family and healing!!! Anita

Deedee said...

June, so glad you are doing well! your flowers are beautiful-I especially love the poppies.

Ana said...

Oh Ms. June,
I'm so happy to hear that you are feeling well and that you are up and walking about...Just remember to take it slow. Your garden is beautiful and I can imagine how theraputic it can be to walk through it and just take in all it's beauty... Surely a very positive thing that can help with the healing process. It was very nice to hear from you my dear friend. Wishing you a wonderful 4th of July. Sending you a great big hug.

Much love,
♥Ana

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

I am so happy you are back and feeling better June!

Thank you for treating us to such beauty today...my favorite is the one with the blue bottles. They are a pretty shade of blue!

Fete et Fleur said...

You've been in my thoughts. It's so good to hear from you and see that you are on the mend. Blessings dear June!

I adore Lily of the Valley!!

Nancy

Villa König said...

Hi dear June, I am so glad to see your post and to hear that everything went well. :-) Wish you all the best!!! Love Yvonne

LiLi M. said...

It's great to hear that your recovery is going so well June! Keep up that positive line of being on the mend! I do believe that living in such a paradise as your garden is making a positive contribution to that! What wonderful photos you are treating us! And a genuine cliff hanger ;-)! I cannot wait to see that next post! I think this is the first blog post in weeks that I am commenting, but then you are such a special person! Hugs to you June, LiLi

Comeca Jones said...

Everything's so beautiful Im partial to the poppies.

Hélène Flont , french illustrator said...

Bon retour chez vous dear June!!! Your garden is full of joy as well as us to see you again.
✿◕ ‿ ◕✿

the old white house said...

YAY!! I am so happy that you are doing well June and that you have been able to get the rest you needed. Your garden is beautiful as always... as I was going through your post the word that kept repeating in my head was... BEAUTIOUS. I know it's not in the websters but I tend to use it when something is more than beautiful... for example, your photos!
Stay well, can't wait to see more beautious from you! t. xoxooxox

Suzanne@Meridian Road said...

I'm glad to hear you're recovering so well!
I LOVE those poppies! Every time I look at your pictures, June, I wonder "Why aren't her pictures published in magazines everywhere?" You are a fabulous photographer!

Peonies & Magnolias said...

It is so good to have you back and well. Your flowers are gorgeous as always. I hope you have a great week. Take care.

Sandy

Marie Arden said...

Feel better soon. Rest is such a gift isn't it? Glad you were able to read and reflect and enjoy your garden.
How ever do you get so many poppies to bloom I try and try and never get any!!

Cindy Lou said...

Oh the bouquets you must put together. Your "bloom" photography is exquisite. Love looking at your flowers!

Anonymous said...

I am so happy to hear that you are doing so well, June! Yay!
Your garden is such a joy to see! Thank you for sharing it with all of us!
Hugs,
Zuzu

Lovey said...

Just Love You! What else can I say....

jewels in the garden +: ) said...

It's wonderful to hear from you and that you are doing good. Thank you for all the beautiful garden pictures! I can't even pick a favorite as you have so many beauties! It's your turn to enjoy your garden and for me to enjoy your pictures as my garden in hot az is toast : )
God bless you June!
Julie

Carole said...

it is nice to just lay back and let the life take its course. You do so much June I get exhausted just thinking about all that you have on your plate.

btw just went over to your other lovely blog and wonder too why you are having trouble with that poppy. Of course in pots they poop out easily but I had one...granted only one but it came back great for yrs. I just pulled it out last yr so I could put in a new bed without all the echinacea. I did replace it with pink poppies called Royal Wedding. They were great this year.



xx
Carole

mudderbear said...

It's so good to see that you are feeling better. I'm so glad you're okay. You do need to just stop for awhile sometimes and it's good that you could do that. I hope it continues to be so. You are an amazing lady and I love seeing you in blogland. Sending you happy thoughts and best wishes.
love, Rosalie

Kate said...

Dear June
So thankful that you are recovery well. God sure knows how to make us rest. Take care and you are in my prayers that each day you will be closer to healing. Have a restful weekend.

xoxo
Kate

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Oh dear, sweet June,

You are so nice to come to visit me. You are recovering and with all the things you have to do, I am really honored that you came to visit my blog. Thank YOU for the inspiration that YOU spread in your beautiful view of your world, home and perspective. We all need each other to keep going towards our goals to make each day count.

Have a wonderful summer!!! Anita

Half-heard in the Stillness said...

Hi June just caught up with you...and I'm SO glad that you are through it and feeling so much better. No doubt not least due to the enforced resting you did!

Oh! But your garden is GLORIOUS!!! I love taking a walk through with you. Such wonderful poppies and lilacs! Heavenly!

Hugs to you x Jane

victorian parlor II said...

June,

I am thrilled to hear that you are recovering well! As always, your gardens and photos are beautiful. I can't wait to see the pics of Rebecca's-it's always such a treat!

Blessings,

Kim

wendy said...

YAY..so happy to hear you are feeling better and doing well.
Crazy actually, that sometimes we have to be "forced in some way" to slow down, read, take leisurely walks, think......ponder
wait...and see what the world has to tell us.
you take beautiful photos and I tell you this , again, a gazillion times, I LOVE your garden,

Marilyn said...

I don't know how I found your blog -- hopping around I guess. Love your garden and your photos are superb. Keep feeling better.

Shabby soul said...

Darling sweet June, I'm so happy to hear from you again, and to know you're ok!! I missed you.
Hope everything is going better and better now.
Your garden is a dream, as always ... may be more!

Anne Marie said...

Welcome back June!! So glad to hear you are okay now and in recovery mode......sounds like everything is going well...
you are still in my prayers! and those poppies are beautiful....
xo!

Rebecca Nelson said...

Welcome Back JunieGirl. Take your time to heal up. Been there, too! You will be good as new in no time.

We've all been missin' you. Truly!

Love you~Rebecca

sweetpea said...

my sweet friend, i am so glad you are on the way back to good health. looks like your garden is patiently waiting for you in all it's glory. i just marvel at the beauty that you have cultivated there. you are a master.

hugs,

shelley

Betty Jo said...

June it's wonderful to hear everything is well and you are doing so good. Oh my, how true it is that life has a way of slowing us down at times. Your photos are exquisite, as always, and I just know you are going to mend beautifully and completely surrounded by that intoxicatingly gorgeous garden of yours!!

Georgianna said...

Hello, dear June! Oh, my, it's so good to hear from you and especially to hear that everything went well and you are feeling better and got so many things done. And your garden photos are a great, great pleasure. Just heavenly. Sending a big hug. xo – g

Rose ~Victorian Rose ~ said...

June..number ONE...so glad you are back after being "patched up", I am sure you hope this is the LAST of this.
Gosh....you have had a time with health issues in the past few months...I'm sorry.
However, as you recover...I am almost brought to tears with the beauty of your GARDEN OF EDEN that you live in...what a glorious thing to LOOK OUT AT, wander thru...and be able to tend to when you are feeling better. It would make my healing a lot faster too I know.
Take especially good care of yourself and be back again soon, we MISS you.

Rose

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Hi June, glad to hear that all is well with you! All of your flowers are so gorgeous! Some of them look like they are made from tissue paper .. so delicate and beautiful! Have a wonderful new week. Tammy

Yvonne - Frl. Klein said...

Dear June,
you have the most beautiful garden I have ever seen!!!!!!
Hugs,
Yvonne

The Rustic Victorian said...

Hi June,
I am happy as a bee to hear you are getting back to your old self. Your photos are lovely June. I can just smell the lilacs.
God Bless
Marcie

butiksofie said...

Dearest June, this garden is a paradies!!!!!!!!Absolutly stunning! HUghs Anja

cindy-stitches-n-stuff.blogspot.com said...

Hello Miss June, I've missed our visits. I'm sorry you are having medical problems. I pray for a complete recovey. Your garden is so inviting again this year.

Karen Valentine has made me a new and improved blog. It's more me. Please come visit and see.

big hugs
cindy@stitches

Rebecca said...

Hi Sweet
I am so glad to hear you are up and feeling better. Your garden is just magnificent... and I am so happy you are enjoying it.
I love looking at your beautiful images, blessings to you today and lots of love sent your way
Rebecca

shabbyfufu said...

Dearest June.....you take time for yourself and just enjoy life in that beautiful home and garden of yours....that's an order, ya hear?!!

Lots of love to you....Janet

Custom Comforts said...

So hard to believe your gardens are so far behind ours here in Ohio. I bet it all comes on at once and stays longer because of your cooler climate. Here things come out and then the heat wilts them and they are gone. I would never want to live anywhere colder than Ohio, but there is much to be said for the beautiful northern gardens that have a beauty more powerful than the south.
Glad you are feeling better and thank you for once again sharing your beautiful pictures of your garden.
Cindy

Rosie said...

So glad to hear your recovery is progressing smoothly, and that walking in the garden is now on the itinerary :)
Just stopped by to deliver a HUG and wish you a H*A*P*P*Y Wednesday.
Life is so busy I just don't wander around blogland anymore, but think of my dear friends often...Beautiful post as usual. Get well...and continue being good :)
xoxoxo Rosie

Pansy Cottage Girl said...

So glad to hear you are on the mend and had a little time to simply breathe and take care of yourself. Hugs to you.

Farah said...

Welcome back June, so nice to hear from you with such nice photograph ... it makes any ones day beautiful and fragrant...
Glad to hear that you are feeling much better, hope you recover completely soon... am on vacation for 15 days that's why a bit late to you...
wish you pay a visit to me at
http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
love
Farah

Angela said...

I'm glad to hear you're on the mend! Your gardens are looking spectacular! I'm sure the lilacs smell divine. A favorite summer smell, for sure! Blessings friend!

Angela said...

I'm glad to hear you're on the mend! Your gardens are looking spectacular! I'm sure the lilacs smell divine. A favorite summer smell, for sure! Blessings friend!

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

Was watering my flowers this morning and thought of you and was wondering how your feeling.
Hope all is well and that you are enjoying your gardens.
Wish my flowers were even close to the vastness and beauty of yours but not to be so I just have enjoy yours
Love
Maggie

Garter Mademoiselle said...

Hi June, I read your post about all the troubles caused by the surgery and am glad to see that you are on the mend and feeling better. Congratulations on being in Somerset! How wonderful. I will have to se if I can get a copy of it. I know that they ship overseas! And the pictures of Rebecca's shop are fabulous, I can see why you would love being there so much. I could get lost for hours in the beauty of the place. Take care my friend, and enjoy that lovely garden of yours. It looks like just the place to sit, relax and recover. hugs, Debby

Anonymous said...

Dear June,
Oh, so enjoyed the floral here, especially the ladies in the blue bottles! What talent! Please keep sharing your craft!