February 11: Rescue Effort

Two weeks ago Atlanta shut down and UGA had a snow day. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take advantage of that snow day I was stuck in Austin.  However, this new storm has shut down Athens again.  I went into the office (as it didn't start accumulating until 11ish) to pick up some work, turn off my coffee pot, and rescue my flowers.

Gardening

My grandpa had a green thumb.  He grew all sorts of things when they lived up on the hill: veggies, fruits, trees, flowers, and everything in between.  I wish I had that same gifting. I love flowers, and I'd love to grow my own veggies & herbs.

In the spring I bought some Lantana and Black Eyed Susans.  The Black Eyed Susan has grown like crazy and the Lantana has been a pain... well, more of an itch.  Yep, I'm one of the few individuals who breaks out in a rash if I touch the plant.  That makes pruning real fun.

However, the bigger accomplishment is a little flower that has sprouted from a seed.  That's right friends, I planted SEEDs and amazingly enough...I didn't kill them (yet).  The little plant has a fair amount of greenery and five or six little flowers.

For me, it's the simple things in life that bring me great joy.  Like walking out of my apartment and seeing my little potted garden and the most amazing little flowers that have grown from seeds planted in the dirt.  Amazing.

Blue Bonnets

Blue bonnets are Texas State flower and every spring they pop up in patches. They can be found on the side of the highway, in front yards, almost anywhere there is grass. These flowers are so prized that if they grown in your front yard, you have to mow around them. They are beautiful flowers, but frankly, I think they are a bit over dramatized.

However, taking pictures in blue bonnets is the thing to do. And so, after living in Texas for almost five whole years, I finally took some pictures in these lovely flower beds. It was a bit awkward, especially as a grown adult, but fortunately, I made my friend Megan Baldree go too. Okay...truth...we stumbled upon them going to the lake and I coerced her into stopping to take pictures :)

This patch was right near the lake entrance. Strangely enough, this couple pulled off to the side of the road to ask if we wanted a picture together (picture above). It was nice. I do enjoy the hospitality of the south, especially in small towns. I also enjoy self portrait pictures and have become fairly good at taking them (below).

As we were getting ready to enter the freeway to head home, we found another large patch of blue bonnets and couldn't resist taking yet another self portrait. In this bunch were also Indian paintbrushes...I know, not culturally sensitive, but that's what they're called.

Sweet CLs

Not so sweet smell.

Last week two of my CLs held an event for the Baylor Business Women. The event was a dinner where the women learned proper dinning etiquette. My CLs planned the event, set up for the event, and in turn took everything down. As part of the table decorations, they bought lilies.

After the event, I got a call from Gretchen asking if I was in my apartment because her and Kalie wanted to bring over a gift. Intrigued, and on my way back to my apartment, I told them I'd be there in a few.

When I got back, they were standing outside my door with tons of flower arrangements eager to give them away (so sweet!).

Today, when I went to clean my apartment I noticed a funky smell in my kitchen. Wondering if I accidentally left something out, I searched for the smell. These beautiful little flowers were the source!

As I cleaned the vase, I was surprised by how potent the smell was. Only a week after their gift and yet, the smell (especially when disturbed) was enough to make me grab a towel to cover my nose and mouth.

Again...what a sweet gesture, but not such a sweet smell.