Tuesday, June 16, 2009

A Bouquet from the Garden



Refreshing strawberry lemonade and a bouquet from my garden. I'm still trying to create beauty in the midst chaos.

My dad is in his third week of chemo and radiation treatments and started bleeding. He had a surgical procedure today to try and find the source of this trouble. The nursing home called this morning and my mother-in-law was not doing well. Her blood pressure, oxygen levels and heart rate were low. By the time I got there she had improved and surprisingly she ate every bite of her pureed lunch for me. Sometimes it is a roller coaster of emotions. I try to enjoy the moments of calm.

Not much energy or time to garden right now, but I'm enjoying the fruits of my past labor. Hopefully things will settle down and I can spend my days again in the garden...I miss it.

29 comments:

Miss Daisy said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your father! So hard to see loved ones suffer. In contrast, your floral arrangement is absolutely stunning! The colors and arrangements with the lemonade and tablecloth makes it breathtaking!

Pat said...

So sorry to hear about your Dad.
Now I know why you haven't posted too often. Best wishes.

Yolanda Elizabet Heuzen said...

Dear Robin, calm is to be found in your lovely garden so please try to be there as often as you can, if only for a few minutes. It does help to just be there.

Glad you found the time for picking a lovely bouquet and making strawberry lemonade.

Take care!

Sylvia (England) said...

Robin, a beautiful picture. Just enjoy your garden, it will survive a year without you. Just take care of yourself, with so many people relying on you it is easy to forget to look after 'Robin'.

Very Best wishes Sylvia (England)

Shirley said...

Hi again Robin, I agree with all the comments above but especially with Yolanda. Just to sit for a few minutes in your garden every day will help you face everything at the moment. Time in the garden is so good for the soul and I am guessing yours needs supported at the moment. Best wishes to all :-)

Anonymous said...

Sounds good. Your garden. You need to get in and romp round more often. LOL.

The lemonade looks great. We had some and it was delicious. I almost forget what it is like as we never have lemonade in the winter. I wonder why?

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

Be good to yourself to keep yourself well centered. The garden is an excellant place to do that. Hope your dad is comfortable and improves with time, likewise your mother in law. Tough times for you and your family.

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Robin .. I am so sorry to hear about your in-laws and their health problems .. you are tired and stretched to the last point . You need good deep sleep .. and good vitamins to help you out .. B complex is extremely important when you are in this type of stress cycle.
Your bouquet is simply gorgeous .. the composition of the photo with the pitcher is perfect .. I wish you the time you need in your garden to unwind : )

Heather said...

Oh Robin, May you find times to breathe deeply and times to release the pressure gently, sweetly and to refresh your soul - even in the midst of trial. My heart and prayers go out to you now.

♥ Heather

Decadent Housewife said...

Remember to take care of yourself. Prayers for you and your family.

Debbie said...

Robin, so sorry about your Dad and your MIL. It is so hard to see our parents aging and suffering.

I absolutely love your gorgeous bouquet of flowers and the lovely pitcher of lemonade...just lovely.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Robin,you are aremarkable woman,to be able to see beauty when all around you people are in poor health.Keep looking up,things will get better.
Blessings and Prayers,Ruth

Sweet Home and Garden Carolina said...

Sorry to hear about your dad and MIL problems, Robin and sorry too that I've not been visiting your blog as much as I would've like to.

Your bouquet is simply splendid . I'm glad that your garden will be a source of tranquility amid all the trials and tribulations you're undergoing.

F Cameron said...

Sending thoughts and prayers for your father and MIL.

Lovely bouquet!

((Hugs))
Cameron

NCmountainwoman said...

So sorry to hear about the setbacks, especially in your father.

Lovely bouquet.

Cathy said...

Hi Robin,

What a beautiful post. I just finished putting down three yards of mulch in my little garden and wow, I'm aching.

From one avid gardener to another, love your garden photos. Beautiful.

Stop by my blog for an lovely "give-away".

xo Cathy

Lisa at Greenbow said...

This photo looks like a magazine photo. Great job. I hope all settles down for you and your family. I can only imagine your angst with ill parents yet the joy of your son on his birthday.

I am finally getting your posts sent to my reader. I hope to keep better track of you.

Carol said...

I've never had strawberry lemonade...and served in a setting like that would be a rare treat. Thanks for sharing.

www.wildlifearoundus.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Yummy and beautiful. I'm so sorry you have to go through this day to day. You are doing well and I know your dad and mil appreciate your positiveness. It's hard though. Big hugs.

beckie said...

Robin, this post showed up on my sidebar. Yeah! What a lovely bouquet and table. You should be in flower design. I know what a time you are going through and my thoughts are with you. When you have the chance do try to relax. Keep your stength up and take care!

Gail said...

Dear Robin, Hugs to you during this difficult time...gail

Dee/reddirtramblings said...

Oh, Honey, hang in there. It is all we can do when someone we love is ill. My dad always said, "In the meantime, it's a mean time." Hugs and prayers.~~Dee

Sherri said...

Robin-hugs and prayers for you and your family! I was sorry to hear about your Dad and Mother-in-law having trouble yesterday. I do love your bouquet and the strawberry lemonade. You have a wonderful talents!

Rose said...

What a beautiful bouquet, Robin! This is the first post of yours in awhile that has showed up on my sidebar, so maybe the feed problems are fixed--that's good news!
But I'm sorry to hear that your Dad and mother-in-law are not doing well. My thoughts are with you...I hope you can find some time each day to find some peace and strength from your garden.

The Giraffe Head Tree said...

A lovely bouquet and photo, Robin. I do wish you and your family well. Soak up the beauty of your gardens - may they bring you peace.

Kathleen said...

Thank goodness for the garden. I know it's helping you get thru all these difficult moments. Strawberry lemonade sounds delightful. I've never had any but it's making me thirsty just looking at it. Beautiful stemware and flower arrangement. You are getting good at these type of photographs.

Unknown said...

This really is a wonderful blog - I'm so glad I found it!

Mary said...

Hi Robin,

That's a pretty picture! Hey, I know exactly the feeling of "overwhelmed". Finding it hard to relax is awful. Keep trying. I wish you, your Dad, and mother-in-law good days.

Mary

CIELO said...

Lovely photograph and vignette... love it!

cielo