Its been a year since I last posted.  What a year!  It has been filled with drama and challenges, joy and peace.  Our family has experienced injuries, illnesses (some minor, some major), death, and then the usual assortment of everyday goings on.   We learned a lot about being lovingly present while keeping our opinions silent as we let go of loved ones who had lived life well; and we had the joy of welcoming new little ones into this world.  We had the pleasure of watching children grow as well as all us adults struggling, striving, and scheming to live life to the fullest in a world we never imagined. 

So here we are with a fresh start!  Having survived a year of family life and in the last week and a half having survived two North Texas ice storms and the Super Bowl extravaganza (I had not known that the Super Bowl was an invasion beyond description), I am dreaming of roses--of their sensual beauty and fragrance, of planting, pruning, mulching and feeding.

Last year my gardening was pretty much hit and miss. I was gifted roses by my wonderful nephew, and they fed my spirit from last frost to first freeze.  Two of my loves were Judy Garland and Angel Face. 

Judy Garland won my heart.  I had never liked orange roses until last year.  I fell in love with the intensity of her glowing orange petals and the heavenly scent.  Bonus--she is a repeat bloomer.  She made the most electric bouquets.  Real show stoppers.  The rose is as vibrant as the woman for whom she was named!

    And then there is Angel Face
                             

This beauty lived in a pot on my concrete, Texas driveway in 10 hours of full sun through the summer.  Her color was a true lavender with dark green, shiny leaves, and not a sign of disease.  I planted in a pot so that I passed her going in and out of the house to the car.  I couldn't believe how the scent held up.  She was a delight until the first hard freeze.

Enough of dreaming, the sleet, snow and wind are just about gone; and I am pruning roses tomorrow.