Wandering the Boston Public Garden (and it's free)

This past weekend, my beloved and I celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary. We had the pleasure of spending Saturday in Boston with my niece Ava and her husband Jeremy.  The four of us have limited funds, as both my beloved and Jeremy are unemployed at the moment. We have found that there are many pleasures in life that are free. The Boston Public Garden is one such pleasure. Located in the heart of Boston, lies this 24 acre, rectangular shaped park. It once was a salt marsh and now is a beautiful park with paths, flower beds, fountains, statues and trees, and a girder bridge (once the world's shortest suspension bridge) right in the middle. There are weeping willows, horse chestnuts, dawn redwoods, European beeches, ginkgo trees, European and American elms, and one California redwood tree. One can purchase a ride on the paddle swan boat. These Swan boats have been drifting on the four acre lake since 1877. Usually, a college student, sitting at the back of the boat, does all the paddling work. Do you notice the two swans nesting near the small lake? They are mute and named "Romeo and Juliet". The person naming them didn't realize they are two females. This one glided across the water in search of food and would dip it's head down into the water. It was a wonderful experience having this swan so close. There are many bronze statues in the Park. This one is a favorite and is based on Robert McCloskey's book, Make Way For Ducklings. It is a charming, children's book about a Mother and Father duck in search of a good place to raise their ducklings. They end up selecting the Boston Public Garden as their nesting place.  We purchased a print of the ducklings from this gentleman artist. We will frame it and hang it in a special place in our home.

We have lived here, in Massachusetts, for 8 years and always enjoy our time in this Public Garden. It has been a National Historic Landmark since 1987. It is well worth the visit.

rouge to pink

• Spring time in New England is full of color. Instead of writing my usual "Free Spirit Friday" post, I wanted to post these beautiful red to pink colors noticed a few days ago here in Pepperell. Our town has a small airport. The landing strip is packed earth. It is well known for sky diving. The grass has grown high on the outskirts of the landing strip. Charlotte loves her red dress. Red roses with a faint and tender aroma grow at our friend's house.

They grow pink roses too.

The pale pink color of this poppy is precious. The petals are so delicate.

We have my niece Ava and her husband Jeremy visiting from Virginia. We plan on exploring Boston tomorrow. Enjoy your weekend my friends.

Birthdays

Yesterday was my birthday. It was an ordinary day. I took care of our children, cooked, cleaned and had the usual day. There was no party, no balloons, no hoopla. Yet, I felt blessed. Our children drew me little pictures of love; they "wrapped" up their favorite things and gave them to me. They picked clover and daisies from our yard and I have those in cups in our home. They sang the birthday song to me before they went off to sleep last night. Ben's angelic voice ringing out the loudest and in tune too. I opened the gifts from the gals at our ladies Bible study group and from my in-loves and my brother and sister-in-love (they live in California). They gave me the most lovely, crystal and silver necklace, bracelet and earring set. It looks Edwardian. I will feel like a princess when I wear them. I felt very spoiled. One of the gifts is from Rhonda (we co-lead together). I know she gave me a gift she had purchased for herself! It is a beautiful, hand-crafted, lined and covered box. There are mother-of-pearl flower buttons on the top and the fabric is a delicate cream silk. It is lovely. What touches me the most is the generosity of my friends and family. They understand that we can't really pamper ourselves right now (we're in our 10th month of unemployment) and so they make sure we receive these little tokens of love every once in a while.  I had so many birthday greetings on my facebook page from family, childhood friends and friends we've made along the way from California to Massachusetts. Birthdays seem to matter when we are young. We want the party, cake and gifts. Then we reach the age where birthdays don't matter as much. A well written note is special and saved to read again and again when we need to be reminded that we are loved. Then, when we're really old, the celebration starts again. Others celebrate the fact that we are still alive and kicking :)

I am now 44. I was born in Southern California to Donal and Barbara Howell. I am their fifth and last child. I was a surprise and hopefully a gift too.

Embracing Spring and captured moments

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  These photos capture a moment in time. Our chilren grow up so fast. If I could hold time in a bottle, these are the moments I'd cherish. They have such a delight in nature. Flowers grace their grubby, little hands each Spring and Summer and end up wilting in little jars all over our home. Free gifts from children are the best, aren't they?Max studies the plants and decides what they are all about. Sometimes he'll be inspired to draw what he finds in our bog and yard. Dandylion fluff is the best! Make a wish and blow your dreams into the future. By the next week we'll have yellow flowers scattered in our yard, ready for more flower chains and if they last long enough, more fluff again!Charlotte is all girl. She is strong and bossy with her three brothers and loves them so.  She would rather wear brown than pink, but she is into anything Hello Kitty. She loves kittens, hamsters and bunnies. She is begging us to get a bunny for her. Grant is in his imaginary place where knights and soldiers and sword fights live. This Spring he has discovered the Civil War and wants his birthday cake to "be a Civil War cake". I'll have to get creative and hopefully the cake will match the idea he has in his head. Ben is our kind soul. He has an emotional intelligence rarely seen in children. He is tender and kind and loves dogs. He draws dogs with hearts. He sleeps with his stuffed dogs, has puppy pictures and dog books in his special place by his bed. Ben is a dog boy.

We welcome Spring. We embrace the rain and warmth, but most of all, we are thankful for the gifts God has given us...Grant, Max, Charlotte, and Benjamin.
What are the times you'd like to capture in a bottle?
(All photos by Jeremy or Ava ~ thank you!)