Bottle Brush Plant

 Flowers don't question where they're planted.

They don't worry if the soil is too hard....or if the season will be too dry...or if they're growing in the "right" place.  They simply reach for the light. 

Out in our yard, the bottlebrush plant is one of those reminders... 

It's bright red blooms are showing up with a bold color of red and it is full of life right now.  

It's not one of those delicate  flowers....but it is strong, vibrant, and full of purpose.  

One thing that I love about this plant is that it "brings life in." 

Bees gather and the butterflies linger on it.  Hummingbirds come close, finding exactly what they need.  

It simply blooms and in doing so, it blesses everything around it. 

This is the kind of life that God calls us to. 

Not one spent comparing or questioning, but one rooted and trusting.  

Some season are quiet.

Some are Bold.

Some feel hidden.

Some are full and vibrant.  

ALL OF THEM MATTER!!

In our own lives, we need to just keep reaching for light.

When the time comes, we won't just bloom, we will bring life to others along the way.  

💛💛💛💛💛

About this plant....

1. This plant is named for it's shape. The blooms look like bottle brushes. 

2. It is native to Australia and it thrives in warm climates. 

3. This is a drought-tolerant.

4. Many of the varieties stay green year round. 

5. They bloom in Spring and sometimes in the Fall.  

6. They are loved by pollinators since it's blooms are filled with nectar. 

Hoping something beautiful finds each of you today...

Shug....💛

On the tailgate of a Whirlwind

 Hey Friends... Since Thursday morning, it feels like we’ve been hanging on to the tailgate of a whirlwind.

On Thursday, I headed out early to Dallas with Sam riding shotgun. The plan was simple—go to his doctor’s appointment and stay the night, because anyone who knows Dallas knows that after 4:00, traffic turns into something you pray your way through. But wouldn’t you know it, everything wrapped up earlier than expected—around 2:15.

And just like that, a new plan was born.

                             

Thursday evening was senior night for Mylee at the softball field, and there was no way we wanted to miss that. So we took a chance, said a little prayer over the highway, and headed home. We rolled into the parking lot at 5:30… with the presentation starting at 5:45.

Y’all… we made it. And it was worth every mile.

Friday morning came early again. I headed out to take care of a few things for Sam’s upcoming surgery. That evening, we went to the funeral home for visitation for our dear friend. And then we were up early this morning for the funeral.  Sam was a pallbearer and this service was pretty hard for him.  His friend Roy had the same liver disease that Sam has. 

What a beautiful service it was.  

The service was held outside at a venue, in front of a big lake.  COMPLETE PEACE filled the air all around us.  

The perfect place to hold a service for a man who loved the outdoors. 

I took this picture after the service and after the flowers had been taken to the cemetery..  

It’s been a lot.

We finally made it home around 2:40 this afternoon, and let me tell you—there’s something sacred about propping your feet up after days like this. The service was beautiful, held at a venue near a gorgeous lake… peaceful, meaningful, and just what the heart needed.

Now… about Sam’s eye.

His surgery is scheduled for Thursday at 11:00, and we’ll be staying the night since he has to see the doctor again early Friday morning. But before we get there, we’ve got one more trip to Dallas Monday to get additional measurements taken. It’s a good two-hour drive, and we’re hoping traffic shows us a little mercy this time.

The plans are to go in to the back of his eye and remove the lens that is stuck in the top of his eye.  The doctor will then repair the lip that holds the lens in place and insert a new lens.  Sounds painful, but he will no longer be feeling like he has a sticker bur in his left eye.  

I’m tired… and if you’ve made it this far, I imagine you might be a little tired too just reading it all.

Life has been full in every sense of the word—joy, sorrow, rushing, remembering, and showing up where it matters most.

Hoping to catch up with all of you soon, and I'm hoping to get back to my normal blogging without it being full of health issues.  My apologies for this.  You all have been so gracious to keep reading my blog post and for this I am thankful..  

Do what you love doing this weekend.  Whether it's watching "The Masters" ....  planting flowers ..... relaxing .... Or Whatever....just enjoy all that life has to offer.. 

Love,

Shug..💛

Be Back Soon

 

Today and Tomorrow

Sam and I will be in Dallas.

Hugs to all...

shug....💛

Hodgepodge Wednesday

Hodgepodge Day 

Joyce asks the Questions

We answer the Questions

HERE 

Mix and Match Hodgepodge

From EGGS, to BEER, to SIBLINGS

to the LETTER G, to SCENTS

TO...RANDOM THOUGHTS....

1. Egg on your face, putting all your eggs in one basket, a good egg, walk on eggshells, nest egg, or a tough egg to crack...which eggy idiom currently applies to your life in some way? Explain

Right now, I would say "Putting all my eggs in one basket" fits best.  Life has a funny way of reminding me of how much I pour into the things (people) I love. This might sound a little risky, but it also feels honest. When you care deeply, you don't hold back, you give your all to them. 

2. April 7th is National Beer Day...are you a beer drinker? If so do you have a favorite? Beer battered fish, beer bread, beer can chicken, beer brats...which one sounds good to you? Have you made any of these? 

I am not a drinker of any kind of alcohol including Beer...however, I can appreciate what you can make with it!  Most likely...Beer battered fish.   

To tell the truth...we have never had a can or bottle of beer in our home...so, my answer would be No, I have not cooked or baked with beer. 

3. Do you have siblings? What's the best thing about being your sibling? If you don't have siblings, what would you say are the pros and cons of being an only child? 

Yes...I had one sister who passed away at the early age of 28. I had a younger brother who passed away Christmas Day, 2024.   I also have another brother (David) and we live about a mile away from each other.  

The best thing about me being David's sibling is that I am a truly dedicated sister.  We are very close and he knows that I am and will always be there for he and his family.  

4. How do you feel about floral scents in products? Do you have a favorite?   

I do not care for many scents that come in candles or potpourri.  I have purchased many different room sprays, candles, melts and such......but have ended up giving them away because the scent makes me sick.  

If I did have a favorite, it would be cinnamon.  

5. What's one thing in your home that begins with the letter G that you would say is a keeper, something you'll hold on to? Tell us why. 

Grandmother's dishes!  Anything passed down or given with love tends to carry more than just its physical presence...it carries memories, stories and a piece of someone's heart.  Those are the thing I hold on to the longest..

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Truthfully....I am moving slow in the random thought category.  My thoughts have been consumed with my April calendar.