Making Time for a Little R & R

Every morning upon waking, I greet the day with a quick prayer of gratitude.  

For my family, my health and the freedom to do what I love to do...everyday!  

My (garden)client roster has doubled this past season and I was thrilled with each new referral.

But, (you know what's coming, right?) I took on more than I could handle...

this landscape service has a staff of one...help!

Running a little ragged by the end of the week is alright, as long as you have the weekend to recuperate.  Unfortunately, the weekends were even longer workdays for me.

June.  July.  August....I was running on empty!

 Hardest of all, my body could not keep up with what my mind thought it could do!

Achy joints, constant back pain, lack of sleep...it all caught up with me.

The lovely scenes I'm sharing are of the retreat where I found my escape.
It's near the Pocono Mts. of Pennsylvania.
A haven of peace and tranquility.  

It not only nurtured my mind, but my body and spirit as well.

What's even lovelier is I got to spend it with my youngest daughter, Emma.
Great memories were made here during our 4-day stay.

Daily activities included quiet walks, a row on the lake, biking, 

tree gazing, or just staying in our bathrobes all day, if we so chose.

I attended meditation classes and there was even a workshop on "how to power nap"!
I slept through it...so must've been good!

And every day ended with a soak in the infinity whirlpool.

 

Three gourmet meals a day did not help my diet, but everything was farm fresh and delicious!

Fly fishing, anyone?

S'mores every night at dusk...what a treat!

Isn't this the cutest tic-tac-toe set, ever?!

Em and I had fun making these birdhouses.

I even tried my hand at water coloring...don't laugh!

I still remember to count my blessings each day.  

I focus on the positive, keep calm and carry on, and should I need some down time,
I know exactly where to go...

Hope you all have a fabulous Friday!

Where've ya been, Lynn?!

 I guess that was a sign for me to update my blog!

Not two, but 3 friends recently asked why my blog has been so quiet.

I must say, it's nice to be missed!  

H. Pandora's Box:

 My only explanation....

I was kidnapped by aliens!

 Actually, the summer has pretty much been a blur.  I found myself on auto-pilot

most days.  More garden clients meant re-arranging my Zumba schedule a bit.

H. Wineberry Candy (one of my faves!)

But thankful for the extra earnings so I'm not complaining

(but, oh, my aching back!)

I'm sure you guys who garden full time can relate!

H. Who's Your Daddy

 I did get away for a 4-day Spa-cation and will share

pics on another post.

In garden news, my daylily collection is growing!  Many new mail-ordered

plants suffered neglect (delayed planting) and heat, but seem to

be doing well now...thank goodness!

 H. Peacock Curls

H. Bright Sunset

H. Ruby Spider is one of my new additions.  HUGE 9" blooms on tall, sturdy scapes...

certainly grabs your attention from across the garden!

And, I'm trying my hand at hybridizing again.

 It's easy to make crosses but I'm finally keeping records of

pod/pollen parents....let's see what comes of it!

H. Fooled Me

To my blog friends not yet growing daylilies, this is a great

time to find 50% sales at your local nurseries.

Easy, easy, perennials...every color of the rainbow.

But, a WARNING!  You will become addicted!

 H. Aaron Brown

 This beautiful red daylily is the one that started it all for me!

H. Scarlet Orbit

And with almost 80,000 different varieties, you can't grow just one!
I dare ya...

Happy Fall, guys!