Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real--4/21/11

Pretty

Our roses in the back yard are huge and loaded with blooms. Jason planted them when we moved in because he thought I would like a rose garden. He was right. This variety is a common landscaping rose, known for its ease of care. These are gorgeous, and I love just to sit there and look at them, after I have done no more than an early spring pruning.

Happy

But this is the one that makes me really happy: my "Guadalupe rose." It's got these two beautiful shades of pink. On top the petals get lighter, almost to white, as they age, while the underside remains a deep pink. My red roses are showy and generous, but they can't match this one for scent. It has a sweet, slightly spicy fragrance. My daughter, who has a special connection with Our Lady of Guadalupe, told me today that this is her favorite rose scent, and I totally get it. There are probably more fragrant varieties--I'm not a rose expert, but that's exactly why I love this rose. I've never had any trouble with it. It always blooms for months, usually into December, so that I can have at least one pink rose for the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Funny

The kids were watching the eagle cam for a while, and when they told me today that they made an eyrie (when we were in the middle of preparatory chores, Easter coming and all), I confess I didn't think much about it. I found it at bedtime. A nest for the little ones. You can't see very well all the blankets "lining" it for them to cuddle up under. Look at those faces--snug and sound, and positively gleeful. :-)

Real

Here's me, sort of. My only-five-and-a-half-months pregnant belly, and a sleepy Cora sitting alongside.