Today, a smorgasbord of life in general! A bit of fun in the yard, productive time, a wonderful restaurant "make-good" and fun with friends.
First of all, the restaurant. I mentioned our surprisingly awful dinner back in this post. (And thanks for the support on that! I think most of you must have had a similar experience and could empathize!) Several of you mentioned "I hope you let the restaurant know about this" and yes, I did.
The other day I received a lovely email from the owner or manager. It was beautifully phrased, grammatically correct and yes, he was as surprised as we were at our dinner experience. I am happy to say that they are back on our A list, after inviting us for dinner and a bottle of wine at our "earliest convenience." Needless to say, we will return soon and I bet it will be lovely delicious and with great service.
I hit the garden center last week and came home with too many plants, almost all of which go into pots that will later go to the lake. (How they will all fit in the car is still to be determined!)
And, I got the herb garden weeded out, mulch down and a couple of things in that. Yay!
Speaking of cemetery planting, Rick and I headed out to the graves of my parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents. I had some beautiful red-bloomed geraniums to plant there. Unfortunately, the deer ate all the blooms! I'm hoping they'll "come to" again.
Rick trimmed around the head stones, which are sinking. (Thanks, Kate and Mike for the shovel!) I need to go back soon with a scrub brush and clean the granite stones.
Yes, Rick is home from opening up the cottage. No trees fell on the house, no pipes froze and the internet worked. Almost time for me to go! Meanwhile, I stayed home.
Our weather was pretty bad but before taking my orthotics in to be adjusted, I got in a good walk or two at the Ditch. And there I encountered this lovely family, sheltered but close to the path.
Mom was beautiful. And very watchful. And the twins were so cute.
I hope this little guy stays away from the hawks.
I don't know who left these stones on fence posts, but there were many of them, some shiny and polished, some simple and natural.
I bought the best peonies at Trader Joe's. The buds were tight when I bought them, and within a day or two they opened up into this.
And, as the week went on, they opened even more, revealing the world inside!
I have to say it was the best money I spent all week!
International cycling season has started, which means that I'll be recording and watching a lot of cycling this season. Rick got me into this early in our time together. Now I think I watch it more than he does!
This was from the Giro Italia. I realized how few of the names I knew from past viewing!
My Canadian friend Suzanne stopped by on her road trip back to London from Ohio.
It was only for an overnight, but it was great to connect again. And, we enjoyed our first cook-out on Memorial Day!
And life in the yard is busy. We've had a ton of rain. And the birds and squirrels have been eating up a storm.
But that's for another day! I hope yours is a good one.
Sharing with: Share Your Style / Talking About It Tuesday / Friday Face-Off / Saturday's Critters / Love Your Creativity
61 comments:
The peonies are gorgeous! And those little baby ducks are adorable. Sounds like a busy cycling season is almost underway.
Flowers from Joe's are generally pretty fresh and last longer- you made a great choice, those are magnificent!
Rain here as well, We will take it and be glad! supposed to be a dry hot summer and the forests might ignite and there you go!!
I love all of your pots, so beautiful- ours are junk plastic.
Jeanie,
What a fun post!! Love the color of all your pots...So pretty!! I have to pick up 2 more flats of impatiens and then I am done...And I mean it this year....LOL!! Thanks so much for all your visits and kind comments!! Have a lovely week, my friend!!
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
So nice you had a visit from your Canadian friend. Beautiful photos, so lovely to see the flowers 💐 and duck family.
So glad that the restaurant responded to your unfortunate experience in such a gracious way! Now you can look forward to a wonderful meal in the future.
I love all of your turquoise pots! You've been busy getting ready for summer at the lake, I see. So nice to have a place to 'get away' and enjoy a change of scenery. Glad the cottage had no damage over the winter, too.
That is nice that you take care of the cemetery and plant flowers. (Too bad about the hungry deer, though). My parents are in the veteran's cemetery, and we aren't allowed to plant anything, but we can leave bouquets. It's always so peaceful, but sad. I love to visit old cemeteries to read the epitaphs. Someone always leaves trinkets around, like the stones you saw.
It's always nice when friends stop by and spend some time. Good friends and good food - what can be better?
Ducklings and peonies are the best things about this time of year. I have one peony that I have nurtured for years, and it is finally flowering, but the blooms get so heavy that I have to tie them up or they break. I think buying them would be much less work!
Watching the bike races would be a fun thing to do together. I am now into watching golf since The Mr. is a golfer, or should I say, was. He no longer golfs since the local course was sold off to housing, but he still loves to watch the game. I've never golfed, but I know all the 'lingo'. Lol!
Hope you fit all the pots in one trip! x K
Beautiful photos - love the ducks and flowers
Those full colorful peonies are to die for! So pretty. I'll be curious of when you leave for the cottage. Glad to hear it's not damaged from the winter.
...all I did today was work in the garden, but that's my happy placve.
You sound cheerful. I hope this means you're feeling well. I love peonies, or as a little friend used to call them "peenies" . Like bees knees.
Nicely done on all accounts! I love garden season.
I am having a time with Fred. The deer have disappeared!
Oh, those peonies! They are magnificent. I smiled reading this entire post!!!!!
We have had a lot of rain more to come the end of the week. Beautiful today.
Those flowers from trader Joe's is beautiful. You have done quite a job on your gardens and plants.
Nice to got to meet up with a friend.
Cathy
Those peonies are stunning Jeanie. And those little ducklings, so adorable! Bet you can't wait to get back to the lake. Glad the restaurant is going to make good after you told them what a terrible time you had. It really is a gift to them too to be told of people's bad experiences. Watching the bike races would be fun.
So nice to read of your life just being life. As for me day, it was hot, but I stayed cool. I helped Nick with Lightroom on the computer and took Jonathan to work. I also did a grocery shopping and we went for a walk. Just regular stuff.
My, you’ve been busy. So fun to pot up plants, especially on warm days.
Beautiful peonies…they are such a magnificent flower.
The ducklings are precious.
This was such a lively, colorful post! Those peonies are just gorgeous -- definitely the right move to take these home with you. And the ducklings, of course, are darling. But I especially love that picture of your Memorial Day picnic table with Rick & Suzanne. Good times!
I wonder if my Trader Joe's has peonies -- I will have to check. Those are amazing. I'm glad you get to go to the lake soon!
Wonderful nature shots! Such cute duckies 🥰
Great to see those ducklings being well cared for by a vigilant mom. Better they don’t get too close to Harry the Heron or they will be part of his menu! No bottle of wine needed, excellent service not required. One gulp and it’s over!
Sounds like a good week full of good things. Glad that restaurant responded too. Those peonies are gorgeous. I haven't been to Trader Joe's for a couple of weeks but I wonder if mine has some. You've tempted me to look. :) I hope you're having another lovely week. hugs-Erika
Beautiful peonies!! Life is good, enjoyed reading your update post!
Those peonies! That peach one ..:). I truly wish we had a TJ.. No flowers at those prices here..and the staff is so darn nice,here also but the TJ staff in their uniform uniforms:) Too cute..Happy days are here again for you and I am glad;)
Hello, Jeanie
Lovely post, the peonies are beautiful. I noticed a lot of your pots for your plants are blue, my favorite color. The duck family photos are so cute, I love those ducklings. Great photos of you, Suzanne and Rick. Take care, enjoy your day!
So glad the restaurant made good on your awful dining experience.The peonies are gorgeous, love the peach color. So fun to see the baby ducks. Enjoy.
Buying flowers isn't in my budget, but if I found a store selling peonies, I'd have to make an exception. They're one of my favorite flowers, and connected to memories of maintaining cemetery plots back in Iowa, where peonies were a favored planting. The best line in this post? It might be "No trees fell on the house, no pipes froze and the internet worked." As my mother would say, "Gloriosky!"
I love peonies and especially the color you bought.
Glad Rick was able to open the cottage and discover no problems left behind by old man Winter. Soon it might warm up enough to enjoy the lake.
Those Peonies are to die for...lovely post, and yes, getting everything planted is a chore. Too hot here for old geezers to work much, plan on moving everything into the shade and watering today, no planting it's too hot. Hugs, Sandi
You always write the best posts full of such great news, and with photos! I love that you have continued to blog and share your stories and write about times at the ditch. It is like getting a letter from a dear longtime friend to read your posts. Some say blogging died a long time ago, but I love that you have kept the best part of blogging alive and well.
As for that dinner! That is terrible. I find that Mother’s Day can be the worst day to go out, but this experience was the worst. I’m glad you let them know and that they want to make it up to you.
I have been having such trouble with my walking. I commiserate with you, but I learned today from you that maybe I need to go in and have them adjust my orthotic.
Oh Jeanie I love seeing those baby ducks and momma. You got a great photo of them...so close! I envy your walks to the ditch...there are so many things and animals to see and within walking distance. The only 'exciting' thing I have within walking distance is the Publix grocery store! I guess you could call that exciting when I come home with bakery goodies which means I don't have to bake this week. LOL. I need to weed out my herb garden as I have rosemary and thyme fighting for survival among the weeds. The Captain offered to Pull all
They are magnificent. Hug!
Beautiful peonies! I'm not sure how all those pots will fit the car but you sure have lots of pretty ones.
How do you take a road trip to London from Ohio??? I am assuming that there is a London in Canada?
Does Lily bother your Flowers?
I was in Killybegs today, bringing more stuff--only plants and the few things we're still using left to bring. By the end of net week, we'll be moved in there! The reason I tell you this is because of peonies. When we were there the last time, the peonies my friend has planted were in bud, but hadn't bloomed. My newer friend, M, was smitten with them even then and was asking about them. Today they were in bloom--great big yellow flowers. M was given one to take home with her.
I'm so glad you let the restaurant know about you getting sick and them making good on it. Your flowers from TJs are so pretty. How nice to have your friend stop by and you were able to have your first cook-out. Enjoy the rest of the week :)
Those flowers are so lovely - and I hope that your return trip to the restaurant is worthwhile. How far away is the cottage?
you can never, ever...have too many plants!! i enjoyed the information you shared about your restaurant experience. if we have a bad experience, we don't generally go back. we have not been "mature" about it...and just assume it's not a place we will go back to. what you did was so much better, i hope you have a better experience when you go back!! you always look so happy...you have the best smile!! i LOVE those peonies!!
Oh my the ducks are adorable. The peonies are beautiful! I have some and they only have little heads as of now.
The peonies are gorgeous and I agree that it was money well spent. I know you are happy everything was ok at the cottage. I look forward to your postcards from the lake! The restaurant responded correctly, let us know about your upcoming meal!
Your beautiful flower photos light up the day! The window picture is notecard worthy, nice for a watercolor.
May
Wow Carol! Your yard looks lovely and so sunny. Beautiful flowers. It's nice you keep the graves up. So nice that you could meet up with Suzanne. The first BBQ looks really fun. Glad you have something to watch. Have a nice day.
That kind of thoughtful “make-good” can restore faith just as much as a wonderful meal.
I found those peonies at TJs also…they were stunning and everyone was amazed at their size. It’s too bad they have such a short season. Now, my hydrangeas are blooming like crazy…lovely to make bouquets 💐. Love your photos of the ducklings and sweet people. Take care and enjoy the last of May.
xox, Virginia
The peonies are breathtaking, Jeanie 🌸
Those ducklings just make me smile.
So glad you had time with Suzanne --visits like that are always a treat.
Your photos always bring such joy! 💐🦆
You have been so busy! The peonies were a great find, and the baby ducks are so cute. I’m curious about the stones on the posts.
Glad your restaurant took your complaint.
Ours did not. Same happened (meat was raw - again!!!) and we never went another time. After over 10 years of good service!
At least Ingo did not have to pay for it.
..."grammatically correct" sure made me chuckle!!
To friends and rain - here the sun is out and about! Have a happy day.
It is so good that the restaurant manager is offering you and Rick a free meal and a bottle of wine on the house, Jeanie, to make up for the disaster last time. How fun to see the ducklings! I have some peonies growing in my garden, but the strange hot/cold weather we have been having has not produced too many buds this year. I'm glad the lake house is in good condition---summer is not far away!
What a great time you've had. Those peonies are gorgeous. The baby ducks are so cute. I was sorry to hear about your dreadful meal experience, and glad you contacted them and they did the right thing.
Well done for that manager! That's how it's done I think. Apologizing and offering to make it up to your guests.
Lovely post!
It's good to know that there are some managers out there still care about good service. I thoroughly enjoyed your pictures of the duck family, and agree that your Trader Joe's peonies purchase was money well spent. Happy FFO!
I'm so glad the restaurant did the right thing. A wonderful post and thank you for sharing with FFO.
Lovely series of photos ~ love the little ducklings with Mama ~ Hugs ^_^
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How nice of the restaurant to invite you to a free meal. Hope it’s a good one! Love your peonies, good choice. The cookout looked good.
Always nice to break bread with friends.
It's great that you contacted the restaurant and that they offered to make things good. I hope it does work out for you.
What a lovely post Jeanie.
Full marks to the restaurant for contacting you.
So lovely to see all of your photographs ... the peonies are beautiful and the baby ducks are so cute and adorable.
I can't believe it will be June on Monday, I wish you a lovely last weekend of May.
All the best Jan
A lovely post filled with all the good things that make life rich. I'm glad the restaurant made things right, and those peonies are absolutely stunning! Wishing you many more beautiful days ahead.
Hello Jeanie,
Your post is beautiful, great photos of you, your friend and Rick.
The flowers are beautiful, a cheery sight to have inside.
The ducks are adorable, love the cute babies.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great day and a happy weekend! PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
Glad you spoke up about the poor service and bad food you got. I've mentioned when I've paid in the past how dissatisfied I was, but never offered even a discount on my meal.
Your potted herbs are much prettier than mine. Love that color, too. Happy FFO.
Those peonies from Trader Joe's are beautiful. I love the blush colored ones. So good of Rick to clean the sites at the cemetery. Those pots are cool that you bought at the garden center. And a great close-up of the gosling. The spread on Memorial Day looks delicous. Hot dogs and corn on the cob - two of my favorites. Glad to hear you got lots of rain. We had a rainy week too! : )
Variety is the spice of life! You are living a very "spicy" lifestyle any how wonderful that is! How fun to actual meet and spend time with a fellow blogger!
Trader Joe's has the best peonies! I buy them as well and enjoy them for a long time. In Germany I bought them at the farmers market, together with deep blue/purple lupines and they made stunning bouquets. When will you leave for the lake? I guess you can't wait - you always love it so much up there. I hope it will be a good lake summer for you.
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