Our Spanish broom is blooming. This was not necessarily expected. When we bought our house, there was a hedge running along the eastern property line, comprised of three of these bushes. About two years ago, we started noticing that large sections of the bushes were looking brown and dead and only a few parts would flower. We learned that there was a type of moth whose larvae would attack Spanish broom; they were slowly killing our bushes. Last fall, we cut it all down because it was becoming an eyesore. We left very shallow stumps because we'd heard it might grow back. And it did! All three stumps sprouted shoots this spring and now two of them have flowers. The flowers are always bright yellow and they smell, to me, like grape lollipops. It's a very cheerful plant. Now we're just hoping the new growth doesn't attract those moths again.
It was a terribly lavish indulgence, but I felt I deserved it. Ha. I bought myself a new nail file and tweezers this week. I have been using the same tweezers for about twenty years, since I was in high school, and they were just no good anymore. The paint which made them "stainless steel" was flaking off and they were getting rusty. I bought them in a kit with other nail and beauty implements at the dollar store. I certainly got my money's worth. The new file is meant for "gel" nails, which I am assuming are like acrylic nails. I have natural nails but the files they had for natural nails were labeled "heavy-duty grit" and looked better-suited to horse hooves. I'm very happy with my new implements. I bought the file none too soon; the dryness lately has caused my nails to be very fragile. I had one break this weekend kind of far down. It hurt a little. But my new file came to the rescue.
The GB is in the process of "potty-training" her baby. I find this so funny. She sits the baby on the floor like this and then sits down next to her while she waits for the baby to "go." The baby doesn't "go," of course, she's not even the kind that gets water and then "pees." No, it's all imaginary. But the funny part is that the GB is doing a perfect imitation of ME when I potty-trained her and I'm amazed because it's been almost two years since we did that and I didn't think she remembered it very well. She sits on the floor, like I did, and sings a little song I made up, which I sang to both small Bears when they were learning. This brilliant song, should you ever wish to use it, is made up of the following lyrics, repeated ad nauseum until the desired result is achieved: "Pee-pee come out/Pee-pee come out/Won't you let your pee-pee come out?" See? Brilliant. Dr. Sears wants to buy the rights.
Finally, there is nothing like a quiet morning spent with rejuvenating tea, a fattening pastry and a good book. Well, the tea was my usual Irish Breakfast brewed as to wake the dead, the pastry was a bit soggy, and the book...oy, what a book. If you've followed this case at all, I will definitely say this is the most comprehensive book I've read on the subject. But it's also very graphic and contains a lot of intimate detail. It's not for the faint of heart and I still don't quite know what to think about the case. But the book is well-written and definitely informative. I always treasure my quiet reading time, even when the reading material is troubling.
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Oh my, I really chuckled at your little girl potty training her doll! That is the cutest thing and the picture is hilarious! They do surprise you with the things they remember. :) Your Spanish broom is a delight, thank goodness the moths are gone (and I hope they stay away!) xx
ReplyDeleteJennifer,
ReplyDeleteI have a broom in my garden. It is coming into flower now. The scent is lovely. As for your potty training song, Olly and I had a wee wee dance, which we would do when he performed (the things we do...).
I have put the book on my wish list. I love your description of a cuppa to wake the dead. I have one of those first thing every morning!
Leanne xx
I love these posts, they always put a smile on my face :-)
ReplyDeleteWe call that "Scotch Broom" -- I wonder if it's different than yours? It looks like you're having a pleasant time with your book and goodies. I'm heading off to a DAR meeting in Portland in a bit. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeletePastry and coffee in the morning sun. Love that one! Looks so relaxing. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteLisa
I love coffee and pastries in the morning, yummy looking photo :) I love the flowers too!
ReplyDeleteWith that encouraging potty song, I believe baby doll will be ready for the toilet very soon! Have another wonderful week :)
ReplyDeleteYummy looking pastry. I had quite a chuckle to myself about the pee pee song!
ReplyDeleteM x
A cuppa to wake the dead - that is my preferred tea-making technique! Or builder's tea, as we call it here.
ReplyDeleteThe potty song made me laugh out loud. The things we do to potty train our kids. Angus has spent the past two days "pregnant" with a baby doll shoved up his t-shirt. Not sure if I should be worried or not. x
What a lovely post for a Monday, Jennifer!!!
ReplyDeleteLove your shrub, can't say I have ever hard of it before..
And the potty song....TOO CUTE!!!
Enjoy your week...
Cheers!
Linda :o)
Sounds like a good morning to me! I haven't followed the trials in too much detail but the things I read always made it out to be that there was no way the couple did it and it was another guy, who is now serving time. Would be interesting to read more about it, I'll have to check next time I go to the library!
ReplyDeleteIrish Breakfast tea sounds "bracing" :-) I just ordered some more PGTips decaf that has a bracing flavor without the caffeine I'm not supposed to have. Have you tried PGTips?
ReplyDeletexx,
Gracie
the yellow flower is delightful! hope it stays pest free!! and the doll being potty trained is also delightful!!!
ReplyDeleteI am your newest follower from the hop..pls follow back if you can.
enjoy your quiet mornings!
Our brooms have died out, don't think ti was a "pest" just old age. Well done on rejuvenating yours.
ReplyDeleteHow sweet - potty training the dolly.
I love my tea but it has to be Yorkshire Tea and I like it well brewed (or as DH says "looking like the bottom of the Humber")
I haven't entered your lovely Giveaway because I followed your link and have made one of the scarves, I shall include it in a future post. Thank you.
Carol xx
Love the beautiful brooms and that potty training part is just too funny! =) Hope you had a great Mother's Day! =)
ReplyDeleteWhat great stories behind all the pics, Pastries and tea- We definitely are on the same wavelength!
ReplyDelete