can you handle a little more pink?

i don't think she could have looked more beautiful. she was glowing from the inside and it lit up the room. the other girls were trying so hard to look natural in their high heels and low cut dresses. and then there was my girl...happy, confident and steady in her shoes.

this dress was the perfect choice. it highlighted all her best qualities and it showed off her feminine charm. she was one classy chic. my blonde, blue eyed beauty.....

emma, i know you will read this. maybe more than once. maybe someday you will read this and "get it". i am proud of you. just be you. don't try to impress others by changing who your are. you are perfect. you are enough. you are a gift. you are unique. you are custom made, one of a kind. that makes you priceless. don't ever settle or accept anything less than you deserve. live and learn baby girl and remember that every mistake is a lesson. be wise. be thoughtful.

i have such mixed emotions about you growing up so fast. i am so excited for you. also nervous. and to be honest, envious. you are going to have the time of your life...it's all still ahead of you. you are a smart girl and i hope you will continue to make good choices. everything will depend on the path you choose and i wish for you to follow your heart. find your passion. live a sweet life. know i love you more than i can ever, EVER tell you. xo

i could but i won't

when i woke up today i knew there was something i had to get done. i had two choices. do it myself or ask someone else to. it only took me a moment to decide. joyfully i passed it along to someone who actually loves the task. emma's dress is going to be made by a real seamstress. i don't consider this any kind of personal weakness. in fact i am just being my authentic self.

i sometimes enjoy sewing. haven't done it lately. not prepared to go through all that stress to end up with a dress that a 13 year old might change her mind about. wouldn't that suck? and besides i can't imagine the hours i would have to spend away from my gardens...and i LOVE my gardens. i am obsessed with trees and rocks. i see them everywhere and all i can think is how can i get that into my car? our little acre is a bit bare for my likings. this is muskoka...i need more trees

the first week we were in the house i had already started the plantings. oh and i am sure the neighbours have been giggling over my little evergreens. someday they will be so lovely. they are all doing very well. i have lost track of how many i have brought home now. must be about 50. i have also been transplanting lilac, 'cause i NEED it in my life. nothing is better than the scent of lilac, wafting into the house after a long winter.

so i am just going to stick with what really brings me joy. now there's no chance that i'll miss out on a single new bloom or fresh baby fern. i need to be in the garden. xoxo