This year, for the New York Botanical Gardens orchid show, the man and I were accompanied by our daughter and her boyfriend, and his mom and sister. Afterward, we had lunch at a hole in the wall Spanish restaurant in the Bronx that served the most delicious pernil and plantains, and a stew of red and black beans and rice that I'm still dreaming about. It was a full weekend of entertaining, even though our guests preempted our having to cook anything by bringing baked ziti and baked goods and lots of other food. We also got the spend most of the weekend with our daughter, as she and her love hung out here with the fam. I loved it.
After everyone left on Sunday, the man and I realized that we have had houseguests almost every single weekend since the year began, and we joked about getting a plaque made to hang above our door—"Arrindell Arms." Next weekend, my birthday weekend, will be another busy one with my favorite people—my niece and her love, my son and his love, and my girl and her love will all be here to sing and eat cake with me on Friday night. Then on Sunday we attend the baptism of my son's girlfriend's younger nephew and birthday party for her older one. All our families are becoming ever more intertwined. I love the way families become redefined as the young ones grow up and fall in love and begin to create new branches of the tree. Everyone is so different in the beginning, but we all love our children, and we grow into love with one another, too.
Those flowers are beautiful. Have a wonderful birthday weekend. Sending birthday hugs.
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear Lily!
DeleteI love seeing these flowers and the intertwining of colors. Yes, like branches on a tree our families grow and blossom. So much life and love there.
ReplyDeleterobin, we grow up with our parents and never think about how their brought their families together, to make them our families, but now i see how it happens. life and love. xo
DeleteFeeling like a tiny bird sitting on a slender branch of your family tree soaking up the love those orchids ohhhhhhhhhhh
ReplyDeleteLove
Rebecca
darling rebecca, you are indeed my family, and it has been so since ancient times. love.
DeleteThe flower and tree imagery in connection with your family rings true. I am wondering where the rhododendron photo was taken because I think I can see the ocean in the background.
ReplyDeleteam, ha, when I was taking the photo it looked like the ocean in the background, which is why I wanted to take it. It is actually the roof of the conservatory, it's color almost matching the overcast sky. But when I look at the photo, i do kind of imagine i am at the shore. You noticed! love
DeleteThose flowers! And I, too, thought I saw the sea behind those beautiful red blossoms.
ReplyDeleteIt's almost your birthday! I think if I were in your position I would ask my man to run away with me! You are so much better at entertaining and sharing than I am. You and your husband are simply grace personified.
Mary, it is simply that we live in a city that is a crossroads to many place, and we have two empty bedrooms now that the kids have moved out, and so people think of this little apartment often. Mostly it's people with whom we feel supreme comfort, so it's all good. But yes, it's also good when it just the man and me. I have finally settled into my empty nest!
DeleteYour family tree is indeed flourishing! Long may it be that way :)
ReplyDeletejenny, your words to God's ear. Thank you!
DeleteAll of these blooms are fabulous. I hope your birthday and the year ahead are both wonderful.
ReplyDeletee, the orchid show is special for us every year. The photos practically take themselves. Thanks for the birthday wishes!
DeleteThese colors are amazing such beauty in the natural world. Hello!
ReplyDeleteRebecca
Hellooooo, darling Rebecca!
DeleteBeautiful pictures! We haven't yet experienced that family expansion, since my nieces and my cousins' kids are all too young. But you're giving me a hint of what's coming!
ReplyDeleteSteve, it's quite something to watch as the now "older generation." ha!
Delete