I've been on vacation.
We came back to what seems like a whole new land... green grass & leaves everywhere. Flowers sprouting up. Our garden in full swing.
It seems that Summer has arrived.
But nothing captures my attention quite like the peonies. 
Although they are long gone... I remember to enjoy these hot summer days, these rain showers, these garden goodness meals. Because.... much like the peonies. Things just don't last as long as you think they will. And when they are gone... you see the beauty that was there the whole time.
​

The Uppowac House.
Manteo
Roanoke Island
North Carolina
June 4-8
A Musec Family Adventure

We all really enjoyed staying in the Uppowac house. Spacious yet cozy. A true home away from home.
The decor was a mix of heirloom peices, beautiful art, and comfort.
The convient location allowed for several lovely strolls through downtown Manteo.
We enjoyed renting the bikes and kyacks.
And the outdoor shower was a big hit with the whole family. As well as, the side porch.
We prepared almost all of our meals together in the Uppowac kitchen and dined at the beautiful table.
So many memories were made here!

A few years ago I started noticing the peonies.

For whatever reason... I hadn't taken much notice of them before.

I grew up (simultaneously) in two different households ((that's a story for another time)). And neither side was much into flower gardens. I remeber lilacs and maybe a few tulips. But mostly flowers lived at my grandparents...
Or at other peoples homes.

Later on... Much later on... I went to visit my Aunt & Uncle in Ohio. At night we would push the stroller & walk the dog. We talked about things and we noticed all the flowers.
Honestly, it is the first time I remember really paying attention to the flowers.

Fast forward fifteen years and here I am.
I notice the flowers.
I make bouquets from the flowers in our yard.
I buy them at the farmers market & the stores.
I try my best to plant and water them.
And
once a year...
When the peonies bloom...
I photograph them like crazy.

I post most of those photos on my personal Instagram accout under the hashtag #dailydoseofpeonies

​And it makes me happy

im one of those people that dream.
Literally
I remember my dreams. They have a tendency to affect my emotions. I dream vividly, with depth, color, and plot twists.
People show up in my dreams, I relive memories. Sometimes I can't shake a dream.

A wise friend (who more accurately could be called my therapist) recently helped me to shake some particularly traumatic and hurtful dreams.
We broke them down and talked them through. & in the end she reminded me this...
sometimes A dream has underline meanings, sometimes it is your concious working things out AND sometimes... A dream, is just a dream.
​

so friends, I knew I wanted to post this blog.
But I kept struggling.
What is the deeper meaning, how do I connect these images with some deeper truth?
What IS the blog post about PEONIES about!?!

And then in hit me.
Maybe, like dreams.... Sometimes a blog post of beautiful flower images and a story..,, is just a blog post of that. Nothing deeper.
Just a bit of beauty. To be enjoyed, for the moment it is here.
Like the peonies themselves.