When we moved in, the homes on either side of us were still well loved by their original owners.  In fact, we became very close to Miss J (she was kind of a fixture in our day) and we were all saddened when she passed away a while back. If you’ll remember, the big mirror in our family office came right out of her foyer.  It makes me smile every time I see it.  But I digress…

A while back both houses changed hands and we anxiously awaited the first sight of the families that would move in.  Both underwent extensive renovations and the boys and I peered out the windows daily trying to get a peek of the new neighbors.  Of course we all had our little superficial wish lists… a mom “just like me” (ie. in the same stage of life), a dad that loves golf (I called Honey at work… I think I spy GOLF CLUBS!), two little boys that would go to the same school and be in the same grades, and so on.  Well, as it turns out, we landed neighbors we never really thought to wish for.  And boy did we hit the jackpot!!  While neither have littles anywhere near the ages of ours (teens – babysitters! – and college aged), we couldn’t have asked for nicer, more authentic families to share our block.  We immediately hit it off – all three families – and Honey and I know that we have a long future of friendship, golf, porch dinners, morning power walks, can you get my mail/water my plants/lend me an egg/pick up my kid/feed my pup years ahead.

Beyond all of the typical neighborly things, I can honestly say that both of these women have helped me out in ways they are likely unaware of.  I realized very early on that perhaps I have plenty of friends that are “just like me”.  The simple fact that they are just a teeny bit ahead of me is truly monumental and something I never even thought to nurture.  They’ve been there.  They have perspective.  And they convey these things in the gentlest, most unassuming way.  What a blessing!

Now, I have REALLY digressed from what I set out to share today. Over the last few weeks, we have been sharing the fruits of our garden labors.  And it’s wonderful!!!  It all started with a text from neighbor M saying that her gardenias were going crazy and we should come cut some.  Well, that got me thinking that my hydrangeas were doing the same.  So I offered them up.  And now I’ve been able to grace my rooms with wonderful summer white arrangements straight from our gardens.  It just doesn’t get any better than that!

The gardenias smell heavenly.  I floated a few in little bowls in the kitchen and bedroom, but couldn’t resist a vase in the den even though it only lasted a couple of days.  I mean, I could practically stuff them up my nose I love the scent so much.

My annabelle hydrangeas are gigantic and I honestly can’t keep up!  Like the gardenias, they don’t last long, but having a few bouquets inside is just wonderful.  Every time I come in the office I think “I grew that.  I actually grew that!”