I was Thrilled and so Was My Back
This week has been all about weeds. Pulling weeds. Tugging weeds. Thinking about weeds. Dreaming about weeds.
But then…
I pulled the last weed this week. (Well, at least for now.) I was so excited that I texted my sister to share it with someone because that was a victory for me and my back! That’s a big accomplishment, especially at this time of year. Our garden weeds grow like they’re training for the Garden Olympics. I’ve noticed they are bigger and stronger, or maybe I’m just getting older, and my finger dexterity isn’t quite what it used to be. But they are gone until next week!
Even the Irises and Stars of Bethlehem were just as happy, as they bloomed after the creeping charlie was gone.
Nostalgic Feelings
While pulling weeds outside, I found myself working in flower gardens my mother planted over 50 years ago. Some flowers have changed over the years, but some things are still familiar, like the Stars of Bethlehem. She was the one who planted those.
I caught myself feeling nostalgic once again while making White Turkey Chili in the kitchen.
I’m cooking in the kitchen I grew up in and tending to gardens my mother planted over 50 years ago. That’s something I never would have imagined years ago. Many of my life lessons were learned right here in the “House That Built Me.” ~Miranda Lambert
“Childhood memories are timeless treasures of the heart.” ~anonymous
Dad often sat at this very table, eating Mom’s meals. She was a wonderful cook, but he also read his mail here. I really miss both of them. That’s Mom’s hutch. It used to always be in the dining room. We brought it in here, and we got a very similar hutch for the dining room. Many evenings, I sat on the floor talking on the phone as the avocado-green phone hung on the wall, right where the hutch is today. Oh, the memories!
Currently, I have more green tones in the kitchen. Those are Mom’s green bowls on the window ledge. She would love that I incorporated some of her things throughout our home. She loved the colors green and yellow. I love color, any color. It shows!
“Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions.” ~Pablo Picasso
The Weather
After several warm days, the temperatures suddenly dropped again, and the furnace came back on after we had already used the air conditioning. Pennsylvania weather likes to keep us guessing this time of year. We also had many rainy, windy days, so I stayed inside and finally finished unpacking. I am not fond of packing or unpacking!
The sun is back, so I hope to get my Porch painted this week and decorate my potting bench. I am going to change up the potting bench and hope to show you next week. I also am going to go to the local nurseries to buy some flowers for the patio and yard. Stay tuned!
Jazz Concert
My gal pals and I had a girls’ night out—dinner and a jazz concert. We went to a local spot and enjoyed their fish fry. Afterward, we visited a nearby church with fabulous acoustics in its auditorium. We listened to the local high school’s jazz band. They were great. It felt good to support them. And once again, I was filled with sweet memories, recalling all the concerts I listened to when my oldest son played in the high school concert band and marching band.
Ask Nancy
The last few posts I did not have this feature. Today I am bringing it back.
What High School Activities Were You In?
I was a cheerleader for football and wrestling all four years of high school. I enjoyed cheering very much. We got to go to all the games and matches. What fun we all had! Our wrestling teams had many All-State champions. Wrestling was very popular in this area and still is.
I was also in track, ski club, and art club. Track wasn’t my favorite, but I stuck it out for 2 seasons. We skied at a local ski run. I enjoyed cross-country more than downhill. I want to do that again one day and snowshoe. The art club was what the teacher taught us beyond art class. Painting, pottery and different crafts. I am going to my 50th High School reunion in July! Wow!
Thank You
I hope everyone had a fantastic Memorial Day Weekend, full of good times with family and friends, celebrating the freedom we hold dear. A special thanks to those who made the ultimate sacrifice to make it all possible.
Linking up with these parties.
©Nancy and Two Trails One Road, 2015-2026. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nancy and Two Trails One Road with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Please do not reblog. Thank you!
If you run out of weeds, come on up because I haven’t started on mine yet. 🙂 House looks beautiful, and I hope you have a wonderful reunion in July.
Thanks, Judy! And sorry, I am all weeded out! I took 7 bags to the street for the garbage man today. Lots of leaves as well.
Enjoy your weekend. The sun finally came out.
What a fun post to read! I feel you with the weeding and the weather!! I guess we can’t do anything about the latter but we sure can toil regarding the former :). Aww, I loved reading about your cottage and the memories therein. The Miranda Lambert song brings tears to my eyes every time that I hear it even though my dad didn’t build the house that I grew up in. Still those memories from childhood times in a house where love abounded are really special. I love that you get to live in your childhood home for part of the year. Like Miranda, I’d love just a look around in my own childhood home. Yours is just lovely!
Hello Happy Maria! School’s out for summer! Yahoooo!
Thank you for all the love. It is very special to live in my childhood home. Now with that said, sweet man and I had a lot of work for several years to bring this place up to date yet keep the vintage feels. We are finally living here instead of working here when we come back for the summer.
It makes me happy that you enjoyed this post. Thank you!
Enjoy your first week off!
Nancy, the charm and warmth of your childhood home and kitchen wrapped around me like a hug. I loved hearing your memories and seeing the touches that made it feel so welcoming and full of love. Homes like that leave an imprint on our hearts forever. So glad you got your weeds under control…isn’t it amazing how weeds thrive, even in our drought! Wishing you a wonderful week ahead.💛🏡
Oh Mary, you made my day! Your kindness touched my heart. Thank you for all the love!
I sure hope you got some of that rain that was moving across the nation to the East.
Enjoy your week as well, my friend.
Garden Olympics….hilarious. That’s a good feeling though.
XOOX
Jodie
Hi there, sweet Jodie! Thank you for coming over!
xxoo
Wasn’t that cute. I need to put it in my writing journal – or maybe my newsletter.
Lol!! 💪
Nancy I believe those memories are what shapes us and the values our parents gave us as the ‘older’ generation. I fear many of the younger people these days have not had those basics taught to them and it is a shame….because it is not their fault but rather a neglect of parental care.
Weeds!!! the bane of my existence! LOL They can grow anywhere without assistance of fertilizing, feeding or watering. I always marvel at one coming up through my solid concrete driveway. Really??? Alas, they find that one tiny, tiny crevasse or crack and bingo!…a star is borne to take center stage and be seen above all else anytime one traverses the driveway. There it remains…always on my mind, until I relent and finally attempt to release it from its firm grip in the concrete. ( I do believe it has extra little hands and feet that cling fiercely to the underside of the concrete, refusing to leave it’a ‘nest’. ) But as you know, never fear, because it will return. LOL Have a great and wonderful week.
Oh, Kari, you made me giggle! I know what you’re talking about. Those darn weeds!
Thanks always for stopping by and sharing all your kindness.
Happy Tuesday!
Your childhood home is so charming, Nancy 💚🏡💚. I too have been remembering so many memories this Memorial Day Weekend…so many happy days and sweet people come to mind as they have shared treasured flowers and bulbs with us way back from when we first moved in to our then new home…
We have been busy setting up the patio and back yard for summer. The lilacs have bloomed (gifted from our parents yards over 50 years ago) and Lilly of the Valley along the back of the house (from my sweet sister in law over 40 years ago for my birthday) as well as many gifted trees, bushes, and flowers, all so dear, as most of these gift givers have now passed away. And a happy little birdhouse now hangs in one of the apple trees…a sweet gift from our grandchildren this past Mother’s Day❣️ We are looking forward to planting some flowers in our flowerpots pretty soon…
Your reunion of 50 years in July should be so much fun…lots more memories!!
Hello, sweet Sue! You know exactly how I feel. You are describing our yard—very similar flowers, bushes, and jobs.
Thank you for your visit. It’s always so good to hear from you! Enjoy your week working in the yard.
Nancy, I feel your pain pulling weeds, my least favorite gardening chore. We finally have received rain and the weeds responded in full force. I love that you are the keeper of the garden that your beloved mother planted over 50 years ago. That iris and Stars of Bethlehem are beautiful! The white turkey chili looks delicious. I also love that your summer home is your childhood home. I am very sentimental and your home warms my heart because of all the memories that you have and the ones that you are making. Sweet Man’s coffee table is a lovely work of art and I always love seeing it the colorful sunroom. I too, am a huge fan of color. Your gal pals look like a fun group.
I was in a high school (10-12th grades) with 1600 students. I was involved in several activities and clubs. My favorite was being a member of the Velvetones, a boys and girls choir that received several state awards. I have always loved music, singing and playing piano.
Thank you for this sweet post. It stirred up some of my memories from long ago. Happy Tuesday, my friend!
Awe… sweet memories! How we love them and how we keep them in our hearts. I forgot! I was in the choir too, but we did not win any awards. lol!!
Thank you for all the love today. Enjoy your week ahead working in your beautiful gardens!
Lovely post, Nancy. Concocted chili is best. I often put what’s on hand to make green chile stew.
Oh, I bet that is delicious, Tim. We go to a BBQ place in Camp Verde, AZ, that makes wonderful green chili burritos.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Tim. Enjoy the week ahead.
I’m enjoying your homegrown Pennsylvania happiness! From your mother’s flowers, furniture, and glassware the memories are the best! Enjoy your 50th class reunion and time spent with your besties!
Thank you Mary! I so appreciate your kindness.
Oh….that live edge coffee table…I’ve seen a few of those but yours is extra fabulous with the opening on one side. So special! And thanks for the giggle about the avocado green phone. I remember, I remember. Sending love and hugs…hoping for a weed reprieve….for your back’s sake! xo, Nancy Lou! 💝😊💝
I am getting that weed reprieve. I get to see my grandson this weekend!
Thanks for all the love, Vicki Lou! xxoo
Hi,
Oh I loved this post. I understand the last weed in the bucket, until…. next week. Hee Hee! Our iris will bloom this week, I cannot wait to see their beauty. They are a favorite of mine.
I love the live edge coffee table. It is beautiful. Our son Sam made an end table for us, from a knot of a tree.
I loved the jazz concert and memories.
Have a great new week.
Carla
Thank you so much for your sweet comments! I love Irises too! What colors do you have?
Enjoy your weekend!
Your cottage is very similar to mine in feel (not so much physically!). But mom is all over the place and dad, too. So many memories and each one is special. I love your kitchen. So cheerful — and that tablecloth is the best! Weeding — I think I did something to my back. Three cheers on making it through with yours!
The memories are the best. It’s how I make it through all the weeding!
Thanks for all the love! Enjoy your week ahead.
Isn’t it funny how the weather has bounced around this year? It seems it has been that way all over the U.S. I finally decided a week ago that the warm temperatures were here to stay. I put away my winter and transitional clothes…BAM! The temps dropped again–not as low as they could have and not for very long, but the change was enough to make me chuckle. As always, Nancy, I enjoyed your post and pictures. When I open my email and see one that starts with “Tuesday,” I get a lift knowing I get a visit with you. Have a great week!
You just made my day! I am so glad you enjoy my Tuesday Tidbits. Thank you so much.
Enjoy your week ahead my friend.
Such lovely iris blooms! Our weather has been much like yours; I feel like I keep switching between heat and air conditioning since it’s either in the mid 80’s/90’s or it’s 50 with not much in between.
Crazy weather! Thanks for the visit! And thanks for the linky party!
I’m pulling weeds this week too! But I don’t think I can EVER say I’ve gotten them all. We have some pesky clover-type weeds under some shrubs. They are a darkish maroon color that blends into the color of the soil. Annoying! I’m glad you got all you weeds pulled and your back survived! Have a great week, Nancy!
Thank you my friend! And I feel your pain over those weeds!
Hi Nancy, You have the most adorable posts. We have some garden olympics going on behind our house where the city is supposed to keep things weeded. They usually wait until the weeds are nearly 5 feet tall. I love your cute AI closing piture. So you! The coffee table Sweet Man made is gorgeous. I also loved the story of your mom’s kitchen We had an avacado phone in the kitchen with a very long cord that would reach to about half the house. Fun memories! 🙂 xxx
As I got older and became a teenager, Mom had a short cord. I think purposely to listen to my conversations. 🙂
Thanks for the visit! I’ll be thinking of you come June!
Thanks, my thoughts immediately went to, “What? Am I planning a trip out there?” LOL
Nancy, love that you can still enjoy your family home and items your mom kept, including the garden flowers. Oh, those weeds! I just came in from weeding. We had 7 straight days of rain, and those weeds (esp those wild violets) are SO much easier to pull when the ground is good and damp. Night out with friends is the best medicine (and a great way to avoid unpacking!)
You speak the truth!
I hope your gardening and weeding go well. Thank you, Rita, for visiting. It’s always so good to hear from you. Enjoy the weekend!
Good for you in getting all those weeds pulled, Nancy!! I texted two of my sons that like to garden and I bragged about myself in transplanting a shrub, and planting a new one, trimming a rose bush, and planting some herbs and flowers.
I love the memories you have of your mom and dad and seeing some of their things. Don’t we always miss them? Your coffee table is just so pretty that Sweet Man made, and you and your girlfriends are too cute! I look forward to seeing your creations next week.
P. S. I was a cheerleader, too, and my late beloved hubby was captain of the football team. 😊
Such precious memories you have! And we both have gardening stories. How fun!
Thanks for stopping by sweet friend. Enjoy your weekend!
Such a wonderful post full of cherished memories, Nancy! How special to cook in your family home and pull weeds in the garden. Maybe some of those weeds have roots that go back 50 years? 😉
Our 50-yr reunion is in 2 years. Wow…
The kitchen looks cozy and I love green and yellow. That live edge table looks amazing! Thanks for sharing your fond memories and beautiful home, my friend! Sorry I was delayed in reading and commenting. Enjoy your weekend!
Never worry about being delayed, dear Terri. We all have busy lives. Thank you for all the love! Happy June!
Happy June!
Awesome post Nancy! Loved it!! Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks so much, Kirt!
Nancy, such a sweet post full of precious memories. Love hearing about your childhood memories. The coffee table is so awesome. So glad you got the weeds under control. Wishing you a beautiful upcoming summer. Hugs
Thank you so much Linda. They are wonderful memories! Happy June!