Five things I’m loving right now.

01. Flowers. Looking at them, dreaming of them, imagining a completely different sort of backyard and one that looks a little more unruly, wild like I live in England and wear wellies everywhere and have an enormous rambling cut flower garden and brick walls not terribly dissimilar to the Secret Garden complete with brick walls that roses of all types climb and bloom on. And, yes, in this dream I have an English accent, wear dresses to garden because, of course, and drink absurd amounts of tea. I feel like this is the first year since having kids that I really have the mental space for gardening. Prior to this year it felt like one of those lofty goals that I wanted to be ready for while also being pretty certain I’d just kill whatever I tried to grow. Plus, gardening, like so many hobbies, can be expensive. To buy and then kill was more than I could bear. I wanted to do it right and until I could, forget about it. Let me tell you, the little gardening I have done (little being egg cartons with seedlings that have yet to even sprout) has been a total joy-giver and such a nice distraction from current events. Hopefully this isn’t a passing quarantine-crazy fancy, but I made what is perhaps the most bougie order of my life and got three rose bushes from UK longtime rose-genius David Austin (thank you for the recommendation, Sylvia!) that I am going to nurture with the tenderness of a newborn baby. When my family goes on vacation, not I… I’ll be home tending the roses. No doubt they will be featured in their own post one day (assuming this goes well). Above photo from the folks at Floret Farm, which brings me to the question–do you have their books and are they as beautiful (but also useful) as I imagine them to be? The covers alone…

02. Hello, these meatballs. You already know that any recipe with an Asian flare is right up my alley. The most basic of thing with some ginger or sesame oil or cilantro or soy sauce (I have yet to convert to coconut aminos or some such healthier stand in for soy sauce and please don’t make me.) is made so delicious. These meatballs are going to be great, I know it, and I will say as much when they are!

03. This bathing suit top is so cool. Will it translate to real life? I feel like it might and I love it. (Also for the sun coverup feature — I’m always trying to be mindful of sunscreen, especially on my chest area. That can take a beating!)

04. The greenhouse at Michelle Cannon Smith’s home. I have taken a deep dive into her Instagram (and, subsequently, her blog) and I like her gardening philosophy. When focused too much on doing it the “right” way, all the joy is taken out of gardening. Trial and error! I’m taking that to heart, big time. Her highlights are useful for those looking to grow some food this spring/summer. Because of her, I have discovered what will be the second most bougie purchase of my life and it is this watering lance that I am tentatively asking for for Mother’s Day.

05. Related to numbers 1 and 4, is this site. My goodness was this a delight to stumble upon (enough that I texted it to a handful of friends who I knew would also love it). I would love virtually everything on it, but I suppose I would settle for a vase, and one of these adorable planters. Settle for, lol. But really, such nice picks for a special Mother’s Day something.