Saturday, May 8, 2010

charming gardeners


Let us be grateful to people
who make us happy,
they are the charming gardeners
who make our souls blossom.

Marcel Proust


If I had a single flower for every time I think about you,
I could walk forever in my garden. ~Claudia Ghandi

My little gardeners and me, November 4, 1986

78 comments:

  1. This is me with my pumpkins, the day after delivering a 10 lb 3 oz baby boy. Don't you love the 80s hair?

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  2. Not bad but you're more beautiful today!

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  3. I would rather love to see a nature picture like unbearable beauty. Thanks though

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  4. Hey, I knew I liked you, Mr. C.

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  5. Willow,
    10 lb 3oz !! I'm in pain just thinking about that.

    80's everything was scary, aside from the music. It redeems the hair .

    Happy Mother's Day to you.

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  6. Oh, do I remember that hair! You look very well put together for one day post-birth! I'm impressed. Make-up even! More commonalities between us: I, too, gave birth in 1986 to a boy and I have the same family configuration as you; boy, girl, boy.

    Happy Mother's Day to you. As Catalyst said, you're even more beautiful now.

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  7. smiles. thats just beautiful willow...happy mothers day!

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  8. A nice post of you and your gardeners. I like the thought of growing kids, even when they act like weeds once in a while.

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  9. Hello Willow,

    What a darling photograph and family of gardeners.

    Happy Mother's Day to you!

    Marjorie

    P.S. I remember that hair style. I so envied those who could wear it. Mine was always long, long and straight.

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  10. Larry, yeah, they can act like weeds. But only once in a while!

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  11. Marjorie, I always wanted long and straight. Do you remember rolling your hair on orange juice cans? Or heaven forbid, actually ironing it?

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  12. I like the hair, actually. I also like the expression on that lovely young girl's face. That's pure determination.

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  13. Grandpa, it's funny you mentioned our daughter's determined expression. She's 27 now, and if there is a world to be conquered, she will do it!

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  14. A beautiful shot; have a Happy Mother's Day, Willow. xa

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  15. What a great photo to match with the words! I hope that you have a happy Mother's day!

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  16. I love Proust, gardeners, and this wonderful family picture. Happy Mother's Day!

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  17. Great hair, indeed! Happy Mother's Day!

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  18. willow, the children are beautiful! and so is that lovely lady with the 'hair'...you've got so much to be thankful about!

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  19. Well, what a nice family photo this one is. Patty, as tiny as she was, had one or two over ten pounds. I think.

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  20. What wonderful quotes and what a delightful photograph, Willow. This is a very moving and inspiring post.

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  21. I see a lovely contented mother and her children, so delightful.
    You are all so truely beautiful.

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  22. I love photo of mom and kids...and the hair is just fine..for the 80's!
    Beautiful gardeners
    Did you say 10 lbs 3 oz!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    ouch

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  23. 10.3! I can't even imagine. ouch! what a beautiful family! Happy mothers day to you!

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  24. Yes, the feel that 80's hair. My mom had it, too.

    10lb 3 oz? That's a lot of baby!! Amazing grace, that's you!

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  25. The sweetest of the sweet Mother's Day treats ~ for all of us! You aging like a fine wine .......

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  26. LOVE this! And those lovely quotes. Happy Mother's Day.

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  27. This is so spooky dear Willow, I have almost identical pic in our album across the world. Me with the 3 younger boys, sitting on the sofa, cradling the new baby boy who weighed 10lb. 3ozs, as well, with the other 2 little cherubs trying to make a hasty retreat!! Except the year was 1983 & I was sporting the Farah Fawcett flicko hair, rather the curly Ms. Steisand look. Amazing co-incidence! Have the most fabulous day tomorrow,
    Millie ^_^

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  28. What a beautiful family Willow...Happy Mothers Day to you.
    Hope your special day is filled with all the love your heart can hold. Thank you for all the enjoyment you share here at the manor. Your little gardeners are truly blessed with a very talented mom. xo

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  29. Beautiful picture!

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  30. Happy Mother's Day! Your photo of you and the little ones is precious beyond words. Cute hair, make-up...are those print pants?

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  31. Blue Sky, yes, Laura Ashley print pants! Can you believe it? They look so funny now, don't they?

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  32. What a beautiful photo of you and your children...the day after giving birth...you are amazing.

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  33. Beautiful!...you are simply beautiful!

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  34. Willow--I actually DID set my hair in OJ cans, walked to school that way too, if you can imagine! And the ironing? I did that too! I grew up in the days of straight hair, blonde hair, and surfing so in order to fit in...(although I probably NEVER did!) Did you ever have gestational diabetes from carrying a large child? My sister got that with her boy.

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  35. A charming photograph! I had that hairstyle too Willow :-)

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  36. Beautiful picture! Happy Mother's Day!

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  37. I love the 80s everything! What darling children! And I think you look pretty darn good for having delivered a big old baby the day before!

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  38. Good morning dear blog friend,

    I like this post!! But 80's hair.... mayby not ;)

    I've said it before, but I'm so glad about our cyber friendship, and yes, your blog is still fantastic!

    Thank you for nice comments on my blog!

    Lots of love from,
    Agneta, in a gray and rainy Sweden

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  39. Willow, gonna take this perfect opportunity to wish you a HAPPY MAMACITA day!! and to thank you for that Proust quote....I loved it so much I *nicked* it (English expression your prob already know for *stole it*) and posted it on my f'book wall - toooo perfect!

    Your pumpkins are an adorable patch to live in :>]]

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  40. Happy Mothers Day Willow - that was quite the feat giving birth to a baby that size, pumpkin is right. Gonna love the hair what were we thinking back then?
    Pumpkin -- eyeball I am still pondering on the eyeball thing.
    Joanny

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  41. Hi Willow
    What a sweet photo! love the 80s style :)

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  42. We must be psychic twins! Honestly, the L.A. pants, the hair a la mousse and hairspray, the whistfull pensive look even with a 10 lber ib lap + 2 boys and 1 girl...charming children! Except you are so petite; and I am was not so tiny after that. No gestational diabetes just HUMONGOUS kids due to large husband. I think the 80's culture club was another London calling the punk invasion, Lady Diana's wedding, her hair and the Marks and Spencer; Crabtree and Evelyn sensibility; chintz pants and chinz tops with matching chinz vest. All clashing! (Wouldnt know where the garden began and where I left off; I'll show you later). I was drawn to the 80's music as well; still love it. Joe King Carasco and the Crowns, Dire Straits, Blondie, BeeGees, The Clash, Cyndi Lauper, etc, etc. The Proust quote so powerfully apt for mommy's day. Happy Mother's Day to All Moms! You're the Best!!!

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  43. Lovely post. Also, just got caught up on your blog and I'm a HUGE Thin Man fan although, nothing beats the first Thin Man. They could re make it today and not change one comma of dialogue and it would play just as well.

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  44. Lovely post. Also, just got caught up on your blog and I'm a HUGE Thin Man fan although, nothing beats the first Thin Man. They could re make it today and not change one comma of dialogue and it would play just as well.

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  45. What a beautiful family. Willow, you are looking a bit like Debra Winger in that photo and frankly, considering what you'd been up to the day before, you look amazing!!!!

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  46. Lovely photograph, Willow. Nice sentiments too.

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  47. Happy Mother's Day Willow!

    Did you say 10 lb 3 oz? Yipes!

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  48. What a handsome crew! Happy Mother's Day, Willow!
    :) The Bach

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  49. I guess it must be Mother's Day, Willow, in which case I hope you have a very happy one indeed.

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  50. This is a darling photo of the four of you.
    You kind of remind me of Melanie Griffith in "Nine to Five"...only prettier : )
    Have a Happy Mother's Day!

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  51. Oh, that movie wasn't "Nine to Five"...it was "Working Girl" : )

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  52. What a beautiful picture of the mum with the latest addition and the two previous ones. You are just as beautiful now you know - you've kept your looks.

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  53. A very nice photo andyou look great for only one day after! A great Mother's Day tribute with the quotes.....

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  54. A lovely family photo. Now 24 years later you show do a similar pose with the kids so we can see how they have changed.

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  55. Ouch, 10 lbs 3 oz. He's a beauty as are the other two pumpkins. What a sweet family photo... I kind of miss that big 80's hair :)

    Have a wonderful mother's day, Willow.

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  56. Yes, the hair is extra special
    but you look most relaxed.
    I'm impressed.
    Happy Mother's Day!

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  57. Lovely mother and children photo. So glad you posted this. I think everyone agrees you continue to be beautiful inside and out. Happy Mothers Day to you!

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  58. Fortunate indeed, this lovely bouquet.. 10 lbs!, and so beautiful the day after!!
    You were made for big hair..Happy Mother's Day!!

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  59. Happy, Happy Mother's Day to you, Willow!

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  60. Happy Mother's Day!

    What a great picture and you look amazing for having just given birth the day before.

    I'm still recovering and my daughter will be 9 years on May 20!

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  61. Happy Mothers Day Willow! A very special photo here..thank you for sharing it with us! Have a wonderful day, beautiful lady!

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  62. Your hair looks beautiful!...and there's nothing better than Laura Ashley- may she rest in peace. I wish she was still around and designing clothes. My sister had just spent hours choosing some Laura Ashley dresses only to have them stolen from her car in Los Angeles. She was crestfallen but we all had to laugh picturing the robber taking his loot home and announcing "Look, Laura Ashley"!

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  63. happy mother's day. adorable pumpkins and lovely mother.

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  64. WHOA! 10 lbs 3 oz!!!
    Happy Mother's Day Willow!



    AND, yes, I love the hair! ROCKIN'!

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  65. ....well not quite juice cans but I tried several ways to get curls and now realize I was meant to have straight, very straight hair!!

    Lovely pic Willow - it all seems like a dream when we look back at old photos with our kids so little - where have those years gone?

    I'm off on my safari Wed. Very excited, little bit scared!!
    Hugs - Mary

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  66. hapy mother's day willow. family is everything. steven

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  67. A perfect post. And happy mother's day!

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  68. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  69. That is an absolutely beautiful photograph - and most suited for the occasion.

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  70. A belated Happy Mother's Day Willow!

    Lovely photo and quotes.

    Jeanne
    x

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  71. That's a charming pic! Hope you had a wonderful Mom's Day with your family.

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  72. Very nice post ties in to mothers day. Do you have grand pumpkins now? :) Thanks for visiting my crazy blog.

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  73. Hey, Fox, no grand-pumpkins here. All three are still very unattached.

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  74. So, where are the shoulder pads?
    Nice pic.

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)