Happy Birthday, Mr. Darcy! | An Everyday Occasion

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kij4TPUyGXQmjrCeWGmQ2dasvkSSd9t_07c9ZqerR5-4a-XZuGw8xll9HPhI7h1SbzXjbJgMIq4RyfWHwi65vma2iDWieitsrFRoz_ykOUt1HftF9YJXKDt0baxFvlvbpMF53DAAPmEe/s1600/IMG_0500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kij4TPUyGXQmjrCeWGmQ2dasvkSSd9t_07c9ZqerR5-4a-XZuGw8xll9HPhI7h1SbzXjbJgMIq4RyfWHwi65vma2iDWieitsrFRoz_ykOUt1HftF9YJXKDt0baxFvlvbpMF53DAAPmEe/s1600/IMG_0500.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXy6KLrousCoqTY7cYcNWmT49ufVkcS-8jt8gBt6oiKRXxbQaoWYMvERGU4NyF-fFyAVJonr24reYoszDEGZBnocxu13pyTKY8iIp1AteDRH09akhQCIUfbLQWboI1Bgq2G3XvxvT1ASif/s1600/IMG_0507.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXy6KLrousCoqTY7cYcNWmT49ufVkcS-8jt8gBt6oiKRXxbQaoWYMvERGU4NyF-fFyAVJonr24reYoszDEGZBnocxu13pyTKY8iIp1AteDRH09akhQCIUfbLQWboI1Bgq2G3XvxvT1ASif/s1600/IMG_0507.jpg" width="296" /></a>This blog is all about "everyday" occasions.  For me, that means trying to make everyday special in some way or another - a yummy dinner, creative play after school, a special candle with morning coffee, cute baked treats for friends, picnic lunches or impromptu parties.  These are the little things, that add up to a lot for our life. </div><br />And, yes, these sort of things to take some time and effort - on which we're all short, I know.  I always chuckle when people that say they're soooo busy - too busy.  Everyone is busy.  Period.  Everyone has a full plate - hopefully.  Being busy is the blessing of a full life.  But I attempt not to let that busy-ness get overwhelming... sometimes it is a losing battle, but I do try none-the-less. <br /><br />It can be easy to forget to be in control of our lives - we do all have choices.  We all have the ability to make each day what we want it to be.  Everyday.  Being in control of our lives and taking responsibility for the satisfaction we are getting out of our lives, is, well... up to us.  Everyday.  For me, it is creating little everyday opportunities like these impromptu celebrations that remind me to put down my phone, get to that email later, let the bedtime routine go for a night and take some time to have fun.  <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrJXRB5sK2Tr7uMzFh4entj059OA8zSpTOeZ5AtnweF1FjTrpCkVSfCsG0HjQAU5p0fMBSP0GdBkrfR8u5xz56AYaR3opPmZK-SA-ePtt-1XTzvlpMVXGfrOj4yx1FEfN3iB-PIUtEzt8/s1600/IMG_0496.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrJXRB5sK2Tr7uMzFh4entj059OA8zSpTOeZ5AtnweF1FjTrpCkVSfCsG0HjQAU5p0fMBSP0GdBkrfR8u5xz56AYaR3opPmZK-SA-ePtt-1XTzvlpMVXGfrOj4yx1FEfN3iB-PIUtEzt8/s1600/IMG_0496.jpg" width="426" /></a> I know most of the "occasions" I post here are particularly planned and photographed with perfection in mind, but I wanted to show you what a normal everyday occasion looks like at our house, too.  I try to give myself a break sometimes and just to something easy and fun.  It might not be magazine worthy - but it doesn't have to be.  Not all of the time, anyway ; ) <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Look at that smile.   My Mr.<br /><br />I don't talk about <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/04/everyday-living-well-everyday-mr-darcy.html">Mr. Darcy</a> on here as much as I should, or as much as I used to, but take comfort that he is still such a big part of our everyday - mine especially.  <br /><br />Many people joked that he would take back seat when we had kids, but for us that hasn't been true.  It <i>is</i> true that my time is more divided than it used to be, but he's still my special boy - and is slowly becoming the same for Emma.  He and I go on walks every morning, and he is my sounding board during the day... my only full-time employee.  Mike always says he'd love for me to record our "conversations"...  <br /><br />I love how excited Emma was to throw Darcy a party and shower him with gifts and love.  We took a special shopping trip after school to pick out his treats and a new toy.  She picked out a shark - thought he'd love it.  And some "bubble-bites."  If you get that reference, you are also the Mom or Grandma of a toddler.  I love giving gifts and I love instilling that joy in Emma, too.  <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qK5B_Qg1zM4euAIiVKmd6YRsJigYvzVE9hyF8exZCbv6meI0Jc6ELZj4VFmXHT0X8xJ53_wr3MDHrvZ8QrUsuceU6n75sCPAvdFlk6Rmm_s2tYHQbJsnTBujdBTFRIt4qUMUgCZ5oRJj/s1600/IMG_0499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qK5B_Qg1zM4euAIiVKmd6YRsJigYvzVE9hyF8exZCbv6meI0Jc6ELZj4VFmXHT0X8xJ53_wr3MDHrvZ8QrUsuceU6n75sCPAvdFlk6Rmm_s2tYHQbJsnTBujdBTFRIt4qUMUgCZ5oRJj/s1600/IMG_0499.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk4Zi-WEEA86xyWyrx4hyphenhyphen1xQDSu3AHXHMsyWP7kSAQ4XoeoBtE0yygwYZlJNPyBjURgaGH6Kx5kYl9jdMZ0pe1IucDwfol-44IBlJyPz4qeO1yEBM0G_4B90gAe5TXMzFmQfiWWF70PyUv/s1600/IMG_0495.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk4Zi-WEEA86xyWyrx4hyphenhyphen1xQDSu3AHXHMsyWP7kSAQ4XoeoBtE0yygwYZlJNPyBjURgaGH6Kx5kYl9jdMZ0pe1IucDwfol-44IBlJyPz4qeO1yEBM0G_4B90gAe5TXMzFmQfiWWF70PyUv/s1600/IMG_0495.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>I like to think that I can always make something out of nothing.  Besides the treats and gift for D, we didn't spend any extra money on the party.  Just a little digging around in my ribbon scraps and the freezer...<br /><br />Each time I make cupcakes, I throw a couple in a freezer bag- we never need an entire batch of cupcakes sitting around this house... somebody (like me) is always willing to eat them.  It is nice to have them for a late night snack (just a couple of seconds in the microwave), or moments like this when you need a last minute dessert.<br /><br />So, in about 10 minutes we made some icing (Emma thought Darcy would like red with sprinkles) and we had a festive birthday dessert.  It was refreshing for a dessert project to only take 10 minutes and only one bowl to wash... besides cleaning the sprinkles off of the floor.  As, you can see, we used leftover candles from Mimi's birthday.  Mr. didn't mind a bit.    <br /><br />And just so you know, I had planned to make homemade doggy treats for him, but my day got crazy, and instead of trying to fit it in, I just let it go and went out and bought him a doggy cupcake.  Sometimes it is about knowing when to surrender that can keep you sane... and not "soooo" busy all of the time.<br /><br />We also had another very special treat for D's birthday...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4_QuY-wGefFLA8xzJvxZ2pcHb1wVeOaEkhIRdqYhYA4WGo141eFVOOb16mE55u5AX0i7rebtYdi1E3EGRuHFDSwNf0ypOYcaWS3X_VWGeLdHTDigbWzYFIs6FG5Np4im7Fj1W6bf7M1n/s1600/IMG_0514.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4_QuY-wGefFLA8xzJvxZ2pcHb1wVeOaEkhIRdqYhYA4WGo141eFVOOb16mE55u5AX0i7rebtYdi1E3EGRuHFDSwNf0ypOYcaWS3X_VWGeLdHTDigbWzYFIs6FG5Np4im7Fj1W6bf7M1n/s1600/IMG_0514.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />It is Morel Mushroom season again - well, at least it was last week.  My parents found a ton at their farm this year.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3FaPrU9gLaooshyphenhyphenMjU0kiwKTs7rmWoKSsgvdx1hTpu-XvQEcklScZL3mgdM1KPifx4cnU0dr6W-ED6bi-USD41JZwjCGsHmygRxj1gutS870piFP89BCKeiKotm_nLMuLw7ZTY_IRnat/s1600/IMG_0511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3FaPrU9gLaooshyphenhyphenMjU0kiwKTs7rmWoKSsgvdx1hTpu-XvQEcklScZL3mgdM1KPifx4cnU0dr6W-ED6bi-USD41JZwjCGsHmygRxj1gutS870piFP89BCKeiKotm_nLMuLw7ZTY_IRnat/s1600/IMG_0511.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_z_otmD6w5EovPkSc28yykVR_LGtyjGL5vsLpVp9bPu7FbV1onNv5ALEmzOxkYHZJ8hxEW8s7dZX6c3bEUIzl5z7vTB8ycXCkyvl70XmZTKtGnd4vH-JR277nHyjM4BnprEwh4diOfob/s1600/IMG_0515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_z_otmD6w5EovPkSc28yykVR_LGtyjGL5vsLpVp9bPu7FbV1onNv5ALEmzOxkYHZJ8hxEW8s7dZX6c3bEUIzl5z7vTB8ycXCkyvl70XmZTKtGnd4vH-JR277nHyjM4BnprEwh4diOfob/s1600/IMG_0515.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3qNtSrKgd_cR9NyfEx-hX0-buavei6FzZfKWyjEy3Lo7W3FkEbJtIiAIv3cPIArHK0F9Yhy9vwzDMzJZQ5DN14vf5NMwwtQEOfuMN1vp71SmMVKWMt-yJzV7nKxlN4IVO8qPuf7FHb0X/s1600/IMG_0517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Around here, the classic way to serve these is fried in a heavy batter.  The last couple of years, I've made <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/09/an-ode-to-granny-cream-of-morel.html">Cream of Morel Soup</a>, and the <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2013/04/pan-fried-chicken-with-morel-mushroom.html">Chicken and Morels</a>.  <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This year, I tried a little something different and fried them in a tempura beer batter and served them with a creamy horseradish dip.  <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />They turned out really great.   I used the same tempura recipe that I used for these <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/06/homemade-beer-battered-onion-rings.html">Onion Rings</a> a couple of years ago - a little spice, a little beer and a little flour. <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKmL_ut0eUulDzzWmXTPCUqP85gZnCNlvjVQeivB73e5xjD6bi0PlXdvCUPRHqgueLwVYggxe2ixHQ3-x9xn15EiA7dseg7GqWUl7Q11-cCds-a8CmgLKL5fLrX42l2EMrehZXVaCvhWi/s1600/IMG_0517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKmL_ut0eUulDzzWmXTPCUqP85gZnCNlvjVQeivB73e5xjD6bi0PlXdvCUPRHqgueLwVYggxe2ixHQ3-x9xn15EiA7dseg7GqWUl7Q11-cCds-a8CmgLKL5fLrX42l2EMrehZXVaCvhWi/s1600/IMG_0517.jpg" width="426" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We still have some left over, but I'll need to use them in the next day or two... anyone have a good recipe?  I've seen a crostini with leeks and ricotta cheese that looked great.  <br /><br /><br />Here's Emma getting in on some of the battering action.  She's really becoming an active helper in the kitchen.  Still a huge mess-maker, but so am I.  We call that being "creative" in the kitchen around here : )<br /><br /><br /><br />

Happy Birthday, Mr. Darcy! | An Everyday Occasion

This blog is all about "everyday" occasions.  For me, that means trying to make everyday special in some way or another - a yummy ...

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Flashback : Lilac Season | Mr. Darcy Stopping to Smell the Flowers | Lilacs in Concord, Ma.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjij_YSgNj_t8HDmYdNc1U3qyYyG_XFby2HBInMyN35Y3vHBwHvrttByG_cFqUVhqxKfIBEt3IXbskBTclvrYTFlHHdu8EMWS6PPzWn9OA3_ODLDa0Iyb-thegxTPGPwTPWiZQMwYf5dEWP/s1600/IMG_9586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjij_YSgNj_t8HDmYdNc1U3qyYyG_XFby2HBInMyN35Y3vHBwHvrttByG_cFqUVhqxKfIBEt3IXbskBTclvrYTFlHHdu8EMWS6PPzWn9OA3_ODLDa0Iyb-thegxTPGPwTPWiZQMwYf5dEWP/s640/IMG_9586.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>**This was a post I posted last Spring... enjoy the lilacs!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwsJekBtuuXbpJE95-jcGlK3CBm1TxrtJEYl7YtGXPnMwht7O1-0I4zuZozZwSFzteREXO_Cq0mcJ36lWaddeRxpD-iEOMJnAilyRRMISimO5WrrhZ4dP_spWkrKzV-LMr852DemFpIGa/s1600/IMG_9622.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwsJekBtuuXbpJE95-jcGlK3CBm1TxrtJEYl7YtGXPnMwht7O1-0I4zuZozZwSFzteREXO_Cq0mcJ36lWaddeRxpD-iEOMJnAilyRRMISimO5WrrhZ4dP_spWkrKzV-LMr852DemFpIGa/s320/IMG_9622.jpg" width="240" /></a> Today, on our morning walk, Mr. Darcy and I decided to stop and smell the flowers.  He was attracted to the pansies and pussy willows at the Mainstreet Cafe, while I was drawn to the lilacs.  I've been meaning to photograph the lilacs for a week or so, but the weather hasn't been cooperating.  With rain in the forcast for the next five days, I decided to just go for it.   <br /><br /><br />Concord, being an old town settled in the 1635, has many old neighborhood streets and homes that remain from the Colonial and Victorian era.  Lilacs were especially popular in the Victorian era and were a staple in landscape and garden design.  In today's landscapes,  they seem to have lost their popularity, unfortunately.    </div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvy-Sna8foau3Rm97R8Uu9b2jsrK02SHWxf26wZA_SgcXcQG20mCgazmUm-bOZuHHyYazSaCaO7XA9yTqQNKqytJ9pPd5edt00yXDJWDrsS5fMlr1RDcL9IsJnNw2OZabNLcakEjUxHxEZ/s1600/IMG_9595.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvy-Sna8foau3Rm97R8Uu9b2jsrK02SHWxf26wZA_SgcXcQG20mCgazmUm-bOZuHHyYazSaCaO7XA9yTqQNKqytJ9pPd5edt00yXDJWDrsS5fMlr1RDcL9IsJnNw2OZabNLcakEjUxHxEZ/s640/IMG_9595.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><br />Look at this glorious hedge - I can't imagine how old it must be.<br /><br />In the past, gardens were more seasonal than they are today - groves of cherry trees, hedges of lilac berries, and cutting gardens full of tulips and peonies.  Now, landscapes are designed to be 'maintenance free' and look good all year long.  While this might seem smart in our busy lives, I think everyone is missing out on enjoying the short blooming times of each seasonal flower.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEyy9z5CIwx_0o7VopfwZ0ogaIBUBVUEBPlx-zoOdu-1ELLv3sXbPtu4C6hfzey7z9AQ9yHB5adhlDpVT8B4-QFS7vCrK5bmsnH1fiz1WAC2g-3WTH5th_9IvB0CDK8USZVVr9DrQ2tQR/s1600/IMG_9572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEyy9z5CIwx_0o7VopfwZ0ogaIBUBVUEBPlx-zoOdu-1ELLv3sXbPtu4C6hfzey7z9AQ9yHB5adhlDpVT8B4-QFS7vCrK5bmsnH1fiz1WAC2g-3WTH5th_9IvB0CDK8USZVVr9DrQ2tQR/s640/IMG_9572.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />This light pink lilac is so sweet peaking through the picket fence.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbu632ahT3wvNjvlQ3Zj4MCHi1ZcmnJ9OYxYjcubw49HYwP7G9s8f5WQrVdag5M1wWt2O7pTqYamtcVsfngGfUmHKX-wJTFhkddVmFrRc60fGM3Wn1xzKs94Ffz4gsG2uuRfYL5NSs1lN/s1600/IMG_9589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbu632ahT3wvNjvlQ3Zj4MCHi1ZcmnJ9OYxYjcubw49HYwP7G9s8f5WQrVdag5M1wWt2O7pTqYamtcVsfngGfUmHKX-wJTFhkddVmFrRc60fGM3Wn1xzKs94Ffz4gsG2uuRfYL5NSs1lN/s640/IMG_9589.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />These full lilac blooms are from our very own bush. <br /><br />Our old house was full of seasonal flowers - beginning with daffodils, hyacinth, tulips, pear and dogwood trees, magnolia, lilacs, peonies and ending the season with hydrangea.  I loved it.  In <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/05/outdoor-patio-furniture-rediscovering.html">our new house, the landscaping was completely overgrown, so everything was torn out and started from scratch</a> (except an old flagstone patio we discovered - a great surprise).  I miss having the surprises of what each week might bring, but it has been fun to select exactly what we want.<br /><br /><br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-vPKUSNbdwnZemX8THa5mp83ygWt_ZkjKpPNbad1qDETaw15eUPRq-fkm3hj5cxxOWE36xdhqE5IejvacFOeerGpglwQRhCOf6aGSmgQxjvN5yg73xJZSf0P3y-dqwzz3jX18KY4axkc/s1600/IMG_9597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-vPKUSNbdwnZemX8THa5mp83ygWt_ZkjKpPNbad1qDETaw15eUPRq-fkm3hj5cxxOWE36xdhqE5IejvacFOeerGpglwQRhCOf6aGSmgQxjvN5yg73xJZSf0P3y-dqwzz3jX18KY4axkc/s640/IMG_9597.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now that's an entrance.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdizQ32ft_AMFgf9zEyi-DrSO0YQfpMg3drT_NQqGuyyrerJA8TXKh7UunzDeoI-tX1SnPQf50dKeAJoRQKbRaHQqXG4QxZxTwFaEL9azoAyr6vUXT0eLjaNrgNkSzqxLWr_80bnGvu9eo/s1600/IMG_9577.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdizQ32ft_AMFgf9zEyi-DrSO0YQfpMg3drT_NQqGuyyrerJA8TXKh7UunzDeoI-tX1SnPQf50dKeAJoRQKbRaHQqXG4QxZxTwFaEL9azoAyr6vUXT0eLjaNrgNkSzqxLWr_80bnGvu9eo/s640/IMG_9577.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br />More peaking lilacs. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyp8Q-eq29FGiE97mb20GKPHZ6imwBDhA4lw3j-BeeBja6gHBwecixGGC9RrJTXi3U6MMDa0gPZNdFkhcvGuwV0UhyphenhyphenSu0DGOuDwhUc67cjLxcpFQZYheeQX-jG3nmj50KijIBoXrGt69Ia/s1600/IMG_9598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyp8Q-eq29FGiE97mb20GKPHZ6imwBDhA4lw3j-BeeBja6gHBwecixGGC9RrJTXi3U6MMDa0gPZNdFkhcvGuwV0UhyphenhyphenSu0DGOuDwhUc67cjLxcpFQZYheeQX-jG3nmj50KijIBoXrGt69Ia/s640/IMG_9598.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />A magenta color lilac. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15colAU5yeiWKfTFX8-yYi4RKms4WGRbqEQsdIB7gv0fZZ_BD0iyPhb7IScjyGSAB52qlugnme3zhbP7xEdINMiwmXiWNGGBsNEFqoI1fJWMvDABHTaOywdxu3gXSRa7qPbzmEjTv3myh/s1600/IMG_9603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15colAU5yeiWKfTFX8-yYi4RKms4WGRbqEQsdIB7gv0fZZ_BD0iyPhb7IScjyGSAB52qlugnme3zhbP7xEdINMiwmXiWNGGBsNEFqoI1fJWMvDABHTaOywdxu3gXSRa7qPbzmEjTv3myh/s640/IMG_9603.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />And snow white with a tiny yellow center. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRhVpSBAvnwfoQOAd80uH1XnpKwfnYUqNqq3nvLUMgKlqCuhdFBcLGXTHd35575EDkvsPwg-lDo43zq1sfDamg_mnjdvFLuNOIAkx_SiHmkmF8dMYCUscVRlWU5xxU2blS6Ld6F3-vAE5/s1600/IMG_9607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRhVpSBAvnwfoQOAd80uH1XnpKwfnYUqNqq3nvLUMgKlqCuhdFBcLGXTHd35575EDkvsPwg-lDo43zq1sfDamg_mnjdvFLuNOIAkx_SiHmkmF8dMYCUscVRlWU5xxU2blS6Ld6F3-vAE5/s640/IMG_9607.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I think that bloom is 10 inches long. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33cqAujC05ftv784cnY_qkTuPshbwxG4xHtNEwoMv4OPQnNPXbCcGNetGUiCn7d-62rOZ_T12IIvamX8S8hWtem6RREGy73mCRdCPBs5uzNbr-oQnu4L1p0lFSLCBma1rOjmYAeDC-Mej/s1600/IMG_9610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33cqAujC05ftv784cnY_qkTuPshbwxG4xHtNEwoMv4OPQnNPXbCcGNetGUiCn7d-62rOZ_T12IIvamX8S8hWtem6RREGy73mCRdCPBs5uzNbr-oQnu4L1p0lFSLCBma1rOjmYAeDC-Mej/s640/IMG_9610.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2V3EZzUTNP_8FAeTKHsL6GaVYfpA9rBdFIbNO_TSNPI374b4hf49y4P2R3HmZkDR68bJ0UDlVLkUEhppCcO4jlv6gdZtyWvHwQ_5EPaf7R4Lf9r28Oic6i2vzx8hsL4kyxQh7ZRBzSeLw/s1600/IMG_9619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2V3EZzUTNP_8FAeTKHsL6GaVYfpA9rBdFIbNO_TSNPI374b4hf49y4P2R3HmZkDR68bJ0UDlVLkUEhppCcO4jlv6gdZtyWvHwQ_5EPaf7R4Lf9r28Oic6i2vzx8hsL4kyxQh7ZRBzSeLw/s640/IMG_9619.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhmzxGK_B1Qv2-y8CrgfhBJIASrHtGRxJgyjDFb6VZZPCI_nvaQ0ukvQ0OReoY33Vaq24Kli03bNUmpQ4_kVXhFiFsuYaJWOupQONxIdExffm8HmPXRIXkdV3vvGH_hCZIIcSpoNfteod/s1600/IMG_9625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhmzxGK_B1Qv2-y8CrgfhBJIASrHtGRxJgyjDFb6VZZPCI_nvaQ0ukvQ0OReoY33Vaq24Kli03bNUmpQ4_kVXhFiFsuYaJWOupQONxIdExffm8HmPXRIXkdV3vvGH_hCZIIcSpoNfteod/s640/IMG_9625.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_bqp_Iq10IrXbpZ7CcwlaBG5pLge6pUsjohnuwqrA48ApQrVK19BUHC78m8i4q80gpcRA8hQNwv2zgWx1pil11eAb-kaR-6mkRBeqqR9LV7Li4kM74BnPXLMJghc9v37CiHFFG1CLiBDe/s1600/IMG_9548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_bqp_Iq10IrXbpZ7CcwlaBG5pLge6pUsjohnuwqrA48ApQrVK19BUHC78m8i4q80gpcRA8hQNwv2zgWx1pil11eAb-kaR-6mkRBeqqR9LV7Li4kM74BnPXLMJghc9v37CiHFFG1CLiBDe/s640/IMG_9548.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3EiCRXOSX5Fd_QHL8UCbJV2bo8XlbnnZirrIQd_s23TqcmODLdU7jsVHas59D0yxOmWBzAb587drtHVCvMkUpZ3C0jhwrvmK08QmldTiKeWv-EjQlniRhoVt33Q0IScWXNoPV3oRvgCy/s1600/IMG_9567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3EiCRXOSX5Fd_QHL8UCbJV2bo8XlbnnZirrIQd_s23TqcmODLdU7jsVHas59D0yxOmWBzAb587drtHVCvMkUpZ3C0jhwrvmK08QmldTiKeWv-EjQlniRhoVt33Q0IScWXNoPV3oRvgCy/s640/IMG_9567.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvTAYkhBuyRmvRFHHgqrt8LKfWjszxt4LMiUbjRHBDf6YJZQjxUlLv98dm-XvdjU1mLQvlwxLBidmeahq0YxdkKhUS7OVN1yhGaMkodMgvC8l9nfd5mEjjPj3uAubz_zErOLmwK1lVieY/s1600/IMG_9564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvTAYkhBuyRmvRFHHgqrt8LKfWjszxt4LMiUbjRHBDf6YJZQjxUlLv98dm-XvdjU1mLQvlwxLBidmeahq0YxdkKhUS7OVN1yhGaMkodMgvC8l9nfd5mEjjPj3uAubz_zErOLmwK1lVieY/s640/IMG_9564.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEScN9T8ssSoVLu2RzIeiXxVIDY87SHl0BtTRoTOT5yIYHl4MzDRpwqY7tSWFP3A8eqT6GyWIZldiTTvflR8cbCUHaPiV15eW-qECR6n7wKR4B6fsq-duGIh0CXGucoDhqPKmh4bm5IrY2/s1600/IMG_9554.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEScN9T8ssSoVLu2RzIeiXxVIDY87SHl0BtTRoTOT5yIYHl4MzDRpwqY7tSWFP3A8eqT6GyWIZldiTTvflR8cbCUHaPiV15eW-qECR6n7wKR4B6fsq-duGIh0CXGucoDhqPKmh4bm5IrY2/s640/IMG_9554.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br />I couldn't help myself from photographing the lily of the valley, they are everywhere and smell so sweet.  You may remember them from Kate's bouquet at the Royal Wedding.  Classic. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7tZeETBXuWB-EM5bCUnW91_rmIlxihpk3spqXI1ALy2ByJDqj2rD8CLQpKSxmBKyd-FHeKr-A-GunPmzXl58N9UORCxO2pSf9FTj7ZEwAcp219VWFuttdlpShltEPSjWwPXsOStPYETp/s1600/IMG_9632.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7tZeETBXuWB-EM5bCUnW91_rmIlxihpk3spqXI1ALy2ByJDqj2rD8CLQpKSxmBKyd-FHeKr-A-GunPmzXl58N9UORCxO2pSf9FTj7ZEwAcp219VWFuttdlpShltEPSjWwPXsOStPYETp/s640/IMG_9632.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br />Wisteria winding itself on another picket fence. <br />  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrl5o3Jhh8vadpDTsfYOgjKiVQLr-p7yDz20Z5m5dF4Mp47OwFZpX17EiM3smtbpYAd-EoZCSh5S7a81CDJeI-ac6iTACG2PFQMcmfufz8cabE5qvh_s6ndD3SA70JAq9MNZN-9LXJmSi3/s1600/IMG_9636.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrl5o3Jhh8vadpDTsfYOgjKiVQLr-p7yDz20Z5m5dF4Mp47OwFZpX17EiM3smtbpYAd-EoZCSh5S7a81CDJeI-ac6iTACG2PFQMcmfufz8cabE5qvh_s6ndD3SA70JAq9MNZN-9LXJmSi3/s640/IMG_9636.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br />Mr. Darcy yawning - long walk.  Life is hard...

Flashback : Lilac Season | Mr. Darcy Stopping to Smell the Flowers | Lilacs in Concord, Ma.

**This was a post I posted last Spring... enjoy the lilacs! Today, on our morning walk, Mr. Darcy and I decided to stop and smell the flowe...

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