Friday Fave-- Peonies

I heart peonies.

And I finally have a lovely bush with a plethora of blossoms in my yard. So thankful.

This particular bush is a "decendent" of my Grandma Viola's peony bush. I remember as a child pulverizing her blossoms-- taking a tightly closed bud and separating out the petals. Or taking one fully in bloom and dissecting the flower.

I don't ever remember Grandma chastising me for picking her beautiful flowers. I wonder if it is because she had two large bushes that could stand to lose a few blooms.

My Grandma died 18 years ago. I can hardly believe it has been that long. Her daughter, my Aunt Kathleen was blessed to move into the homestead and lives there today.

Knowing the peony bushes were overgrown (and somehow knowing my love for the flower), she split the plant and came to my yard 5 years ago (when I was 7+ months pregnant) and she transplanted some of Grandma Viola's peonies into my yard.

It took a few years and we'd only had a few meager blooms until this year. But being patient until this year has paid off. A full bush of puffy fuscia flowers. Their season is short, just like our time here on earth... but they bring joy when they are here!