My parent's green thumbs

A couple of weeks ago, I traveled up to Michigan to visit my parents. They are getting ready to renovate their kitchen, which I can't wait to see when it is done. I helped them pack up items in the cabinets. I know this process can be an overwhelming feat, so having an extra set of hands to clean and pack items so they can be unpacked and ready for the new cabinets in a few weeks was probably pretty helpful. Like a lot of homes over time, kitchens can get dated, but what they will soon get to experience will most definitely make their cooking and family entertaining experiences very enjoyable. It will certainly have a modern country look, which makes it all the better in my opinion.

I haven't been up to Michigan in a few years, so it was a nice visit. It was certainly much cooler than we are experiencing in North Carolina.

Backyard beauties

Ma and Pa put in a new back deck a few years ago, which is really nice. It is made with composite materials that can stand those brutally cold winters and doesn't require painting. But what I was most impressed with was the flowers they have growing in the back yard around the deck. I've got to give it to them for their green thumbs. I didn't realize they had cut a piece of honeysuckle from our old farm in Ohio and have it growing in the back yard. And the peonies....oh my! So pretty.

Surrounded by floral experts

I am fortunate to have an extended family of floriculture specialists in the family. Ma has two associate degrees -- one in floriculture from The Ohio State University Agriculture and Technical Institute in Wooster, and one in fine arts from Lansing Community College in Lansing, Michigan. Pops has a degree in Animal Science from The Ohio State University, but does a pretty good job keeping those flower beds maintained. My husband used to teach floriculture at Randolph Community College in Asheboro, NC, and worked at a florist for several years. My daughter was on the nationally recognized FFA floriculture team at Chatham Central High School in Bear Creek, NC, where her team was 4th in the nation in 2013. Being surrounded by floral enthusiasts and having a creative itch, it came pretty natural for me to learn how to tie bows for wreaths and arrangements, as well as learning a few (and yes, only a few) botanical names of plants.

As I mentioned, I have a lot of creative interests and photography is certainly one of them. I happened to have one of my cameras with me while in Michigan and decided to get a few close ups of my parent's floral beauties. I think you will agree, they are doing a pretty good job. Enjoy!