My husband’s mother Jewell is a remarkable woman. Married for over 60 years to Harvey, they worked hard to raise their six children. Jewell centered her family around the table, where a delicious home-cooked meal was essential. Family is everything to Jewell. She and Harvey each had nine siblings, they had thirteen grandchildren and already have eight great grandchildren. Needless to say, family reunions and weddings are wel-attended, three-day affairs.

She also lives for her flowers.  Flower boxes line her deck, and plants garnish the home inside and out. Jewell has that proverbial green thumb. Her Christmas Cacti are as big as washing machines; her lilies impeccable, the English roses elegant, her poppies as charming as if they had souls. Nothing fails to thrive in her care. I get lost in her flowers; every year I take more pictures, and every year there is so much more to see.