This Perfectly Imperfect Life

';Sufficient Grace'; by Darnell Arnoult is the most beautifully written book I think I've ever read! I've never felt a book so much before! I wasn't as sad ' disappointed as I usually am at the end of a good read - I felt so blessed to have read it! This is Ms. Arnoult's first novel (her name threw me too!) and it is simply amazing! I truly think reading this book has started something spiritual happening inside of me! (Not just in a specifically religious aspect). I think this book has entered my top fav read of all time slot!

I hope this pic comes out! Hubby and i were working on another apt tonight, getting it ready for inspection on friday and for the tenant to move in on sun and i discovered this GORGEOUS rose bush just off the patio! Funny thing is that i've been down that way before and don't remember ever seeing it before! The petals are a deep, velvety red - the kind of red that makes you think of valentine's day! - and their scent is very sweet with just a hint of cherry. No doubt it's been there a very long time. The tenant who lived there was here a very long time. Surprising, it's not in an area that ever gets much sun, regardless of time of day or year. I've never been so taken with the scent or sight of a rose before. I feel as though i was meant to find it because i love flowers and gardening so, as if it was looking for such a person and only made itself known once it had found finally found that person! (I'm feeling very spiritual lately!) Hu...

1 cup water, 2 tblspoons unsalted butter, dash of pepper, 1/3 cup brown sugar (packed) and a 16 oz package of baby carrots (halved)... Combine all ingriedients in a deep frying pan, cover and bring to a boil on high heat for about a minute or so, then reduce heat to medium and continue boiling for about 25 minutes or until the carrots are soft and most of the liquid is gone. (stir occasionally) We had them with a beef roast and boiled potato's last night and it was delicious! Mood swing: I'm/we're not having a good stretch of days since friday morning. I'm not feeling up to being very specific with details, but generally it's financial, (my past coming to haunt my present) it's my mom (no surprise there but combined w/everything else i've actually got chest pains and have started having doubts about living this life) and a dear longtime best friend is moving from the big apple to the windy city this coming saturday (i'm so proud of and inspired...

This here's what I call my candy striper dahlia!

What a truly pleasant surprise! Over all it's grown quite a bit since i brought it home in may or june - should put on quite a show next year!

This is my other butterfly bush, out back, with one of the many bumble bees that visit each day!