My husband and I are constantly in disagreement when it comes to our yard. I want to plant lots of pretty flowers, shrubs and trees and he wants to be able to mow the yard without having to get off the John Deere. I understand this–truly. Weed-eating, edging, blowing the cut grass off the sidewalks and such isn’t fun. (Or at least I imagine it isn’t because I don’t do any of that.) But grass alone isn’t pretty and my potted plants just don’t satisfy my soul the way salvia and geraniums do. We’ve argued back and forth over the flower and shrub issue for the past couple of years, but last year I decided that I was going to mutiny and I planted a purple Rose of Sharon bush to the right of the driveway.

You can see where this is going, right?

First trip out on the lawn mower this season and he mowed it down.

Given our Battle of the Yard, I was convinced that it he did it on purpose, though he swears he simply didn’t see it. I’m still not sure what I believe, but am getting another Rose of Sharon bush as a replacement and an ornamental dogwood tree for emotional distress.

What about you? Are you a flowers-belong-in-pots kind of person, or like me, would you elimate the grass completely and have nothing but blooms, trees and vines?

CONGRATS TAMMY!
Please email me here and let me know which book you want along with your snail mail address and get it mailed to you!
I’m showing my age, but that song, Celebration by Kool & The Gang always pops into my head when I’m in the mood to celebrate.
My first blog here was April 27th 2009. Wow. I can’t believe it’s been a year already. I think that deserves a celebration. Plus, I had some good news over the weekend. My first Harlequin Blaze, LET IT RIDE, released last May, is a finalist in the National Readers Choice Awards Short Contemporary category!
The winners will be announced at the RWA National conference at a ceremony in Nashville in July. I don’t expect to win; I’m up against some pretty stiff competition. Awesome books like Rhonda Nelson’s LETTERS FROM HOME. Loved that sexy Army Ranger, Levi. Rhonda’s Blazes, (HINT) always feature sexy, hunky guys.
And Cara Summers is a double finalist with her Twin series, TWIN TEMPTATION and TWIN SEDUCTION. Don’t you just love it when twins switch places?
I’m totally honored just to be a finalist in the same category with these outstanding authors.
Also, it’s hard not to want to go running through a meadow of flowers this time of year.
Around here (North Texas) the Bluebonnets are everywhere! All along the highways, for miles and miles, the stunning indigo blooms cover the grass and coat the air with their sweet scent. Last week we drove out to a gorgeous spot and I got a few pictures. The Bluebonnet is, of course, our state flower and therefore it’s illegal to pick one. And when we make our way into a field of them for pics, we must be careful not to tread on them, which makes for some awkwardly cautious tip-toeing around. But it’s worth it. I wish I could bottle up their fragrance and ship it to you, but maybe I can send one commenter today the next best thing: a packet of Bluebonnet seeds. Plus, I’ll send along a copy of my first Blaze, LET IT RIDE, or if you already have that, a promise to send the sequel when it comes out in October, SEDUCE AND RESCUE! I can’t wait to see the cover art on that! You can bet when I get it, I’ll post it here.
Happy Spring, everyone! Go out and celebrate!

So, what is YOUR state flower?