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Before going out to dinner last Saturday, Jonathan took me to see my favorite late May/early June wonder - the Peony Garden at Nichols Arboretum (University of Michigan). I only discovered the garden a year ago after living in the metro-Detroit area for 7 years (Why did it take me so long?!?). Since we visited the arboretum last year, we were better educated about where to park. But we still weren't smart enough to discover the wide-open lot next to the Ronald McDonald House (closest to the garden) was permit parking only on week days (i.e. free on weekends) and instead, fed the meter by parallel parking across the street. Oh well, I suppose we now we know for next year...We strolled into the garden behind an elderly couple holding hands and I couldn't help but think how lovely it was to see the two of them taking an evening strolls through garden, still in love after all of those years. There were a lot of other couples and families in the arboretum and, as we were entering, Jonathan told me a man gave him a sympathetic look when he we passed by (I suppose not everyone can appreciate massive amounts of peonies in all their glory!). It was really a peaceful and pretty setting. There were people picnicking on the hill and others running through the arboretum on an evening jog. But most visitors were like the two of us, wandering around, inhaling the fragrant blooms, trying to capture the fleeting beauty. I think if I could live all summer long in a garden filled with blooming peonies I would... 
I thought I'd share some flower garden eye candy with all of you today...orange oriental poppies, pink lupine, white festiva maxima peonies and purple clematis. Over the years peonies have become my favorite flower, in particular the festiva maxima variety I have growing in several locations on my property. There's just something about their huge, petal-heavy blossoms and lovely scent that puts a big smile across my face and completely relaxes me. I suppose I've always had a special place in my heart for these flowers. Growing up, we had an old chicken coop at the front of our property (used for storage, not chickens). Sarah Bernhardt peonies bloomed every summer along the side of the cement block building and I would always admire them. I remember not being allowed to pick them when I was younger since they attracted ants (I would end up bringing the pesky creatures into the house with me). But who could have blamed the little guys - peonies look and smell so delicious!
More flowers are in bloom this week in my garden...alliums, bearded irises, and columbine. And the peonies are budded out!
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