We sure did not know triple_b ! You would be welcome Florence. You can just pick a little amount of rose petals during the summer (Zephy is a good choice!) and keep them in small bags in the freezer until you have enough to make the jam). Btw Here is another great link for all the rose products one´s heart can desire. (Including the Rose Petal Jam). Best Rose Oil, Water (Get the little atomizer!). I use the Rose Oil in aromatherapy lamps and it scents the house those winter days when I long for roses and summer and read rose books. Do check this link there is lots of information and pictures about the production of Bulgarian rose products. Here is a link that might be useful: Bulgarian Rose Oil and products

I can’t thank you enough for all the wonderful comments on my complaining post!! It brought tears to my eyes, because you are my friends here and there is so much wisdom to be had from each of you . It felt like an encouraging cup of coffee with you in person !! Jc and sultry I love the suggestion to explore more and see things I wouldn’t normally. I tried to do that in Tennessee, only missed a couple things on my list . I learned that lesson from our very short stay in Long Island. I literally worked off the exit of Old Westbury gardens . And never once went bc I thought we would live there for a while! Not to mention not going to NYC for Christmas.... so I’m inspired to make a list on paper and make sure to enjoy all this area can give me. Rosefolly, I am often blown away by the odd beauty of the barren mountains and burned out hills posing in front of snow capped mountains. I had no idea Ca got snow! Haha there is a lot of beauty here, so different from what I am used to. And I have met a few neighbors more over my darn cavalier spaniel who runs away every chance he gets lol . I do try to talk but people are short and scurry back in . I did meet a lovely lady who has glorious citrus trees outside her fence and I learned a lot about those from her. I had different expectations coming from the countryside . We were all spread out but really knew each other , had good conversation etc .. I thought being closer in space would mean a lot more over the fence interacting. Like Wilson on home improvement?! lol Sultry , you are absolutely correct this has been quite a life change. And I am mourning a Chunk of life I didn’t realize I would be . That’s kind of the only way to put it .this stage of life with two kids is amazing and I am so proud of my husband getting his promotion but It definitely changed our life so much . And he really deserved this promotion., his work load is so much easier on him physically and he loves his new position. So I need to focus on that . I’ve thought of counseling many times but wasn’t sure I’d be able to keep it together to even string a sentence! Haha Tina , thank you so much , you have been so kind !! I appreciate your friendship here and your thoughtful words . Carla , you are right about school .. that will help ! And thankfully Lucia will start transition kindergarten this fall . It’ll be so great for us . She needs the activity and I’m looking forward to watching her grow and expand . Preschool has been great too . I would totally join a birdwatching group lol . Maybe when my kids are older . For now I try to keep my eyes out for unique ones to learn . I hope eventually they come to my garden but I adore my hummingbirds and finches . I put up a black oils seed feeder and all I got was mice. Yuck!!! Lesson learned . Nick , thank you for sharing your experience too so I don’t feel so alone in this feeling. You are right to keep doing what I can to bring friendliness to those around me . Your fountain is so beautiful! I have been wanting one , looks like solar is my only option at the time but I need one . I bought a solar fountain pad for my birdbath and they love that ! I also need to drown out the sound of the road behind us. And I did redo the garden here and it basically looks like my Tennessee garden with my decor. It’s very different from the neighborhood! But I love it . I will look up a meadowlark.. it sounds like it must be so beautiful for you to miss it so . I had no idea there were areas with so few nature sounds . I miss that symphony so much . Now I very much enjoy the hummers fussing at each other . I get a kick out of that ! Perma , now that my baby is a little more predictable , I plan on looking into the women’s group at church . I do think thereis a nearby mops group too ! I have to make the effort for sure . I often think how is motherhood so lonely when you have kids 24/7 attached to you ? Lol it just is . Thank you all so so much. You have blessed me with your words and kindness !!!

Thrips and they can really make a bloom ugly. Arlene, I am debating whether or not to do the cups, too. They are an eyesore, but it’s unbelievable how many thrips they capture. Has anyone tried positioning the cups away from the roses to attract the thrips?

@Lilyfinch z9a Murrieta Ca @User -- Yes, they do have such a wonderful list of roses. We have almost an acre too, LilyFinch, but lots of large hardwoods scattered around, which I also appreciate, but I'm constantly looking for pockets of full sun (I'm trying hybrid musks in spots where there is some high shade mixed with sun). BelleGallica, I'd love to see photos of those roses. I've recently ordered from Rose Petals when they weren't having a sale, so am so happy to be able to get a rose for $7. Last year, I found out that my sister's mother-in-law lives down the road from Rose Petals -- I may have to hitch a ride with her down to Florida sometime!