Hawthorn flower (and thorn)
I screamed as we drove in the driveway, and I’m not the kind of girl who often screams. Upon arriving home from Haiti, we were greeted by a beautiful transformation in our front yard.
Before
After!
Andy’s dad did the work for us as a surprise while we were gone (Thank you, thank you!) and we now have a beautiful Winter King Hawthorn Tree. I wasn’t sure at first about a tree with thorns, but further research won me over. The Hawthorn is a haven for birds and wildlife, it produces white flowers and then red/purple berries that birds can eat. Pretty and functional? I like it.
Equally as beautiful, are the things that no longer fill our yard: a couple of half-dead bushes, a haphazard tree, some prickly vines, an overgrown creeping juniper and numerous large rocks in random and impractical places. In their place? A lovely stone wall and (soon-t0-be) unbroken lawn. I’m all for working with the character of a place, but “character” is different form disrepair. I hope that we are slowly bringing out the best side of our home and lot.
I am both humbled and overwhelmed by such a lovely gift. Thanks, Dad Olsen.
