Off in a corner, under a large shrub rose I noticed miracle of miracles– my Amaryllis Belladonna, otherwise known as White Naked Lady, was in bloom!

Thoughts of using this aqua container with pastel roses had been on my mind when serendipity kicked in, "Why not pick that exquisite creature?" Yes, I picked my one and only amaryllis stalk and began the bouquet in a very windy garden, and then finished it on the kitchen counter.

My friend Mary and I admired a whole row of these amaryllis in Barbara Worl's garden, and then one day a heavy package came in the mail. Inside were two of the huge bulbs! One for me and one for Mary. It's been in my garden for three years and has not yet multiplied. However, I'm exceptionally happy that it blooms! It's so odd how fresh leaves appear and then die, and then suddenly months later the flower stalk appears. I think I missed it altogether last year. Thank you so much Barbara! I'm especially happy to show it off here. And it is extremely fragrant!

You can actually buy White Amaryllis Belladonna bulbs on Amazon.

The three pale yellow roses you see in the bouquet are Windrush. I've had this rose for a number of years without really apprecitating it. Now I'm in love. Poulsen's Pearl, Escapade, Perl d'Or, Paul Bocuse (the most long lasting cut rose I know, but I wish it was a bigger shrub), and Duchesse de Brabant also make an appearance.

One aspect of serendipity to bear in mind is that you have to be looking for something in order to find something else.

~Lawrence Block

A couple of weeks ago, I left for a 10-day jaunt to Oregon with the garden full of buds for its third bloom cycle. On my return, lucky me, blooming had just begun. 

Mrs. Oakley Fisher was looking so gorgeous, I cut most of her open blooms. Here she is on the kitchen counter with Paul Bocuse and Belle Story.

This shot is from the sparse side of the bucket.

Mrs. Oakley Fisher is a Hybrid Tea with graceful, elegant buds. Here's a diagram of sorts showing all her pretty parts.

I've always wanted to know who Mrs. Fisher was. On helpmefind, Patricia Routley posted an engraving of the woman and few words saying she was one of the first elected "lady" members of The National Rose Society Counsel, January 1921, in the UK.

 Bees adore her generous stamens.

In my garden, Mrs. Oakley Fisher is almost 6-feet high. She's pretty much disease resistant. The matching climber in the background is Crepescule.

Coming home to such beauty and the promise of so much more gave me a sense of profound gratitude. It was joyful to see my garden and its bounty with fresh eyes.

Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind.

~Lionel Hampton