Our Magnolia Tree

5.26.2009

I was born and raised in the Midwest.

Iowa to be exact.

Home of many cornfields....

and pigs.

I will always consider myself a Midwestern Girl; an Iowan through and through...

though many of the most cherished things in my life have happened since I moved to The South.

I met my husband here...but he's a Midwesterner, too!

Oklahoma to be exact.

My son was born here in Atlanta, so he's a Southerner.
Had I not moved to the south, I most likely would never had uttered things like:
Y'all come over for dinner. I'll make black-eyed peas and collard greens.
~ or ~
I'd like a large sweet tea, please, with extra ice and lemon.

And, had I not moved to The South, I never would have been able to say,

I have a beautiful magnolia tree in my front yard.

We love our magnolia tree. It is big and beautiful and perfect for climbing.



It tells us that spring is officially here when we see those large white buds begin to appear.




Almost overnight, they begin to open, layer by delicate white layer. And they smell wonderful!


I can see the beautiful flowers on our magnolia tree from our kitchen and from our dining room.

The flowers can contain as many as 14 layers with a pretty yellow center. They are often described as having splendid beauty.


And I have to agree.

Our magnolia tree is both splendid and beautiful.

And also very special, because it's so Southern!

20 comments:

Belle (from Life of a...) :

Our magnolia blossoms have been SO gorgeous this year. Magnolias and hydrangeas are my absolute favorites!

Unknown :

Your tree is beautiful. I love magnolias, too.

Kim :

That's the one thing we don't have in our yard--no clue why not. Most of our neighbors have enormous magnolias, and one in particular has 12 huge specimens planted on the border of their property (we counted one day when we were out walking!) Gorgeous....I'm so jealous!

Jessi :

I too am a midwesterner/northerner (Ohio)and LOVE magnolia trees. We have several in our neighborhood and I smell them when I am out running! Beautiful!

Becky K. :

We miss out on that beauty here in PA...but we are willing to share what we do have.

A climbing tree is the best kind.

mer@lifeat7000feet :

You are making me miss the South, girl! I can almost smell those divine blossoms after reading this post!

We used to live close to Magnolia, AR, home of the Magnolia Blossom Festival. When I moved from there, my friends gave me all kinds of magnolia memorabilia. They're beautiful!

Just Mom :

Beautiful! I'd love to have one of those in my yard. So you're saying they wouldn't do well in the Midwest????

Susan :

Very definatly southern and you've learned well :o)
Susan

kmm0305 :

My field of dirt that will soon be a cornfield behind me isn't quite as pretty as a magnolia tree. And it doesn't smell as good. ;) We were just at the Reiman Gardens in Ames and I was actually amazed at all that will grow in Iowa!

Tina Leigh :

There was a huge one in my Grandma's front yard. I love them too. Welcome to the South Jill...it is offical now! lol

Optimistic Pessimist :

What are collard green?

Beautiful tree!!!

Marilyn *Pink Martinis and Pearls* :

Love how you wrote your post! I can't imagine having children growing up in a different culture than what I grew up in. Very interesting to think about.

Mrs. Fabulous :

I'm a midwesterner too. LOVE Magnolia trees. Cannot handle sweet tea!

Great post!

kdwhorses :

Beautiful! I too have grown up with these and love them! Thanks for sharing yours!

And I love me some Sweet Tea!

Jill :

Magnolia trees are my favorite.

Pink in a sea of blue :

My son climbed his first magnolia tree in my MIL's town a few months ago. It was a HUGE tree. He loved it! So will your kids. They are definitely a symbol of the south!

AlexisMorgan :

Thanks for making me appreciate once again the wonderful Southern things we take for granted. The beauty of a magnolia tree in bloom, a side order of collards with my rice and black eyed peas, and yes, a big glass of sweet tea, extra lemon! Have a lovely Southern spring day.

"Cookie" :

Beautiful!

I noticed yesterday that my gardenia bush has blooms now. I can't wait!!! They smell so good. gotta love the South. [grin]

Holly :

Your maganolia tree is beautiful. Ours died a few years ago, I was so sad because my grandfather had planted it. We should plant a new one I suppose. You are right, they scream Southern.

Jillian's Bella Rosa Antiques :

Makes me want to just move on down there! Would love a tall glass of tea about now...

:0)

Jillian Inc. All rights reserved © Blog Milk Powered by Blogger