Three years ago Mother’s Day, my husband said that he would like to buy me flowers for the occasion.  I love flowers, enjoy seeing them in a vase, but it seemed like such a guilty pleasure, considering the cost, for the week of enjoyment.  So, being a practical girl, I said I would rather have a plant.  Even if I killed the darn thing, it would cost half as much and last four times as long.  Off we went to Bachman’s and picked out a gorgeous hibiscus plant with orange flowers the color and intensity of orange Kool-Aid. 

Since my husband, Jim, takes care of the (very few) plants in our house, the hibiscus has done quite well.  Every now and then, it surprises us with one, two, or three monstrous blooms.  They each only last about a day, but what a sight.  We had one bloom yesterday, and two more today.  Seven inches across, and they are just beautiful.  Here’s a close-up shot of just the center.  It makes me feel like it’s Mother’s Day all over again.