Outside my window this afternoon all sorts of things are happening. The apple tree is getting ready to burst into blooms. Clematis armandii, seen above, couldn't wait, and a few pink buds have opened to the sun. The camellia bush, planted a year or two ago, is covered with pink flowers. Daffodils, pansies, bellis daisies, and a few tulips bloom in profusion along my walking route. And the ornamental cherry trees - pink clouds everywhere!
My current reading selection is eclectic, ranging from gardens to food and from Paris to England. Seasons at Highclere is a book to dip in and out of and I'll be sorry to return it to the library. Hidden Gardens of Paris is much the same - it's fun to look at the map, find a garden, and read about it. The book reminds me of finding the Anne Frank Garden in the Marais District in Paris a few years ago, and of a delicious lunch of falafel in a nearby restaurant.
I've just begun What She Ate, an exploration of the kitchen lore and food preferences of six of women including Dorothy Wordsworth, sister of the poet, Eleanor Roosevelt, and surprisingly, Eva Braun, Hitler's mistress. I'm looking forward to finding out more about these women.
And then the Miss Marple Stories. These stories are written by current mystery writers with Miss Marple as her usual perceptive self. I've enjoyed the ones I've read so far, although I sometimes think, "Agatha Christie wouldn't have said it quite like that."
Easter dinner was not at our place this year. My kitchen is a hollow, empty room where I manage to scrounge together enough to feed the two of us. Instead, we all met at Ashley and Owen's place on a rainy Sunday afternoon and enjoyed a delicious meal, a slightly wet egg hunt, and a wonderful time. Young Iris helped decorate the tables with cheerful bowls of floating dandelions. Both Iris and Cora were thrilled to be seated at the children's table in an adjoining room this year. They do love their older cousins, who love them and take good care of them in return.
Weekend plans are loose - gardening, perhaps, or maybe a little outing. The new cabinets will be installed next week and until they are done Tim is not quite so busy. Wishing you all a weekend filled with satisfying things.
What She Ate sounds intriguing! I'll have to look it up. It's so nice to see the apple blooms. We're a few weeks away from tree blossoms in our neck of the woods. Thank you for sharing yours:)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blooms! We are several weeks behind you over here. My clematis is just showing the first growth of the season. Always love book recommendations. I am in the middle of 'The German Wife' by Kelly Rimmer, and am so enjoying it. It's an historical novel inspired by a true story.
ReplyDeleteOh, what an interesting reading list. I'd be intrigued by all of these! and the flowers are lovely. It sounds like your Easter was, too -- even if it was "slightly wet!" Onward to what sounds like will be a very good weekend!
ReplyDeleteI love your celebration of the dandelion, such an over looked and hated flower, but one we loved as children. Oh, how many wishes did we make when blowing ones seeds all over the neighborhood, LOL. I love looking closely into the center and seeing how marvelous this little hated flower was created. A true work of art!
ReplyDeleteIn the hands of a child, even dandelions are gorgeous. I have received many a wilted bloom and thought they were so pretty.
ReplyDeleteYes, gardening!!!! Yippee. My son is doing a 10k race Sunday, in Vancouver. Such fun!
ReplyDeleteWe won’t be gardening as it is raining and raining after the wind storm. On Sunday we are going to our daughter’s place to have my Birthday meal, I ordered a cake from the patisserie with my … 67 candle! I am sure your kitchen will be beautiful, worth waiting!
ReplyDeleteI wish you a nice weekend
Seeing the children getting along and enjoying each other’s company is heart-warming! Enjoy the weekend!
ReplyDeleteYour kitchen will be so lovely and worth the wait. Meanwhile outside, at least, you are surrounded by beauty. Dandelions as a centerpiece presented with love by Iris. Beautiful. Granny M
ReplyDeleteFlowers , Books, Food - help us add beauty, interest, and taste to our life, especially during wintery days.
ReplyDeleteI'm very fond of the dandelion as it has both beauty and health benefits.
Your library books sound wonderful - will have to scout those out. Oh my, to think young Iris is already old enough to help decorate. Such pretty bowls of dandelions - she must have been so pleased. Happy weekend, Lorrie! xo
ReplyDeleteWhat an enchanting idea, bowls of floating dandelions by Iris! We have plenty of them outside, maybe partly thanks to our own Cora who loved to blow them into the air here when she was a few years younger. How can you say no to that? What She Ate is very intriguing and Eleanor Roosevelt is one of my most admired women. I hope she makes up for the notorious other one. I must add the Miss Marple book to my list!
ReplyDeleteMuch happiness to you as you begin to see your new kitchen come together, Lorrie!
Playing a little blog catch up this afternoon as my dad dozes in his recliner. Life is very busy (and tiring) these days, so it is cheering to peek into your world for a few minutes and see beauty and color and lovely words. The bowls of dandelions made me smile, imagining the delight of the little girls who placed them there. It is so sweet that they enjoyed their Easter meal at the children's table with their older cousins who take good care of them. Such tenderness!
ReplyDeleteIt's exciting to know that your kitchen is coming along! Remodeling projects can seem to drag on so, but it is always worth the wait!
Lost my comment....darn it. Love your books and the floating dandelions. We spent Easter at our daughter's house, too. It is weird not to host the big family meals anymore. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteGlad your kitchen is progressing along with your beautiful garden. I was wondering whether I would enjoy the Marple stories. Your other reads sound good too. All quiet in this corner. Just lots of gardening. B x
ReplyDeleteIf you know what you're doing, you can acquire an American Rush passport. When planning a trip outside of the United States, you'll need these papers. These official papers are required for international travel and may be obtained by inhabitants of any country. These papers provide specifics like date of birth, nationality, physical description, and address. A person's identity may be proven using these papers.
ReplyDeleteApril showers on Easter, your dinner sounds wonderful. I love the floating dandelions.
ReplyDeleteInteresting variety of books! 'What She Ate' does sound intriguing. The little bowls of dandelions are so very sweet. x K
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun idea to have those cheerful bowls of floating dandelions!
ReplyDeleteThe flowers you've pictured and mentioned make my heart swell with the headiness of spring -- even if it is cloudy and cold today! I was at church and saw a bed of Pacific Coast irises that were sublime. Glory to God for the seasons. <3
ReplyDeleteI echo Ellen's comments about the pretty floating dandelions.
ReplyDeleteOn a different note, have you seen the teacup tree in Victoria? A friend shared a recent media article about it.
It is most definitely that time of year when all sorts of things are happening outside the window on a daily basis. Your clematis is looking very lush and pretty. The little dandelion centerpieces are especially sweet. Glad you had a nice Easter celebration at your daughter's house as your kitchen undergoes it's transformation.
ReplyDeleteOh dandelions decorating the Easter table is so special. I love seeing all the books you are reading. The one about What She Ate sounds intriguing.
ReplyDeleteThe Anonymous is me, Marilyn
ReplyDeleteIt has never crossed my mind to decorate withg dandelions but how pretty 'young miss Iris' has made them look. I too have Armandii flowering currently - they never let you down. I have one Apple blossom like yours and a Snowdrift.
ReplyDeleteI wish you good progress with the kitchen...
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to it when the meadows with the dandelions bloom and then the rapeseed fields are also ready :-))) dandelion flower decoration nice idea. Greetings to you.
Lorrie - glad to hear (and see) that Spring has arrived in your locale! We had two inches of snow on Tuesday, and it looks like temps will continue to be cool until the middle of next week. Which is why we are on our way to Grand Cayman for a beach vacation until the end of the month! I suspect that SOMETHING will be sprouting by the time we return. Belated Happy Easter!
ReplyDeleteI just love how older cousins take care of younger ones! I see it over and over here as well. What a wonderful way for the older ones to practice kindness and for the younger ones to feel important. 🤍
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