In the morning, as soon as I get out of bed, I pull aside the curtain from one window and look at the sky. How wonderful it is to see blue sky with just a few puffy clouds. Bright mornings definitely lift my spirits. We've had a long run of those days that fill me with energy. My mouth seems to smile without effort, just because of the beauty of the day.
Evening light is also magical with its soft glow and deepening shadows. Can you believe that sweet peas are already blooming in my garden? A couple of seeds sprouted from dried pods and self-seeded, growing slowly through our very mild winter, and now with the warmer weather, they have burst into fragrant flowers. I clipped the long stems and set them in a vase on the kitchen windowsill alongside a ceramic rooster that was a wedding gift to my parents over 70 years ago. It sat atop the fridge of my childhood home. My mother gave it to me a few years ago, and it brings back fond memories.
The garden is relishing the sunshine and warmth. Columbines, Cornflowers, and Peonies are blooming their hearts out. I planted three alliums years ago and each year they come back, just three of them. This year they are all leaning noticeably.
There are so many buds on the peonies! The Duchesse de Nemours is blooming wildly just now, all elegant white frills. A vase of them stands on the dining room table and fills the room with spicy fragrance. Soon the pink varieties will bloom. They are such heavenly flowers.
A dream came true this week. My memoir is now published. It all seems a bit unreal. It's a scary thing to write and let other people read my words. For those interested in reading it, information is here in my Substack account (no subscription needed). I'll be adding it to the sidebar of my blog, as well.
A week or so ago I cut back the dry, brown sword ferns to allow fresh growth some air. How intricate the curled fronds are, and how quickly they open to the light. Elsewhere in the garden I've planted out the tomato starters, along with squash and zucchini. The potato plants have been covered with more soil. Basil and dill are emerging and we're enjoying salads with fresh lettuce, spinach, radishes, and green onions picked just before eating. Such luxury.
We have no plans for the weekend and I hope to garden (the weeds continue to grow) and do the necessary house fluffing chores. Tea on the patio is sure to happen on a sunny afternoon, except the tea might be exchanged for a frosty glass of elderflower cordial, made from last summer's flowers. I sort of forgot about it and it's been sitting on the pantry shelves, well sealed. It's high time to enjoy it.
Happy weekend to each of you!
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It all sounds and looks idyllic!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your book! Here also it is becoming very hot and the garden roses are beautiful. There are some new peonies left and we can wear summer clothes! We will do some cleaning and gardening this weekend. Have a nice day.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the publication of your book Lorrie. I have pre-ordered already. For several years we have had young people from Ecuador working for us, and I have become very interested in learning more about this country. How exciting that you have written one. Your Rooster is very special. I have always liked poultry ornaments, and in fact I was given a hand-painted china cup as a baby which has a rooster and hen on it - I still have it! Sweet peas are beautiful, and such a rich purple colour. I hope you show us more as they grow through the Spring. Enjoy the weekend.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your publication. I will look for it! I am anxious to get home to see if anything at all is blooming yet. We did have some early tulips but that's about it. My neighbor told me we had a freeze night before last....sigh... Happy weekend -xo Diana
ReplyDeleteMany congratulations on your book Lorrie. I look forward to reading it. How beautiful Peony flowers are, I'm waiting impatiently for my frilly pink one to flower. I always liken her to the late Queen Mother's hats!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on completing your book. Great title and cover.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on finishing your book. I have been reading along although I confess I never commented.
ReplyDeleteYour flowers are beautiful. Amazing that you have Sweet Peas blooming already!!
Have a great weekend. Let's hope the rain holds off.
Congratulations on your book.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of weeding, I spent the best part of today working on one garden bed. It was worth the effort. Three more to go!
I am so happy for you on the publication of your book, Lorrie. Your blog remains one of my favorites for many reasons. Your writing is one of the top reasons and I am going to look into how I can purchase your book. I am currently living a life almost unrecognizable to me. I struggle daily with how to make sense of it. I have yet to figure it out and am truly learning what living in the moment really means. The one thing that does help is reading as it is a way to briefly escape the sadness of real life. I look forward to adding your book to my "book stack".
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on making your dream come true! I imagine some day your Grandchildren will read it! What an inspiration you must be to them!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations 🎊 👏 on the completion of your book. Your photos are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAn exciting time for you. Very well done on publication of a fascinating read. You have certainly lived life! Like you I have sweet peas that self seeded and are now flowering. Lovely to have such early flowers. B x
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful and exciting to have your book published. Weeding ongoing here too and sweet peas looking as if they will soon be in flower. I love your white alliums and peonies:)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your book, Lorrie! 🎉
ReplyDeleteYour writing always brings such joy, and your blog is one I look forward to each week.
The flowers in your garden are beautiful.
Wishing you many happy hours enjoying both your blooms and the sunshine.
Congratulations on your book Lorrie. You've lived a very adventurous life, I can't even imagine living outside the USA and especially for 21 years, that's a very long time.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is a favorite with me, your writing is brilliant, but what I truly love is your photography :)
Congratulations on the book publication!
ReplyDeleteI have a Substack account, but I keep forgetting to check it...there are too many social media platforms these days. LOL.
I love that little roster. How sweet to have the memories that come along with him. Elderflower cordial is sitting in my refrigerator now too. So good!!! Congratulations on the book!
ReplyDeleteSo many lovely flowers. Congrats on your book.
ReplyDeleteMany congratulations on your memoir now being published.... lovely news.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Congratulations to your book! Wonderful! And I understand very well this feeling you describe here. I feel it on my first exhibition. It was an exhibition where I presented my paintings to the public. I felt as though the visitors were looking into my soul.
ReplyDeleteGreetings by Heidrun ❤️
I love all the blooms you have - the sweet peas are so beautiful! It is such a lovely season to wander the garden and see the new blooms! The evening light is just so special too. Tea on the porch sounds delightful! Congratulations on the publishing of your book, I can't wait to read it!! I loved following your Substack excerpts!
ReplyDeleteIt’s hard not to smile at all of God’s creations, isn’t it??!! How exciting to have your memoir ready, Lorrie. I was given a gift of Storyworth a few years back and had my story published for each of my grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteHave a beautiful week enjoying all things that you love.