“You will know it is here, or getting near ~ when the lilacs bloom.” ~ unknown
Good Sunday morning, beautiful souls. I do hope this finds everyone well and in good spirits. Being restricted to our homes is harder for some of us than others. Fortunately, I have always been one who is truly happy at home. The many years I worked outside of our home, I would dream of days filled with puttering in the garden, cooking wonderful meals and having time to read. So, today I thought I might share a few things happening at ‘Maison de Jardin.’ No, the lilacs are not yet in bloom, but I can already smell them. And, it fills my heart with joy just to know these fragrant beauties are on their way.
“Life is the greatest gift that could ever be conceived … A daffodil pushing up through the dark earth to the spring, knowing somehow deep in its roots that spring and light and sunshine will come, has more courage and more knowledge of the value of life than any human being I’ve met.” ~ Madeleine L’Engle
One of the many things I treasure about North Central West Virginia is that spring arrives slowly. Our daffodils are just beginning their show and I know in many parts of the country, they are finished. I have always thought, “Spring should be like a really good cup of coffee ~ enjoyed a sip at a time.”
This is Narcissus, ‘Wisley.’ Isn’t he charming? He has been in bloom for about a week. Notice his swept-back petals.
Narcissus, ‘Tahiti’ He opened yesterday and is Mike’s favorite. His petals are like crepe paper.
Narcissus ‘Billy Graham,’ My favorite. I love the white halo at the base of his trumpet.
I know many of you are insatiable readers and are enjoying this time to devour stacks of patiently waiting books. But, have you read any fairy tales lately? I am a great fan of Cicely Mary Barker. She wrote a great deal about flower fairies and did beautiful illustrations as well. So should your spirits need a lift, her writing may just be what you need. And, her books are available online. By the way, have you ever gone into your garden in the spring and wondered how a particular plant or bulb ended up in a specific location? My answer, the flower fairies.
“If I’m honest I have to tell you I still read fairy-tales and I like them best of all.” ~ Audrey Hepburn
There are many good things I pray will result from these difficult days. One, in particular, is that we will slow down and in future days always take time to see. Perhaps having time to do so during this crisis will have taught us the lesson. The following poem is one of my favorite pieces by Cicely Mary Barker. In her whimsical way, she speaks to the importance of seeing beauty in common things.
“Open Your Eyes!”
To shop, and to school, to work and play,
The busy people pass all day;
They hurry, hurry, to and fro,
And hardly notice as they go
the wayside flowers, known so well,
whose names so few of them can tell.
They never think of fairy-folk
Who may be hiding for a joke!
O, if these people understood
What’s to be found by field and wood;
What fairy secrets are made plain
By any footpath, road, or lane-
They’d go with open eyes, and look,
(As you will, when you’ve read this book)
And then at least they’d learn to see
How pretty common things can be!
“Stepping out of the busyness, stopping our endless pursuit of getting somewhere else, is perhaps the most beautiful offering we can make to our spirit.” ~ Tara Brachse
Dear friends, I truly hope this finds each of you and your loved ones well.
Hold each other tight and know we will see better days. Sending you wishes for a lovely day and to stay well.
And let us all remember to…
“Light tomorrow with today” ~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Amour,
Sandra
Images: via tumblr and Pinterest
What a joyful book suggestion, Sandra! And your daffodil varieties are all so beautiful! Along the boulevard, the daffodils have been in bloom for nearly three weeks now, and still look so pretty. It is a calm respite to see them among the surrounding chaos and uncertainty. I am enjoying cooking more, and have no problem whatsoever with #stayinghome. So grateful we can still get outdoors.
Good morning, Rita. The daffodils certainly do lift our spirits. They are just such cheerful blooms.
I am grateful to get outside as well and have much to do in the garden. Although, I am having to work around the rain. As far as the chaos of the world, everyone here seems to be staying at home and trying to be cautious. I believe it is a good time to be a West Virginian. Stay well, Rita. Hope all your family is well also.
Your spring flowers are beautiful. My tulips are starting to come up. I am a stay at home type person as well. Stay safe my friend.
Thanks, Penny. Enjoy your tulips when they arrive, I know they will be so pretty. Wishing you and your family to be well.
Good morning, Sandra! As always such a beautiful post to lift our spirits! Take care, and enjoy your day, sweet friend!!!
Thank you, Shannon. I hope this finds you and your family well. Have a lovely day and stay safe.❤
que hermoso todo lo que nos dices …que sabiduría hay en todo…La cita de Audrey Hepburn no me sorprende, ella era muy especial: sensible, adorable, hermosa, armoniosa, buena persona…etc…Siempre ha sido mi actriz preferida porque, además, era buena actriz. Tengo la biografía de ella y es posible que todo lo terrible que pasó en la 2º guerra mundial fuera una experiencia que moldeó su carácter y su vida.
Me encantan los narcisos, son obras de arte de la Naturaleza. Es un post muy bello el que nos regalas.
En cuanto a estar en casa, me siento identificada contigo porque después de estar largos años : estudiando en la escuela, estudiando la carrera y luego trabajando, el estar en casa es como una bendición de Dios….jajajaja
Y hablando de Dios…Espero que tenga compasión de todo esto que está pasando en el mundo entero. Claro que hay que tener en cuenta la frase popular que dice:
” Dios escribe derecho con renglones torcidos”….y yo lo creo.
Besos
How beautiful everything you tell us … what wisdom there is in everything … Audrey Hepburn’s date does not surprise me, she was very special: sensitive, adorable, beautiful, harmonious, good person … etc … She has always been my favorite actress because, in addition , was a good actress. I have her biography and it is possible that everything terrible that happened in the 2nd world war was an experience that shaped her character and her life.
I love daffodils, they are works of art from Nature. It is a very beautiful post that you give us.
As for being at home, I feel identified with you because after long years: studying at school, studying for a career and then working, being at home is like a blessing from God… hahahaha
And speaking of God … I hope you have compassion for all this that is happening in the whole world. Of course, the popular phrase that says:
“God writes straight with crooked lines” …. and I believe it.
Kisses
Dearest Dolores, Thank you for your beautiful words. Yes, Audrey Hepburn was a remarkable woman, truly beautiful inside and out. Dolores, my heart aches for this world and all the suffering. I pray for God’s wisdom and mercy to prevail. And, I know it will.
Blessings to you, dear one. Do take care and be well.❤
Good morning. The sun is shining after a storm earlier that hopefully washed away some of the pollen! It is always a bright spot to visit with you on Sundays. As always, your post uplifts and encourages me with beautiful images, quotes and your personal sentiments. The daffodils in your garden are exquisite. I agree the “Billy Graham” would be my favorite. Wishing you and Michael a lovely day and stay well my friend ♥️
Hello Pam, so good to see you today. Thank you so much for your kind words. We have sunshine today as well, a treat after much rain. I just came in from looking at the daffodils, they are so pretty this year. Mike rescued a couple from the edge of the downspout and they have bloomed for the first time this year. They are an old variety (our home was built in 1939). I wish my dear mom was here to identify them. Must get out the books. You and your beautiful family have a lovely day. Wishing all of you to stay well. ❤
Beautiful flowers and quotes! Praying God to save the whole world…Difficult days…Thank you for this encouragement post. Hugs.
Your images of daffodil varieties are beautiful! They have been long gone here. Sandra, it is full-fledged summer here now. We have had highs of 88 and 87 the last several days. My armarylis are blooming and have been enjoyable. Or trees are all leafed out. We definitely had an early spring.
I have enjoyed staying home but the crisis is very distressing. I am praying hard for our leaders, those that are sick and their families and all the health care workers.
I am cooking more too.
Thank you, Bonnie. I remember spring in the south. It was always gone a little too soon for me, but it was certainly beautiful. The virus is so scary. I, too, am praying for everyone and their families. Do be safe and stay well, Bonnie. Blessings to you and your family.
This post is divine, Sandra. Your daffodils dazzle — mine are still sprouts and will be for awhile. But I’m happy to settle in and wait. Like you, I’m very happy at home with books and cooking and more. The flower fairy book is gorgeous! I think I have some baby blooms planted by the flower fairies in my own garden! Most of all, I love your beautiful words. They lift my spirits. I’m happy to Stay Home as long as it takes… and it could be awhile. But if I can venture into daffodil territory as you have, that’s a grand help!
Many thanks, Jeanie, for your kind words. I do love daffodils and they are an abundance of cheer. I have a clump of daffodils by the back gate and I know I did not plant them there, as it makes the gate difficult to open. So, who else but the fairies? I believe we will be in this crisis for a good while longer. Stay in and do be well. I am making Rick’s pasta again this evening. You posted it a while back and it is a hit with us. Thanks again, and know I always love hearing from you.
You know, Sandra, I had a smell of daffodils as soon as I saw those lovely yellow photos. It was a treat to visit, have a respite moment reading your post.
Wishing you a beautiful week ahead…
Brenda xox
Thank you,Bren and it was a treat to have you. Stay well, my friend.
Oh how beautiful, Sandra! Your daffodils are spectacular, they always lift spirits, don’t they? Stay well, dear friend, and thank you for always inspiring and uplifting us. The Flower Fairies are a particular favorite of mine, ever since our first daughter fell in love with them as a little girl. {they had little dolls in Europe as well as the beautifully illustrated books.} xo Lidy
Thank you, Lidy for your visit and kind words. Yes, daffodils are such happy blooms and are so welcome after winter. Enjoy these spring days and do stay well.