“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

 

 

“Faith sees a beautiful blossom in a bulb,

a lovely garden in a seed,

and a giant oak in an acorn.” ~ William Arthur Ward

Good Sunday morning, beautiful souls.  I do hope this finds you and your families well.  We are learning to live life somewhat differently, aren’t we? 

The other day, while I was enjoying the gift of a little sunshine, I thought, “Perhaps we are dealing with this virus, as dreadful as it is, for a reason.”  I do believe good will come from it.  Things such as kindness toward our fellow man, common courtesy, enjoying the little things, treasuring our families and our homes more than ever, returning to solid values, and appreciating the beauty of our earth and all living creatures. 

So without further chatter, I will let the images and words speak for themselves.  And please, take a moment to read my ‘special notes’ at the end of this post.

“God sends the dawn that we might see the might-have-beens that still might be.” ~ Robert Brault

 

“The birds of hope are everywhere ~ listen to them sing.” ~ Terri Guillemets

“Hope is winged ~one wing faith-patience the other action-effort.  We must fly with both wings!” ~ Terri Guillemets

“Never lose hope. Storms make people stronger and never last forever.” ~Roy T. Bennett

Peony, Courage

 

“In difficult times carry something beautiful in your heart.” ~ Blaise Pascal

Dear friends, I hope you have enjoyed your visit.  I will leave you with something I feel is beautiful, inspiring, and offers hope.  “Anthem,” by Leonard Cohen.

Visit here:  

Know I am wishing you and yours a lovely day.  Do take care and stay well.

 

Amour,

Sandra

Special Notes:  Leonard Cohen was born on September 21, 1934, in a suburb of  Montreal, Canada.  He passed away at his home in Los Angeles, California on November 7, 2016.

This extraordinarily talented man was a singer, songwriter, composer, poet, and novelist.  He was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame,  the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

In 1992, Cohen’s ninth studio album, “The Future” was released, and on this album, he introduced the song “Anthem.”  This song became an anthem of hope.  And one I feel is appropriate for our current times.  He also was also the writer and composer of “Hallelujah.”  I have loved them both since I first heard them.

 

 

“I must have flowers, always and always.” ~ Claude Monet

Claude Monet’s home ~ Giverny, France

Good morning, dear friends.  Isn’t Claude Monet’s home in Giverny, France magnificent?  It is exploding with color and blooms.  Monet thought,  “He perhaps owed becoming a painter to flowers.”  I hope one day to visit his gardens.  They were his love and he spent his lifetime creating them.  Truly he was a gifted soul and a marvelous inspiration.  His paintings and gardens are captivating.  But, did you know he was also quite the cook?  I will tell you more about that “At Table.” 

You have probably gathered from the title of this post it is all about inspiration. And, Monet’s gardens would certainly be an outstanding source of inspiration.  However, even though you are visiting ‘Maison de Jardin,’ perhaps you will see something you would like to recreate or some bulbs you can cleary see blooming in your garden next spring.   So come along with me and be inspired. Relax, enjoy ~ it’s a beautiful day!  

“Oh, what a dawn of day!  How the March sun feels like May!  All is blue again after last night’s rain…” ~ Robert Browning

After a long and cold winter, snowdrops will surely make your “heart sing.”

A beautiful and rare snowdrop ~ Blushing Pendant

“Snowdrops: Theirs is a fragile but hardy celebration…in the very teeth of winter.” ~ Louise Beebe Wilder

“Blossom by blossom the spring begins.” ~Algernon Charles Swinburne

“…Then from my heart will young petals diverge, as rays of the sun from their focus; I from the darkness of earth shall emerge, a happy and beautiful Crocus!…” ~ Emily Dickinson

Daffodil, Blushing Lady

Daffodil, British Gamble

“Daffodils that come before the swallow dares, and take The winds of March with beauty…” ~ William Shakespeare

A favorite of mine ~ Daffodil, Barrett Browning

“Tulips were a tray of jewels.” ~  E.M. Forster

Pink Parrot Tulips, my favorite.

Tulips, in my opinion, are stunning pieces of jewelry for the garden.  They add so much charm and beauty, even though they do have to be replanted from time-to-time.  They are worth the effort.

“The whole world is unfurling as the winter makes to leave, like it is stretching out its limbs and learning once more how to breathe.  For spring is in its fingertips; the time for sleep is through, and the air is gently humming with the chance to start anew.” ~ Erin Hanson“My heart found its home long ago in the beauty, mystery, order, and disorder of the flowering earth.” ~ Lady Bird Johnson

I enjoy a little disorder among the order.   It reminds me of the Amish.  They will often plant a few seeds of corn in their rows of sunflowers to serve as a reminder to themselves and others, they are not perfect. 

“I sit in my garden, gazing upon a beauty that cannot gaze upon itself.  And I find sufficient purpose for my day.” ~ Robert Brault

 Columbine, Granny’s Bonnet

 

Dear Friends, I hope you have enjoyed your visit and, perhaps, have become inspired.  With the times being as they are, now more than ever,  I feel beauty is a soothing balm for our hearts and souls.  

Know how much I appreciate your visit. 

And…

 I am wishing you a wonderful day.  Take Care!

 

“I think that if ever a mortal heard the voice of God it would be in a garden at the cool of the day.” ~ F. Frankfort Moore

 

Amour,

Sandra

 

 

 

 

Images: via tumblr

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Sometimes I need only to stand wherever I am to be blessed.” ~ Mary Oliver

Good Sunday morning, beautiful souls.  As I am writing this, my window is slightly open and I am listening to the birds singing.  It is such a delightful thing after winter, to enjoy the sounds and scents of spring blowing through the window.  Truly, I am blessed by this lovely gift.  I rather imagine if you look around, wherever you are, you will smile and feel the same.  Because, so many things become beautiful and appreciated, ~ if we only look.

Know I am wishing you and yours a glorious day.

And,

Do take moments to enjoy…

“…the sweet wildflower breath of spring…” ~ Terri Guillemets

 

Amour,

Sandra

 

Image: via tumblr

 

“The wings of hope carry us, soaring high above the driving winds of life.” ~ Ana Jacob

The cherry tree is a symbol of hope.

Good Sunday morning, beautiful souls.  I do hope this finds each of you enjoying early glimpses of spring.

On this blog, I usually try and stay away from political issues or happenings around the world.  I do so because I feel we receive a daily overload of both from the media and I want my blog to be a source of inspiration and beauty for everyone who visits.  However, the awful Coronavirus warrants our attention.  So, today I would like to share my thoughts about this freighting and terrible virus issue.

“Hope is some extraordinary spiritual grace that God gives us to control our fears, not to oust them.” ~ Vincent McNabb

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if I had answers to share regarding the situation?  I don’t.  And at this point, I am not sure who does.  But I do feel the medical professionals and scientists who have spent years in training and devoted their lives to their professions are the folks who should have our attention. I believe it will be in our best interest to do what they suggest: such as avoiding large crowds, staying at home as much as possible, sanitize the areas in our homes which have a great amount of use and wash our hands often and thoroughly. 

Now, this too shall pass, but until it does, today the threat is real.  It will take all of us working together, listening and following directions from reliable sources to get this situation under control.  And, should you believe in the power of prayer, which I do, please pray for those who have been infected, for the outbreak to pass quickly, and for the well being of all our medical personnel and every worker on the front line.  Also, offer a prayer for our leaders to heed the recommendations from knowledgeable professionals in the fields of medicine and science and the wisdom for them to make sound decisions.    

“A world in which there are monsters, and ghosts, and things that want to steal your heart is a world in which there are angels, and dreams and a world in which there is hope.” ~ Neil Gaiman

The blue iris is also a symbol of hope.

So dear friends, keep hope alive and believe there will be good things which will come from this disaster ~ new medicines and greater knowledge, which will benefit not only the current population but future generations to come.   And know…

“Hope is the word which God has written on the brow of every man.” ~ Victor Hugo

Wishing you and yours a lovely day.

And…

Stay well and keep the faith.

Amour,

Sandra

 

 

Images:  via tumblr

“But you knew there would always be the spring, as you knew the river would flow again after it was frozen.” ~ Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast

Daffodil, Fortissimo

Good morning, sweet friends.  Are you longing for spring?  I so love to see spring dressed in her finest.    She has such a stunning array of colors in her wardrobe. And, everything she wears is simply beautiful.

“I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden.” ~ Ruth Stout

I am so happy to see you this morning.  Please join me in Le Jardin, the blooms are eager to meet you.  Once you meet them you will understand my ‘longing for spring.’   Although, one certainly does not have to be passionate about the garden to long for the beauty of spring.  But, perhaps, the blooms will inspire you to create a garden, plant something you have not grown, or visit a public garden.  

Even though many of you have possibly seen several of these photos in the past, maybe there are some you haven’t.   Either way, I hope you will enjoy them as much as I do each spring.  So, pour yourself a large coffee/tea and I will begin the introductions.  Oh, if you are hearing a little chuckle, it is the blooms.  They are so happy you are visiting.  “A flower that blooms speaks to us of many things: beauty, hope, mystery, and miracles, but most of all, of LOVE.” ~ unknown

Just in case you didn’t already know, I have a deep love for peonies.  I have adored them since I was a little girl.  There are around sixty-two different varieties of these beauties tucked in our garden.  Each and every one makes my heart pound.

Unknown Tree Peony gifted to me by my friend, Cathy.  I named her ~ Princess Cathy.

Peony, Gardenia

Peony, Courage and a stem of Baptisia. Notice the speckles on her petals.  My mom said, “God gave her special attention.”

Japanese Tree Peony, Suffruticosa~ Double Violet

Peony, Red Charm

Peony, Coral Sunset

Peony, Sunny Girl (butter yellow)

Sunny Girl in the vase.

Peonies, Sunny Girl (yellow), Paramount (pink), Coral Charm(darker pink) and Col. Owen Cousin (white), all waiting for a vase.

A treasure to me, my grandmother’s peony.  I believe her to be Chestine Gowdy. 

Peony, Chiffon Clouds

Peony, The Fawn

“I yearn for flowers that bend with the wind and rain.” ~ Tso Ssu

“Can we conceive what humanity would be if it did not know the flowers?” ~ Maurice Maeterlinck

Perhaps you are now on peony overload.  So, we will move on to other blooms longing to meet you, the ‘Iris girls.’

Iris, Ruby Morning

Iris, Stairway to Heaven

Iris, Silverado, with a shaded unknown purple in the background.

Iris, Beverly Sills

Iris, Laced Cotton (white) and Violet.  I love them together.

Iris, Pandora.  Pandora and I share Mississippi roots.  She is a true Crayola yellow.“Flowers really do intoxicate me.” ~ Vita Sackville-West

  Cobalt Dreams Delphinium and Queen Elizabeth Rose.  

Unlike Sackville-West, I couldn’t say “flowers intoxicate me.”  However, some have made me giddy as a young school-girl.  They bring me so much joy.  And, as you will see, there are many beauties other than peonies which speak loudly to me.

Clematis, Rooguchi – her bell-shaped blooms are delightful.

Antique, red rose.  She only has one showing a year, but it is magnificent and fragrant.

A close-up of the Antique rose.

Lilacs could come close to intoxicating someone with their lovely fragrance.  I am so longing to see their blooms and smell their fragrance.

Lilac, Ludwig Spathe, raised by me from a tiny slip.

 

Lilac, Mme. Lemoine, also raised from a tiny slip.  This is a beauty and a double, it was identified by a friend in Va.

“Flowers have spoken to me more than I can tell in written words. They are the hieroglyphics of angels…” ~ Lydia M. Child

Iris, Edith Wolford

Sweet friends, I feel you must now understand why I named our home “Maison de Jardin” (The Garden House) and you can see why I am longing for spring. 

I hope you have enjoyed meeting the blooms.  In addition to the blooming plants I have shared, the garden is supported by five different varieties of boxwood and summer bloomers, such as hydrangeas, lilies, and many annuals.  It is amazing what can be tucked into a small garden. Should you have any questions regarding any of the plants, don’t hesitate to contact me.  Many of these plants have been with me since the mid-1970’s and moved with us when we returned to West Virginia from coastal Virginia.  Therefore, I know them well and would be happy to answer any and all questions.

Statuary in our garden. Photo merged by Andy Walker (see note at the end of this post). 

 

The angels are blowing you kisses goodbye and  Wishing you a beautiful day.

And…

As you go about your days,

Do listen carefully so you may hear,

The Laughter of The Flowering Spring.

 

 

Amour,

Sandra

 

“The earth has music for those who listen.” ~ William Shakespeare

 

 

 

 

 

Notes:  All photos, Michael S. Lambiotte

A few years ago (before my blog) I wrote a home and garden column for an online newspaper, The Clarksburg Post.  

Andy Walker was the owner and editor, he would do lovely and unusual things with our photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” ~ John Muir 

Good morning, beautiful souls.  These late winter and early spring mornings are a wonderful time for a walk.  It is invigorating to fill our lungs with the cold morning air and it wakes us to the beauty along our path.  There is so much to see and enjoy. 

“There is nothing more beautiful than nature early in the morning.” ~ Vincent van Gogh 

I love to come upon things while on a walk.  Such as a lovely unexpected clump of snowdrops nestled at the base of a tree.  It is almost as though someone planted these beautiful shy plants simply to be a sweet surprise.  Snowdrops have an enchanting quality about them, perhaps it is because their appearance is an announcement of spring.

And, how fortunate one is to discover Bluebells.  These special beauties love a damp shady spot with dappled light.  Their blooms hang in clusters and are the most fabulous shade of blue.  To see them in mass is breathtaking.

Dear friends, know I am wishing you and yours a lovely day.

And…

May the beauty of nature greet you at every turn.

 

 

“The splendor of nature lives in man’s heart; to be seen, it must be felt.” ~ Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)

 

Amour,

Sandra

Images:  via tumblr

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” ~ Dr. Seuss

Good Sunday morning, sweet friends.  It is true, isn’t it?  When you stop for a moment and think about it,  many of the important things, ~ “we did learn in kindergarten.”  Chances are, most or many of you have also read Robert Fulghum’s book, “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.”  He truly brings the hugely important things, we all have learned, directly to the front.  And, every now and again, I enjoy re-reading his words.  I hope you will too.

 

“All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten”

“Most of what I really need to know about how to live, and what to do, and how to be, I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sand box at nursery school.  These are the things I learned.

Share everything.

Play fair. Don’t hit people. Put things back where you found them.  Clean up your own mess. Don’t take things that aren’t yours. Say you are sorry when you hurt somebody. Wash your hands before you eat. Flush. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. Live a balanced life.

Learn some and think some and draw some and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day. Take a nap every afternoon.

When you go out in the world, watch for traffic, hold hands, and stick together.

Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the plastic cup? The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why. We are like that.

And then remember that book about Dick and Jane and the first word you learned, the biggest word of all: LOOK! Everything you need to know is there somewhere: The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation, ecology, and politics and the sane living.

Think of what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about 3 o’clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankets for a nap. Or we had a basic policy in our nation and other nations to always put things back where we found them and clean up our own messes.

And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out in the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.”

~ Robert Fulghum, “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten”

Dear Friends, thanks for visiting and I hope you have enjoyed your time with me.  As always, I am sending wishes to you and yours for a beautiful and peaceful day.

And…

As you go about your days,

May the Golden Rule be your guide.

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

 

Amour,

Sandra

 

 

 

Images: via tumblr