The year’s at the spring, And day’s at the morn; Morning’s at seven; The hill-side’s dew-pearled; The lark’s on the wing; The snail’s on the thorn; God’s in His heaven ~ All’s right with the world! ~ Robert Browning, Pippa Passes, 1841
Good Sunday morning, dear friends. Spring arrived yesterday in such a beautiful fashion. Bringing hope and beauty to our weary world. And, today is just as lovely, not a cloud in our magnificent blue sky.
Speaking of ‘hope to a weary world,’ does anything offer hope as much as a daffodil? I think not, especially after winter and COVID. Our King Alfreds are on center stage in our garden and many other varieties are beginning to show color. I stand in awe of these fabulous beauties as I think of such gorgeousness growing from a bulb in the cold ground. God’s handiwork.
Mike was cutting a rather lavish bouquet the other day and his hands became too full to finish his cutting. Looking around, he spotted the ‘V’ in our Japanese maple ~ Nature’s vase. We both thought it was a pretty photo. I love the daffodils with the hellebores.
Most of the vases I own have come from my antiquing adventures and they were never expensive. There are a few exceptions, most of which were gifts from my dear mom. However, the other day I was perusing a Ballard Design catalog, and look what I found. A cherry blossom tulipiere. I was immediately in love. They refer to it as a ‘floral frog.’ It was my splurge and I can just see it dripping with peonies.
I know you remember my dear and lifelong friend, Janet. She is the beautiful soul who creates and stitches stunning needlepoint designs, many of which grace our home. Oh, but talent and creativity do not rest. Janet is adding another skill to her resume, she is also becoming a gardener. Gardening really isn’t her passion, but she loves beautiful flowers and me. Therefore, when I sent her daffodil bulbs for her birthday, of course, she had to plant them. Above are her British Gamble and Fortissimo. I think I should add photography to her list of talents as well.
Many spring flowers, especially daffodils, are dancers. William Wordsworth thought so, along with Jessie Dysart. It is a special gift to enjoy them as they sway ever so gently and gracefully, dancing in a spring breeze. If you listen carefully, you can almost hear them giggling. They are ‘celebrating and dancing to the music.’
Dancing With Flowers ~ Jessie Dysart
Glimmering early morning light,
What will this day become?
I saunter to the garden,
Seeking the counsel of flowers,
With answers more than man,
The flowers began to sing to me,
Listen, they are singing for you too,
Spectrum of notes from all pigments,
Even the colors of woeful blue,
‘Cause sad flowers sing too,
Look at the flowers (swaying),
Gentle late morning breeze,
Flowers dancing with me,
Will you let them dance with you too?
“Next to the rose, whose divine right to monarchy cannot be questioned, the violet is the poet’s flower.” ~ Willis Boyd Allen
Today, was my dear mom’s birthday. She would have been ninety-nine years young. I say young because she was young until the very end. She could find joy everywhere, in everything, and in everyone. She was an extremely talented and strong woman. I am so grateful she was my mom and, oh, my goodness, the wonderful things she instilled in me.
One of my best memories of mom was venturing out with her on a chilly and sunny spring morning to gather violets for her violet jelly. We would go early, as it takes quite a while to gather enough violet blooms for jelly. And she always wanted to do two turns. One for us and another for special friends. It was a marvelous treat on toast or a biscuit, especially on a cold January morning.
I have included a recipe from “Taste of Home.” It looks much like what I remember mom making, should you want to go violet picking. Note: Be sure to read the editor’s notes.
Violet Jelly Ingredients
8 cups fresh violet blossoms
3-1/2 cups boiling water
1 package (1-3/4 ounces) powdered fruit pectin
1/2 cup lemon juice
4 cups sugar
Dear friends, I believe with all my heart our future looks much brighter than it did this time last year. Mike and I had our second COVID vaccination this past week and I am hearing many others have had theirs also. However, circumstances do not matter, spring never fails to arrive in all her glory providing enthralling beauty.
This year, may we enjoy every blossom, every bird, every luscious smell, every blue sky, every raindrop, every hour of the brilliant light and sunshine.
And. . .
May we be grateful for such lovely blessings, always.
Wishing you and yours a beautiful day. Stay well.
“Daughter of light! thy fairy step Steals softly over vale and plain, And with thy bright and joyous smile, Beauty and life awake again.” ~ Mary Ann H. Dodd Shutts
Amour,
Sandra
Photos: M.S. Lambiotte, Janet, tumblr, and S. Lambiotte
Recipe from: Taste of Home
Happy heavenly birthday to your mom!I cannot remember a better beginning to spring (other than the day my first daughter was born 36 years ago!), given the new-found freedom of getting out again, especially as compared to the fright of this time last year. Have a beautiful day, Sandra. I love your new vase and look forward to seeing your peonies in it!
Thank you, Rita. And happy birthday to your daughter. March people are special. Yes, our year ahead does look brighter and offers hope. Wishing you a lovely day and week ahead.
Good morning, Sandra. Lovely spring arrived on time with a sunny, but cool day in our Appalachian Foothills. I know your mom was a lovely lady and taught you much. The jelly sounds wonderful, especially on a spring morning. Your new container is perfect, I don’t know how I missed that one in Ballards catalogue. Your daffodils are stunning ? Happy Sunday!
Thank you, Pam. The jelly is wonderful, but oh so time-consuming, in the picking. I do love my new tulipiere and am looking forward to using it often. Have a lovely day and week ahead, my friend. ❤
Beautiful spring post Sandra. I am feeling optimistic this spring. I have had both vaccines and my husband second one is this coming Saturday. We are still masking up in public and will continue to do so until informed otherwise. Have a wonderful week ahead.
Good morning, Penny. I am glad you both will soon have both your vaccines. We are doing the same regarding masks. Wishing you a great day and week ahead!
Sandra, thanks so much ! You got many gifts from your Mom, I from my Dad. We have so much to be thankful for, God, family, spring, freedom, parents, vaccine, we are blessed! Your Sunday Thoughts are very comforting !
Good morning, David. Thank you so much for your lovely comments. Yes, we do have so much to be thankful for – our lists are long. Wishing you and yours a beautiful day and week ahead. Many blessings, my friend.
Sandra, I have been eyeing that vase for some time. It looks beautiful with your pretty daffodils. You are such a talented gardener. I always love reading about your dear mother. I know you must miss her very much. That jelly sounds delicious! I hope you have a most beautiful week ahead, sweet friend!
Good morning, Shannon. I do love my new vase (tulipiere). You don’t often find them in this size or shape. My mom was the talented gardener, she had forgotten more than I will ever know. I do miss her so much. The jelly is a treat, but lots of work. Thank you for your kind words, wishing you a lovely week as well, my friend.❤
Hello, Sandra, Congratulations on getting your vaccine shots. In Canada, we are somewhat behind. My parents, in their mid-80s, will have them next week, and our age group should have them by the end of April. Daffodils are such cheery flowers, and they do indeed dance, especially in the March winds we’ve been having. Your husband’s bouquet in the tree cleft is beautiful! Have a wonderful week.
Good morning, Lorrie. So glad to hear your parents will soon receive their vaccine and that you will also receive them shortly. I do love daffodils and have so many different varieties. I rather have given up on tulips, as the bunnies love them so. Hope you are under blue skies this morning, it is a beautiful but chilly March morning here in the WV Hills. Have a lovely week!
I clearly think you must be your mother’s daughter in her wonderful life-long outlook. Those birthdays are so important to remember and honor. The violet jelly looks so interesting, although I don’t know where I’d find eight cups of violet blossoms! And those daffs. Oh, they make my heart sing big happy songs. I love the tulipiere. That’s a stunner. But my fave? The daffs and tulips in the tree — nature’s vase is a perfect name for it. Just gorgeous! Biggest smiles from here!
Hi Jeanie, the violet jelly is lovely as well as delicious. I would imagine as spring comes alive a little more you should find in your Michigan woods violets to be plentiful. It is a back-breaking job to gather them though. I don’t think I am up to it anymore, but the memories are wonderful. Hope spring is singing to you, Jeanie. Have a beautiful week.
Lovely thoughts! From a new spirit!
Thank you!❤️
Many thanks, Joanne. I do hope you will return and follow along. I appreciate you taking a moment to comment. Have a lovely week.
Your mom sounds so lovely. And how beautiful that her birthday coincides with spring. Happy birthday to your mom in heaven.♥
Good morning, Angie. Mom was a treasure, but then I believe everyone thinks that of their mom. Thank you for her birthday wishes and she thanks you too.
Sandra, Happy heavenly birthday to your mom. My mom and yours sound very similar in personality, and both spring babies ( my mom was born April 12th.). Spring matches their personalities–cheerful and brimming with enthusiasm. Can’t wait to see your peonies in your lovely new vase (my favorite flower). I am so enjoying these glorious, sunny spring days. Last year was an unusually rainy spring and summer ( I am not a rainy day gal, so all that rain got to be depressive ). May you be blessed w/ a glorious spring, sweetie.
Hello, Bobbie. Thank you for the birthday wishes for mom, and she thanks you too. I didn’t know peonies were also your favorite. I have loved them Bobbi since I was a little girl. They are such a magnificent flower. When we lived in VA. and I had a huge garden I collected them. I left over 200 of them there. Our home sold in 18 days and I had left a photo album of the garden in the kitchen. Our realtor said the garden sold the home. These early spring days are truly heavenly, our daffodils are beginning their show. Wishing you a beautiful spring as well, savor the moments. ❤
200, WOW! I would definitely be in total bliss. When I look at homes for sale, seems the landscaping is always at the top of the list because it takes forever to establish large trees and a nice garden, then I can add my own touches to that foundation. I’m sure your garden in VA had to be difficult to leave, but now you have another lovely one. We’ve had days in the low 80’s, but weather report said we may get some snow flurries this Friday–crazy ! Big Hugs!
Bobbi, it was a beautiful sight to see them bloom. Although, with the heat of the area they did not last as long as they do here. I really enjoy spring in WV as it is slow to arrive and leave. We are to have snow on Thursday, winter saying goodbye. Big Hugs to you as well.