A Flowery Weekend

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Blue skies have been seen above number 24, thank goodness! I took the above picture early on Saturday morning when I bobbed out into the back yard to carry out some Deep Breathing. I'm having a bit of a job coping with life on the home front this week, I feel like I've been expending a huge amount of energy just keeping a check on my emotions. But really, when I step back and look at things objectively, all is well. Of course it is. I'm just a little worn is all, and in truth I think I'm in need of a break. Time Out. I'm working on that one, an idea for a weekend away is brewing.

J continued to battle with illness over the weekend, he has really been up against it and I've felt very sorry for him, truly I have. Often I find I am shockingly short of sympathy for other people's ailments, but with J, well he is so very rarely ill that he does get my full sympathy when it happens.

I spent some time on Saturday trying to pull things together a little on the domestic front, cos what with one thing an another, my weekly Home Blessing sessions have not happened in recent weeks. And it was showing. I had to laugh when I came downstairs on Saturday morning and saw my poor overgrown flowers in sad decline on the mantel...I thought it just about summed up how I was feeling. Sort of wilty and all out of oomph!

So to cheer myself up, I cleared the outgrown pots away and replaced them with new. I really adore these little yellow pots of narcissi, and as they aren't always in the supermarket when I need them I've been snapping them up when they do appear. I find I can keep them downstairs in the cool, dark of the cellar to grow veeeeeeeeery slowly, and they can then be brought upstairs when needed.

The same with the hyacinths. These also came up from the cellar on Saturday to replace the faded Bridal Crowns and are just at the perfect Point Of Growth to bring out. There's not too much waiting to be done before the flowers open and the room takes on that gorgeous scent.

I find that having fresh flowers in the house is such an amazing tonic, the sight of them really does induce an instantaneous feeling of pure happiness. I feel that happiness jolt straight through from my eyes to my heart.

It's especially true when I place a small jar/jug/bottle of flowers in an unexpected place, like this little glass jar of daffies in my kitchen. They got left there on Friday when I bought them home from the market as I kept forgetting to move them (they were destined for my bedside). But then each time I walked into the kitchen during the weekend, wham! They hit me that happy-jolt straight to my heart. That lovely visual surprise made me smile so much that I've left them right there.

They really are the sweetest little daffies, their petals are sort of star-like, and their little frilly trumpets are the most glorious orange colour. I am quite in love with them.

Sometime during Saturday afternoon, I took a sudden spur of the moment decision to Go Out. I just all of a sudden HAD to get out of the house, out into the fresh air to walk and spend time by myself. One thing I really love about where I live is that it is very simple to take oneself out the door and walk to somewhere. Within ten minutes I can be at the park, or along the canal, or into woodland or straight into the heart of the town.

Or maybe for a change I can walk up past the Castle......

.....turn left along this beautifully green stone wall, and YES!!!!!!!

I've arrived!

Destination Snowdrop!

WoW. Do you remember me showing you this patch of floral delight last year?

Isn't this a truly breathtaking sight?

Beautiful. Just beautiful.

After the snowdrop experience, I wandered down into the town to mingle with the tourists and stroll around the market. As I had my camera in my pocket I was able to snap a picture of the plant stall for you, isn't it looking glorious? You can see the buckets of Spring flowers which stopped me in my tracks on Friday, oh those orangey tulips, mwah!!! Lovely.

I pootled in and out of shops on Saturday afternoon, just allowing the hustle and bustle of it all to wash over me. I flicked through magazines, smelt handmade soaps, fondled little cups and jugs, browsed through pages of books, stroked knitwear and scarves. I just walked and browsed, walked and browsed until I was suddenly very weary and ready to head home.

Saturday happened to be J's birthday. Poor guy. He felt so unwell on Saturday morning, with a body full of aches and shakes and chills and sweats, he hardly had the strength to open his cards and pressies. The Little People had made him combined Birthday and Get Well Soon cards, covered in ♥'s and xxx's. He said that he couldn't quite face a birthday cake, so instead I bought some little bite-sized rocky roads. I spent a happy while making weeny flags to stick into them by way of making them celebrationish. The Little People thought this idea quite funny and ridiculous. They kept asking where the candles were going to go. I really liked the effect though, it pleased me enormously when I placed this plate of flagged sweet-treats on the table after dinner.

When all the bite-sized edibles had vanished, I rescued the flaglets and stuck them into my pots. Just like that.

I'm liking my daft flags very much, the sight of them amongst the flowers is really making me happy.

One last bit of floral weekend activity for you...my first succesful mini crochet rose. I made the design up myself after failing to find anything online that was small enough or simple enough for my liking. I think it could maybe do with a few more outer petals so I'm going to tweak it a little more, but I'll gladly give you the pattern when I've got it right, if you'd like to join me in my forthcoming hooky-rose-fest. I'm thinking bunting and a wreath. A rosy wreath! Oooooooo!!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

ps today has been much better all round. J is finally on the mend and we even managed a short Outing today. I'll share Outing pictures tomorrow, prepare for a dose of picturesque Winter Secenery xx

 

 

 

Comments

[Sarah]

Loving the rose - I quite like the size that it is, however I will bow to your judgement as your are usually spot on x

[Irene Porter]

Lovely post as usual. Those daffs are such a lovely colour. Spring looks definitely on the way. Looking forward to little rose pattern.

[Adaliza]

There's nothing like a bit of sunshine and some fresh flowers to perk up wintertime blues. I loved being in Wales over the weekend - misty valleys at sunrise and breathtaking old buildings in Cardigan town. Definitely a weekend away will perk you up - although it made me very homesick! I've been crocheting daffodils this evening, ready for St David's Day!

[feresaknit]

That rose is so cute - can't wait for the pattern! :D

[Deborah]

Hi Lucy: A great big How you doin'? from Philly. I too bought some daffodils this weekend along with some Eucalyptus. I spied some pansies in your pics, I just love their little faces. They remind me of my grandmother who I miss so much even though she has been gone some 32 years now. I find it truly mind boggling that someone that I have never met and lives so far away brings me such JOY. I pray for you Lucy so that you can overcome your blahs and enjoy the springtime ahead. Take care of yourself and that wonderful spirit of yours.

[Jude.x]

(((hugs))) Winter blues. Spring will be here soon. And a break to look forward to? Sometimes things just get on top of us and we can't explain why; but we get through it, don't we? Saturdays walk sounds like it was the perfect escape for you; and what a very pretty place you live. Hope J is better soon. Don't forget to look after yourself when you are running round after your lovely family. xx Jude.x

[Shirley Flavell]

A beautiful, colourful happy post Lucy.Your rose looks just gorgeous.Here in N.Z. we haven't had a particularly hot summer but I have enjoyed what we have had, can cope with the lower temps better.Shirley

[Heather]

agh no, poor J! Being ill on your birthday sucks. Sending get well thoughts!

[Abi]

Gorgeous post, Lucy. I so enjoyed reading it. Thank you. :)

[maypole]

You need to get out of the four walls and into the fresh air sometimes, not always easy when you have 3 children and a poorly man. Lovely colourful post as ever though.

[rosiehearts]

I know what you mean about having flowers in the house. There's nothing quite like it for a bit of cheeriness!

[sumea]

a beautiful post, i particularly love the snowdrops :)
glad to hear J is on the mend and hope he is soon back to full health.
coincidentally it was by father's birthday on saturday and he wasn't very well either (he was recently in hospital and caught a bug there).
my children like making flags and things with which to decorate cakes etc. have never thought of using them to make the house plants more festive, they look cute! the little rose is pretty too.

wishing you a lovely week x

sumea

[tine]

Beautiful :)
tine

[judy]

despite the weather, it sounds like I would love to live in a village like yours! Love the flowers...we don't have any up yet, even though our winter was milder than the norm here in New Jersey, USA

[Lyn Z... Long Island NY]

WOW Simple amazing beauty: what's in walking distance from where you live, the flowers the flags the sweetness of it ALL!!! As always thanx for sharing as you so generously do!!! Special get well wishes for J :)

[Rachael Iddon]

Ah yes, the need to escape. I fully understand. Your town looks like a lovely place to escape to. I may even have a little jaunt there myself one day as I have a friend over the hill from you. Hope this week is better all round. Supposed to be a big sun over my patch tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

[Ellie]

Glad to hear he's on the mend!
Just loving that green wall - my favourite colour.
Ellie
x

[Jenn H.]

I think I would much rather live where you live in the winter. There you have flowers blooming. Here, its nothing but brow, black, grey and white. And to top it off, we're supposed to get a snow and ice storm tomorrow. :(

The rose is so pretty and cute! Once the pattern is available, I'm totally going to make one!

[Jacquie]

Hi Lucy, yay for flags in plants and snowdrops and crochet roses....gorgeous. looking forward to a dose of scenery :0)
Jacquie x

[Carol]

Flowers and blue skies = smiles on faces.
Glad to read J is feeling better.
Carol xx

[Brenda]

Hi Lucy, Glad to hear J is feeling better, the photos around town were lovely, it blows me away that you can just walk past a castle! xxBrenda

[diana]

Sunshine, snowdrops, market shopping and a CASTLE!!! Those are Canadian "!!!!". ;-) It sounds like your outing gave you a chance to take a breather and re-energize. Thanks for sharing your lovely mini birthday flags and crochet rose. ;-)

[Rajeswari]

Lovely post Lucy. the weather really does bog one down, but hey it's just a season and they are meant to change. Illness too , I m sure with your care would be well past gone now.
I had done a wreath from your tutorials and some more inspirations.

http://diapermum.blogspot.com/2012/02/spring-time.html

Time is very beautiful now:)

[Jo]

Oh, poor you. It is horrible when life all becomes a little difficult to keep control of isn't it? Glad to hear things are starting to get back on track. Hope J manages a speedy recovery. The rose is gorgeous, soon as I saw that I thought 'garland'. Bet the wreath idea would be beautiful too.
Look after yourself, Lucy. Keep smiling xx

[Ellie]

Good for you for taking a breather by yourself! What a charming Area you live in! I don't remember your patch of snow drops from last year, so thanks for posting these pictures! I love flowers and enjoy your colorful posts. Take care! Spring's just around the corner!