Yesterday morning I really fancied a good cup of coffee, you know a Proper Coffee made from freshly roasted and ground beans, with hot, well frothed milk on top. I didn't just fancy it actually, I was absolutely gasping for it. I cut back my caffeine intake a few months ago, switching to drinking decaff at home, but I do confess to loving the hit from a decent caffeine-fuelled cappuccino. A few times a week when I'm out and about in town I indulge and enjoy, it's become a real pleasure and something I look forward to during the week. Somehow it tastes better because I'm not having it so often.
Anyhow, yesterday....late yesterday morning I walked the two minutes to the bottom of my street where miraculously there happens to be the most fantastic coffee shop. They roast and grind 35 different types of coffee beans on the premises, and my-oh-my the take out coffees are superb. But they are made of strong stuff. Uh-huh, s-t-r-o-n-g. About half an hour after drinking my delicious cappuccino yesterday, I was hit sideways by a wave of caffeine, the sort that leaves you feeling jittery on the edge of your seat and unable to sit still. I kind of like the feeling, it causes me to rush about and DO Things.
So yesterday's caffeine rush combined with the sun shining induced a frenzy of outdoor activity. It was marvellous! I got such a lot done!
I decided to do something quite rare and impulsive for me and Plant Seeds. It's been quite a few years since I did this, as although I reliably buy seeds each year, I don't actually ever plant them. I tend to put them in a bowl in my kitchen, gaze sweetly at the pretty packets each day, and leave it at that. Not so this year!!!!! No, no no!! This year, aided by that terrific cappuccino, I got down to some dirty work and seeds have really been planted. I'm so happy!
I find the whole idea of planting seeds absolutely mind blowing, I really do. They never fail to astound me, these little tiny brown dry things. How marvelously clever they are! It really does seem like magic to me, that you can stick them into the dirt, provide water and warmth and lo and behold they will germinate and sprout and push their little shoots skywards.
The first seeds to hit the earth were Pot Marigolds (calendular), which I adore. I decided to plant them directly into this old colander which I bought last weekend in a second hand shop. I'd remembered seeing one on Steph's blog planted up with flowers and the image had stuck. I thought it was a fantastic idea to use one of these for flower growing, it has in-built drainage holes and everything. A little bit of Kitchenalia Chic.
On Friday I purchased a couple £1 pots of sweet pea seedlings from the supermarket. Now as with the seeds, I also buy these every single year then forget about them, leaving the poor things to become spindly, tangled and root bound in their pots. The resulting plants therefore begin their growing lives in rather a traumatised fashion and never recover to grow as they should. I always then feel dreadfully guilty and annoyed at myself, but not so this year! No, no no!! This year, aided by that terrific cappuccino, I got down to some dirty work, gently separating the seedlings out, pinching out their growing tips (as advised by Mum) and transplanting them into some large pots. Happy, happy, happy :o)
The caffeine was still coursing through my body at this point, so I rushed down to the cellar and located my Tub Of Old Seeds. These are the seeds that have been reliably bought-but-not-opened during the past four years. Four years of flower dreams that never came to fruition. Hahaaaaaaa!!!!!! Not So This year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This year I am making it happen!
First out of the seed archives is Morning Glory, how I love love love these exuberant climbers. I am very excited at the thought of having them twining around and about the place this summer, producing their gorgeous trumpety blue flowers each day.
I found some old chipped china bowls in my back yard and thought I could sow my seeds into them instead of the usual little plastic plant pots or trays. That way I'd be able to bring them inside to my teeny-tiny kitchen windowsill and they would look quite at home. Also, they wouldn't leak water everywhere cos there aren't any holes.
After the Morning Glory came the Nasturtiums, variety "Jewel Mixed". Love love love Nasturtiums. L-o-v-e 'em. Love their sweet, humble beauty, love their vibrant colours and love the way they are always so cheerful and happy looking.
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!! I planted Nasturtiums!
After the Nasturtiums came Cosmos, variety "Dwarf Sonata Mixed". These will hopefully become foot high daisy type flowers in shades of pink and white, with delightful feathery soft foliage.
Sweet little magic seeds, I am willing you to grow. I am already dreaming of pyjama clad early morning summer forays into my back yard to snip away at nasturtiums, sweet peas, cosmos and marigolds. I'm hoping to create the most gorgeous little cutting garden out the back here, I can hardly wait. I don't need armfuls of flowers to be happy. Just enough to fill a little glass ink bottle or a weeny hand painted jug will do.
Of course, I do realise that planting seeds is a relatively easy thing to do, and that it's only the very first stage in a long line of stages before the flowers appear. I do realise that I am now responsible for the upkeep of these seed bowls, need to administer correct amounts of water, need to sing and chat daily to them in order to encourage growth. I do realise that there will then come the business of PrickingOut and PottingOn, and then possibly some HardeningOff? In actual fact it's quite a lot of sustained effort to nuture a flowering plant from seed. But I am up for the challenge. Yes indeedy. Bring on the magic.
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I've been thinking a lot about caffeine recently, and trying to cut down - did you get headaches when you first cut it out?
Oh! All my favourites. Sweet Peas especially - I love how the more you pick them for inside, gorgeous smellery, the more they bloom! Going full-time at work was the downfall of my garden. I need to MAKE time to get in the garden. I can't wait to see your lovely flowers in all their glory.
Jude.x
Posted by: Jude.x | March 25, 2012 at 04:07 PM
This is a bit off topic, but I'm having some trouble with my granny stripes. If I start with 21 chain stitches. Turn around, make a dc in the second stitch from the needle I end up with 20 dc stitches. Do you count the first loop (don't know if this is the right english word) as a chain stitch? I don't understand what I'm doing wrong.
/Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | March 25, 2012 at 04:11 PM
Recent convert to Attic 24. I love your blog. Admiring the stained glas in your kitchen window and wondering what the story behind it is?
Mary. Dublin x
Posted by: Mary | March 25, 2012 at 04:16 PM
How nice to do some planting! :-)
Posted by: tinajo | March 25, 2012 at 04:21 PM
Thanks for your lovely blog!
Just a little warning: seeds need to be fresh to germinate. Usually you don't want to use anything older than one year. The older ones might not ferminate well or at all, depending on the plant and the age....
You did such a lovely job, though!
Posted by: Steph S | March 25, 2012 at 04:22 PM
Ooh what fun! You will have such a colourful garden when they have grown!
Posted by: Kezia | March 25, 2012 at 04:30 PM
I can't believe you've actually got me thinking about planting and gardening... something I really hate to do. Lucy, you never fail to be an inspiration to me!
Posted by: Lilea | March 25, 2012 at 04:36 PM
Aah, how lovely. I too have decided to go for mostly flowers this year (other than strawberries, blueberries and, oh, tomatoes of course). Did you know that Nasturtiums are entirely edible and absolutely wonderful in a salad?
Heather x
Posted by: Heather | March 25, 2012 at 04:37 PM
Sweet peas!!!! I'd forgotten!!!! Thank you for the reminder and thank goodness for seedlings!!!!!
I too have many many packets of seeds in my cupboard - full of good intentions, but I just keep finding myself with fabric or wool in my hands instead of earth....maybe caffeine is the answer ; )
Posted by: Truly Myrtle | March 25, 2012 at 04:38 PM
Your blog really inspires me! It's absolutely time to get out there and plant stuff. It's magic - there's no other explanation for it. I'll remember the tip about pinching out the tips of the sweet peas too. *is itching to get started*
Posted by: Ali | March 25, 2012 at 04:38 PM
Lovely!
Posted by: Claire | March 25, 2012 at 04:47 PM
LOL I've got packets and packets of seeds that remain unplanted. Perhaps I'll try the 'fuelled by caffeine' method of gardening too!
Posted by: domesticlou | March 25, 2012 at 04:49 PM
Hi Luce,I get half strength coffee -can't handle the full shot -but it also means I can have two cups of coffee while I read a magazine or do some writing during ME time. :-) I Planted my seeds last week, freesias, scented ones; it's autumn here. And I planted cress and sno pea sprouts in empty egg shells so they are already up and running and peeping over the top of the egg shell. Yes, planting it wonderful! Let's watch them all grow.
Posted by: Lu Douglas | March 25, 2012 at 04:51 PM
How exciting! I can't wait to see your pictures of them as they grow!!
BTW, Thank you for posting. I stumbled over here from another blog one day.. and have been absolutely enjoying reading and being inspired by your posts!!(inspired by your shelves) Thank you!
Posted by: Cindy aka Yarndevil | March 25, 2012 at 04:57 PM
I really need one of those coffees!! I bought a huge pile of seeds this week and like you I usually end up just looking at them. This year I am determined to plant a cottage flower display (it'll probably be eaten by the birds, cats, dogs and other creachies but it worth a go). Hope yours germinate. Lily. xxx
Posted by: Lily | March 25, 2012 at 05:00 PM
I too am an inveterate Buyer Of Seeds. Every four or five years I round up all the unopened packets and sprinkle them liberally into the front garden. Lots of random things come up - it's really interesting to see which ones last well beyond their "sow by" date and which ones don't....
Posted by: One-oh-four | March 25, 2012 at 05:00 PM
The best way to keep seeds from year to year is to put them in a glass jar and put it into the fridge. Not all seeds keep well but many do. also, be careful of the morning glories. I love them also but they can take over really fast and then they reseed themselves. My neighbor planted them a few years ago and then left them. They soon took over her yard and every year try to take over the whole block.
Posted by: dmandy | March 25, 2012 at 05:16 PM
Looking forward to seeing them in full bloom, they'll be a lovely display in summer!
Posted by: Jay | March 25, 2012 at 05:17 PM
Oh how I love sweet peas!! I'm going to try pots of them on my deck right next to my house -- to try to protect them from hungry deer. They are so lovely to watch but such pests as they eat everything in sight here in Virginia in the U.S.. Yes, lots and lots of pots may be the answer to growing beautiful flowers this year. I found your blog a few months ago and look forward to each and every posting.
Posted by: Patricia P | March 25, 2012 at 05:35 PM
I have been planting seeds, painting sheds and weeding today, such joy! Now though you have put my mind firmly in the mood for coffee!
Posted by: Deco Cat | March 25, 2012 at 05:38 PM
Morning Glories and Sweet Peas... Oh, how I miss living somewhere I could plant those and not watch them die almost immediately.
If you're planting in containers that are without drainage holes on the bottom, I do hope you're putting down a layer of gravel at the bottom before adding your potting soil. Otherwise, your wee plants' roots will be constantly soggy and really, who likes soggy feet? :D
Posted by: Hook N' Yarn Creations | March 25, 2012 at 05:48 PM
I love your enthusiasm for planting. It's contagious!
Posted by: CrochetBlogger | March 25, 2012 at 06:06 PM
Well done and don't worry too much about potting on - they will probably flower well even when all crammed in together.
If you do the same in 3 weeks time - after coffee of course - you will then have flowers for longer.
Enjoy Lucy.
Posted by: Adele | March 25, 2012 at 06:10 PM
You bought coffee, you bought seeds, you bought a colander, bought, bought, bought.
Yesterdays post, you bought, bought, bought.
This used to be a great blog but now it's all about your spending and aquiring habits.
Great for you that you can afford to eat out in cafes (coffees a few times a week? £££'s) but we're getting sick of having it rammed down our throats. Not all of us can afford to stay at home and SPEND on trivial things. Fresh flowers bought every week? Numerous pots of bulbs? All chronicled on your blog.
Thrifty you're not! Spendthrift? YES.
Posted by: Helena | March 25, 2012 at 06:11 PM
oh my goodness! well, opinions are just that--"the eye of the beholder", and all that... I love the way Lucy shows how introducing color into a home, and by making things herself, she can create a happy comfy home. Sowing plants from seeds bought, saved, or traded is one example of her thrift. Using colorful yarns to create furnishings for her home is another. Everyone's budget is different. I hoe we all can take inspriation from her ideas and translate them into projects that fit out own budgets.
Posted by: sue | March 25, 2012 at 06:22 PM