My fresh flowers for this week are these absolutely breathtaking dahlias, bought at the weekend when I was in town. I was walking past the plant stall on route to the nearby cheese stall and these blooms literally stopped me in my tracks. Bang! I was literally rooted to the spot by them.
The plant stall sells mainly plants (obviously), but on one side they always have a small selection of buckets on the pavement containing bunches of fresh flowers. Mostly they are supermarket-stylie mixed bunches of averageness, but I always keep an eye out for any buckets that contain seasonal blooms. You know, bunches of daffs and narcissi in the spring, then sweet williams in early summer, and right now dahlias.
There were bunches of all different colours (oh how I wish I'd had my camera with me!) all for £2.
I bought them home and immediately wanted to photograph them, I was just intoxicated by the colour of them. So rich, so vibrant! So know-yer-socks-off gorgeous!
The light indoors on that day was pretty poor so I took them outside, still wrapped in their paper...and Oh!!!!! Look at that single petal! Oh, just l-o-o-k at that petal!!!! It fell onto my wooden plant bench outside, and I was sooooo transfixed by it's colour(s) against the blue paint....well, you can imagine I expect, knowing me like you do, knowing how easily I get the excitable heebie jeebies.
I do so love dahlias, showy-offy as they are, they are flowers full of fun and joy.
Can you remember me telling you last summer of my holiday to Northumberland and my experience of the Dahlia Walk at Cragside? oo well I'm just remembering that all over again now after re-reading that post, and loving the knowledge that we shall be there again at the end of next month :: woohooo!
This £2 bunch of flowers has really made me very very happy this week.
The sight of them sitting in the corner there by the window lifts my spirits, and brings life and colour and happiness to the whole room.
And I think they do look rather fetching next to my hex blanket, which is equally flamboyant and showy-offy and joyful.
Ahhh fresh flowers, they are just the most...the most...well, aren't they just??
xxxx
Now then, before I go and begin some baking activities with bored offspring, could I just have your attention for one weeny moment, cos I've got a little something to ask you.
Ok, here goes....
It seems I'm in the running for this months Little Blog Awards, held over at Dorset Cereals rather nice website. Blogs can be nominated and voted for, with a winner being chosen at the end of each month, which seems to me like quite a nice idea.
And seeing as Attic24 is currently in second place, and there are three days left to this month, it occurred to me that perhaps-possibly-maybe the Attic might be able to make it to first place with your help???
I did try and put a fancy vote-for-me widget button thingy on my blog yesterday but it would not work and I gave up. Sorry 'bout that. But if you do enjoy your visits to the Attic (oh please say you do!), and would perhaps like to vote for me, then you can go here and click on the Vote button. I know many of you have already done so and I am truly grateful as always for your enthusiasm and support.
I think it would make me feel very happy to win. And I'm all for happy feelings.
((thanking you very, very much in happy-feel-good anticipation!))
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Your blog IS my favorite blog, so of course I voted for you!
Posted by: Peppy | July 30, 2009 at 07:26 PM
Hi Lucy have just voted too and it's in the 600's so you should be OK? I've also linked your blog in the ''blogs I read'' bit on blogspot as I always read yours when I have a spare moment that is... Not that many now the kids are off school are there? I have a request too: am making special trip to Bolton Abbey re the money tree and all your photos of it and the walks but we're mostly in Wensleydale/ Swaledale next week and CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHERE OH WHERE there are any yarn shops nearby - near Bolton Abbey that is...??? PLEASE e-mail me direct if at all possible? Thanks. By the way puppy Lucy is now 5 months old and is coming to walk in Yorkshire!
Posted by: Merry Susan | July 30, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Hey - just checked Dorset Cereals - sooooo happy to see you are 464 votes ahead of your nearest rival! (as I type!)
Well done - you have such a lovely cheery, inspiring blog that it's no wonder everyone has rushed off and voted for you! Yeay!
Posted by: Jules | July 30, 2009 at 12:15 PM
Go Lucy! As far as I'm concerned you should get blog-of-the-year. Your comments on life are perceptive,unpretentious and modest; your writing style has a natural rhythm, and your photography is captivating. Thankyou for sharing your days.
Posted by: twinklesmum | July 30, 2009 at 12:10 PM
I love dahlias! I've been buying them every week at the farmer's market here.
Posted by: Alison | July 30, 2009 at 11:19 AM
HI Lucy.. I voted for your blog and you are currently in the lead with 601 - but in the terms and conditions it said I was supposed to be a UK resident... shHH we won't tell anyone now will we? I have the right of abode since my husbands dad was born there? Does that count?? LOL
I too love Dahlia's they remind me of my beloved nan.
Posted by: Chars | July 30, 2009 at 11:04 AM
You have my vote lovely lady.
Beautiful flowers, tried growing dahlias this summer and the slugs and snails have obliterated them...chomped to their hearts content. I had to take them away it made me so sad seeing their little bite marks every morning! Have a lovely weekend xx
Posted by: Alison Hutchison | July 30, 2009 at 10:36 AM
Wow the flowers are amazing!
+1 in votes :)
Posted by: Emma | July 30, 2009 at 09:49 AM
Hi Lucy
Have voted for you. Love your blog. I follow it regularly. Who knows i may even start my own one day soon.
Karen
Posted by: Karen Barrett | July 30, 2009 at 09:47 AM
Btw did I spot a stranded skein of gorgeous yarn behind the mouse. Looks like the border yarn for BB. OOOOOH tadaaaaaah soon then?
Posted by: Nathalie | July 30, 2009 at 09:09 AM
When I last checked (and voted) you were up at N°1. I'll hope you'll win, 'cause you deserve it.
Although I'll have a look at all the other blogs up in the running, looks as if some pretty nice ones are ready to be discovered
But never found a blog like yours Lucy, as it always puts a smile on my face and helps me to remind me to enjoy the little things in life.
You rock
Posted by: Nathalie | July 30, 2009 at 09:08 AM
Yay! you've gone up to No.1......congratulations!!
Louise x
Posted by: louise | July 30, 2009 at 09:00 AM
vote is in! beautiful flowers, dahlias are some of my favourite warm flowers as well
Posted by: Anna | July 30, 2009 at 08:57 AM
WOW!...you stand a brill chance of winning well over 500 this morning
Hope the prize is a good one you deserve it
Thanks for a wonderful blog...totally addicted
can l ask do you have a workroom/studio or have you spread like most crafters? lol
Good luck not that l think you'll need it
Posted by: Suz | July 30, 2009 at 08:53 AM
Hi Lucy
I'd already voted for you but have now voted with my other e-mail address too as really think you deserve to win - you inspire me & make me smile whenever I pop by :o)
Good luck! Natalie xxx
PS gorgeous dahlias
Posted by: Natalie | July 30, 2009 at 08:51 AM
Done, do hope you are successful.
Posted by: Lynette | July 30, 2009 at 08:41 AM
Dahlias are such show offs - just what the garden needs after all the earlier summer plants are fading - however I seldom go within a 10 yard radius of them as they have a darker side...........
Harbourer of the dreaded earwig!!!!!!!
Posted by: Anne Bebbington | July 30, 2009 at 07:57 AM
done! I already voted for your blog, i absolutely love it! And thanks for the neat ripple pattern, im just starting my own and with your instructions it is soooo easy
Posted by: Gaby | July 30, 2009 at 06:31 AM
Of course I will vote! Your blog caught my eye with all the gorgeous colors. I have always loved lots of color and saw your blog and fell in love! I am working on a ripple blanket for my daughter, inspired by you! I am always excited to visit the Attic!
Posted by: Liz Gering | July 30, 2009 at 06:05 AM
Hi Lucy
Dahlias are my most favourite summery flower, they are so flambuoyant!!
Oh and I voted for you too!! Good luck! :)
Posted by: Lara | July 30, 2009 at 04:28 AM
Wow, these dalhlia's are the exact colours I am adding to my art space...I have just got rid of all my shabby chic and ribbon embroidery and am embracing bright, light colours, and this post just is so perfect for me today...thanks for sharing your flowers!....xx
Posted by: Julia Rose | July 30, 2009 at 01:55 AM
I voted for you, and you were in the lead by miles, so fingers crossed. I love dahlias, and grow them every year in the garden, so i enjoyed your lovely pink photos. All those ruffled petals are gorgeous:-)
Posted by: Marie | July 30, 2009 at 01:02 AM
I'm going to vote for you!
The pictures of these dahlias are absolutely beautiful. I am myself am a fan of gardenias. :-)
Posted by: Mandy | July 30, 2009 at 12:51 AM
I've eagerly voted ! ! ! ! ! !
Yes, vote early, vote often.
You're the highlight of the day - as usual.
Posted by: Gerry Hook | July 30, 2009 at 12:13 AM
I absolutely voted, and it looked like you were still leading!! Best of luck-- I hope the baking went well.
Posted by: Leanna | July 30, 2009 at 12:12 AM