Hi Hyacinths

Hyacinth bulbs are once again gladdening my days, filling them with daily anticipation and a welcome sense of seasonal rhythm. Every November since moving to this town I have enjoyed the simple pleasure of having a pot of hyacinths to tide me gently through to the festive season.

I look out for their arrival in the local supermarket pretty much every day from the second week in November onwards. They come in a brown plastic pot for just a few £'s - three bulbs planted up and already showing the neat little flower buds. There is also a fetching little bit of green moss on top of the brown earth, which pleases me rather a lot. As soon as that brown plastic pot lands in the Attic, it is whipped off and the whole earthy, root-bulb ensemble is transferred to an old stripy Cornishware bowl. Moss arranged neatly on top and a good splash of water and then it's time to watch and wait.

I shall  enjoy waiting, watching, waiting for these flower stems to grow tall, and for the buds to slowly open. These flowers will be white, I really can't wait to see (and smell) them.

Bulbs are such little miracles of nature, such fascinating, clever little things! I remember growing hyacinth bulbs as a child, placing them carefully on top of a glass jam jar filled with water, then closing them away in the darkness of the cupboard-under-the-stairs for what felt like for-ever. Waiting for the first roots to grow down into the water, then waiting some more for the green shoots to follow, then waiting even longer for the leaves to reach the required 4cm before we could finally bring them out into the light. I love that my Mum did this for us, my childhood hyacinth memories are very vivid.

I've got a bulb waiting to grow in my studio too, with it's own special glass growing jar and everything, which is rather super indeed. An unexpected gift from a good friend, isn't that a fab type of a gift? I had it on the windowsill for a few days, then reluctantly moved it away from the light and into the darkness so that nature can do it's thing. Looking forward to saying "Hi" to the roots and shoots in a few weeks time, and then waiting, waiting for the Delft Blue flowers to come :)

In other blue news, we have finally had some colour in the sky this week, hallelujah for a bit of blue up above at long last. I was getting a bit sick and tired of all the depressing, glowering grey, I kept feeling like the sky was right on top of my head, pressing down.

And finally - I really can't wait to tell you about this pretty yarn, so clever this stuff. I took a heap of knit-infested photos today, but need more than a few hours before bed to tell you the whole story so it'll have to wait. I'm off to the Land of Nod now I think, see you tomorrow with the knitting.....

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

ps thank you so much for all your kind and thoughtful comments on my last post {Comfort Zone}. Can't quite find the words, but thank you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Melissa]

The colored yarn is beautiful! I definitely have to find some:)

[Jo Kneale]

Blue are my favourite. I think they smell more.... even if they don't!

[Linda]

Thank you for reminding me about the Hyacinths, I must get some!

[Debbie Tristram]

I love hyacinths too and you inspired me to dig out my glass jar and buy a bulb to try. Which colour to buy???
Also intrigued by your lovely houses next to the hyacinths. Are they felted or crocheted or both?

[Rae]

I also love Hyacinths ...blue is the colour for me! although I do get a bit bothered by the smell I love to have them on the kitchen windowsill. I've transferred loads of them into my flower beds over the years....they never cease to make me smile when I see that little green head pop up.

[Joy]

loving your hyacinth memories and can't wait for the woolly story!!!! xx lots of love Joy xx

[One-oh-four]

Ooh, spooky, Danielle's comment just before mine says exactly what I was going to say! Yay for blue sky though!!!

[Charlotte]

have never had hyacinths but you have inspired me to look for them and give it a try. My mom did not do this but it is something I can do for my grand-peeps. thank you for the inspiration.

[Sharon]

Ooh, you remind me, I must check mine, I put them in a cupboard and haven't checked for a couple of weeks :-( You have me intrigued with that gorgeous yarn!

[Estela Stuart]

yo también he plantado mis jacintos,tu blog/ideas són preciosos...gracias!

[Elsie Pop]

Ah I love hyacinths! I might finally be able to have some in my life now I have a cat-free office - my two will eat any flower I bring in the house! xx

[Claire]

That post taught me that what you 'plant' in your children's childhood can stay with you and give you pleasure forever!

Wish my mum had done the hyacinth thing!

[CJ]

Oh, you've just brought back a load of memories I had forgotten, I always had a hyacinth bulb in the cupboard under the stairs as well. It's funny how these things come back to you isn't it. I used to love bringing it out and seeing the roots and the shoot. I know what you mean about the sky pressing down. Somehow when the sun comes out it feels as though there's more air. I went round with my camera the other day just taking photos of things sitting in the sunshine and the blue sky. It was such a relief. CJ xx

[Teresa Kasner]

I will snap up some hyacinths next time I see some. I also like how they give me a bit of Spring over the long Winter. I look forward to your knitting post! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

[Carolinr]

You have sparked my interest in growing hyacinths again this year. I also happen to love rocks. Where did you find the ones in the fifth photo down? They are really quite special. So are you, Lucy

[Ellice]

You are definitely a nurturer. I too love hyaciths and absolutely adore the fragrance. I look forward to seeing progress of your horticultural babies. The contrast of the colours of leaves and flowers are incredibly vivid. Keep up your wonderfully written blogs, I so look forward to reading them.

[Cintia - Sol de Noche {deco crochet}]

Your pics are always great! Beautiful hyacinths!
http://soldenochedecocrochet.blogspot.com.ar

[Angela-Southern USA]

Such comfort, traditions. Enjoy the hyacinths. I too have one of those bulb vases. I look very much forward to hearing all about your knitted socks. I've been digging through holiday décor planning on what theme for this year.

[Piglettos]

I love hyacinths too, not spotted any yet but I'm sure they won't be long. Think it is funny the memories we have from childhood, remembering the small, forgetting the big things x

[Gillian Booth]

Ah lovely hyacinths. I plant mine to cheer the days when Christmas decs are down and January stretches cheerless ahead. When the children were small we always grew them in water, in special pots. Each of my three had their initials on the pot for 'their' hyacinth and we waited eagerly for flowering time. Looking back further my own grandma did this for me too, or how would I have known to do it with my children? Happy memories. Rather bittersweet though as we face our second Christmas without one of our precious daughters, left us too soon.

[Winwick Mum]

My hyacinths are still outside in their pot where I left them after they flowered last year. I should probably go and find them as they really do smell fabulous. Thanks for the reminder! xx

[Sally]

I love,love hyacinths xx

[Danielle]

Oh I love hyacinths too! Unfortunately my husband dislikes their smell and I don't have a studio, so we don't get any inside.. Enjoy yours!