Five on Friday... and Suddenly It's May

"Wait, it's May now?

We're in May?

What happened to April?

When did this happen?"

GRETCHEN RONNEVIK, as seen on X

I didn't plan to take a blogging break these past couple of weeks. But the days, suddenly busy, flew by in a terrible hurry, and I found myself on Thursdays without any blog posts ready for the next day. I had lots to chat about, just not the time to shape it into a post. So this week I wasn't letting that happen. 

'Spring has sprung and the grass has ris'. So goes that old saying. Indeed, all the spring bulbs are now up in the garden, creating spaces of heady delight. There was real joy in watching the first green tips appear—it felt like our world had been dead-brown for so long. And now I've even had the childlike pleasure of spotting my first bright dandelion nestled on the neighbour's front lawn (I'm sure he was happy to see it, too😉). Birds are back in full throttle (well, except for songbirds who arrive later in May). And our neighbourhood jackrabbit—I call him The Bunny—was spotted in our backyard the other morning, relaxed and looking dapper in his summer browns nibbling his way through a patch of fresh greens.

It feels that it's been a hasty farewell to April but we are ready to give a hearty welcome to May! Here's hoping you enjoy today's edition of Five on Friday. And thank you, dear friends, for stopping by (and thank you for your patience).

One

Outside My Window

Our spring bulbs outdid themselves this year. Planted several autumns

ago, they've been gradually filling in spots in both the front and

back gardens. Now we get lovely little patches of welcome colour -

crocuses (above), Scilla, Tete-a-Tete (narcissus), and grape hyacinth (muscari).

Not to forget the jaunty wild pansies also known as Johnny-Jump-Ups that

pop up unexpectedly, and exuberantly, in the sweetest spots.

Two

Surprise from Cornwall 

I recently received an email from my dear blogging friend Barbara in Cornwall,

England, in which she mentioned she was sending something to me via Amazon.

It arrived just before my birthday. Such a treat to receive Secret Gardens

of Cornwall, a lovely coffee table book full of wonderful photography and

interesting text. Rick and I are both enjoying it. You may recall, Barbara is the

blogging friend I met when we visited England in 2016. It was such a sweet

visit over tea that day. Even though we'd never met in person before,

it was like meeting a dear longtime friend. 

Three

Facing 68 

I am pretty sure I now have 68 wrinkles to match my years! When I mentioned 

this to my girlhood friend, Linda, she hoped that I hadn't taken the time to count.

I replied, No, I didn't... it is what it is. So no, I'm not getting my lips fluffed nor

my eyelids lifted. Besides, a certain fellow mentioned something about his

beautiful wife in his recent birthday card; I'm taking his words at face value. 💖

Four

April Treats Wrap Up

As I mentioned in my last post, during April I'd been giving myself 

little birthday treats and enjoying ones providentially given

either in nature or from family and friends.

Keeping track of the treats each day has been quite the eye opener.

I've been astounded at how many came my way on a given day. It was

as if when I declared I'd be on the lookout for treats during April,

things started showing up. More like, I was now paying attention to the

world around me. It's true what Iris Murdoch once said:

"One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats."

And I would add, and really noticing them when they arrive.

To carry on from my last post and to wrap up April, here are a few more...

as you will see, I have been well treated! I'm filled with gratitude.

April 12 - 18
The treat of a spur of the moment coffee party with family one morning.

And fresh from the oven Banana Nut Loaf. It was delicious and our visit was sweet.

The treat of first anticipating a parcel arriving from Cornwall, UK, and

then opening it when it arrived - to find a lovely book about gardens.

Rereading the classic children's story The Secret Garden by

Frances Hodgson Burnett. I enjoyed being once again in the presence

of Mary Lennox, Dickon, Colin, and crusty old Ben Weatherstaff.

Watching the green feathery catkins bursting out

on the hazelnut tree in our backyard.

Opening the mailbox to find a little parcel prettily wrapped from my

writing buddy, Joy. It was a new Jane Austen-themed birthdate book.

Being given a gorgeous bouquet of flowers (top photo) in a riot

of colour by my dear husband. The day before my birthday,

he said he had to go out and pick up some toonies ($2 coins) at

the bank for the carwash. He came back with flowers! And yes,

he did actually stop at the bank for the coins. It wasn't just a ruse.

The treat of finding birthday cards in the mailbox, and

lovely birthday wishes from friends online.

A trip to Camrose, a nearby city where we visited a lovely

café for lunch. We were served especially yummy BLTC sandwiches

on Nova Scotia oat bread, along with lattes and lemon tart for dessert.

A visit to the local art store and a gallery to see the current

exhibit with Canadian artists Shea Proulx and Jennifer Long.

Buying a copy of the Spring Country Living magazine, British edition.

The front cover (above) filled with those spring flowers was a treat

all by itself, never mind flipping through to see all the beautiful

photography and descriptions within.

Being treated to lunch out with longtime friends.

Gifts of potted plants (white cacti, tropical greenery, African violet)

nestled in an Easter basket, sparkly 'bee' earrings, and a butter bell

(for keeping butter fresh and spreadable without refrigeration).

April 19 - 25
Easter Brunch with family. Sitting around enjoying good food,

 telling stories and jokes, and laughing. To top it all off, eating a tiny

slice of Tuxedo (chocolate-y layer affair) Cake at the end of our meal.

The treat of leftovers after a holiday meal.

The treat of going for a walk on a spring morning, and it

smelling like spring - awakening grass and trees and earth.

The treat of reading the essays in the Spring Anthology

edited by Melissa Harrison for the National Trust, UK.

Having a quiet day where there was nowhere we had to be or go.

The treat of visiting a local greenhouse that was just bringing in

perennials and annuals (with blooms) on which to feast our eyes.

Listening to the newly arrived robins

whistling in the tree tops.

The treat of seeing my glucose numbers finally in target.

Which made it a happy, happy day for me.

The treat of smelling rain in the air when we

came out for our morning walk.

More birthday cards arriving in the mail.

Rereading the well beloved The Enchanted April on an April evening

- at the spot where Lottie and Rose have arrived in San Salvatore.

They've just woken up the first morning and are staring like

starving prisoners at the beauty outside their windows. And

feeling a sense of well-being that they've never experienced before.

As a reader, I felt so happy for them in this moment of the story. 

Hearing the gentle splish-whish of a mallard and

his mate landing on the pond.

The treat of eating Irish Egg Salad on a crispy croissant

(mashed hard-boiled eggs, chopped lettuce and tomato,

S & P, English Salad dressing, or mayo if you don't have).

The treat of afternoon tea after a busy day. Rick has just come in from

outside and has that nice windy scent on his hair and clothes. He's been

punching holes in the front lawn—I think they call it aerating, haha.

April 26 - April 30

The treat of hearing 'conk-la-ree!' of the red-winged blackbirds

for the first time this season. In years past, when the young birds had hatched,

the mommas often came to our feeders carrying away mouthfuls for their

growing young. What a delight to watch when she later brought the fledglings

to the feeders. They'd sit there with beaks wide open; she'd feed them for a while,

but then came the time when she said, it's time to feed yourself.

The treat of hearing kids playing and laughing at the park

while out for our walk in the evening.

A trip to Elk Island National Park where it's still early spring. Still

only hints of green as trees wait for warmer days (and nights above freezing)

to break out in earnest. No sign of the by now very pregnant female bison.

The treat of hearing hundreds of frogs singing in the

swamps. Oh, that takes me back to my childhood on the farm.

The treat of a bowl of sugar-free vanilla ice cream

with diced melon and pecans.

Spotting the yellow Tete-a-Tete narcissus opening

under the tree in the front yard. 

The gold metallic Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pen I bought

recently at the art store. I'm busy sparkling up my journal.

The great treat, for me, of being able to write in my journal

day by day, year by year. I'm so glad for pen and ink and paper.

The treat of receiving birthday cards with

pretty floral postage stamps on the envelopes.

The treat of a memory my mom shared with me about when I was just

a tot. I used to point and say, 'Momma, pencil', pointing to where she

kept them. She said I loved pencils. And I must admit, pencils have been

a joy ever since. I love colouring with brand new pencil crayons, but

I do take great pleasure in the feel of a short stubby pencil in hand when

I'm reading and want to underline or star a certain phrase or passage.

❦

And, that is the last of my April treats. What an inspiration it's been to keep

track all month. What a gift it's been. There's no reason to stop now.

Perhaps I shall carry on... pay attention... and enjoy. 

 

Five

From Curated Delights

My niece Chiante is a girl after my own heart. We both love

being creative, books and reading, and now tea parties.

She is a bookbinder in the Ottawa area. And she

recently created a subscription for her social media (her website)

followers, for which she creates, crafts, and curates a collection of

treats that she sends out quarterly. Her debut box Curated Delights

'Garden Tea Party' arrived a couple of days ago. It was so

exciting to open and unwrap all that she'd packed for us.

In the picture above, you get a glimpse. Below is a list:

- handmade notebook with embossed floral motif (love it)

- print of a summer picnic by a Saskatchewan artist (love it)

- two tea invitations with wax seals (cute)

-  two recipes - one for sandwiches, one for scones (yum)

- 'Cream Earl Grey' teabags (they smell delicious)

- crocheted doily coaster, floral and leaf ribbons,

soundtrack QR code, and inspiration card

She hopes her subscribers will be inspired to create

their own tea party using some of the items received.

I'm pondering it.

Bonus

A Favourite Quote...or Three

"Knowing you have something good to read before

bed is amongst the most pleasurable of sensations."

VLADIMIR NABOKOV

"Being happy isn't having everything

in your life be perfect.

Maybe it's about stringing together

all the little things."

ANN BRASHARES, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

as seen on GoodReads

"We cup our hands to gather pieces of heaven . . .

we open our hands and scatter love."

From Common Prayer, (Claiborne, p. 234)

❦

On that note, I'm wishing you a beautiful day,

Brenda

Photo credits:

Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life

My Blogging Schedule:

Fridays