'Spring has sprung and the grass has ris'. So goes that old saying. Indeed, the early 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).
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
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,
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
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
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:
their own tea party using some of the items received.
I'm pondering it.
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