In the Garden: Pots of Lavender

" Everything that slows us down and forces patience,

everything that sets us back into the slow circles

of nature, is a help. Gardening is an instrument of grace. "

MAY SARTON 

Oh yes, gardening truly is an instrument of grace. No matter what's going on with life around me, no matter the disappointment of perennials and shrubs lost to winter's harshness, once the warm sunshine releases that evocative earthy smell, dreamy thoughts begin to percolate: what shall we plant there instead? Hope and creative notions ever blossom in a gardener's heart.  

It's early Saturday morning. The day promises sunshine which makes it ideal for planting out the annuals. Yesterday my car was overflowing, as was my soul, with happy possibilities from visits to the greenhouses. So far this year, I'm starting with pansies, marigolds, morning glories, geraniums, lobelia, bellflowers, and African daisies, to name a few. Sweet peas are already in the ground.   

I also bought pots and pots of Spanish lavender this year. They thrive in hot, dry climates (zones 8-11), so they do not overwinter here (we're in zone 3b), but as annuals they give lovely drifts of colour and fragrance throughout the summer. Not only do I want clusters of them planted in the garden to smell while walking through but also set about in pots on the back deck for when we're out there relaxing. All we need now are some hot, sunny days for everything to flourish. 

 

" The key to nature's therapy is feeling like a tiny part of it,

not a master over it. There's amazing pride in seeing a bee

land on a flower you planted - but that's not your act of

creation, it's your act of joining in. "

VICTORIA COREN MITCHELL 

* * *

I'm away to my coffee and then my plants.

Wishing you a pleasant weekend.

Heart Hugs,

Brenda

xox

May Long Weekend

" You do not find the happy life.

You make it. "

CAMILLA EYRING KIMBALL

Many of you have posted this week about what's blooming in your gardens - lilacs and irises, bleeding hearts and peonies, and even roses. I am so glad for these cheerful reports from your various corners of the world. For we have nothing so advanced to announce from our garden. Our perennials are still shaking off the remains of the snow dump we had a few days ago. The temperatures the last few nights have gone below freezing, and I am lamenting the fate of our fruit and ornamental trees just coming into blossom. Those tender petals.

Today, though, things are on the upward trend. The sun shines and it's warming up. We hope, with fingers crossed, that spring can re-commence and with that last gasp, winter will at last crawl away and hibernate.

Here in Canada, it's the start of the May Long Weekend, also known as Victoria Day weekend. The holiday that marked the old Queen's birthday now signals in our modern day the start of the summer and camping season. Although I cannot imagine going camping when the night temperatures are still hovering near freezing. Thankfully, definitely NO camping for us. To Rick's chagrin, my idea of camping is a four-star hotel, while he dreams of sitting by a lake with a fishing pole or a pair of bird-watching binoculars. It was in the fine print (wink) when we got married that I didn't do camping...or ironing. I guess he thought I was still worth marrying. In my defense I do iron on occasion, and more rarely, I have also gone camping with him, in a tent no less. 

Now, I do love day camping, that is to say, going out into nature and spending the day amongst the birds and bees and the flowers and the trees. This afternoon, we're off for a drive in the countryside with a packed picnic and a thermos of tea. The driver rarely announces a destination he has in mind, and I rarely mind not knowing where we'll end up—I love the serendipity of it all.

* * *

On a different note, I had birthday money burning a hole in my pocket, and so I finally made a quick visit to the bookstore yesterday for something new to read. A woman joined me at the table where I was browsing. Masked and safely standing at the other end, she pointed to the cover of one novel saying she had just finished and really enjoyed 'that one'. It was Kate Quinn's 621-page new novel The Rose Code—an historical novel about three female code breakers at Bletchley Park during WWII, a spy they must uncover after the war, the dashing Prince Philip of Greece, and the upcoming royal wedding. Looking no further, the book came home with me. I cannot wait to crack the cover. Maybe later today.

With that, I'm away to my weekend activities (I've got plans, too, to bake a Victoria Sponge tomorrow). What have you got planned? Whatever you are up to, I hope it's filled with pleasantries and small treats.

Wishing you beauty and heart's ease.

Heart Hugs,

Brenda

xox

Top Photo Credit: Elena Ferrer from Unsplash

Friday Chat: Flowers and Cake

" Lift up your faces, you have a piercing need

For this bright morning dawning for you... "

MAYA ANGELOU, 'On the Pulse of Morning'

We interrupt this blog post. I posted this earlier today, but for some reason B-l-o-g-g-e-r had issues with it and removed the post and comments that were attached to it. They said the post breeched content guidelines. I'm scratching my head for I cannot imagine what—it has to be a glitch of some kind. I'm now re-posting it. The text remains the same but I changed the title and lead photo. So with fingers crossed and a little prayer whispered, I press publish. Hope everything works now. (I've backed up my blog, just in case.)

Spring is still in its early stages around here, and although things are coming to life in the garden and trees are unfolding tender green leaves, there's still not much to show you yet. There are barely buds on the lilacs, and we're still not sure if our somewhat hardy roses survived the winter. With fingers crossed, we keep checking for signs of life.

The greenhouses are humming with excited gardeners. I did a curbside pickup the other day for some plants I ordered: several pots of hollyhocks 'Radiant Rose' (rose pink) and 'Las Vegas' (multi-colours) and three climbing perennials—a container of fast growing hops to screen an area, a 'Doctor Ruppel' pink and white clematis, and two 'Dropmore Scarlet' honeysuckle for climbing up the drain spouts, alongside any itsy, bitsy spiders.

Later this afternoon we're anticipating an outdoor visit with dear friends who are dropping by after some errand running. Since I knew they were coming, I baked a cake. Cinnamon Coffee Cake is a simple and easy recipe that pairs nicely with ice cream and fruit like strawberries, or pears. Or, if you are familiar with Susan Branch's vanilla cream sauce, you just know it would be a delicious combo. We'll have ours today with ice cream and strawberries. And tea. Yorkshire Blend.

Cinnamon Coffee Cake

1 3/4 cups flour

1 Tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup white sugar

1/3 cup shortening

1 large egg

1 cup milk, soured with 1 teaspoon vinegar

1 teaspoon vanilla

In a large bowl, mix flour, baking powder,

salt, and sugar.

Cut in shortening until mixture looks like

bread crumbs.

In another bowl, beat egg, milk, and vanilla.

Make a well in the flour mixture and add liquids.

Stir until moistened.

Pour into greased 8" round or square pan.

Topping

2 Tablespoon butter

2/3 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Melt the butter. Mix in brown sugar and cinnamon.

Sprinkle mixture over top of batter.

Bake in preheated oven at 350°F for 20 - 25 minutes,

until golden brown or sides pull away from pan.

Serve alone or with ice cream and fruit.

Or, serve with Susan Branch's Vanilla Cream Sauce, recipe below.

 Susan's Vanilla Cream Sauce

1" piece vanilla bean

2 cups heavy cream

1/4 cup sugar

Slit vanilla bean in half lengthwise and

scrape seeds into a small saucepan.

Stir in cream, bring to a boil.

Add sugar, stir, and remove from heat. Chill well.

Place cake slices in a puddle of sauce on a dish,

or pour sauce over slices, whichever you prefer.

* * *

On that sweet note, I'm wishing you a beautiful weekend.

Heart hugs,

Brenda

xox

Photo (top): Image by S. Hermann & F. Richter from Pixabay

Chit Chat: Flowers and Cake

" Lift up your faces, you have a piercing need

For this bright morning dawning for you..."

MAYA ANGELOU, 'On the Pulse of Morning'

Spring is still in its early stages around here, and although things are coming to life in the garden and trees are unfolding tender green leaves, there's still not much to show you yet. There are barely buds on the lilacs, and we're still not sure if our somewhat hardy roses survived the winter. With fingers crossed, we keep checking for signs of life.

The greenhouses are humming with excited gardeners. I did a curbside pickup the other day for some plants I ordered: several pots of hollyhocks 'Radiant Rose' and 'Las Vegas' and three climbing perennials—a container of fast growing hops to screen an area, a 'Doctor Ruppel' pink and white clematis, and two 'Dropmore Scarlet' honeysuckle for climbing up the drain spots, along with any itsy, bitsy spiders.

Later this afternoon we're anticipating an outdoor visit with dear friends who are dropping by after some errand running. Since I knew they were coming, I baked a cake. Cinnamon Coffee Cake is a simple and easy recipe that pairs nicely with ice cream and fruit like strawberries, or pears. Or, if you are familiar with Susan Branch's vanilla pod cream sauce, you'll know that it would be a delicious combo. We'll have ours with ice cream and strawberries. And tea. Yorkshire Blend.

Cinnamon Coffee Cake

1 3/4 cups flour

1 Tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup white sugar

1/3 cup shortening

1 large egg

1 cup milk, soured with 1 teaspoon vinegar

1 teaspoon vanilla

In a large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. 

Cut in shortening until mixture looks like bread crumbs.

In another bowl, beat egg, milk and vanilla.

Make a well in the flour mixture and add liquids.

Stir until moistened.

Pour into greased 8" round or square pan.

Topping

2 Tablespoons butter

2/3 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Melt the butter. Mix in brown sugar and cinnamon.

Sprinkle mixture over top of batter. 

Bake in preheated oven at 350°F for 20 - 25 minutes,

until golden brown or sides pull away from pan. 

Serve alone or with ice cream and fruit.

Or, serve with Susan Branch's Vanilla Cream Sauce, recipe below.

Susan's Vanilla Cream Sauce*

1" piece vanilla bean

2 cups heavy cream

1/4 cup sugar

Slit vanilla bean in half lengthwise and

scrape seeds into a small saucepan.

Stir in cream, bring to a boil.

Add sugar, stir, and remove from heat. Chill well.

Place cake slices in a puddle of sauce on a plate,

or pour sauce over slices, whichever you prefer.

*recipe from A Fine Romance

* * *

On that sweet note, I'm wishing you a beautiful weekend.

Heart Hugs,

Brenda

xox

Photo (top): Image by Anja from Pixabay

"Half-Moments of Intense Joy"

" As we get older we realise that the days are more precious

and half-moments of intense joy are more valuable than jewels. "

MONTY DON, The Jewel Garden

If you have followed along here for any length of time, you know that I'm usually on the look out for the beauty in every day life—ever watching for glimpses of heaven in unexpected places. Beauty is everywhere, but sometimes it takes real looking, you know? Sometimes there's a lot of ugly trying to cover up what's lovely and graceful, true and kind. Sometimes there are things going on in the world that, as my mom used say when I was a girl, can take the joy right out of living. Which is why we have to be smart and remember the trick of not giving up or giving in to the ugly stuff. To earnestly look for the good, because in this upside down world of ours, so often treasure is hidden and only those who seek shall find.

I've been trying to find words for this post all week. Everything seemed dull, including my heart which felt chipped around the edges. Nothing seemed to come together until late Thursday, and when I read that line above from Monty Don (lead presenter of BBC's television series Gardeners' World), I was bowled over by his phrase "half-moments of intense joy". It encapsulated what I was trying to write about.

We long for a life of joy, but so often joy come in fleeting half moments, with barely time to notice before they wisp away and darkness folds back in. So brief, yet in the end they become the treasured memories that make all the rest of life worth living. We revel in something so incredibly beautiful that our hearts are pierced and we never forget it. Most often we don't know when that moment will come. And we shudder to think that we could so easily miss it. Those little joy moments that are often known to pounce like playful kittens make up for a lot of ordinary, underwhelming days. It's part of our job as beauty seekers, not to just let it come whenever it wants, but to deliberately seek them out.

As I said, my world felt so utterly ordinary this last week. I couldn't imagine what on earth I could possible share with you that would be any worth to you. Yet, today, I sit here happily with a handful of lovely moments where joy bubbled up and life grew bright again. It's my heart wish that you find yourself glad to have stopped at It's A Beautiful Life before moving to your own day of beauty chasing.

From my window perch...

Yesterday morning, immature male red-winged blackbirds—their red patches on the wings much paler than on the mature males—flew into the backyard in a fell swoop from the lake to feed at the feeders and chill out. The air was alive as they practiced their calls so recognizable in wetland areas, click here to have a listen. I felt the thrill at hearing the familiar conk-la-ree conk-la-ree. It brings back thoughts of warm summer days of childhood when we used to hear them calling from the creek on the farm. I loved that sound. 

A jewel of a book...

I just finished reading a wonderful little book by Monty and Sarah Don that nicely coincides with the new gardening season. Optimistic and autobiographical, they tell the frank story of how they built a garden around their Tudor farmhouse as they emerged from the despair of their failed jewelry design business back in the 1980s and 90s. It is a testament to the healing nature of gardens. I was especially drawn to Monty's comment of how he works all season—all year really, living in England—towards that one day or week or two when a certain flower or corner of the garden blooms into its perfection and how all the work towards that one fleeting moment was totally worth it. Any gardener will nod her head in recognition. Those half-moments of intense joy are such treasures.

Here is a video clip of their gorgeous garden as it is this very day as seen on my Twitter feed. 

Around the house...

On the dining room table a vase of tulips are singing their 'swan song'. Mauve or lavender coloured flowers in the beginning, I love how the colour has intensified to an amethyst as the petals curl and dry. 

My current favourite salad...

I love all the textures and tastes in this Combination Salad, Greek version, from the classic Joy of Cooking. With lots of ingredients, it takes a little time to put together, but it is so satisfying, even as a main dish. In the cookbook, there are no amounts given, just a list of ingredients and the dressing. I've added my own measurements to serve two.

Joy of Cooking's Greek Salad

In a bowl rubbed with garlic, place the following: 

lettuce or spinach leaves 

chopped, pitted olives (3-4)

sliced radishes (2-3)

sliced hard-cooked eggs (1-2)

shredded Swiss cheese

sautéed bacon (1-2 slices)

sliced cucumber

cubes of feta cheese

a sprinkling of oregano

French Dressing or Sauce Vinaigrette

In a jar with lid, place the following:

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 cup vinegar or lemon juice

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon prepared mustard

Lid and shake the jar until ingredients are blended.

Gradually add and then shake

3/4 cup olive oil

Use immediately or cover and refrigerate. Shake before using.

Garnish with peeled wedges of tomato

 

Joy in a bag of lavender...

It was an unexpected gift that landed in my mailbox last month for my birthday. A large sachet of dried lavender from my SIL that I nestle amongst my pillows on the bed. What a treat! How my heart lurches when I catch a whiff on the air. It makes my heart happy when I lay down. I remember buying sachets at the Exhibition as a girl. Packaged in mauve tulle and tied with ribbon, just like in the photo, I'd happily tuck them into my dresser drawers. Lavender has been a favourite scent ever since.

Quotes that pulled me up...

It was a week of sun and cloud, both outdoors and on the inside of my heart. Small things irritated me. I was tired of having to look so earnestly for the Beauty, why is there so much ugliness? But then I read some lines by lovely writers that lifted me out of the miry clay. There are so many who strive to keep beauty and kindness in their own lives, I want to be one of them, filling a most necessary role in our old world.

"...because I understand that I am filled and driven by the Holy Spirit and empowered as an image-bearer...to follow Jesus in ordering the world, I can see my monotonous acts of cleaning (after my toddler) for the sacramental acts they are. I'm creating, ordering, claiming my own place on earth as a corner of the world where God's spirit rules and the kingdom (of heaven) comes." Sarah Clarkson, a young mom, as seen on Facebook

"Cultivating beauty, creating order, crafting a life that celebrates goodness and innocence is not frivolous. It gives a living picture, a tangible reminder in the dark, difficult world that God is present. He is with us. He brings light. Beauty heralds hope." Sally Clarkson, author and mom of Sarah Clarkson

"The world needs people who walk the path of enchantment. Who speak in songs. Who live in wonder, with eyes fixed on heaven." Author Unknown 

Let it be...

Yesterday I woke up from a dream where I had been in a shop looking at lovely books about England. A fellow working there hummed a song as he went about his tasks. The tune was familiar as I tried to place it. When I woke, I recognized it was the old Beatles classic Let It Be. I once heard Paul McCartney tell the story of how he dreamt that his mom came to him and spoke those words at a time when he was worrying about things. Mmm... now those same words come to me in a dream.

On this lovely rainy May morning that wraps up a week of soul unsettling news in the world around us, I am happy to take the message of that old classic and 'let it be'. I take joy in the good things around me. My hope is that you will too.

 

* * *

Wishing you beauty and heart's ease.

With love,

Brenda

xox

Photo Credits:

Book cover and tulip pics are Brenda's

Other photos are from pixabay.com