foxgloves in my garden

I love foxgloves, this year I only seem to have the common pink variety, but other years I've had a beautiful pale pale salmon -  must try and find seeds for that again.

peonies in my garden

 Peonies are the first explosion of real pink in my garden, and

this year - with no rain since I don't know when - they are very 

very happy.  Here's some pictures of my favourites, 

taken yesterday evening.

my wisteria

Timid for the moment, the wisteria is showing up early this year.  Just love the perfume wafting in through bedroom windows.  Such an exotic looking plant for our humble Normandy.

mon bouquet du jour

Would you be shocked if I told you that I consider my neighbour's property as my cutting garden?!  Don't worry, I don't tie Madame up and gag her while I raid her flower beds,  no, the house is empty and has been for years now.

This happens a lot in France, inheritance laws and taxes can be so complicated that houses are often left untended for long periods of time before the paperwork is sorted.

When Madame was still alive, she was a good neighbour to us, and I like to think that we helped her out too.  She often invited me to pick flowers or fruit from her garden and orchard, she hated any waste.  So today when I climb the wall and put together a bouquet for the house,  or bring back baskets of cherries, I always think of her.  

I remember the children helping feed her rabbits,  how she showed me the best way to grow mange tout peas.  And sometimes, to say thank you, I return with gardening tools and prune or weed a little.

Here is the bouquet I put together today, lilac and ornamental cherry - my idea of heaven!

shutter love

can't seem to leave a paint brush alone at the moment

new shutter colour for my laundry room

like - unlike?!

blossom time

I'm very happy today because the über talented Christina 
of Greige is talking about her upcoming visit to my home.
  In  a few weeks time she and her family will be staying 
with us , you can read her post here 

in the meantime in my garden it's blossom time,

plum, cherry, apple, pear (my favourite) - 

all in flower, all smelling good ... the bees are happy!

from my bedroom window

you may like to click on this picture

The valley has changed dramatically this last week, greener everywhere, the garden suddenly started to look luxuriant, yes! spring is really here.  Took these shots from my bedroom window yesterday morning, a slight mist at sunrise was the promised of a fine spring day.  Promise kept.

The terrace was still damp from the dew, but I ate breakfast outside and enjoyed the quiet, and planned what will go into the potager this year.

the big white tree in the potager is a greengager plum

If you're getting your hands dirty in your garden today, 

or simply enjoying the view, I wish you a happy Sunday!

waste not, want not

When a girl's lucky enough to have several thousand 

daffodils in the garden, what else can she do but

enjoy them indoors too!

Picking daffodils each day this week, for me, for my friends.

a sunday of firsts

the first time this year I open my bedroom curtains to 

see the magnolia beginning to flower

the first big brocante fair of the season;

the first time I get up at such a ridiculous hour to 

go to a brocante fair - that will teach me to 

choose a Sunday when we put the clocks back!
(yes,  we started off buying with lamps in our hands!)

and the first brocante where  I  spend half the time looking up to admire the architecture, instead of

down to check out the goods

and finally the first time this year I get to show 
off my foire à tout finds!

12 place bottle carrier

never ever washed or used dishcloths

a pretty boxed set of 6 LG monogrammed, silver plate spoons

and of course, my favourite, so difficult to 
walk past beauties likes these

daffodil Sunday

Wishing you all a sunny, 

relaxing, 

colourful, 

family and friend-filled 

spring Sunday!