I thought I had summer blues, turns out I don't

I have had a weird suspended-in-time sort of feeling of late. I wasn't particularly enjoying it. I think it's because I have lots of little projects I wanted to get my teeth into but for whatever reason they were put on hold.

I did make a series of flower crowns [which may or may not be my favourite thing to make {they definitely are my favourite}] for a shoot.

I heard an interview this afternoon on fbi radio with a brassy blues band called Tuba Skinny from New Orleans. They played a few live tracks. So great. They nail that perfect laid back sauntering jazzy ragtime sound that I adore. Especially good to listen to whilst it's raining outside and you find yourself baking or arranging flowers or both.

Most of these blooms came from my garden. I am kinda proud.

this reminds me of easter for some reason

I've wandered gardens

In 2011 I had the great good fortune to go on my first European jaunt. I went to France, Italy and Germany. I traveled by myself for five weeks and met my mum and dad in the South of France as they had hired a barge and traversed the Canal du Midi. It was a splendid trip, I saw rural France in spring. It was terrifically indulgent. Driving around, past canola fields of the most vibrant yellow and green, lilac blooming everywhere. It was a dream.

canola fields

lilac!

growing wild and free

One highlight was a visit to Jardins de l'Imaginaire in Terrasson-Lavilledieu. A formal garden founded in 1996, it is a cleverly designed garden which plays on all your senses. There is a golden sculpture, an Ariadne's thread, which winds through the trees, weaving in and out of sight. Glimpses of it are supposed to ensure you aren't ensnared by any sprites, keeping you safe and on the right path.

Iris

lovely white wisteria 

The garden has beautiful water features, woodland areas, mazes and green tunnels with arching wisteria, rose gardens and many iris. One part which delighted me was where the stepping stones were too far apart {even to skip/hop} so you must gently walk on the plants, which were particularly fragrant ones {rosemary, lavender etc}. This released their lovely scent into the afternoon air. 

and of course, there were hellebores

all delighted people {raise their hands}

Yesterday I spent wondrous hours with plants, blooms and very good music playing {The Tallest Man on Earth's latest album 'There's No Leaving Now'} whilst the rain and wind howled outside. I really love a good storm, when there is almost electricity in the air {actually, there definitely was electricity in the air---> I think that's what lightning is?! Perhaps not quite}. Roses are so gorgeous at the moment and the older growth/later blooming hydrangeas are making me swoon with delight. The deep dark bluegreenplum hued ones in particular cause stirrings in my heart. I also had some tuberose pinned to my hair all day and it's heady musk driven sweetness was beyond lovely.

hydrandea, clethora and gum

When I arrived home I had a quick garden saunter and saw my skywards climbing Madame Alfred Carrier roses are blooming beautifully. Oh I adore them. So fragrant and delicate!

perfection

daliahs and a new plant!

I am a little obsessed with this fellow

I bought a new plant home it is called a New Guinea Impatiens. I'll try to take a clearer photo of it-the leaves have a beautiful rich wine underside and deep dark veins which show through on the top side. The have a nice deep green luster to them. I've never been that keen on impatiens until I saw this one. I think I'll add it to my bedroom collection which is mostly begonias and dichondra. And beans. On my windowsill.

window harvest soon

daliahs are fun to work with

bedroom begonia

                                                        Have a splendid weekend!