Today is the First day of May and my maternal grandmother who married a Frenchman ('mais malheuresement il etait mort avant que je suis nee ' as I was taught to say) always had to have a corsage of muguet de bois - as I believe is the custom in La Belle France. Well, they can be jolly expensive to buy - so I grow it, the only trouble is it has a mind of it's own and grows where IT wants and I dont i.e. in the lawn! I always hope that there will be some to pick on May 1st and then I think with great affection of Grandma Daisy, who was a real character . I insisted on having Lily of the Valley in my bridal bouquet and in June, in 1957, they were extremely difficult to get hold of. Nowadays you can get anything at any time!
I don't wish to put the boot in (in this case a dear little Victorian green glass Wellington boot) but this morning I have picked some Lily of the Valley and it smells divine. And if the sun shines today even more will come out and I shall be able to give small bunches to friends - everyone is delighted to receive this dear little flower.
All gardens look lovely at this time of the year, especially after the welcome rain we had yesterday. Looking at this picture I have decided that the pink tulips are far too large for the island bed and when they have finished blooming I shall put them underneath that wonderful acid greeny yellow in the border at the back where they will look ravishing next year - I love that colour combination. We bought all our hanging basket plants at Scotsdales on Wednesday at the Rotary Gardener's Question time which George is involved in running - and they all have to be planted up - sooner rather than later!"
So I guess that this afternoon I shall have to knuckle down to it, although I would really like to go into Cambridge and mosey round the shops. George cannot understand this. But when I feel 'mongy' as I do at the moment I just want to go and be amongst lots of people and I suppose if I am honest, enjoy a bit of retail therapy. I need a friend to say, come on let's go. On the other hand, if I stay here and do the gardening I shall save some money! At least we are going out to dinner tonight so NO COOKING ! Have a lovely Bank Holiday weekend everyone - I'm off now to have lunch and do the D.T. prize crossword with George.
Oh Mavis... if only I had known I'd have picked up the phone and said let's go! Instead I've been doing housework! Lily of the valley are one of my favourite flowers - so delicate. Have a lovely evening out. Hope to see you soon.
ReplyDeleteOh lily of the valley - I can smell it from here!
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