It is 7.30 a.m and I have reluctantly come in from the garden having spent some precious moments of tranquility in my little garden paradise..
These early morning hours are sublime as the sun wakes up and starts to dress the day with warmth..and I hate to waste a moment so as soon as the cacophony of birdsong wakes me I am drawn to the garden to welcome the dawn. This morning was no exception and I sat on my favourite bench seat and listened to the minutiae of fauna all around me..
I felt as though I had the world to myself for a few moments.. apart from the company of this little frog..
It has been days.. well weeks actually I am ashamed to say.. that I have intended to thank some very special and talented blogging friends. Since I stepped into this amazing labyrinth of blogdom I have discovered some inspiring people. There is a huge wealth of talent out there and a great deal of goodwill amongst this unique community that we share..
So without further ado I want to say thank you to the generosity and warmth of these people..
Out of the blue.. I received this charming collage from dear Kat over at Secrets of a Butterfly....
It was sent with love and sincerity and a big spoonful of talent too.. I have found a special home for it on my bedroom mantelpiece where it sits alongside several other gifts and purchases from kindly folk...
As you must have gleaned by now.. I have a passion for flowers..
So I could not resist these beautiful hybrids when I spotted them in Ginny's shop..over at The Flour Loft.
My piggy bank being mostly empty these days meant that I could only afford one .. so much to my surprise and delight.. two arrived !
Just an example of the kindness of strangers that I wrote of before..
When I espied this gorgeous corsage for sale made by dear Kim at Ragged Roses .. I was smitten. Clever Kim must have made this with me in mind as it is exactly the right colours to wear with my summer cardi....
and with it came this scrummy ragged heart that looks perfect hanging from my French chiffonier..
I think you should stroll over the Ginny's and Kim's shops to indulge in some retail therapy and brighten up your summer attire with these gorgeous flowers..
I also have a passion for hearts and a blogging friend close to my heart made me this gorgeous linen monogrammed heart with her own fair hands...
There is quite a story to tell about this beautiful heart and it's dramatic and eventful journey to me..via.. the washing machine, garden lawn and puppy's mouth..but eventually it arrived safely and I was non the wiser until Carol told me the hilarious tale.
I recently won a garden quiz.. much to my amazement.. over at lovely Louise's garden blog..This is my patch. My prize is this charming rustic birdie that arrived beautifully packaged.
Pickles has been licking his lips since this little birdie arrived...
Louise was so kind and thoughtful to remember that yesterday was a difficult day for me.. as I will explain.. and she sent me this very appropriate card of bindweed and fairies.
I am not sure if the implication was that I should become a garden nymph or that I should seek the help of the fairies to banish bindweed from my patch. Not a bad idea!
The reason for Louise's beautiful card was due to yesterday being the anniversary of the loss of my dear mother..
It was a day marked with bittersweet memories. A day to remember her as she was.. so beautiful, elegant, gentle and generous of heart. She had a wicked sense of humour and at times her interpretation of our English language resulted in some hilarious misunderstandings. She made my childhood golden.. encouraging me to believe that fairies lived under the hedge in our garden, making me beautiful clothes with her nimble fingers and embroidering them with love. Baking me Belgian apple cake when I left home and lived on fresh air and a student grant. Saving me from humongous spiders while I stuck to the ceiling..Drying my tears when a boyfriend stood me up. Patiently trying to teach me her native tongue.. French... and biting her own tongue when I railed and tantrum med. Making me an Easter bonnet for the school parade made from tissue paper and flowers and paper tendrils for my hair..
...so many, many memories..
I adored her ...
Mum I do not wish to dwell on the sadness of the day.. Memories are my comfort and companion and though my mother is no longer here with me in person.. the legacy she left me is everywhere ..
a piece of music, her handwritten recipes falling from the pages of a book, the scent of her Chanel perfume.. she is still with me in so many ways..
MumCornwall 1973
I will leave on this note but with gratitude in my heart for all of those who have brought happiness and friendship to my life through this blog.. Thank you..xxxx
P.s The music I chose for this post was one of Mum's favourites.. Debussy's ...Clair de Lune..
Posts
31 comments:
A beautiful, touching post
Take care
April xx
Sending you love and hugs Michele, I know how hard these anniversaries are. It sounds like your mum was a wonderful person xxx
Hi Michele. You have been having fun with your camera today. I do think the corsages look very nice with your wardrobe, yes Kim and Ginny are very talented indeed, so are Kat and Carol. All your purchases are lovely and made with so much care and attention to detail. Early morning would be the best time in your lovely garden. I saw my first tiny frog of the year on Friday, so sweet. Michele the photos of your Mum are truly special, as are your memories of her, memories I know you will treasure forever. x
Please don't be sad. Your mum looks like a vivacious character in the Cornwall photo. All she taught you will live on inside you and be part of you.
Oh Michele, thinking of you. I have goosepimples on my arms and tears in my eyes, what a beautiful post and wonderful tribute to your mother. How proud she would have been of you and your testimony.
Take care
Kimx
Michele I had tears in my eyes when I read your post, that was really lovely.
Rosie x
i love the heart wreath.
Arlene,
University Place flowers
What gorgeous goodies you've been sent.
Lovely, touching post about your mum, isn't it wonderful to have had a mum who has given you so many special memories. She sounds like a truly lovely person.
Julia x
Lots of love from Devon, Michele.
I'm sure that your mum is looking down at you with the same love and admiration that you have for her.
Lovely photos again and so well written! Love,Sal;-)
Hi Michele,what a beautiful and touching post!I'm sure your mum would be very proud of you and all that you do!Treasured memories.
Rachel x
Thank you for sharing your memories and photos of your Mum with us. A very moving post. Lots of love to you. x
Thank you for sharing your memories and photos of your Mum with us. A very moving post. Lots of love to you. x
Your mum's legacy so obviously lives on in you Michele. What beautiful pictures and memories you've shared. Thanks so much and thinking of you at this difficult but memorable time.
Stephx
HI SWEETHEART, WHAT A LOVELY POST, FOUND IT QUITE TOUCHING AND MADE ME FEEL YOUR SADNESS.YOU WERE BLESSED WITH A BEAUTIFUL PERSON FOR A MOTHER,TRY NOT TO BE TOO SAD X
Michele your Mother will always be with you while you carry such memories in your heart.
What a pretty blog and such a touching post.
Bea x
She sounds like a great woman, she also had really good taste as 'Clare de Lune' is one of my favourite pieces of music, I had it at my wedding and I intend to have it at my funeral!
Thinking of you
Vanessa x
What a lovely post... it even made me cry! The love you continue to have for your dear mother is so evident in all that you do! =)
hugs from across the ocean! xo
I can only imagine how hard yesterday must have been for you. Your mother was beautiful. I am so glad that you have so many fond memories of her to keep her alive. She sounds like a very loving mother.
I am also glad that you have so many wonderfully thoughtful blog friends to bring you up on days that are less than happy. It looks like you have been sent some truly wonderful heartfelt objects. I hope to be able to deliver one in person this fall. ;)
Much love and hugs!
Your mother.... every bit as beautiful as you have become!
Lovely Michele, your post made me cry (and laugh- the spiders did it! My mum was always the spider catcher in our house too) Your Mum sounds like a wonderful person and her personality has rubbed off on you. You have been a great support to us over the past couple of weeks-your Mum would have been proud.x
I can only reiterate what the previous comments say - a beautiful, moving and inspiring post. Vanessa x
What a touching post...with so many words of love !
Your mother sounds like a beautiful and loving woman.
I'm sure she is always there : in your heart, when you are making one of her (belgian) receipes, in the way you take care of your garden...also in each word of your post.
Lots of love from Belgium ! ( sorry for the mistakes !)
dearest Michele,
your post brought tears to my eyes....your mother had such grace you can see it shinning out from the photos,how special a person she sounds and how brave of you to share with us how you are feeling at such a time. My heart goes out to you. I was, on an entirely different note, entirely delighted to be featured amongst so many wonderful gifts, i'm so glad you have found a home for the canvas picture, and i intend to follow the links you gave for the hearts and flower corsages!!beautiful. I related to your sitting quietly in your garden and being in the moment,i hope you have found some quiet spaces of peace lately in amongst your day,
your post really made a difference to me today so thankyou honey...
with love kat x0x
I am typing through tears here Michele...what a beautiful post for your beautiful mother. Memories are our companions you are so right... a lovely perspective.
I am so pleased you liked the flowers...you are a lovely blog friend and you have your mother's generosity of heart... i love my little spring bird brooch ...thankyou.
Keep enjoying those tranquil moments in your beautiful garden.
much love
ginny xx
Oh Michele, such a beautiful post with the most perfect piece of music; that stirs my emotions and always makes me cry.
You have met such lovely and generous friends through blogging.
The photos of your very beautiful Mother must mean so much to you.
Big hugs,
Carol x
Hi Michele, coming over to you from my garden blog. I pulled up all my forget-me-nots this evening, they are now past their best and is amazing at how much space I have made for more lovely plants! I bought some lavender and rosemary today which I am going to plant in my very sunny front area, they should thrive in the blistering heat, and I can dream of being in the Meditteranean. I hope the bird is still in one piece, Pickles does rather look as if he is licking his lips, and in his sleep, amazing! I really don't like big fat hairy spiders either and used to be terrified as a child and Mum used to be able to pick them up in her bare hand. Guess whose bed they would choose to sleep between the eiderdown and the bedspread? Mine! x
you were so blessed to have such a lovely mummy.Love is eternal,it never leaves us x x x
Hi Michele, I am in awe sometimes of the wonderful talent out in blogland, you got some lovely things. Nothing can make up for the loss of your beautiful mother, I'm sure, but hope you take comfort from your lovely memories of her.
Lucy x
Your Mum was just beautiful! And that garden of yours looks like such a wonderful place to reflect.
I lost my Mom a couple of years ago, and you are so right about the memories! It seems like some of the little things mean the most.
Nancy
Michelle, your Mum is beautiful and sounds like an angel. Your post is so beautifully written and I know your Mum would be so very proud of you and who you are as a woman and mother.
Hugs to you my sweet friend. I know these are painful times for you - wish I could be there console you. It stinks having so many miles in between us - oh and that huge ocean, too.
xo
Becky
Post a Comment