Good morning! It is Family Day in Ontario which means on this sun-filled February morning my house is bustling with the comings and goings of my wonderful husband and four of my gorgeous children (and so far everyone is getting along and the decibel level is bearable). We often start feeling a little cramped this time of year, and we are aching to get out into the backyard where freedom reigns and there is plenty of room for everyone.
The spring and summer months are filled with so many delights, but I cherish the simple joys most of all...those that add a richness and wholeness to daily life, the tiny but powerful anchors that bring us back to earth and remind us of our humanity.
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| In the hammock under the maples, summer 2010 |
The garden is our summer house. The kids run through pathways, count frogs in the pond, pick mulberries and currants, and sit and swing. We bbq almost every day and wonder at the stars on bonfire nights, swatting mosquitoes and inhaling the fragrance of night-scented nicotiana.
We need a new hammock to hang between the only two perfectly spaced maples...I do believe I could fall in love with this one and wonder how much time I can find to hide away and read a book...
this one is lovely too, and perhaps a little more durable...
the view is breathtaking and reminds me that a summer vacation is long overdue...
A basket of cozy cushions on the patio would be nice....
but first to see the grape hyacinth...
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| frokeniknopp.blogspot.com |
and how I look forward to the scent of lilacs...
and the graceful spires of delphinium...
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| frokeniknopp.blogspot.com |
and tucking in pretty pots of begonia to the shady corners...
I would like to create a romantically wild refuge in the
back corner where little girls can hide from their big brother....
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| from biba.blogspot.com |
and plant more cosmos this year between the grasses...
and incorporate more herbs into the mixed beds like anise...
then end each day with a family dinner in a space like this...
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| Penelope Bianchi's garden |
Thank you so much for stopping in today...wishing you all the best of life's simple pleasures. I would love to hear what inspires you and invite you to leave all thoughts & comments below.
I really enjoy your writing style. Such lovely photos, and by following the last one, was delighted with even more inspiration. Thank you
ReplyDeleteRegarding the hammock, ours is similar to the second one you show, and why I like it... as I lay with my head propped and my legs dangling, I can view the garden through the weaving.
The cosmos through the pickets...love that also.
Thank you Brenda, how lovely to hear from you and I so appreciate the feedback (still so new at this)...I hope to be dangling my legs from a hammock too, the sooner the better!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful children & vision for your life together! We LOVE our garage sale hammock (not nearly so pretty but functional). And I agree- dreaming about summer is a good activity for February!
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie! - I think my kids are just gorgeous (though quite a handful at times) and the source of so much inspiration ...I love hanging out with them in the summer and watching them play...can't wait!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful<3
ReplyDeleteThank you Kendra!
ReplyDeleteLILACS!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your simple dreams and pleasures. Mine are very similar, for spring and summer to be here, to can eat dinner out on the terrace every evening, for days when it is hot enough to seek shade but not so hot that even in the shade it is too hot, for the tulips to bloom and for the wisteria to fill the air with its perfume. Christina
ReplyDeleteChristina thank you for such a poetically beautiful comment, I look forward to those "perfect" summer days too... I have a favourite wicker swing under one of the maples that I could spend hours in (if I had hours that is) ~ thank you for stoping by, best wishes for have a lovely day!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
This is a grreat blog
ReplyDelete