Monday 23 February 2009

Colour and Hope


A little sunshine, a breath of warmth, a splash of colour and I feel like a different person. The egg yolk yellow of these miniature daffodils just gives me an instant lift as well as the corner of our home where they will sit. The weather has been loads warmer and dry enough to some tidying in the garden. I have to say that the garden doesn't look wonderful for its tidy up but there are plenty of strong healthy shoots and the promise of luscious green leaves and bright flowers brings a certain amount of excitement.





These little packets of seeds always make me feel excited. I know I'll have to hang on to them until April before I can plant them outside but I love buying them, knowing that these alien looking seeds behave impeccably and always grow beautifully once planted in their little black seed trays.




Ferreting around in the cellar this morning I stumbled upon this forgotten little trug that I had painted and decorated with images of seed packets. I thought perhaps it's time that I begin to use it.( Any ideas of what I do use it for will be gratefully received). I love seed packets and I can't explain why. I love to see them at the garden centre, row after row in their racks. Some, very familar plants, others that I've never heard of , that look full of promise and give you a wonderful sense of anticipation as you plant them up and wait patiently as the tiny little seedlings poke their heads through the soil. At this time of year Father-in-law has a stash of seed packets that hold great excitement. Already the sweet peas will have been planted in trays, familar varieites that will be guaranteed to win prizes and new plants each year promising large blowsy flowers and heady scents. He knows I like the old fashioned, less showy varieties of sweet pea and he now always plants a selection of these and presents them to me with their short stems and deep velvety colours, to sit in a pretty vintage jug. Some of the sweet peas are nurtured lovingly for the horticultural shows during the sumer. Others will be on sale at the gate next to the honesty box. All that beauty from these little paper packets of seeds.



All we need now is for the weather to continue to improve, a little sun, a little rain and we can all begin to breathe and relax again. How I love Spring!


18 comments:

Sal said...

I completely agree..I can't wait to get into my garden and start sowing!! ;-)

Bobo Bun said...

Hello - thanks for stopping by as I've now found your lovely blog.
We're all getting a bit desperate for life and colour now aren't we. Winter's too long really.

Lisa x

MelMel said...

What a pretty seed tray!

I'm going private tonight.....xx

Tracey said...

It's warmer, but we still haven't got any sunshine! I love packets of seeds too!!!
Tracey xxx

Shabby Chick said...

Those daffodils are so gorgeous, I want some! I've got some love in a mist seeds from the Valentines giveaway to plant, my daughter is all excited!

mel xxx

A Thrifty Mrs said...

Lovely uplifting post.

Kitty said...

I also love all the racks of seeds at the garden centre - so much potential! My garden in this new house is just a rectangle of lawn, not sure if I'm going to have time to tackle it this year :-( x

{Love, Love, Love} said...

Loving the daffs: so cheerful! x

Simone said...

The daffs are just the splash of colour we need. It has been mild and muggy here today and nothing like the glorious warm and sunny Saturday with blue sky! I can't wait to plant some seeds too! I would probably use the trug for ferrying around crafty bits and pieces!

Country Bliss said...

Love daffodils they do brighten up the house and your trug is really sweet. Thanks for reminding me that I haven't planted my sweet pea seeds yet!
Yvonne x

Alchamillamolly said...

Yes wasnt it a lovely weekend my son and his fiancee called to see us - it was his 25th birthday - aaaaargh and we sat in the conservatory - it was 80degrees. The doors were flung open and it was blissful - the birds were singing and all of alans acers are in bud which menas it's coming - yippeeeeee. Next weekend the garden will be tackled we have already seen so much growth under all the mssey mulchy stuff. Here's to Spring the nest time of year.

Country Cottage Chic said...

How funny that I have just posted about spring flowers & garden tidying! Must be something in the air....

Louise said...

How lucky to have a father-in-law to grow seeds for you, I much prefer the old varieties of sweet pea too. Nasturtiums are so easy to grow, and add great colour to the garden, I have grown alaska mixed with great success. I would just use your little trug for storing seed packets. x

kate said...

oh such lovely dafs, mine are blooming outdoors here in charleston, also hyacynths!! but its still chilly here. best to you
kate

Joanna said...

I love daffidils watching each day in the garden as they slowly grow can't wait for the flowers. Need to get in the garden to have a tidy up and get sorted before the bump arrives but sooo very much to do. I love your warming pictures on your blog.

Curlew Country said...

What a sweet trug, I should use for carting a well-earned cuppa and a few accompanying biscuits (or maybe a chocolate flapjack) into the garden on a chilly day!

These milder days are just lovley aren't they but I notice I need to get the organic slug pellets out already as the munchers are back and my lupins are looking a bit vulnerable!

Have a lovley weekend.
Stephx

The Vintage Kitten said...

I love your trug, the colour is gorgeous. I cant wait for Spring X

Indigo Blue said...

I love daffodils! Little rays of sunshine even when the sun is not around.