Monday 31 March 2008

The Rustle of Spring



Up until half an hour ago I hadn't a clue what I would write today. Well that's not strictly true, I had planned a post, written it, taken photos and then at the last moment bottled out! Does that happen to you, do you plan your posts, are you completely spontaneous or do you just see what the day brings your way? Anyway I walked away from the computer, popped to the shop, came back and started to tidy up. The batteries on my trusted radio are failing (I have Radio 4 on all day when I'm alone) and the house was still, apart from the birds singing away outside. And then I knew what I needed - some quiet.



Nothing loud, nor bright or too fussy. I was throwing away what was left of my Easter flowers when I rescued this beautiful ranunculus from the vase. I have always been fascinated by the shapes of flowers and plants, as a child I was fascinated by the symmetry of certain plants and now will stop and stare at an artichoke for ages. Not only had this flower survived in bloom for nearly two weeks but its beauty was intact. As delicate as the vintage sheet music she's sitting on. Those beautiful intricate folds of its petals - perfection.



Feeling a little upstaged by the flower, I sensed that Miss Blossom was feeling a little dejected. Here she is sporting her new spring bonnet (well not hers - I bought it for Big Sister who has a thing for hats, and looks gorgeous in all of them, from Niki who was selling a selection of lovely bonnets a few weeks ago).



Some floral brooches added to the spring picture and, in case you think her rather immodest, this being her second outing with no clothes, at one point she was fully clad in a beautiful white vintage dress but, alas, that "ample chest" of hers made it rather too tight a fit. This being a quiet kind of Monday I don't think I would have wanted to hear her sighs and mutterings in the corner as she struggled with her dress.



It's been a hurly burly kind of weekend, lots crammed in and an hour lost to the clocks. However, Little Sister got to meet Jacqueline Wilson at a booksigning, which made her day and more than made up for the three hour wait, Mr Ragged Roses was not a happy man. Big Sister had her dance show and was wonderful. So poised, long legged and graceful it was hard to believe that this was the same little girl who at the age of three had to leave ballet because the music scared her. Watching her on stage I wondered when this transformation came about, I know it was a gradual thing, somewhere along the line my little girl in the pink leotard became this beauty in top hat and jazz shoes!



So perhaps that's why I need my quiet. Some time to sit and think, some time for reflection and to remember how transitory things are and to learn to appreciate them while we can.

27 comments:

Pondside said...

A rather pensive post - somehow appropriate for a Monday.
Your photos are beautiful, so I'm glad you decided to show them - you can always use the others for another time. Spontanaity isn't always about a burst of energy or even joy, but about going with one's feelings - and those might be a bit more low key. I rarely plan my blogs ahead of time - normally go with a thought that is rolling around in my head, with a few exceptions, such as my latest blog on my work week.
I hope the rest of your week is as beautiful as today's posting.

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

Such an elegant and eloquent post Kim..
What a coincidence too.. I have a vase of ranunculus on my bedroom mantelpiece that are perfection in pink... layers of delicate tissue.. my favourite flowers.

Sometimes we lose sight of our children for a second as they turn the corner to another stage in their lives.. It sounds as though Big Sister is blossoming too...

With love
Michelex

mollycupcakes said...

A beautiful and peaceful post today Kim, Just right for the Monday blues.
Gorgeous photos and news of your lovely daugther dancing. You sound so proud.

Have a great week.
Hugs.

Catherine x

Lucy Bloom said...

Hi Kim, a lovely and serene post today, a perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of a new week, hope it's a good one for you!
Lucy x

Cape Cod Washashore said...

What a beautiful post! Having time to reflect is a coveted thing these days! Have a wonderful rest of your day, Kim! =)

Betty said...

This is a beautiful post Kim. There are days when I crave quiet so much! Two boys in the house plus assorted friends and Rock Band (the video game).

Raindrops said...

Love the post and as always the photos are beautiful. Tricia

Curlew Country said...

Such a fascniating flower. I had some pom-pom daliahs last autumn that I had to stop and gaze at every time I walked by. Mother Nature is truly an amazing Lady isn't she.
Stephx - who thinks of something to write about, then can't find the camera to upload the pictures, finds it in littlest man's welly, argues with blogger for 20 minutes, faffs about changes the text for another 40 then wonders if the load of tripe she's written is worth bothering with! Not quite such a thoughtful process. Your delighful, reflective message has given me something to think about!

Elizabethd said...

What lovely photos, and I do like the hat! I dont have ranunculus in my garden, but I think they are such a perfectly formed flower. I must try growing them sometime.

Sian said...

This was a pleasure to read. I hope your day was as peaceful and lovely as the flower :)

Sea Angels said...

Your photo's are lovely Kim, and what a beautiful hat. I just adore ranuculars but so rarely see them except in London, such a shame.I also love auriculars can't wait for those to come out.
NOW I must say a BIG thankyou.....I did today receive my first da daaaaa, Persephone book, by Leonard Wolf, Oh gosh am I thrilled I can't wait to start it. Thankyou sooo much for featuring them I will treat myself to one a month maybe two on a good month ..you are a real treasure...especially after 'I captured the Castle' I now look forward to any other recommendations you may have.
Have a smashing week.
Hugs Lynn xx

Anonymous said...

What a thoughtful post Kim. I could get lost in that flower, just beautiful. Speaking of being lost, I have finished I Capture the Castle (at 2am on Friday) and I'm bereft. I feel like I've said goodbye to a good friend. Just like Sea Angels, I think next stop will be Persephone books. Thanks so much, you've made such an impression.
Carolx

Andylynne said...

wonderful reflectins, we should pause in the quiet and see what is around us. Really see it and marvel at it's wonders. Thank you for the reminder. And tell Mr. RR that he is a prince, letting his daughter wait and doins so with her is treasure to last the years. Thanks for the quite time.

Susan Tuttle said...

What a beautiful post - I love the soft light of the photo of the white rose.

To answer your question, I don't plan my blog posts out too much. "Bloggable" moments may happen at any time - I keep the camera within reach.

Susan

Pearl Maple said...

Followed your link from Beachy's Cape Cod Cupboard, your rustle of spring posts are beautiful.

Pearl Maple said...

Followed your link from Beachy's Cape Cod Cupboard, your rustle of spring posts are beautiful.

Marina Capano said...

What a beautiful post! SO CUTE!
Nice ti meet you! I hope you visit my blog!

Ally Jay said...

Plenty of food for thought there, I think there are days when we need to be still and simply listen.
I always plan my posts and write them all out to get them perfect and then always end up posting somethig totally spontaneous.

Louise said...

Kim, what a lovely post, do you know I needed quiet yesterday too, although I don't ever get tired of hearing the birds. As you know I love gardening, and I am always fascinated by the shape and symmetry of flowers, that's one of the things which makes gardening so enjoyable. I love white in the garden too, it looks great as the day turns to dusk. x

jo said...

What a beautiful relaxing post. I love to be in the house alone listening to the bird song and not my teenagers loud music (thats what they call it). Your daughter seems to be growing up as fast as my two.

Heidi said...

I long for quiet most days Kim. I like being social but have a need to hide away and be quiet with myself. My private moments are my life anchor. I have inherited my father's hermit like tendencies.

It is almost unreal to look at a ranuncula. They are so perfect that they look like pretty paper rolled to created a flower. Yours has stayed such a crisp white perhaps in anticipation of this moment of quiet?

Hugs ~
Heidi

julia said...

A beautiful post Kim, sometimes a bit of quiet is so refreshing isn't it?
Julia x

dottycookie said...

Lovely photos Kim. The ranunculus is one of my favourite flowers - all those tightly packed petals and the fact that they last for so long in the vase.

Carol said...

Hi Kim, lovely gentle post. I do love a quiet house sometimes, especially on Mondays...it gives me the chance to clear my mind a little. I spent the whole of Monday on the allotment....so very peaceful with only the sound of the birds......just wonderful...it is was like stepping backin time as I had a little wander through the other allotments. I watched I Capture The Castle on a DVD ! it was never going to be as good as the book but was a lovely film to watch. I slumped my aching body on the settee and just enjoyed every moment!

Just Original said...

Take a deep breath!

I had an hour to myself yesterday so I went up to my sewing room, opened the window and just listened for a while!

So relaxing!

periwinkle said...

Thats a gorgeous flower-it doesn't look real. Quiet is always good, says me with Baby G screaming through the monitor.
Lisa x

Niki Fretwell said...

Hi Kim,
I'm so glad that you changed your mind as to what to include in your latest blog post.....this is lovely - the photos are so serene.
My girls have gone back to Uni today, so I am hoping for some peace tomorrow....

Niki