Spring has sprung in all its glory this week. The sun shone brightly. Flowers opened and fragrance fills the garden. The farmer let the cows out into the back fields and they are as happy to be there as I am to see them. Blackbirds flutter back and forth across the garden, their beaks filled with worms for their brood neatly hidden in some bush; and there are blue tits nesting in one of the boxes we have provided – what’s not to love about this time of year.
Clouds of ornamental cherry blossom everywhere … trees that are dull and uninteresting for eleven months of the year … suddenly come alive … and are a sight to behold.
The significance of the cherry blossom tree in Japanese culture goes back hundreds of years. In their country the cherry blossom represents the fragility and the beauty of life. It is a reminder that life is almost overwhelmingly beautiful but that it is also tragically short ~ Homaru Cantu
There is no glory in a star or blossom till looked upon by a loving eye. There is no fragrance in April breezes till breathed with joy as they wander by ~ Wm. C. Bryant
Can words describe the fragrance of the very breath of Spring ~ Neltje Blanchan
I have just noticed that this is my 500th post in almost four years of blogging – where has the time gone! Thanks to you my blogging friends for your kind comments which have kept me going when, at times, I have felt like giving up on the blog altogether. I truly appreciate that you take the time to read what I have to say.
Elaine
Happy 500th post. May there be 500 more at least (I don't like the sound of that temptation to give up!).
ReplyDelete500 posts I can hardly believe it - what on earth did I find to talk about? Thanks Annie.
DeleteCongrats on your 500th post and a splendid one it is indeed.
ReplyDeleteAll the beautiful blooms, the field of contented cows does much to lift the spirits...
Susan x
Thank you Susan. The garden is looking its best right now and certainly does lift the spirits. Nave a good weekend my friend.
DeleteMy your garden looks gorgeous. Mine is soggy but coming along. I too passed 500 posts some time ago, and it has been enjoyable to share them. Lots of time and work goes in to them. Here is to 500 more.
ReplyDeleteThank you Donna - hope your garden doesn't stay soggy for long. I never thought I would manage to reach 500 - I guess it's just one post a a time.
Delete500 posts eh? Marvelous that! There shall be no quitting blogging do'ya here me Mrs!!! Good....glad that's sorted!
ReplyDeleteI loved this post, your garden is looking magical, and so vibrant, plenty of food there for the bees! I loved that first pic and was interested to find out a little more about cherry blossom, what a lovely snippet of information!xxx
i reckon seeing as you are the boss I'll have to do as you say and carry on blogging - haha! The garden is looking pretty good as is yours - I just love all the blossom at this time of year don't you. Have a good holiday.
DeleteHappy 500th post! x
ReplyDeleteThank you .
Deletewow that's a lot of photos in 500 posts, all the flowers and plants are looking lovely...
ReplyDeleteAmanda xx
I agree - it must run into thousands - good job I like taking photographs. Thanks Amanda.
DeleteWell done Elaine....always a pleasure to read your posts and take in your lovely images of the garden and surrounding area.
ReplyDeleteI like the image of the cows. When I walk Nella I often chat to the cows in the field. They always appear to be listening............I worry about me sometimes :))
Your garden is looking very pretty filled with Spring flowers.
Cherry blossom is so fleeting but worth every moment she stays........
Have a good weekend. We have a strong NE wind for the next few days.......it feels very chilly.
Thanks Cheryl. When I am working at the top of the garden the cows often come to the fence to see what's going on - I talk to them but the conversation is a little one-sided. The wind has been chilly this weekend but I managed to get quite a bit done outside - the jobs seem never ending at the moment - is there ever a time as a gardener where we can say - that's it, nothing more to be done - I think not!
Delete500 posts? That is impressive. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteYou have summed up this time of year beautifully. Wishing you a wonderful weekend. May the sun shine!
Thanks Sarah - I can't quite believe it myself. I do love it when the blossom starts opening - alas it is all too fleeting.
DeleteA really delightful post with lovely pictures. Well done on reaching 500 posts, I've enjoyed them all and look forward to many more. Happy blogging and gardening. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Flighty. Happy blogging and gardening to you too.
DeleteSimply beautiful, the pictures and your descriptions!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations with your 500th post and I'm looking forward to the next 500.
Wish you a nice and sunny weekend.
Thanks Janneke - its not hard to take beautiful pictures at this time of year is it. There seems to be something new to look at every day.
DeleteYour garden is so beautiful!!!!!! It is absolutely wonderful to look at!!! Happy 500th post! How great is that! Here's to many more!! xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Amy. I can't begin to think about the next 500 - one post at a time is all I can manage.
Deletesome spiffing photos Elaine I too love this time of year looks, like your back to your old self that`s so nice to know, all the best
ReplyDeleteThanks David - glad you like the spiffing photos (I haven't heard anyone use the word spiffing in I don't know how long). Yes, definitely back to my old self.
DeleteI'm so glad you haven't given up on the blog buddy! I always enjoy coming here as it is a refreshing escape for me!!! Your shots of your blooming spring garden are magnificent!!! And it is so true that this is a magical time of year! Your bouquet knocked me over in the first shot up there!!! HAPPY 500th post Elaine! Wishing you a weekend full of good times in the garden!!! Nicole xo
ReplyDeleteThanks Nicole - I'm glad you enjoy visiting - I will do my best to keep the blog going even when I don't have an idea in my head as to what I'm going to blog about that week - luckily something always pops into my head just in time. It's a busy time of year in the garden - so many jobs that need doing and never enough time. Have a good week my friend.
DeleteCongrats on your 500th post Elaine - I hope you will still be blogging at 1000 posts!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mark - you must have passed your 500 mark years ago - but as I only post once a week it's not bad going - here's to the next 500.
DeleteMay there be 500 more! We have a great tit roosting in our camera box but no sign of nest building.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sue. We are trying to keep an eye on all the nest boxes but they keep us guessing.
DeleteI am glad you are soaking up all the joys of Spring. Your garden is beautiful, what a reward for all the work you must have put into it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan. I guess when you are working in the garden all the time you don't really appreciate it. Nice to see it through other people's eyes.
DeleteElaine
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on four years and 500 posts.
Well done!!
It takes time and effort on your part and I, for one, really appreciate your posts.
Ms Soup
Thank you Ms Soup - what a kind comment.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteHappy Spring and Happy 500th to you, Elaine! Your brilliant garden colors have me sighing and wishing I could get a whiff of their fragrance on the air.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ann. I have been surprised this year at how many of the Narcissus actually have a scent - it is lovely walking round and having a sniff at everything as I go.
DeleteElaine, Happy 500 - that's a lot of posts! You are sure in bloom there and everything looks very green, I'm a little jealous.
ReplyDeleteThanks Barb - it is a lovely time of year - that's for sure - I'm sure your spring isn't far behind.
DeleteYet more beautiful photos. Yes, Spring is delightful here too, even if our garden isn't anywhere near as floral as yours. Congrats on your 500th.... look forward to many more.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cro. As your garden is more trees than flowers you surely must have lots of blossom around the place.
DeleteDear Elaine, congratulation for so many blog posts! And thanks for the beautiful photos of your garden and of nature - so joyful, so elating! When I see your walks depicted here, longing for the countryside arises - oh, one so many possibilities to live one's life... A compromise then is a walk in the Botanic Garden, there I have my share in nature too.
ReplyDeleteThank you Britta - I should imagine the Botanic Garden is lovely at this time of year. It is nice to know that you appreciate the countryside and nature as much as I do.
DeleteYour garden is looking fabulous already!
ReplyDeleteMany congratulations on 500 posts, that is quite some achievement.
Thanks Jessica. I feel exhausted just thinking about the next 500!
Deletesuper images - I really love the image of the blossom with its shadow on the wall. Congratulations on 500 posts! I know what you mean about sometimes feeling like giving up - blogging is a funny thing, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteThanks Ann. Yes blogging is a funny old thing - sometimes it just feels like really hard work - other times the words just fly - I will keep going only as long as I enjoy doing it - can't say fairer than that.
DeleteCongratulations on your 500th post. I hope there will be at least twice as much :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad spring finally came to your garden. You always have so many colours in your garden. looks like a small fairyland.
Thanks Leanan. After a long winter spring is always welcomed with open arms - my favourite season.
DeleteCongratulations on your 500th post, and your spring flowers are lovely. This time of year is wonderful isn't it :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Su. Yes, it is a pretty special time of year.
DeleteYour garden is looking lovely and the spring sunshine and delicate blossom certainly lift the spirits don't they? Congratulations on 500 posts:)
ReplyDeleteThanks Rosie. I know the flowers are lovely but when I look around all I can see are all the jobs that need doing - and how on earth am I going to find time to do them all - only joking, not.
DeleteDear elaine,
ReplyDeletecongratulations.. 500th post. I am slow at posting..
Please dont think of giving up... I myself have gone through stages.. I think we all do.
Your posts are always so romantic and lovely..
Your garden is a delight to the eye,just stunning in the un planed beauty that you have made- Tulips here and there of all colors , flowers with names i would never remember.
Spring truly is the most wonderful month.
You really work hard in that lovely garden..
best wishes for a wonderful weekend.
val x
Dear Val
DeleteThank you for your kind words. Yes, the garden definitely keeps me busy but I love being outdoors so it isn't really a hardship looking after it all. Have a good week.
Dear Elaine, congratulations...500 lovely posts! I just love your photo of the blossom with the shadow against the wall, beautiful. Enjoy your weekend in that gorgeous blooming garden!
ReplyDeleteDear Jane
DeleteThank you. I do try hard to capture the essence of the garden - but sometimes it is elusive and the pictures don't do it justice. The blossom photo was one of the more successful ones. Have a good week.
Oh well done on reaching 500 posts Elaine! That takes some doing. One month's worth of glorious blossom makes up for the other eleven months in my book although some of the flowering cherries also have attractive autumn foliage too :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Anna. My ornamental cherry was attacked by some nasty beasty insect thing last year which munched its way through all the leaves. We had it professionally pruned later on so fingers crossed it will be back to full glory this year.
DeleteWhat a wonderful 500th post. Such lovely photo's and the colours are amazing.
ReplyDeleteHere's to your next 500 posts
Take Care
All the best Jan
Thanks Jan.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteHappy 500th post and here's to many more! I agree with the sentiments of your post completely - what is not to love about spring? I get a great swoosh of excitement every time I think about it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jane. I feel the same way about spring too - such a wonderful time of year.
DeleteCongratulations on this milestone Elaine. Your blog is always interesting and so enjoyable to visit. I can't believe the intensity of the blue sky above the cows. What a nice vista you enjoy from your house and garden. Your spring garden is looking wonderful. We are moving ever so slowly in the direction of spring bulbs and flowers. I can hardly wait!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jennifer. My garden always looks its best at this time of year, everything new and fresh. I hope your spring is as enjoyable as mine.
DeleteHello Elaine. Will you find me here at the bottom of a very lengthy list? 500, a milestone indeed. I have enjoyed every post that I have visted. Your garden is beautiful in spring. Our spring bulbs are winding down. The daffodils are pretty much done, making me a bit sad. It will be a few weeks before the next wave of color hits, the lilacs, peonies, and iris. Lovely tribute to spring, you have written.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comments Ann.yes soon the spring bulbs will be over here too - then as you say there is lots more to look forward to.
DeleteDear Elaine- your photos are beautiful. It is really lovely in your part of the world. Your spring garden is so alive with pastel colors. Congratulations on your 500Th post. So glad you didn't give it up. I so enjoy reading your thoughts and see where you live and what you are doing. You are one of the reasons I keep blogging as well. Once again thank you for a wonderful post. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteDear Debbie
DeleteThank you so much for your kind words - the garden at this time of year is at its best - alas the spring bulbs are slowly going over but soon we will have the next round of flowers to look forward to. Have yourself a good weekend. How's the wrist by the way - all back to normal I hope.