Sunday 29 May 2016

Finding Time to Stop and Stare ...


More pictures than words - I am too tired to think. :)

As I am working in the kitchen garden I stop and look over the back fields where the hedgerows are full of hawthorn blossom as though laden with snow.


The kitchen garden where I grow flowers in amongst the vegetables
The view from the back door up the garden path
 
 
 
I want the garden to have a wild feel - one of careful neglect - this border
seems to sum it up beautifully

The wildlife pond where frogs and newts reside
The greenhouse where many a happy hour is spent sowing seeds, taking cuttings
and potting up plants

 
And when I have finished looking at the bigger picture
I notice the little things - a Tiger Moth caterpillar
in amongst the foliage

 
 At the end of a hard day I look out over the back fields to see an amazing sunset - and think just how lucky I am to live in such beautiful surroundings.


Elaine
p.s.  On the home front, stage one -  workmen will be coming on Tuesday to re-plaster the walls - yippee!

51 comments:

  1. Oh Elaine, it is so beautiful. How do you heat your greenhouse in the winter? Mine always gets too cold. Yay for the home progress. Sounds like it will be soon.

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    1. Thanks Donna - I think sometimes I forget how good the garden looks until I see the photos I have taken. I don't heat the greenhouse in winter - sometimes the plants survive, sometimes not - they just have to take their chances.

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  2. I just love your garden and the view from it. England in spring is wonderful.

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  3. I like a carefree, blowzy garden and yours is so pretty ! :)

    Jane

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    1. Mine is definitely carefree alright :)

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  4. Is it my imagination or is the blossom, especially the hawthorn, better than ever this year? Your garden is a joy to see, and I am so pleased for you to learn that things are so slowly improving on the home front too.

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    1. No I don't think it is your imagination Rosemary - the blossom is bountiful this year.

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  5. So much luscious beauty! <3

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    1. Oo - nice word luscious - I plant the borders thickly on purpose as I hate to see bare soil.

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  6. You have a very lovely garden Elaine.

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    1. Thanks Rachel - a lot of work goes into it to achieve these results - good job I like gardening :)

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  7. Isn't it a wonderful time of year? I sometimes want to stop the clocks and stay in this time as we seem to hurtle through it so quickly. It is good to take time just to look and feel and appreciate everything around us:)

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    1. It certainly is Rosie - I do agree I would sometimes like to freeze time - the year goes past so fast - almost June already

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  8. Lovely post and pictures which made me sigh with slight envy as I don't have a garden. If I did that's how I'd like it to look. Flighty xx

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    1. Thanks Flighty. The allotment is your garden which always looks pretty good with plenty of flowers to admire.

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  9. Gorgeous gardens. Thanks Elaine.

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  10. Your garden looks so fresh and lush, love this kind of garden it's on the wild side but not too wild. The hawthorn is so beautiful, we were in England the last few weeks and we enjoyed these hedges.
    regards, Janneke

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    1. Everyone gardens in a different way don't they - my garden doesn't perhaps have as many varieties of plants as some others - but I don't do too bad on my small budget. Yes, the hedgerows are glorious as this time of year.

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  11. Absolutely fabulous, Elaine x

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    1. Thanks Catherine - nice of you to stop by.

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  12. Things are looking up. It looks such a beautiful place to live.

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    1. Yes they are thank goodness. If you like lots of open spaces then it is a lovely place to live.

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  13. The hawthorn is beautiful this year isn't it?

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    1. It is Sue - the bushes are literally drooping with the weight of the blossom.

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  14. Definitely Yippee ... on the home front news!

    Just love all of your photo's - I really enjoyed my walk around your garden, and that sunset was a perfect way to end your post.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Definitely Jan - such a relief that work can now commence - the sooner it gets done the quicker we can get back to normal.

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  15. Elaine, I absolutely love your gardens. What a joy you've created. You have a beautiful view. My own back garden is still partially snow covered, but tomorrow I'll work in the side garden which is showing some new growth.

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    1. Thank you Barb - it is at this time of year that you realise that all the hard work really pays off.

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  16. Being led up the garden path.. with all the best intentions.

    : )

    Ms Soup

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  17. Just beautiful and uplifting to be in your garden ....xx

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  18. How smart: Careful neglect. Your garden has it all, the green house, the water feature, the vegetables, flowers, lushness and beauty. Careful neglect seems to work well for you. For me careful neglect lends weeds and death. Because it so dry--normally--the garden requires constant watering. I do have garden beds where the weed lay has been abated, but then are other areas that I fear I will never conquer. Your garden is lovely, peaceful, and must be great place of solitude.

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    1. I can understand what you are saying Ann - the balance between leaving the garden to look natural and the weeds taking over is a fine one. At the moment we are having quite a lot of rain but inbetween I have had to water too. And yes, I do find peace there.

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  19. Everything is looking beautiful where you are. I love to see the hawthorn blossom in the landscape, although sadly it is just starting to fade here.

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    1. Thanks Wendy. All the rain and wind we are having will no doubt have an effect on the blossom but at the moment it is still looking glorious, together with the Queen Anne's Lace everywhere is all a-froth.

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  20. Your garden is looking beautiful/ I'm glad the workmen are coming too!

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    1. Thanks Su. I should really have called them skilled experts as they are doing a fine job.

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  21. Oh....good to hear the workmen are coming to plaster the walls, hopefully the work will fly along now!I know what you mean about being to tires to think, I feel like that after a long stretch of gardening.It's a good tired though. Just look at all that hawthorn blossom, how pretty! Your kitchen garden is looking good and you have got the balance spot on re achieving that untamed look, that's how I like a garden to look too. You lucky thing having newts! I wish some would come and live in my pond! I love that tiger moth caterpillar, what a marvelous shot!!! I do wish my greenhouse was as tidy and organised as yours.xxx

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    1. They came this morning and we now have one half of the ceiling replaced - it doesn't half make a difference to the light in the room - it was so gloomy with just the beams and all the dust that it caused. Tomorrow they're back to finish the ceiling and the decorator comes too to start on the bedroom - it is all chaos again with everything turned upsidedown - I can't remember what normal living is any more :)

      I think I have been in the garden more this year because it is just so awful being indoors, so the garden etc. is in better shape than it has been for years.

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  23. Gorgeous Elaine. Everything is growing so well. Your last pic of the sunset is stunning. Yes you are so blessed to live in such a beautiful place. Glad things are moving along with your house too. Have a great week. Hugs!

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    1. Thanks Debbie. We have had a good mix of sun and rain and the garden has responded accordingly with a little bit of work from me :) I'm glad things are moving along with the house too - it has been a strain I can tell you - but the end is near - a couple more weeks and it should all be put to rights - whew! Thanks for the virtual hug I needed it.

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  24. Your garden is beautiful Elaine I would love to come and hang out there. The hawthorn is amazing this year isn't it, definitely the snowy May from the song we have been singing!

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  25. Your garden is looking lovely. It is such full-on work at this time of year.
    I agree that taking pleasure in the little things is so important to happiness and contentment.

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  26. I love the May garden, when everything still looks so fresh. Great news on the home front too. Before you know it the last few weeks will be a distant memory.

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