In the Everyday: 1

Moody sweet pea, unknown variety. 

Pink

The Tree Peony is flowering!

It feels like I've been waiting for ages, not only for the huge buds to finally pop, but for the flowering season for these beauties to begin. When I started working in the gardens of Mr S., the Peonies had just blown over, and whilst the faded petals on the soil gave me some idea of what I'd missed, they are ABSOLUTELY STUNNING in full bloom. And they are scented. 

I spent hours last summer scrabbling around under the Tree Peonies, removing thick overgrown clumps of Crocosmia (now called Montbretia, but I can't seem to rewrite that into my brain) from the foot of each plant. And this is a GLORIOUS reward. Though I suppose it's not blooming specifically for me. It is difficult not to feel quite friendly towards plants you care for. 

"People from a planet without flowers would think we must be mad with joy the whole time to have such things about us."

IRIS MURDOCH

The Aftermath

Leftovers are often the most satisfying aspect of good food from the day before. The same is true of flowers.

Spring Sprung and Life Got Busy

I guess as over a moth has gone by another blog post is waaaay overdue. This seems to be the way life goes when you're working a handful of jobs - that for days and weeks you can feel like there's really nothing going on, all your efforts are quietly hidden as you work away behind the scenes. Time drifts by and there's really not much going on that warrants a blog post, then suddenly things are exceptionally busy and time to blog is eaten up by all sort of exciting events (time is also continues to be eaten up by not-so-exciting-events such as washing up, laundry, administration (I use the full term as 'admin' sounds considerably less important/time consuming/valuable)and eating)*! I still feel really privileged that I can - within reason - organise my own schedule each week, but there doesn't seem to be much consistency to it all. I think other self-employed people have found this before...I don't think it's just me. 

So since the last post, a LOT has happened. It all started mid-April with the Firle Garden Show. My friend and florist-mentor, Georgia, had recommended this three day show last year and I am so glad to have participated in it! I was so well looked after by Jane and Emily, both extremely well organised, lovely, and cheerful, who run a whole series of shows and events across the South East. I have previously exhibited at one day events (which was also a great experience) which incurs the same amount of preparation for a weekend-long show, so to pitch up on Friday morning and settle in for the next few days was great. Georgia was just across the tent from me, and I spent plenty of time talking about flowers and plants with Penny next door. It was a really encouraging few days. When you spend most of the time out of the sight of the public, it is so rewarding (and a bit of a relief) to hear all the positive and complimentary comments as people approach your stand.

Firle Place itself is a glorious old patch of England; a stately home still inhabited by the Gage family surrounded by the Downs and knitted tightly with it's village just past the estate grounds. I think I'd like a mini version when I grow up, but probably with chickens instead of sheep. But I'll have the ginormous Oak trees, the village shop, and the milk-glass pond.

Glorious blue skies for most of the weekend was also a huge help, especially after such an utterly miserable, long winter. 

Next few months I have cello-playing gigs booked, assemblies to take, weddings to plan and consultations to have...busy and exciting!

And I am well and truly smitten with my lovely camera! Aside from the cello I own, I don't think I've ever had such a high quality piece of equipment to work with. I am completely aware that I know only maybe 5% of it's potential, maybe 7% on a good day. It is another aspect of starting my floristry business that I didn't anticipate and feel really chuffed to be able to learn and enjoy. 

* Eating IS actually exciting. It's the preparation of food under time constraints that is not so. Please don't misunderstand or underestimate the joy I have for consuming food.

Amaryllis

I don't have much to say this month. Mostly things have been cold, and I've had a cold. There's a lot of expectation in the air; for spring, for Brides and Grooms being met and weddings being planned, for investments now and hope for the future. Having to wait patiently whilst plans unfold is not something I enjoy, though I do appreciate the time to plan properly. Having to wait patiently for the next instalment of Breaking Bad Season 5 is also not enjoyable. There are a lot of beautiful weddings going on in the south east this year, and I am extremely excited to be involved in several of them! In particular the wedding of two wonderful friends in Copenhagen at the end of summer seems a looong way off, and I know the more excited I become about it, the longer it'll take to get here!