The week started with sculpture and drawing at Art in Nature reminding me of displacement Little Amal the figure who was walked across the world to represent refugees - now captured in wood from the estate she stands in now so putting down some roots ! Sitting on the banks of the Severn swifts swooping I heard my first cuckoo of the year as the river water glittered in the sunlight -Oh Sabrina our River Goddess who protects these embattled waters - home to the sabelleria reefs created by the honeycomb worms -🌞🌀
I was just talking with my mum about the “silent spring” yesterday as we couldn’t find mention of it anywhere on the internet but were absolutely sure we’ve seen less pollinators and bird species this year. We put bird food out almost every day and though we get visitors I worry it’s not enough. Perhaps we will switch to meal worms. I love this community but I am genuinely concerned that with these weekly posts we are seasonal recording events that may actually soon stop. Climate change is so real - and we threaten to drag phenomenological time completely out of balance.
Anyway. My first thing is love-in-the-mist blooming eagerly absolutely everywhere on the allotments, set against the background of bramble blossoms. Second is fighting the nettles and brambles to pick gooseberry and elderflower for jam (let’s see if it works). And third - proper al fresco dining. I’m definitely behind the curve on that one but university houses are NOT good for outside eating, so I’ve only done it now I’m back at home in my own garden and it’s bliss - basil and tomato pasta, aperol ...
The ‘silent spring’ moment is interesting. Here in rural France we are brimful of insects of every type and the corresponding variety of bird life is astonishing. We have barn swallows nesting, house sparrows, blackcaps, cuckoos, goldfinches, wagtails ... too many to name. The hum of bees is constant. We’ve let Nature have her way with the grasses growing long and the pollinators gorging on whatever grows. It’s reassuring
I noticed something similar this past week: I didn’t realise quite how many birds, bees and other insects we have in our garden until visiting a friend where I didn’t see a single one. For us, it’s been all in the planting of organic, pollinator-friendly plants the past few years.
So lovely to hear that you (and the birds, bees and insects) are reaping the rewards of your considered planting. We are such novices. We have two acres, a tiny old farm with a potager (kitchen garden) and a verger (the orchard). We're letting nature show us the way. We're trying to improve the soil with no-dig beds, suppressing the weeds with cardboard and straw, and planting flowers for the pollinators. So far, the signs are that our fruit trees are rousing themselves. The cherry trees are bountiful - there' be jars of confiture in the store cupboard before long (if we can stop ourselves picking the cherries and eating them straight away! (PS love the sound of your small business mentoring for the folk who prefer not to hustle ... excellent; sounds totally in line with the gentle encouragement we love to offer). Have a great weekend. Barrie and JoJo
That sounds like a really lovely project! I’ll be following along :) Thank you for your kind words + for mentioning your encouragement-work, it sounds much needed in this world ✨
Wonderful to hear. I’ve been hearing of gardens here similarly planted for nature, brimful of pollen-laden plants just…empty. It’s such a distressing thought.
It's interesting you say that the darkening woods are spooky, to me the woods at this time of year represent a respite from the growing heat! Yes they can be dark and shadowy but when there's a blazing heatwave, they are much cooler than most human made constructions that provide shade without air conditioning (with the exception of maybe old churches and crypts). That's why we need our trees and forests more than ever, especially the old ones...
Earlier this week I plucked a very small amount of elderflowers, which were swaying over my head as I pegged the laundry out on the line. We had a Hendricks miniature lingering in the pantry which is now on its way to being an elderflower gin miniature (in a reused jam jar).
I have so loved being outside this week, amazed by the dog roses in particular, which are really tumbling - I can think of no other word for it! Thanks for the prompt on the mealworms, I will put some out this morning. And now I want to read Masquerade, I don't think I know it and it sounds amazing!
Seeing the strawberry moon in all its glory last Sunday driving home very late; subsequently stranding on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere around midnight (...) but hearing frogs croak and seeing sorrel that was almost lit up in the light of the moon. Silver lining etc but good memories, and I picked some sorrel to dry in my journal as a memory. Happy weekend all!
The elderflowers are finally ready - why is it all the best ones are right at the top? I did a bit of a stepladder balancing act and they are steeping as I speak, ready for cordial that hopefully will last a month or two. Love that mealworm idea, and the plant pot arrangement!
I’m super squeamish and I xxx want to put mealworms out, but think I’d have a meltdown!!!
We’ve had super radish’s tonight, I’m attributing their success to my new found learning of moon gardening! Thanks The Almanac!
A beautiful pink hue before sunset this evening.
The joy of long awaited sunshine here in Norfolk, we’ve had this cloud and a chilly breeze that’s been hanging around for weeks. Beautiful hanging out laundry with a pink rose and blue sky backdrop.
It has been just the most strange long cool spring here in central NC. We’re usually blazing hot by now, but it hasn’t happened yet. Spring flowers are having a long season as a result. In particular the elderflowers have lingered far longer than usual. They are now blooming concurrently with the Queen Anne’s lace, so the roadsides are mostly umbellifers (a good word). I am loving it, but waiting for the summer shoe to drop.
I am really enjoying taking coffee to the churchyard every morning now it is warmer accompanied by my lovely greyhound. She has a chew and I sip on my coffee-it is sheer bliss listening to the birds and feeling the sun grow warmer
My three this week are - the rose moon rising above the rooftops, it was huge and beautiful. Jasmine which seems to have burst into life this week and is making everywhere smell amazing. We live on rue Jasmin, I often wonder which was here first 😊
Red fruits delicious strawberries, raspberries and cherries at the market this week.
A visit from my sister provided a few days of shrieking and howling with laughter; visiting gardens in full bloom in good weather BEFORE they get full of uninterested tourists complaining about the heat and the queue for the toilets; by the end of the week, praying for rain!
The blackbird pair (Leonard and Penny) we've been putting out food for are gettimg very brace and cheeky now, sitting on the fence or garden table chirping at us as soon as we get up in a morning! The wildflower section of the garden is full of bees and insects now. A beautiful full moon hanging low in a rural.sky at a wedding last weekend.
Oh that’s so lovely! Blackbirds are my favourite bird and I think their song is the best sound in nature. I love seeing them staking out their territory, perched up high on chimney pots, singing their hearts out.
I was lucky enough to spend some time by the beach this week and got in for a swim every day! The shock as you put your head under but then the tingling sensation all over your scalp is good for my soul.
The week started with sculpture and drawing at Art in Nature reminding me of displacement Little Amal the figure who was walked across the world to represent refugees - now captured in wood from the estate she stands in now so putting down some roots ! Sitting on the banks of the Severn swifts swooping I heard my first cuckoo of the year as the river water glittered in the sunlight -Oh Sabrina our River Goddess who protects these embattled waters - home to the sabelleria reefs created by the honeycomb worms -🌞🌀
Gorgeous
I was just talking with my mum about the “silent spring” yesterday as we couldn’t find mention of it anywhere on the internet but were absolutely sure we’ve seen less pollinators and bird species this year. We put bird food out almost every day and though we get visitors I worry it’s not enough. Perhaps we will switch to meal worms. I love this community but I am genuinely concerned that with these weekly posts we are seasonal recording events that may actually soon stop. Climate change is so real - and we threaten to drag phenomenological time completely out of balance.
Anyway. My first thing is love-in-the-mist blooming eagerly absolutely everywhere on the allotments, set against the background of bramble blossoms. Second is fighting the nettles and brambles to pick gooseberry and elderflower for jam (let’s see if it works). And third - proper al fresco dining. I’m definitely behind the curve on that one but university houses are NOT good for outside eating, so I’ve only done it now I’m back at home in my own garden and it’s bliss - basil and tomato pasta, aperol ...
Yes it’s a really alarming time. Glad you found such beautiful things x
The ‘silent spring’ moment is interesting. Here in rural France we are brimful of insects of every type and the corresponding variety of bird life is astonishing. We have barn swallows nesting, house sparrows, blackcaps, cuckoos, goldfinches, wagtails ... too many to name. The hum of bees is constant. We’ve let Nature have her way with the grasses growing long and the pollinators gorging on whatever grows. It’s reassuring
I noticed something similar this past week: I didn’t realise quite how many birds, bees and other insects we have in our garden until visiting a friend where I didn’t see a single one. For us, it’s been all in the planting of organic, pollinator-friendly plants the past few years.
So lovely to hear that you (and the birds, bees and insects) are reaping the rewards of your considered planting. We are such novices. We have two acres, a tiny old farm with a potager (kitchen garden) and a verger (the orchard). We're letting nature show us the way. We're trying to improve the soil with no-dig beds, suppressing the weeds with cardboard and straw, and planting flowers for the pollinators. So far, the signs are that our fruit trees are rousing themselves. The cherry trees are bountiful - there' be jars of confiture in the store cupboard before long (if we can stop ourselves picking the cherries and eating them straight away! (PS love the sound of your small business mentoring for the folk who prefer not to hustle ... excellent; sounds totally in line with the gentle encouragement we love to offer). Have a great weekend. Barrie and JoJo
That sounds like a really lovely project! I’ll be following along :) Thank you for your kind words + for mentioning your encouragement-work, it sounds much needed in this world ✨
That's so kind, thank you
Wonderful to hear. I’ve been hearing of gardens here similarly planted for nature, brimful of pollen-laden plants just…empty. It’s such a distressing thought.
That is so sad to hear ... for all nature's resilience, humans are putting it under intolerable pressure
It's interesting you say that the darkening woods are spooky, to me the woods at this time of year represent a respite from the growing heat! Yes they can be dark and shadowy but when there's a blazing heatwave, they are much cooler than most human made constructions that provide shade without air conditioning (with the exception of maybe old churches and crypts). That's why we need our trees and forests more than ever, especially the old ones...
Yes I’m sure I’ll be back in then as it heats up!
Earlier this week I plucked a very small amount of elderflowers, which were swaying over my head as I pegged the laundry out on the line. We had a Hendricks miniature lingering in the pantry which is now on its way to being an elderflower gin miniature (in a reused jam jar).
I have so loved being outside this week, amazed by the dog roses in particular, which are really tumbling - I can think of no other word for it! Thanks for the prompt on the mealworms, I will put some out this morning. And now I want to read Masquerade, I don't think I know it and it sounds amazing!
Ah wait yes I do know Masquerade - the one with the golden hare treasure hunt!
Thanks it! A beautiful thing
Seeing the strawberry moon in all its glory last Sunday driving home very late; subsequently stranding on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere around midnight (...) but hearing frogs croak and seeing sorrel that was almost lit up in the light of the moon. Silver lining etc but good memories, and I picked some sorrel to dry in my journal as a memory. Happy weekend all!
Wow beautiful
The elderflowers are finally ready - why is it all the best ones are right at the top? I did a bit of a stepladder balancing act and they are steeping as I speak, ready for cordial that hopefully will last a month or two. Love that mealworm idea, and the plant pot arrangement!
Good work
The ‘gardeners’ turned up with their blower and chainsaw, ran down to stop them - still waiting for their manager to call back.
I’m super squeamish and I xxx want to put mealworms out, but think I’d have a meltdown!!!
We’ve had super radish’s tonight, I’m attributing their success to my new found learning of moon gardening! Thanks The Almanac!
A beautiful pink hue before sunset this evening.
The joy of long awaited sunshine here in Norfolk, we’ve had this cloud and a chilly breeze that’s been hanging around for weeks. Beautiful hanging out laundry with a pink rose and blue sky backdrop.
Have a beautiful week ahead everyone. X
I’m also drifting over all the meal worm chatter. Ick for me. Yum for birds and lizards.
So head you’re enjoying the planting by the moon!
*glad
It has been just the most strange long cool spring here in central NC. We’re usually blazing hot by now, but it hasn’t happened yet. Spring flowers are having a long season as a result. In particular the elderflowers have lingered far longer than usual. They are now blooming concurrently with the Queen Anne’s lace, so the roadsides are mostly umbellifers (a good word). I am loving it, but waiting for the summer shoe to drop.
Umbellifers here in coastal Cali have grown so tall this year, too, like a spooky lacy forest.
Umbellifers everywhere must be good
I am really enjoying taking coffee to the churchyard every morning now it is warmer accompanied by my lovely greyhound. She has a chew and I sip on my coffee-it is sheer bliss listening to the birds and feeling the sun grow warmer
Gorgeous!
Wonderful photo of the birds 😊
My three this week are - the rose moon rising above the rooftops, it was huge and beautiful. Jasmine which seems to have burst into life this week and is making everywhere smell amazing. We live on rue Jasmin, I often wonder which was here first 😊
Red fruits delicious strawberries, raspberries and cherries at the market this week.
Rue Jasmin! How lovely
A visit from my sister provided a few days of shrieking and howling with laughter; visiting gardens in full bloom in good weather BEFORE they get full of uninterested tourists complaining about the heat and the queue for the toilets; by the end of the week, praying for rain!
Ah fantastic
The blackbird pair (Leonard and Penny) we've been putting out food for are gettimg very brace and cheeky now, sitting on the fence or garden table chirping at us as soon as we get up in a morning! The wildflower section of the garden is full of bees and insects now. A beautiful full moon hanging low in a rural.sky at a wedding last weekend.
Beautiful
Oh that’s so lovely! Blackbirds are my favourite bird and I think their song is the best sound in nature. I love seeing them staking out their territory, perched up high on chimney pots, singing their hearts out.
I was lucky enough to spend some time by the beach this week and got in for a swim every day! The shock as you put your head under but then the tingling sensation all over your scalp is good for my soul.
That sounds amazing! really must try it one day.
Wonderful
New raised potting tables made for me. Planted herbs and flowers smelling so delightfully at dusk. Bright colour in my art journal
Gorgeous