Gardening, Reading, Remembering Paris. . .

My garden is glorious, if I do say so myself, and what an absolutely splendid time to return from a week in Paris! Yes, I’m up and outside by 5 a.m., watching the sun come up, but the jet lag is turned into a reward by the way that early sunlight illuminates my garden.

Thus

 I must admit that after having to maintain a reasonably polished appearance in Paris, it’s nice to kick back at home. I wandered up to a girlfriend’s for tea, and changed out of my gardening clothes but obviously kept it very, very casual.

 Besides the gardening and the tea-drinking, I not only spent some time reading, but I also managed to write a post for my long-neglected reading blog. If you’re interested in my brief reviews of two books I highly recommend, pop over here.

And, of course, throughout the day, images of Paris floated dreamily across my mind’s screen. . . .

These windows, from Pablo on St. Germain. . . a garden of white flowers, made from folded cuffs, I believe, or facsimiles thereof. So clever, just another little detail to inspire and educate the eye, part of the myriad cumulative details that makes Paris an aesthetic delight.

Having left it behind for now, though, I will have to content myself with my garden on a Pacific Northwest island. The flowers here are fragrant and buzzing with bees, so I’m happily reconciled. . .

16 Comments

  1. Madame Là-bas
    21 May 2015 / 2:12 pm

    Summer came early this year. I was amazed to see so many roses in bloom. I am trying to break the too early rising habit. Your garden looks lovely.

    • materfamilias
      22 May 2015 / 1:58 pm

      It's so very early, and welcome, although I hope we'll get enough rain as well.

  2. Susan B
    21 May 2015 / 3:13 pm

    Oh your garden is indeed glorious!! I'm so glad you have the opportunity to kick back and really enjoy it.

    • materfamilias
      22 May 2015 / 1:59 pm

      It makes a difference, having time to weed and prune and plant without seeing those tasks only as tasks. . . I think I'm going to love this!

  3. Mardel
    21 May 2015 / 4:19 pm

    Oh your garden is so lovely! What a welcome home, and a place of joy and peace.

    • materfamilias
      22 May 2015 / 1:59 pm

      It is a true balm to the spirit, I must say.

  4. hostess of the humble bungalow
    21 May 2015 / 5:31 pm

    I haven't ventured into the garden much but the flowers are so lovely at this time of year…you look very relaxed. I think retirement agrees with you!

    • materfamilias
      22 May 2015 / 2:00 pm

      I think it does as well, and I'll doubly appreciate it after today, when I'll be in at my last department meeting. All day long. Your garden must be ready for your secateurs — mine certainly was!

  5. LPC
    21 May 2015 / 5:56 pm

    I love how you brought Paris home, in flowers and in trousers! BTW, I recognize your retirement garb and I smile broadly!

    • materfamilias
      22 May 2015 / 2:02 pm

      You're so right — even though these are last year's pants, bought at the Gap, they capture something Parisian for me. And they let me stay retirement comfy at the same time, like my fellow retiree in SF. Smiling too.

  6. Duchesse
    21 May 2015 / 8:16 pm

    So true how the great cities expand the eye; I think that's the best thing to bring home, because it endures and affects everyday life. What a lush garden!

    • materfamilias
      22 May 2015 / 2:03 pm

      Exactly. I don't feel the need to cart much home with me from Paris anymore, because bit by bit, I have what matters to me inside and it manifests itself daily.

  7. K.Line
    21 May 2015 / 11:38 pm

    OMG – your garden is STUNNING! It's like paradise.

    • materfamilias
      22 May 2015 / 2:04 pm

      It's also wild and chaotic and, of course, I'm only showing you the best bits, but yeah, I love it!

  8. Miss Cavendish
    23 May 2015 / 6:29 pm

    Oh, I love the cuffed flowers! And the menus and the child's toy. etc. . . Glad you had a wonderful trip!

  9. materfamilias
    24 May 2015 / 12:53 am

    Aren't they clever, those flowers?

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