Every gardener knows that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle.....a seed waiting to sprout, a bulb opening to the light, a bud straining to unfurl. And the aniticipation nurtures our dream. -Barbara Winkler
Antique French Wooden Garden Trug
This is one of my all-time most popular posts...worth re-blogging! I've added new photos, and I hope you enjoy it. If you remember it from a few years back, I hope it still sparks a love of all things spring, garden, and life!
I never claim to be a great gardener...or any sort of gardener at all, really. My husband is the gardener, as was his father before him. Even though I come from a long line of gardeners, and all my best friends are amazing gardeners, I'm more of a waterer.
My grandfather was a wonderful gardener. Even though he hired one of those old fashioned gardeners who "stop by" every day to clip, trim or water something, he still went to his garden first thing in the morning, and just before entering the house at the workday's end himself to adjust something, or maybe talk to his plants.
Me? I love to dream of the garden. Make plans. Buy plants. Water. And sit in the sunshine and soak up the beauty. Listen to the birds sing. And decorate my garden rooms with French antiques.
A garden can teach us so many things about life, can't it? Everything is just starting to bloom here at FrenchGardenHouse, our garden truly is our own little heaven on earth.
Gardener's work apron. {A great Mother's Day gift!}
From the time I was a little girl, I learned about patience, timing and planning ahead in my grandfather's European garden. Following behind him, he would tell me stories about all the flowers, and the birds and bugs.
They are some of the most special memories I have from my childhood. It's why I am so grateful to have a garden of my own, where I can spend time with all the family, friends and neighbors I love!HERE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS I'VE LEARNED FROM MY GRANDFATHER AND THE GARDEN-
Begin early.
But it's never too late to start. If it doesn't work, just go ahead and try something else.
Antique White Country Enamel Pitcher & Bowl
Dream BIG.
But try not to let your over-ambition turn the joy of gardening, the joy of the garden, into becoming a slave to perfection. Sometimes the tiniest flower smell the sweetest.
Antique Blue Enamelware Body Pitcher
Life is a daily thing.
It needs watering. It needs weeding. And it needs pruning on occasion. Pruning hurts, but pruning helps you grow. Life is enduring. Trust it.
Growth takes time.
Be patient. Grow what you love. Your love will keep it growing.
You reap what you sow.
Sometimes, though, there is a real surprise!
Of all the places to be, I love being in the garden most. We are in Southern California, so we are lucky that 2/3'ds of the year we can be outside most days. The photo above shows Mr. FrenchGardenHouse's pride and joy, one of his orchids in bloom.
The picture next to that is our Labrador Bentley's new snacking station. Before he came, I thought it was my own herb basket, and strawberry plants to use in my culinary adventures. Now? Since Bentley has made his home with us, he's discovered the pleasures of the garden. Not only does he love romping through the grass and chasing the ball there, he's discovered the joys of a little ripe strawberry with a chaser of marjoram!
We are unpacking some intriguing garden antiques this week - you can see them here:
Happy gardening to you. xo
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If you want to romance your Home and Garden with antique and vintage treasures to make you smile each time you come home, visit our shop FrenchGardenHouse.
33 comments
What a tranquil and beautiful Garden. Mine is just waking up now from all the snow. I cannot wait to get my hands in the dirt this season!
I must have taken after my grandmother who worked every day in her flower garden. She planted most of the way to the lane leading to the road. As a child there were no flowers planted in our yard. I pulled weeds and raked our unplanted, unloved yard. Our elderly neighbor saw that I was trying to beautfy the place and gave me petunia seeds that I planted in several spots. They were watered and cared for with a can of water and lo and behold they grew and flowered. That was the beginning of my love of gardening that continues today. My sweet hubby and I love to care for our garden and are very proud of the beauty it provides. Sitting on the bench near the Koi pond in late warm Summer afternoons is a favorite pastime. The sound of the water trickling over the waterfall and flowing under the bridge he built plus the smell of the flowers is a joy only hard wirking can provide. Thanks Lidy for this post.
Lovely time spent in your garden this Saturday morning, Lidy! Ours is finally waking up here in the middle south of WV.