Friday 15 April 2011

Blossoming

I don't know if it is down to the weather, or just the fact that we are swinging into spring, but the blossom this year seems so heavenly and abundant. It started with a tree at the end of my road, which has beautiful spreading branches. Although it is in a garden, it is so big it hangs over the pavement and I walk under it every day. Just a week or so ago there was the merest suggestion of white dustings at the end of each twig, and suddenly the branches are weighed down with the fluffiest blossom. Along my walk through the park, a delicate haze of pink has erupted into a froth of pink; it is like the trees are suddenly adorned with hundreds of tiny ballerinas wearing tutus! I just adore spring, it is one of my favourite times of year. I love everything from the first white of the snowdrops to the glorious daffodils and crocuses, and now the daffodils are slowly hanging their heads and sighing as they slip away for another year, at least the blossom is coming out to take over the next act. While I was out and about at lunchtime, I spotted the new edition of Country Living Magazine, and the front cover had a beautiful picture of some blossoms in a jug. I wish I had more time at the moment, as it has inspired me to want to make some blown eggs to hang from pussy willow and blossom branches as an Easter decoration, and perhaps to make some for gifts, but with the move I just don't have the time. What I am planning to do though, is make surprise balls. That is where I take a small wrapped chocolate egg (such as a Cadbury Creme Egg) and wrap it in a crepe paper streamer, mummy style! Then you add perhaps a mini egg and wrap a few more layers, then perhaps one of those fluffy pipe cleaner chicks, and keep adding and wrapping. Then you tuck the end in and tie the whole thing up with a bow! I have bought pastel colours, pinks, lilacs and yellows, but I have just ordered some orange online as I was reading Martha Stewart Living magazine, and she did the same thing but rather than make eggs, she made carrotts! So hopefully I can make some of those too. When I sit down to make them, I will take some photos to share with you. I like to give some little tokens at Easter to friends at work, and this year I am going to cut the shape of daffodil petals out of card, then place a yellow cup cake case in the centre, and fill with small eggs, jelly beans and perhaps a fluffy chick. A kind of nest-in-a-flower as it were! Well it is still light outside which is heavenly, and I am feeling very cheerful. I have had a bath with my favourite bergamot and clary sage bubble bath, and gave myself a facial using cold cream. Now I just have to hop into the kitchen and put dinner in the oven before Carl comes in. Then after dinner we need to straighten up a little, because while we are at work tomorrow, we have people coming round to look at the flat with a view to rent it. It feels really strange thinking of someone looking at our things, although I know of course they will really be looking at the rooms and so on. So, that is my evening...however you are spending yours, I hope you are having a wonderful Friday and have lovely adventures to come.

1 comment:

Dinahsoar said...

I'm with you on loving Spring. It is very welcome to me this year after the cold gray winter we've had and that has lasted so long.

You're wrapped eggs sound like so much fun. I should give it a try. I like your idea of the cupcake liners filled with candy and paper petals attached.

I too like to make Easter favors for friends. This year I kept it simple--I bought the clear cellophane bags, added some pastel jelly beans and some foil wrapped chocolate bunnies, tied it with some purple wired ribbon and added a tag stamped with some vintage images.

Last year I painted peat pots, added crepe paper ruffles, pipe cleaner handles, hot glued some pom pom chicks on the edge, then filled with cut paper grass--from tissue paper-- and lots of candy.

And have you seen the edible grass?..in pastel colors too.

I'd love to see some pictures of your treats if you have the time.