Thursday 5 March 2009

It's good to be home.....

Poppi planted seeds today....sunflower seeds....from Beckie and Rose in Illinois. We put them in the greenhouse to keep them snug and warm......
We hid amongst the trees to try and get a photograph of the goldfinch......

We looked at the flowers that were coming into bloom.....


Poppi is trying to remember their names.......



and she loves to smell them....especially when the perfume is as sweet as the witch hazel......
just like her grandmother......she gazes at the blooms....lost in her own little world......
totally connected with all that is around her.....
she studies each flower.......just in case......
a fairy may appear and sit on the collar of the aconite.......

or maybe........
a beautiful ladybird.......
or if you are really lucky........and wish hard enough......


Mrs bumblebee.......sweet bee..........we saw five on the Mahonia........
The joy on a childs face says more than words ever can........we had a beautiful day..........it is lovely to be home..........







32 comments:

Anonymous said...

Aw How beautiful CHeryl...I bet the children missed you dearly!!!
Love Poppi`s expression...
`Maybe a fairy`?hmmmmm
Beautiful...
Mason planted sunflower seeds yesterday!!!We Will have to get some photo`s !!!!
He gave me a couple of seedes for my pots Cheryl...
and so Lovely to see you had some quality time away too!!!
Lotsa love♥

ShySongbird said...

What beautiful photos Cheryl, and lovely Poppi looks as sweet and innocent as the flowers and looks enchanting amongst them. I think it is wonderful that you are instilling your love of nature and all its wonders into her, it is something which she will treasure all her life.

Q said...

Dear Cheryl,
I am over the moon...Poppi is so very sweet...she has my heart.
Your gardens are Eden...I know I am in bliss when ever I come to visit.
Five Bumbles??? Yes, this is heaven on earth. You have lots of beautiful flowers for the bumbles too. Spring is in full swing in your gardens, lots of rewarding work to be done.
Your photographs are beautiful...soft and crisp and delightful. You have the artist eye...you have taught your camera well...thank you dear friend.
I had a wonderful visit today.
Hugs to you and to sweet Poppi.
I am glad you are home, rested and restored.
Namaste,
Sherry

Pat said...

The simple things in life are the most precious. Very nice heart warming post.

Wendy said...

How nice to be home! Dear little Poppi looks so sweet. I am glad you are teaching her the names of flowers and to respect and love all of nature. So many teach children to swat bumble bees or step on spiders. Not nice!

Your garden looks delightful! The flowers dressed up in their spring attire.
Hugs to you and Poppi,

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Welcome home Cheryl. I know you are happy as a lark since you have your Poppi by your side. She is an angel.

Wasn't it fun to come home and find more things blooming?? The goldfinch is such a pretty bird.

Cheryl said...

Dear Terrie....I missed the children so much, I always carry them in my heart.....there was so much in Cornwall that I wanted to show and share with them....

Mason is a darling boy....I will do a post in the summer for him, showing Poppi and Riley's sunflowers.....
Have a lovely weekend and stay well....

Cheryl said...

Hi shysongbird....it is wonderful to be with children.....they can teach us such a lot to.....Poppi has a natural affinity with nature, it is inborn, just as it was with me.......

Cheryl said...

Dear Sherry.....Poppi is a sweet child, I could watch her all day......
I have never seen so many large bees at this time of year on one plant.....it is usually the queen bee that is out.......she will not have made her nest yet. I asked myself last night could this possibly be five queens.....there was some fighting going on.....it was fascinating to watch......

Thank you re photographs, you are very kind.....I take that as a huge compliment, I respect your comments more than anyone.
I do love my camera now, it has been a long time coming. I make lots of mistakes but I laugh....

I expect you are getting ready for your break....you must be so excited......

Have a wonderful weekend......

Cheryl said...

Dear Wendy.....as you know, our grandchildren keep us centred.....they are uplifting, tiring, but mostly uplifting. I am honoured that my daughter lets me take care of them so often....I miss them when they are not around.....

I am trying to teach them both to respect the little creatures and not to be afraid of them.....
I can remember as a small child watching some boys burning ants with a magnifying glass.....I hated it, and went home so upset....I have never understood cruelty in any way, shape or form.......

I hope all is well with you and that you have a sunny and happy weekend......

Cheryl said...

Hi Lisa......for me there is no place like home and my gardens are part of me, I always miss them. BUT the grandchildren, I miss them more than words can say, they are a huge and precious part of my life....

The goldfinch are in the garden all the time. I feed them on niger. They are so hard to catch on camera.....but at last I got a shot that I actually liked....

Have a lovely weekend.....

Marimoy said...

Oh Cheryl... what a lovely post. Glad to see your garden is looking lovely as usual!

Rose said...

Enjoying nature and sharing it with a grandchild--what more could you ask for? It looks like spring has really come to your garden, Cheryl; all these lovely blooms, and, of course, a bee! I think there's even a fairy there with blonde hair:)

I can't wait to see how your seeds do; it's still a little early here to start seeds, but I have everything ready and waiting for when the time is right. Have a wonderful weekend!

Dawny P said...

Of all the beautiful pictures, of course the last one of your little soul mate is my favourite. What a little poppet she is, and her expression is just priceless. She is a credit to you all xxxxx

Cheryl said...

Hi Rose....our grandchildren keep us young....the time with them is priceless......I look forward to every moment....

I have scattered some of the wildflower seeds that you sent today. I prepared the ground carefully....I know they will not flower this year, but it is so exciting.....I just hope those pesky rabbits will not eat them......

It will not be long Rose, before you are planting your precious seeds......

Have a lovely weekend......

Cheryl said...

Hi Dawny.....I love that photograph to....she has such a sunny smile......

Have a lovely weekend with Richard.....

Cyndee Greene said...

She is just absolutely adorable!
Well, Cheryl, I have left another award for you at my blog. I wonder if you have this one?? Go check it out....

A wildlife gardener said...

Of all the flowers in your garden, Cheryl, Poppi is the loveliest :)

I can remember thinking when my children were born, watching them grow and thrive, and sharing the world of wildlife with them was like reliving my own childhood...and now, I see for you, Cheryl, that having Poppi is like reliving the dream all over again, for a third time :)

I loved your post about the Eden Project and all the wonderful photos you posted. We have not been there yet, though we have been to Cornwall...and loved it
:)

I feel worried about your rabbit infestation, as they are merciless and can cause so much damage. I have a few farming friends who swear the only way to catch them is to buy a Jack Russell, as they seem to be great at catching them... I know it breaks your heart, as it does mine, to interfere with the web of life...but in the case of rabbits...

The only other solution is very expensive. It entails having a fence of fine mesh surrounding the entire garden, tall enough so the rabbits can't jump over it, with deep trenches dug around all the perimeter of the garden. Into the trenches you have to insert very fine wire mesh. It has to go down into the ground for about a metre. The cost of this would be prohibitive, I suspect...but it works.

On a happier note, your bee post thrilled me, once again...all six photos :)

Cheryl said...

Thank you Cyndee.....I will pop over to collect the award at some point.....

Cheryl said...

Deat Wildlife Gardener....I hope that you are well....

Poppi is a sweet child and I adore her. My little grandson Riley is always in my heart to. I do live in their world quite easily.....they take me away from the troublesome times......

I have a patterdale terrier.....she has caught several rabbits.....it is unpleasant and I do not rest easy with it, but it is swift and they do not suffer..... to be perfectly honest the rabbits destroys the garden I am planting for the bees butterflies and birds.....and they are all very important to me.

I did look into the mesh around the garden and it would be way too expensive to even consider....also we have wild native hedges on two boundaries, and I would not want to damage them. Thank you anyway for your kindness in suggesting it.....

Stay well and happy....I do hope the weather is being kind to you......

o2bhiking said...

This brings tears to my eyes, thinking of my little granddaughter so far away. Thanks for sharing. Poppi is such a beautiful little child, and I can tell that she will learn much from you. Art

Cheryl said...

Dear Art....your little granddaughter is close in your thoughts....I am sure you hold her in your heart.....it is hard for grandparents when they cannot see the little ones as often as they would like.
Thinking of you......

SweetAnnee said...

Oh honey. Poppi is so cute..and isn't it fun to have a garden companion.

I plant sunflowers too, but I haven't yet, too early
here.

I love all your pics..
your goldfinch..looks so different than
our American Goldfinch.. I love your blog

Deena

marmee said...

oh that face is so precious! she is like the most beautiful flower in your garden. so glad you are home and happy to be there. what lovely thoughts and photos from your garden. you have captured the essence of the love of gardening and all the joy it can bring. i love seeing them. thank you my friend.

Cheryl said...

Thank you Deena...Poppi is a dear and precious child.....I love to have her come play...

The goldfinch is a pretty bird...I get many here....getting a photographs is another matter....

Have fun.....

Cheryl said...

Hi Marmee.....tku my friend....Poppi and the plants, working together in the garden are just pure magic....
I love it when she comes on Wednesdays....it is a special time.....

NCmountainwoman said...

I do so love the posts with Poppi. How wonderful that she has such a great teacher to help her learn to love nature.

Miranda Bell said...

A child's view of the outdoors is great and I think we can learn so much from the simplicity... adults just complicate matters don't they!! I love the photo of your Helebore at the top of your blog - wonderful... have a good week Miranda

Libby said...

Oooo lucky you. I will get to Eden one day!!
I haven't planted one seed, they are all still awaiting my attention!!!

AnneTanne said...

Your post made me smile... thank you!

Gail said...

Good evening! Cheryl, I love when Poppi visits...she is such a gentle and sweet garden helper...what a joy to have her appreciate nature so completely. How wonderful that her grandmother knows how important it is for her to be completely her perfect self...

I know you had a lovely trip and are glad to be home...Lovely flowers in your garden...and so nice to see Mrs. Bumblebee. I saw my first butterfly today! Gail

Cheryl Ann said...

Hi, Cheryl! It's the Cheryl from California! I LOVE your blog! I've bookmarked it now! Beautiful, beautiful photos! Wow! Thanks for stopping by mine!
~~Cheryl Ann~~ (I even have a cousin named Cheryl Ann~)