Every morning and evening, I walk the garden.........I love the quiet it offers me. Last autumn I increased the size of the beds either side of the water feature. I have now filled them with plants from the greenhouse. I look forward to seeing them bloom.......lot of colour, lots of scent.........
The summer house now blends in beautifully....the wood is slowly beginning to age. The plants are beginning to hug the structure.........
I have planted lots of lillies this spring.........I am smitten with them.......
My father always grew lupins, I never understood why....that is until last year......I adore their perfume. It is not to everyone's taste but for me, on a warm evening, it grabs me....makes me stop and just take a deep breath.......
And this phlox, which just appeared in the border, delights me in the same way.
Sometimes as I walk I get lost in the moment.....totally and utterly absorbed by all that surrounds me.....
lost in time.........
Come walk with me a while.....let me take you to the copse......
I love secret gardens.......
Come with me, through the gate.......let me explain how I feel about this part of the garden.......
I rarely work here. I keep the pathway clear.......the rest is Mother Nature's work.....I help her out sometimes if a tree looks unstable, or a creature is in distress......
This is nature's meadow.....full of thugs....nettles, thistles, buttercups........not everyone's choice but I love it. Why, I hear you ask.......because in a couple of weeks this meadow will sing. Oak crickets will arrive and bring many other bugs along. Butterflies will lay eggs on the nettles and thistles, pretty butterflies. The blues will come, and moths.....hedgehogs will hunt for slugs and insects....it will be alive. Heaven on earth......I will spend many lunchtimes sitting with my cup of tea and sandwich and enjoy each and every moment.........
And if you look up this is what you will see....willows....for this small copse borders my neighbours wildlife pond........and the life that thrives there visits my secret garden. As I sit with you and enjoy the moment, my mind drifts back to Sunday......we had a garden party........
Little man was six......and did we have a fun time....hide and seek........treasure hunts.......
Our son arrived, so it was time for football and swing ball.......Riley adores his Uncle........
Poppi decided it was a much better idea to eat sweets.....especially as Mummy was not looking.......Parma Violet Nanna?
I played several games of swing ball and lost every one.....but I havn't laughed so much for a long time, laughter is the best medicine, is it not?
I often wonder what will happen to this garden when I am no longer here. We never truly own anything do we? It is just ours to enjoy for a short space of time and do you know I intend to do just that..........
33 comments:
I just loved visiting your garden! I often go out into the meadow behind our house, sit in an old chair and watch for wildlife -- it's so hard to explain what it does for my soul!! There is so much of God's beauty all around us if we only stop to look!
Thank you Cheryl for inviting us to share your sacred space. It is so easy to get lost in time and space when in your garden. I think it's a sign that somehow you are where you are supposed to be.(if that makes any sense to you).
Dear little Riley - growing up so fast. Happy Birthday! Nice time of year to be celebrating a birthday. Everyone can be outdoors.
I am glad you had fun with swing ball. I am sure I would have lost every game too, even if I knew how to play.
And dear little Poppi, sharing her sweets with Nanna. Just today Jasmine wanted to share her lunch with me. I treasure those moments, as I know you do.
I like your "wild" area too. And lilies are one of my favourite flowers. If only the chipmunks would leave mine alone!
Dear Cheryl,
Thank you for opening your garden gate and sharing your wildflower garden...It is beautiful. I love the way nature gardens...something for all the creatures. So happy you have lots of host plants for the butterflies and the bugs... I am at once at peace in the wild areas. Your planted areas are lovly too. I think lupines are fantastic. Your white lupines are beautiful. I love white flowers.
Thank you too for opening your heart and sharing your beautiful family. They are delightful. It is a joy to see you playing and laughing. Laughter, loving and living in the now. Enjoying the moment...inner happiness, inner peace.
I am smiling and feel so joyful.
Sherry
I love taking a walk with you in your gardens and in the secret part as well. How lovely everything is looking.I know you will enjoy the increased beds-more flowers. bees and butterflies! Thise white lupines are beautiful!!
Good to hear of you laughing and ejoying the party. Looks like Riley and Poppi also enjoyed themselves. Swingball?? Badminton?
I so enjoyed our garden walk together. What a lovely surprise to find Phlox blooming. I love lilies too--they are so graceful and beautiful. I liked the wild areas you have left natural. I often think about my garden after I am gone too. I like to think that all the trees I have planted will live long lives and others will appreciate the shade and wildlife they provide.
Poppi and Riley look so happy. What a lovely time to enjoy with family--and it looks like the weather was perfect.
Hi Ho-Ann......it sounds like we are similar in our love of nature and the great outdoors.....
There is much beauty out there if we just take the time to notice....
Thank you Wendy.....it is lovely to know that people come here and like what they see. We all have different tastes......but to share is wonderful....
Children grow so fast....we must take time to enjoy each and every moment with them....I know that you do.....
Have a peaceful and happy week.....
Dear Sherry....thank you....I knew that you would understand the meadow....it is my most favourite place in the garden.....it draws me most days....I love to see the trails that little creatures have made and to watch the bees wake....
Family are important to me....I have inner peace now and inner happiness. Accepting was the problem, I have done that now. tku for being supportive....
Have a joyful week my friend....
Hi Beckie....I am glad that you enjoyed the stroll.....
My mother said to me yesterday 'Time is the most precious gift that you can give to someone' It made me think how bloggers visit each other and give their time so freely. There are lots of good people out there...
Hope you are having a good week...take care....
Hi Morningglories.....I always think of plants that just appear as God's gifts. I love the phlox...so pretty....
I always worry about my old apple tree. I hope that whoever lives here after me will love her as much as I do. I could not bear to think of her being felled.....
Tku for dropping by and hope the sun is shining for you....
Oh Cheryl, that was lovely. Thank you so much for taking me on that lovely walk, it was so relaxing. You really do have a wonderful garden, I enjoy visiting it so much.
Your secret garden is lovely and clearly an absolute haven for wildlife!
All your photos are beautiful and lots of lovely, colourful blooms.
Happy belated birthday to Riley, what lovely weather you all had for it, oh yes, I enjoy a game of swing ball too!
I share your thoughts on looking after the garden, I said only a few days ago that the true owners of our garden are the plants which grow there, particularly the ones which were here before us such as my magic apple tree, I am sure it will be felled when we are gone, I would never do that, I have no right!
We envy you for having such a beautiful garden and thanks for showing us around.We loved every part of it and felt we were there:)The blooms are lovely and glad that you laughed so much cos that is what we forget to do in our busy lives.Thanks for sharing.
Such a wonderful way to start my day--strolling through your garden was a joy:-) I love the 'meadow' as well...it brings you so close to nature and to be able to see so much up-close has to be a real treat! I would love to sit there and watch it too--breathing it all in, taking it in through my senses. You have a breathtaking garden--so fortunate you are to have it - thank you for sharing it with me!
I would love to be able to stroll in your garden with you Cheryl. I also stroll through my garden daily. Luna is my companion on these strolls.
Your meadow is terrific. I can just hear the buzz of the bugs. So lively and uplifting for the spirit.
Your sweet Grands are also a delight in the garden as is all of your family. It looks as though you all had a grand time in the garden.
I do so love visiting your garden. I somehow have a feeling that Poppi will take it over. If not, she will make certain it's taken over by someone who will love and cherish it.
I'm not a morning person, but if I were there, I would get up early to walk quietly with you in your lovely place. Assuming you would let me take my coffee along.
Thank you, Cheryl, for sharing your garden, especially your secret garden with us. I've always wanted my own secret garden, but everything is so open here that it would take some time to create one. I like that you can leave it alone for Mother Nature--it reminds me of the prairie gardens I love to visit around here. Many people would see them as containing weeds, but every plant there has its own beauty.
Good to see you laughing and enjoying yourself, but it's no wonder surrounded by family, especially the darling grandchildren.
Hi Jan....thank you for your kind words....I am very proud of the copse. When I arrived here it had been a dumping ground. It was full of rubbish and so neglected. I will be honest I did not know where to start. It took me a long time to sort it out and several skips to take the rubbish away. Now mother nature has it back....
I understand re your old apple tree....I feel the same....she has my heart. I always hope one of my children will keep the house and gardens. My son has indicated that he may do just that.....hopefully it is a long way off...lol
Tku for dropping by...always a pleasure when you do.....
Dear naturestop....tku for your kind comments. It is good to laugh........and to smile of course.
Hi Jan (thanks for 2day).....
tku for dropping by and leaving such a lovely comment. It is wonderful to know that you can share with others and they understand your love of nature....
Hi Lisa....It is strange...if there is one garden I would love to visit it is yours. For some reason I have always felt a connection with it. Of course, the lovely Luna, is an added bonus....
Hope you are well.....
Hi ncmountainwoman....I have dreams....little Poppi would be the perfect person to look after the garden....she understands about the bees butterflies and birds that visit...
That is such a lovely thing to say......of course, coffee is always available. I have one every morning......
My dear Rose....I to have always wanted a secret garden....reading the book as a child planted the seed and I have been fortunate to have a dream come true.
You are so right...every plant has a purpose....and they are all beautiful in the right setting.
I have always loved prarie planting and have many books on the subject. It thrills me to look at the photographs and just imagine what goes on there, things that the eye will never see.
We did have fun......I laughed so much my ribcage ached.....
Sunday was the most magnificent day weatherwise and so were Mon and Tue. Today is so chilly compared to those glorious sunny days.
On Sunday we visited beautiful garden in Frittenden (national gaden scheme) full of beautiful geums + very friendly Jack Russel.
I am looking forward to Cranbrook Gaden Safari, i have never been to one before and am looking forward to discovering new gardens in my neighbourhood.
I wonder if you open your garden (appart from through the blog)?
dear cheryl,
what a lovely walk into your secret garden...through the gate...i am so happy that you shared it...i love it. what a wonderful place to let nature take it's course...aren't you blessed to have such a large place to be able to have a natural habitat like that. it would be a sight to see when all of the life is at a hopping pace.
love your garden party...with your beautiful grands...handsome son...other family/friends. you look completely happy and relaxed with all the loves of your life surrounding you in the garden...wonderful. you have created a place for everyone to come together and just be themselves.
Hi Zvrk....sounds wonderful....it is always good to view other peoples gardens, it gives us ideas that we can take home and perhaps make changes in our space.
No I do not open my garden...lack of time and too many commitments make that impossible. Perhaps one day!!
Dear Marmee...
tku for dropping by.....hope the sun is still shining and you are able to visit the beach...
Sunday was lovely. Getting together was fun. Our son has an extremely busy life, his work keeps him so busy, we do not see him that often, so I enjoy him when I can. I think he is handsome but of course, I would.
I love my secret garden...it is my most favourite place. It is not large, but it is intimate....it wraps itself around you, I like that......
Have fun
Lovely piccies, I love the insects, wonderful. Kim
Hi Kim....tku for the lovely comment and for dropping by.....
I love walking in your garden; I do the same in my, every day after work I take my camera and go for stroll with my dog.
Hi Rusty....A priviledge to stroll with you......
Dear Cheryl, Thank you for inviting me along with you to your secret garden! It makes me smile and I feel very at home...I've let our wayback backyard be natural and we have opossums and raccoons that visit at night....and I can hear owls hunting if I am lucky. I would love to see a hedgehog sometime....Someday I will visit England! Have a sweet time in your garden this week.
gail
Hi there Cheryl, I haven't walked around your garden in a while - I did enjoy it.
Funnily enough I considered adding some lilies this year too. Don't know why just something drew me to them - left it too late though. Spookily, I also considered adding a few lupins too - its years since I've had them. They are just such a simple flower aren't they? I love to see drifts of them at the side of roads.
Your wild meadow area do looks like a very magical place. It does really have a secret garden atmosphere and I can imagine the peace you will have there eating your lunch :-D
Your post reminded me of garden parties we had in my grandmother's yard. She had a large perennial border and we ate outdoors all summer. Lovely garden, lovely family!
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