It's 9 days until spring.
Can you believe it?
March 20th.
The wisteria is right on schedule, slowly starting to pop open.
The afternoons have been just dreamy in the desert.
I sprained my right arm, so I have been giving myself some time to just enjoy the air.
Scented with purple.
And spicy arugula.
Blossoms of all kinds.
Elderberry too.
Everything is waking up in major ways.
The vegetable garden beckons.
I sketch out my yearly plan.
I go round and round on my garden path.
The scent of chamomile, like pineapple, everywhere.
Roses and hollyhocks get bushy.
It has to be one of my favorite times of the year.
Everyday, searching for a forming rose bud.
More leaves.
Excited about any green popping out of the dirt.
It's just such a glorious time.
But I have said that before.
And am sure to bore.
What can I say, I am obsessed.
It's true.
I sit on one of the garden benches and just watch it happen.
Healing my arm.
Watching the boys.
A cool breeze after warm sun.
Strolling down the path, watching clouds go by from my little biosphere of sorts.
Hiding in my front yard.
In that open front space before you reach my flower garden.
And then, at first sign of evening, I collect chamomile.
Huge bowls full.
I set some to dry, and brew up a bit.
We sip hot chamomile tea as evening turns quite cool.
Wild chamomile also known as pineapple weed.
I check on Mister Lovee's projects.
Building a brand new garden swing.
Our 14 year old one broke so I ordered one online last year that lasted 2 months.
So, I found him building his own.
With made up plans in his head.
Sanding corners round, as he does with everything he builds.
User friendly.
Handy guys are so great, aren't they?
This swing will incorporate the back of our original swing.
Perfect spring time prep.
So excited to swing again.
Perfect timing too.
Because tonight I caught a hint of the scent…
Of orange blossoms.
Oh my!
And there is no other place I would rather be…
Than through that arbor.
Sitting on a handmade swing.
Surrounded by orange blossoms.
Swirling myself into a dream state of imagination.
In peace.
With all the scents of spring dancing around.
That's all I need in life.
Peace, swing, early spring.
Oh yes.
I LOVE this time of year.
It has me sort of bobble headed.
Entranced by everything going on.
A little lost in a vacation of the mind.
Minding my sprained arm.
Taking a couple days to simply be.
Funny how nature chooses these things.
Any signs of spring where you are?
What is your favorite scent, common where you are, that tells you it's spring?
Love, V
Omgoodness… it must be Jasmine … the buds around here are ready to pop…Here in sunny central valley CA everything is starting to bloom. Not much of a rainy season but a little better than last year…Soon i take off for Arkansas…what plants and flowers will i find there??? I can’t wait to find out!! Lovely pics V! Take care of that arm… whatever did you do?? Hugs!deb
I’d call it a rain smell that is a sign of Spring here because our air seems so dry in the Winter…when you smell that humidity in the air, that is Spring in Eastern North Carolina.
In Missouri it would be hyacinths or lily of the valley that smell like spring–altho the smell doesn’t permeate the air-you have to get your nose right in it
The wisteria reminds me of when I lived in the country and had a 45 minute commute to work. There was a stretch in the road where the wisteria had gone wild and had climbed the trees, In the misty, foggy spring mornings when it started blooming it was ethereal. It looked like a Monet painting after he got cataracts… a bit blurry but still magical. I adored it. I live on the Gulf Coast in Alabama and spring smells are everywhere..not one thing in particular, but it’s in the air. So lovely. So hopeful. Isn’t that what spring is about? Hope. Love your posts, Vanessa.
How absolutely enchanting Miss Vanessa!… so sorry you sprained your arm… but there is nothing more soothing and healing that Nature, gardens, and your little furry faces to help you mend… your gardens are far ahead of mine… but like you, each morning I wander my little garden paths, coffee in hand, and delight in the site of anything green coming up… my white bleeding hearts are on their way up, some daffodils blooming, some asters blooming… herbs in my potager really taking off!… we have already had fresh chives on baked potatoes with sour cream… French Lavender in my sap bucket on my porch full of buds… so exciting!… and how fabulous that Mister is building a new swing!… handmade will be so much nicer than storebought anyday, and built with love… and I think my favorite scent of Spring must be my Lilacs… they put me in a trance that I want to stay in all year long… oh yes, and then the honeysuckle too later on… feel better soon!… xoxo… Julie Marie
Really loved the post Vanessa! Here in Texas, the only thing I smell right now is my rosemary. The sun is beginning to shine. It was a weird winter here in the Fort Worth area. Snow, ice, rain, but the sun is shinning today. I love chamomile tea. I buy mine, but could you share your recipe to make it, just in case I find some wild chamomile?
Question! When we lived outside the city, when ponds went dry, water moccasins started coming up to the house and I couldn’t handle it, so after 9 yrs we moved into an adorable Victorian in town, but miss the quiet. Do you have snake problems?
Thank you for the beautiful post. They are always enchanting!
A whisper of scents tickle my nose,
With Hyacinth bells ringing in a curtsey pose.
Jasmine vines climbing the peek-a-boo wall,
Nettles and thistles wanting to grow tall.
Orange blossoms waving – its a heavenly sight,
Mini Ancienct Tea Roses all have taken flight.
And there in my hair flowers land with a start,
Crowning the spring with an open heart.
A dream the flowers tell me is real,
It is ancient and winding and ever so still.
The bugs are excited and a Fairy or 2,
Wonders the spring air shining in dew.
The flowers like stars grace the earth,
Shining life and giving birth.
Cheers to you V.V. Dear Queen of Spring,
I heard a murmur butterfly sing-
That on the 20th Spring Solar Eclipse day-
Is a day to stay inside and play.
Making things and listening too,
The spring inside birthing you.
Wow, I thought what a trip,
Staying inside because of a solar Eclipse.
Wondering if you have heard other eclipse lore,
Of the suns dark light then again opening its lighted door.
And now a dog nose is on my knee saying- come lets go.
Time to be free.
P.S. – night time hot salt baths in the outdoor cast iron tub=LOve
Xxx’s Pinksterita
Lilacs always tell me it’s spring around here. I can’t wait until the snow melts and there are flowers blooming. We had a big melt in the last few days, so it’s getting there 😉 your photos make me long for it all the more!
Oh no, your arm! I hope it gets better soon! I picture you hurting your arm because you were doing cartwheels through your garden! :0)
It’s been in the 50s here & sunny! Everyone seems to have a bit of a spring in their step lately!
The snow is still melting so it’s pretty muddy in the yard. I can’t wait to get out there & start prepping for spring!
Oh you are lucky to have a new swing made by Mr. Lovee, Vanessa! You will have to share it with us once it is in place. Your garden looks so lovely and just waiting to wake up. I am just glad our snow has melted here and I will be looking for the grass to green up a bit and some daffodil leaves to start popping up. Nine more days, you say? : )
I love Wisteria! Oh and the scent of orange blossom! Your garden is looking like I dream, I long to be there!
Your garden is magical.
We have been starting seeds indoors and hubby has been planting peas.
We will start some flower seeds, too.
I didn’t realize you hurt your arm. Hope you are completely recovered soon.
The blossoms of Hydrangeas is what sends me into rapture in the springtime…but I think that will be in another month or so. The scent of the Hydrangeas flowers remind me of elementary school when I used to take a bus to Grove School in Paramount for my violin lessons many years ago. My 4th grade boyfriend had moved and I didn’t know where in the world he had moved to. So, to my surprise and great delight, while I was walking to the room where the violin lessons were, he saw me from his classroom window and came out with a big grin on his face and asked “What are you doing here?” I gave him a great big smile back and said ‘Taking violin lessons!’ It was too short of a visit, and we never did connect again. Strange how life goes, isn’t it? Those childhood fantasy memories that stay with us are part of the Fairyland we grow up in. That world of innocence and bliss.
Hope your arm gets well soon!
XO
Miss Teresa
Lovely, lovely, lovely! What wonderous sights and scents you depict. Sending good wishes for quick healing for your arm. Despite the arm you managed this post! What a trooper you are. Can’t wait until Spring appears in earnest here.
Spring in my yard smells of orange and Meyer lemon blossoms. I believe that’s what heaven must smell like.
Heloooooo, Miss Vanessa!!
Oh my goodness – a sprained arm? I hope it doesn’t hurt too much and that you are on the mend! Time outside in the sun with Nature is just the thing to help! (And a cup of tea doesn’t hurt, either…) ; )
As far as scents of spring… I don’t know exactly how to describe it, but sometime around this time of year, every year, the air gets an earthy, rich smell to it – I suppose it’s from the sun and the rain on the thawing wet earth. Whatever the magic, something is just different in the air (you can sort of feel it as well as smell it), and I always say out loud, “It smells like spring.”
So wonderful to see all you bright, flowerful pics – it all looks so beautiful! (Nowhere near flower time here, so I love seeing yours!)
Enjoy the sun!
I have many orange trees in my yard and the sweet scent of orange blossoms always remind me of spring. It also wreaks havoc with my allergies, but it’s still nice. Living in Southern California, we don’t really see official seasons. I suppose it’s somewhat the same in AZ, although we don’t get those monsoon rains you get. It’s supposed to be in the high 90s this weekend, so it doesn’t feel too wintery to me. I send shorts and flip flop pics to my friends back east who still have snow on their lawns. I’m a meanie 🙂
Have a great weekend Vanessa!
Oh, that swing!!
Yes. I love springtime and I also love the way you picture it.
You sprained your arm? The right one? So sorry!
I think in warm areas Spring is just the most beautiful time before everything gets baked hard. Here in London it is also my favourite time but we are more likely to have rain here and it can be fairly cold!
That all sounds and looks delightful. I love the scent of orange blossoms and Confederate Jasmine.
The swing looks beautiful and very well-built. He’s done a great job so far. Are you going to leave it natural and just seal it with teak oil, or are you going to paint it a special color? I had a wooden bench that I loved but the Florida weather just demolished it, so this year I’m going to invest in a metal one and just make it comfy with loads of outdoor cushions and pillows.
Hope your arm heals quickly and you’re at full mobility and health, soon. 🙂
Lilacs, if and when they arrive, are my favorite. But for now, the jasmine, apple and meyer lemon blossoms are reminding me with their lovely scent, spring is just around the corner! Wishing you peaceful, speedy healing and a happy, healthy spring~<3
I just love that arbor with the tea trinkets hanging… 🙂
Yes, you are obsessed. (heehee) But no, it’s not boring — quite the opposite! Keep doing what you’re doing; I’m sure everyone here will agree that it helps transport us all to dreamworlds we need at certain times, for certain reasons. And right now, I am canopied by wisteria, gently swinging amongst the fragrance of orange blossoms, and sipping fresh, pineapple-scented chamomile tea. So . . . thank you for that, dear Vanessa, my most favorite weaver of loveliest dreams. And p.s. I’m so sorry about your arm — you KNOW I sympathize. Swift and steady healing wishes for you! xoxo