Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Enchanted Weekend


I have been wanting to catch up with you here for ages, but my life is so full of writing and of changes both little and grand, that even when I've had a few moments to sit still with the blog, the words just haven't come to me--me, the girl who writes.  And writes.  And writes.  


And then this past weekend was an enchanted mix of the old and the new: a new favorite brunch haunt discovered, an old favorite store rediscovered in a new place, wonderful new friends met, bags of old books scooped up at a library book sale, and the gift of a mystery packet of flower seeds.


On top of it all were the hours spent working in my mother's garden.  She has a wonderful yard smack dab in the middle of town, but with the sense of being out in the country.  Here's a shot of part of it below: 


Because there are no houses behind hers, all you see are trees and fields in the distance, a vista especially magical just before sunset.


Over the years, Mr. Magpie and I have spent many happy hours digging, weeding, and pruning in my mum's gardens.  One favorite spot is a shade garden we planted the year my grandmother passed away, using plants and flowers we'd dug up from Gram's garden.  It has come into its own now, overflowing with hostas, ferns, wild ginger, lamium, astilbe, and hydrangea.


In another section of the yard, my mother's roses, daisies, peonies, and irises bloom beside a rock wall.


And everywhere you look, blue and white balloon flowers volunteer, popping open among the phlox and the poppies and straight out of the pile of tree and hedge clippings behind an old stretch of fence.




The peonies have nearly passed now, but they are graceful even as they fade.


After a long afternoon of mulching, deadheading, and pruning, the reward was a large handful of blooms to fill up jars and vases and scatter from room to room. 


Some weekends transcend their two days, and remain etched in our minds as something more--a sense of possibility, a joy in the moment and the promise of more joys to come.  For even as one rose blooms and drops its petals, others wait to open, one by one.




23 comments:

  1. Your weekend sounded perfect Gigi... and thank you for the beautiful photographs... your flower series is enchanting... xv

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    1. It was as close to perfect as a weekend gets, Vicki. Thanks so much! xo

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  2. Lucky mum. Cool vase. I was out in the garden all day yesterday taking advantage of the drop in temperature. Sometimes I just stand in the yard dreaming of all the things I could plant if my thumb was green and I lived in another part of the country. Still, I try to bloom where I am planted. The yard part of the day ended with my neighbor gifting me with a plant she knew I admired. Lovely girl.

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    1. Oh, I love that your neighbor gifted you with a plant. I can't think of a better get. I also love that you're trying to bloom where you're planted--always a good philosophy!

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  3. What a beautiful garden your mom has! It seems to be one of those lush old-fashioned gardens. All in all a perfectly lovely weekend!

    Now I am wondering if I could talk my daughters into coming and working in my garden for a few hours:)

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    1. It is exactly that kind of garden, Gail! Old-fashioned gardens are my favorite kinds! I'll et your daughters would love to come help! :)

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  4. Loved your blog today, Gigi. I felt as though I was right there with you two in that garden. Those ferns, the flowers...the green-ness of your Mother's garden. Green like here in BC right now. Lush. I smiled when I saw the Thunbergia...I just bought two yellow ones like it, yesterday. I grow them every year. Are they perennials in Maine? Your floral gatherings were lovely, and yes, I saw that vase, too. It's a beaut. It sounds like you and your sweetie worked hard, but were so gratified at the results. Your Mother must have felt SO grateful. I know I would been. I could do with you two here for a few days...come on out! Seriously, I want to tell you, Gigi, that it was SUCH a treat to find 'the magpie's fancy' in my Inbox today, with those lovely photos, and your words. How wonderful to read your words, as well. You have such a sweet spirit. I can tell. This Robin 'gets' a Magpie!! A magpie loves beauty.

    I learned what a balloon flower was today...because I thought I was looking at Canterbury Bells. Surprise! I wasn't. Great to learn something new.

    I just looked again at your bouquets in the vases...against the light...those flowers--daisies, balloon flowers, roses, etc.---heaven. They just glow. Thank you so much, Gigi. How you lifted my spirits!
    Summer has come here, but it hasn't really 'happened' yet. So, I'm planting and waiting and hoping. :)

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    1. Thanks so much, Robin! I imagine BC as a very lush place in the summer. Thunbergia isn't perennial here either. It's so pretty in pots and baskets, isn't it?

      I adore Canterbury Bells, too, so it's funny you mentioned them.

      Summer arrived a little early here this year, which was wonderful, but now it feels like it will fly by too fast!!! :) xoxo

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  5. the photos are all gorgeous but the first one of the pink rose is my fave!

    Melissah

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  6. Hi Gigi, I am looonging for one of those weekends. Your blooms are beautiful.

    Last year at school, a friend of my 9yo daughter's filled her ears and head with beautiful images of the friend's summer vacation in Maine. My daughter has picked up the drumbeat that has been my own for several years: a Maine summer vacation. We are thinking about the Kennebunks area, but as we've never been to any part of Maine, we are starting from scratch. Any recommendations? (We have 2 children, ages 9 & 3, so we're looking for a place with lots of family stuff: beach, kayaking, whale watching, etc.) Thanks much!

    Keri

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    1. Hi, Keri! Ooooooh, you will love a family vacation in Maine! There are many, many coastal towns that would be fun, and the Kennebunks are among them. That's also a good base from which to make day trips to other towns and beaches in Southern Maine.

      Another gorgeous spot where I've vacationed many times is Ogunquit. The Marginal Way walk along the ocean there is absolutely stunning, and the beaches are great, plus the town is full of fun shops (including a fun candy shop for the kids) and restaurants.

      I'd recommend spending at least a day in Portland as well. We have whale watches, kayaking, sailing, tons of ferries to the islands, and a beautiful Old Port for shopping and sightseeing. All of our nieces and nephews love coming for visits here because there's loads to do.

      Further up the coast, the beaches around my home town of Bath are among the best sandy beaches on the coast. Wiscasset, Damariscotta, Camden, Rockport, and Boothbay are all wonderful options, too. I could go on for hours! If you start planning the trip and have any specific questions, feel free to send me an email with any questions you have!

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    2. Thank you so much, Gigi! This is really helpful. I'll let you know how it goes.

      Keri

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  7. Oh my goodness Gigi, your mum's garden is beautiful and your photographs are spectacular. You ( and your mum's garden) have given me so much inspiration for my own garden.
    .....and, I'm so sorry to have been absent for a while ..... my computer finally gave up on me and I am now getting to grips with my shiny new MacBook pro !! XXXX

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    1. You are such a doll, Jackie! It's funny; I just got a new MacBook Pro, too! My old MacBook was slowly dying after 5 1/2 years, so I made the switch, and it's wonderful to have such a fast computer again!!! xoxo

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  8. Oh I just love visiting gardens and your mums is so beautiful and special. How lovely of you to help her out and to plant a shade garden in your grandmother's memory.

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  9. Such lovely delights, Gigi... We must enjoy & share these fancies when we can. :o) Happy Summer Days ((HUGS))

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  10. Your weekend sounds pretty perfect. Maine does sound lovely. Years ago I dreamed up the idea to retire there. My husband begs to differ, but we'll see. Maybe looking at your beautiful garden will sway him!

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  11. Hello, dear Gigi! What a beautiful post on such an exquisite spot! Just home from Southwest and looking forward to finding a day to drive to Portland. Thank you for all the beauty you bring into the world, my friend!

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  12. Gorgeous, Gigi, sometimes all we need is a garden to inspire. Your Mum's garden looks beautiful! Some days I dream about a garden, instead of the wilderness we have here. It seems the time for that possibility has come! xx

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  13. Beautiful post!
    I hope to have my garden looking this wonderful
    Xx
    Callie

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  14. Somehow, I just knew that you were the kind of daughter that would go and work in your mother's garden. I love that about you - your generous, loving heart.

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