It has been such a long winter that the sight of fruit blossom feels like a deliciously cool glass of water on a baking-hot day. This small cherry tree in my mother-in-law’s garden is such a pretty sight, covered in just enough pale pink blossom to be absolutely beautiful rather than blowsy. We had a flying visit to Norfolk for a couple of days this week to see David’s mum and help to get her garden ready for the growing season ahead. After all the gardening she’s done for us over the years, we wanted to repay some of her kindness and do as many of the heavy and physically demanding jobs for her as we could. We chopped, sawed, lopped, dug and planted, and it was wonderful to be outside in the spring sunshine. There have been precious few days so far this year when we’ve been able to be outside for any length of time, let alone get very much done, so it was a great feeling. We drove home rather tired but pleased that we’d prevented the possibility of her trying to climb ladders to chop branches (which has been known!).
Back home, the boys (they didn’t come with us) are busy revising for their important exams in May/June. Well, I say they’re busy revising but there is mostly going to bed late and getting up late, eating Everything In The House and quite a bit of other displacement activity. The sound of guitar strumming drifts from both of their rooms at frequent intervals but I suppose that’s a great way to relax your brain in between re-reading Jekyll and Hyde for English Literature or trying to get to grips with social influence in Psychology. I’ve been super-busy with editing work, so the three of us are getting through a lot of coffee and Easter chocolate!
To add to all the excitement, it was our Village Spring Show today. In an attempt to keep my stress levels below danger point, I only entered some daffs (came second), muscari (again, second) and a badly printed photo (nada). Baking maestro, David, entered a Brioche Loaf (and won; see below) and my daughter entered an Apple Pie, coming joint first with the other entry in that class. (A photo of her delicious pie is on my Instagram account.)
One of the perks of being on the Gardener’s Association committee is that you get to do all the clearing up afterwards, which means that you can rescue any left-behind flowers. These beauties were mostly not grown by me!
We’re getting up early tomorrow to drive to Great Dixter’s Spring Plant Fair. I can’t wait – I have cash in my pocket and a mind full of spring gardening thoughts. If that wasn’t enough, we have more of David’s baking for dinner – garlic and olive rolls – to go with spaghetti Bolognese (cooked by me, I hasten to add). My heart and my tummy will be full.
Wishing you a lovely rest of the weekend.
acoastalplot 
Oh my goodness, lucky you with all the baking. I know what you mean about cherry trees, there is a row of them in town here that are insanely blossomy. The gutter ends up a foot deep in pink petals. I can relate to boys eating everything in the house, it’s terrifying. Well done on the gardening. Much to be done here. Have a lovely Sunday Sam. CJ xx
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Look at that brioche loaf! Beautiful and no doubt super tasty, too. Funny coincidence, my oldest also made a brioche loaf yesterday. It was not nearly as beautiful as David’s but tasted amazing. Congratulations to both winners.
I am starting to think that we’ll have the first blossom in about September… weather is atrocious mostly. Have fun spending your cash at the spring plant fair tomorrow. x
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It sounds a wonderful weekend! So nice to have a trip to look forward to and I hope you have a great day.
Oh, I hated the school exam times with a vengeance! I could never keep my mouth shut and was constantly niggling away with “shouldn’t you be revising” comments…So glad those are behind me/us…
Have a lovely day and I hope you come away with some smart purchases! X
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Could I please borrow David for a while to stock up my freezer? His bakes look delicious. Gorgeous flowers too. Sunshine in a vase. I spent yesterday afternoon in the garden and loved it, I know exactly what you mean about your weekend in Norfolk. Lovely. And isn’t that the teenage definition of revision? Sleeping, eating and doing everything under the sun but? :o) XX
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Ha ha, yes 😊
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The brioche looks amazing, but those flowers are the real feast for my flower-deprived eyes. We are still being pummeled by winter and even the crocuses haven’t dared to bloom yet. Can’t wait to hear what plants you bought and to see your garden emerge into full spring splendour!
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Hope spring is springing now 😊
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That cherry tree is such a beauty. None of the flowering trees around here are blossoming yet. I remember the tendency of teenage boys to consumer all edibles. I remember bringing home a gallon of milk and the next morning there would be about 1/4 inch left on the bottom of the jug. Also pasta would be produced in massive quantities for “snacks”.
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It is incredible how much they eat!
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Feeling rather hungry after all those lovelies to look at. I love having daffs around the house at this time of year even if the weather outside is still trying to convince us we are not yet in Spring.
Mitzi x
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Was lovely to see you all and get so much sorted, doesn’t the tree look great lots of love zjoy x
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Hope you enjoyed the plant fair. If only we lived closer, I’d be there all the time I imagine. Also, beautiful photos of the cherry blossom. It is not really started yet here, but all the buds are on the cusp of bursting in spite of the drizzling weather.
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It’s an hour away from here but worth the journey.
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Lovely cherry blossom. It is great to be able to get into the garden again after such a long winter. And lucky you getting to Great Dixter Plant Sale. I would love to go one year.
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what fabulous pictures. I feel as if spring has arrived, which sadly it has not quite, up here!
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Your local show sounds perfect Sam. Your entries looks beautiful, that brioche certainly looks like a winner, yum! Happy spring gardening x
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I am envious of your trip to Great Dixter plant fair, it is a special garden. What did you buy?
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Listed purchases in my Monday vase post 😊
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Pink blossoms in spring are achingly beautiful. Well done for entering the show and seconds are not shabby at all. Congrats to David on the gorgeous brioche loaf. I’m getting eager to get out into the garden – if only the rain stops.
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