Would you be shocked if I told you that I consider my neighbour's property as my cutting garden?! Don't worry, I don't tie Madame up and gag her while I raid her flower beds, no, the house is empty and has been for years now.
This happens a lot in France, inheritance laws and taxes can be so complicated that houses are often left untended for long periods of time before the paperwork is sorted.
When Madame was still alive, she was a good neighbour to us, and I like to think that we helped her out too. She often invited me to pick flowers or fruit from her garden and orchard, she hated any waste. So today when I climb the wall and put together a bouquet for the house, or bring back baskets of cherries, I always think of her.
I remember the children helping feed her rabbits, how she showed me the best way to grow mange tout peas. And sometimes, to say thank you, I return with gardening tools and prune or weed a little.
Here is the bouquet I put together today, lilac and ornamental cherry - my idea of heaven!
Posts
Hello:
ReplyDeleteThe combination of lilac and cherry is, as we say here in Hungary, nagyon szép!!
We had not really considered you as the kind of person to bind and gag your neighbour, but it is nonetheless a relief to learn the reasons for your 'trespassing' over the garden wall!! We should certainly do the same.
What a gorgeous bouquet! Yes, I imagine your neighbor would be happy to know that you were still enjoying her garden even though she has passed.
ReplyDeleteSharon, It seems like a beautiful and fragrant way of honoring Madame's memory as the seasons go by.
ReplyDeleteLove the arrangement! I enjoy arrangements where there is a riot of color and fragrances. Nothing too studied or formal for me thanks.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful. I can smell that suave fragrance from here!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful put together, and I love the story behind it, thanks for sharing! I really need more time, perhaps this evening to properly read your blog, and look at the brocante weekends.
ReplyDeleteGlad I've found your blog, enjoy the day!
Maureen
In the "biz", we call the cuttings from anywhere but our own yards "roadkill". You wouldn't believe the amount of times you are driving down a country road or along the highway and you see gorgeous bittersweet or lilacs or rosehips. And the worst is when they tear them out as"progress" - couldn't they have let folks know first so they could dig them out?
ReplyDeleteI can smell the lilacs from here!
What lovely flowers, I bet they smell divine! I am sure Madame is smiling down on you, great post!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad and I'm sure Madame is glad that you're enjoying her garden. Someone has to! My lovely neighbour, who adored gardening and tended her garden with so much dedication, suffered a debilitating stroke about a year and a half ago. They had to move to a one-story house since she was in a wheelchair, and I, along with other neighbour friends, took some pieces of her garden because we knew we would appreciate it. Good thing we did as the present owners could care less about gardening. Everything is going to pots and they have a big dog who has trampled all the flowerbeds and destroyed the lawn. What a mess!
ReplyDeleteI can almost smell the lilacs. Beautiful bouquet. Madame will certainly appreciate your love of her garden and that someone still cares enough to climb the wall to tend to it. I'm almost tempted to volunteer as a housekeeper while they sort everything out.
ReplyDeleteLilacs and cherry blossoms--heaven! How sweet of you to climb the wall and tend the garden. I'm sure Madame would be very pleased and happy to know that you are enjoying her lovely blooms.
ReplyDeleteJeanne
Wow you are lucky! The scents almost jumped off my computer screen....I can only imagine how fragrant the lilac must be.....beautiful. Nature is everyones gift and it is meant to be shared and enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteSuch a nice story - I always get a little triste when I see a wonderful old home wasting away...I'm sure Madame would be happy that you still climb the wall to find those garden treasures. Your bouquest is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteà bientôt,
Mimi
Beautiful! Lilacs are a favorite icon of spring! Ours are just starting to bud out now.
ReplyDeleteOh, how stunning! I love the thought of you honoring Madame by continuing to enjoy and use her garden.
ReplyDeleteSweet story. I also cut lilacs from my neighbor's yard. She's 92 years old and can't reach up to cut them herself, so I always cut two bouquets.
ReplyDeleteGood neighbors. Priceless.
Una gioia per gli occhi...e sicuramente anche per l'olfatto. bellissima composizione. Ornella
ReplyDeleteMadame has some gorgeous cherry blossoms and lilacs, I can't wait to cut some on our property.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful post and delightful blog.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful arrangement of flowers and a special way to remember a kind neighbour:)
Wendy
Ohhh. I am having flower envy!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous.
These are my favorite kind of arrangements. I am watching the little buds on the lilacs and hydrangeas get a little bigger every day - I can't wait for them to be in full bloom!
ReplyDeleteHow special and beautiful the arrangements are. I'm sure Madame smiles in delight as you enjoy the bounty of the earth just like she did.
ReplyDeleteYou are blessed !
ReplyDeleteI do bet that your flowers smell heavenly!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat exquisite bouquets! I am quite certain that Madame would be very pleased that you are enjoying her garden. I imagine the scent is intoxicating and wonderful. Breath-taking blooms!
ReplyDeleteYour's is my favorite blog. I love it. thank you for having it and sharing. beautiful story. always beautiful pictures. A neighbor like that is a precious gift.
ReplyDeleteon a more selfish note: I want to move next door! :)
beautiful flowers I am sure madame would rather someone enjoyed them rather than see them go to waste.
ReplyDeleteI am new to your blog but i love your home and lifestyle
Shaz