Tuesday, February 25, 2014

there's something about a Campanula



I planned to rhapsodize on the beauty of bell-shaped flowers, 
bluebell, foxglove, lily of the valley..
then I started thinking about sweet peas, delphiniums, violets...
all beautiful. (what about me, says the snapdragon)

It's like when I smell a daffodil and think that's my favorite, 
and then I smell  freesia, lilac, rose, and that's my favorite.


I bought these at Whole Foods, where they tried to convince me that a dozen Valentine leftover roses (on sale!) would go well with snapdragons and bellflowers. I tried, I really did, but they were looking forlorn, and I turned away. It made me think of all the unused flowers that must get thrown out in the third week of February.


Let's not think about that.

 I simply want to share the joy of pink and white flowers.

34 comments:

  1. Think of cut flowers as fingernail clippings -- that's the only way I've been able to pick daffodils, wildflowers, violets, roses and peonies that grow on the place. Those will grow back next year. Not sure about cut flowers in a store - I usually stay away from them.

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    1. Okay, my friend--you are a terrific writer--in fact I plan to reread Wolf's Sun soon, but the juxtaposition of flowers and fingernail clippings has me shuddering. (Actually that's probably good writing, since it evoked a strong reaction.)

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  2. Hello Jen:

    These are such lovely images. We cannot quite decide though which we prefer, the flowers or your so, so pretty cat. On balance, it probably has to be the latter!!

    We too have never been able to decide on a favourite flower. It most likely works out to be whatever is out at any particular time of the year although florist roses [of the kind sold for St. Valentine's Day] do not score highly with us.

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    1. I think you've given me my answer, should anyone ask me the dreaded "What's your favorite" question about flowers. I will respond. "Whatever flower I'm looking at."

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  3. I just love how your pretty cat looks as though she is standing back to admire her flower arrangement and then gives them a little sniff ... !

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    1. Me too. She's always right there when I bring home new flowers.

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  4. I'll keep bell shaped in mind for Friday!

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    1. Anything you do with flowers will make me deliriously happy.
      I hope the bunnies are in residence.

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  5. So pretty! And that dear little fuzzy head ...
    Mary

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  6. Who was it, Audrey Hepburn, perhaps, who said, "I must have flowers." I love all flowers, but I would have to settle on the rose if forced to pick a favorite.

    Your furry friend is too cute.

    Ran across your lovely blog today. I like the title of it, Country Weekend.

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  7. I always think flowers bring so much sunshine and joy. :) especially at the tale end of winter time. hehe your kitty looks like she's ready to get into some mischief.

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  8. Unfortunately for Mama's flowers and my own, I have never had trouble picking them! The fingernail thing did evoke a shudder here, too, Karen! Your pink and whites are just too pretty!

    Favorites...ummm.. That's a tough one. I have to say I broke my long imposed rule of NO garden annuals until almost April. The deep pink snapdragons were just too pretty to resist. Keeping them protected on the porch for a couple more weeks. Wish me luck, today they are my favorites! Smiles...Susan

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    1. I love snapdragons too--they are like watercolors.

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  9. these are beautiful. do your cats ever eat your flowers? I have to be so careful with all the poisonous spring flowers because mine just eat them up...

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    1. I have to watch Aji pretty closely around flowers. I looked at the list of toxic plants on the humane society website and freaked out. I had some paperwhites with the bulbs exposed and found out the bulbs are very toxic, so moved them to a room where I could keep the door shut.

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    2. Also I grow wheatgrass and catnip for the cats to chew on. Aji loves the wheatgrass. They both ignore the catnip unless it's dried.

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  10. it's not only the third week of Feb....you'd be surprised how many tipsy flowers come home with us girls or end up in the trash. I'm not a rose girl, but anything that resembles a weed growing on the side of the road, I love.

    enjoy that pink and white bouquet and have a beautiful day!

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    1. I've heard of dumpster diving for food. I wonder if there are people who scavenge for flowers.

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  11. It's romantic idea to send flowers on Valentine, while here in Japan women, especially young ones, eager to buy some chocolate for men. It's commercialism
    but fun though.
    Bell shaped flowers are so cute. I'd like to buy some for me.:)

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    1. That's interesting--here the emphasis is on flowers or candy from men to women. Also children give little cards to their classmates.

      Wish I could send you some bell flowers!

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  12. i reluctantly put my book down, thank you dear friend, and came to the computer to find my favorite things, cats and flowers.

    i asked a friend to bring me some flowers from the shop on tuesday. my house looked lonely without them.

    of course i already had the cats.

    thank you again. i was out of books! quell horror.

    xo j

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  13. I do think that your cat loves flowers Jen.!
    He seems to smell them, ever so sweet.
    Your flowers are lovely.
    It is a shame that so many flowers are thrown away. How nice to think that some kind flower shop lady- might just give them to an old age home or something.
    If I dont have a flower in the house.. i cut some greenery..
    lovely post.
    stop and smell the flowers.!
    val

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    1. I love the idea of passing flowers on to old age homore or homeless shelter or school or...

      I've gotten into greenery too, lately.

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  14. To sad to think about, Back when my husband and I were first married, he worked as a waiter and sometimes at the end of the night they would let him gather all the flowers off the tables and bring them to me. One night it was long stem roses. He called me to come outside when he got home and he showed me that the fire flies had come out for the first time that summer and he gave me the roses. I'll never forget the night he brought me roses on a fire fly night.

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  15. Pink and white and a kitty. Life is good!

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  16. Your puss is enjoying them too Jen!

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  17. I love the way your kitties just gravitate to your flowers. I can't wait to see flowers growing out of the ground.

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  18. hi dear Jen! thank you so much for passing by beets&pieces.
    yes I did make the broderies and yes it was such fun!
    still, I think it will take a while before I do any again soon ;)

    i love kampanules! they are so pretty :)
    btw kampanula is greek for little bell.

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