A Chocolate Ganache Birthday

I've always loved having my birthday in the month of May,

on the fifteenth of this beautiful month to be exact.

Very often, we go through a colder period just before mid-May

which is known as Blackthorn Winter or the Ice Saints.

Very often, my birthday catches the tail-end of these colder days.

So be it

it's just a matter of adapting!

This is the first birthday that I spent completely on my own

because of the Covid-19 and the need for social distancing.

I made my own cake and froze some of the slices to share when I can finally have a social life again!

The second Sunday in May is Mother's Day here in Switzerland

So it's lovely to have two celebrations really close together!

These beautiful flowers and the lovely rose petal card were sent to be by my son.

Such a beautiful choice of my favourite pastel-coloured flowers

and very much appreciated.

Then it was my birthday with beautiful peonies and some cards.

Many lovely phone calls, facetime and e-cards and messages.

Peonies, with Lily of the Valley, are my favourite flowers in May

They are beautiful even when their petals start to drop.

For my birthday, I received a charming Swarovski crystal Blue Jay ornament

from my daughter.

My balcony has been a real joy during this period of confinement.

I purchased new plants and have filled my life with colour

and the buzz of bees collecting pollen.

This little corner is right opposite my kitchen

and this is where I sit to eat and to read.

I made the small blanket on the back of the chair way back in January

when I was inspired by the colours in a January sunrise.

See here: January Sunrise Blanket

My strawberry plants are doing so well.

This morning, I counted over fifty tiny strawberries developing!

I have twelve new geranium plants and this coral colour is my favourite.

Besides having eight window boxes along the railings of my balcony,

I have several pots of different shapes and sizes

and one of them contains three beautiful dahlia plants. 

This is one of them.

I do love the perfect symmetry of their petals and they come in such wonderful colours.

Another pot contains African Daisies

(Botanical name: Osteospermum)

Yellow and Pink live together in harmony.

There is a big pot of Campanula and these little flowers have been coming back

year after year.

Frequent and daily walks have kept my spirits up during these days of self-isolation.

After three weeks of total lockdown in March,

I started to go out for very early morning walks when virtually nobody else was out and about.

Now I walk twice a day, once in the mornings and then again in the early evenings

after shops close, around 7 pm.

The lighting is so pretty at that time of the day.

I passed by this colourful red house one evening this week

and I loved the play of sunlight and shadows and complementary green leaves.

An early morning walk took me past a beautiful Dogwood Tree in full bloom

Up some steps lined with a Beauty Bush

also called Kolkwitzia Amabilis

Here are the lovely flowers close up.

Closer to home, growing by the small allottments next to my building,

I saw these Starflowers (Borage) in the morning dew.

Reconnecting to Nature

This morning, Sunday, I walked down to the big park which is about 25 minutes away on foot.

I felt the need to be among trees and greenery

and to my joy, the Rhododendrons were still in bloom.

This colour took my breath away.

We can do so much to keep our spirits up when going through 

a difficult period.

It's helpful to live in the moment

to seek out beauty

to connect with Nature

and not project any fears concerning the future

which actually only exists in our imagination!

My Spring Garden crochet project is moving forward.

I'm planning on making a cover for the chest at the end of my bed,

but who knows, it may want to grow bigger!

How are you doing?

Are you discovering new and lovely things in your life?

The present situation helps us recognize the essential.