Welcoming May with Open Arms

I've always loved the month of May

because of the flowers

because it's my birthday,

I love it this year especially because three of the weeks in April

were difficult to get through.

I hurt my back moving heavy boxes around and spent far too long in a forced

rest with a heated pad in my back, pain-killers and several doctor's appointments.

I am pleased to say that the situation is much improved, but not yet perfect.

I missed two weeks of enjoying spring outside and when I went outside for my first walk,

the lilac was in bloom and the fresh, green leaves were on the trees!

The first thing I saw when I walked out the front door were the lilac bushes

in full bloom on the grassy patch near my building.

They smelled heavenly and the grass and tiny daisies under my feet felt wonderful!

The trees in my street were in blossom and the tiny leaves followed soon after.

My young Camellia bush had buds everywhere

and the buds opened to reveal soft red blooms

My balcony started to look very colourful

A big pot of tiny violas is filling out nicely

I picked a few to keep me company inside!

The first strawberry flowers are appearing in my window boxes

A pot of Lily-of-the-Valley for the first day of May

and some freshly picked pansies.

The two cards were for Easter and I keep them out for a long time because they're so pretty.

This little cherub sitting on a heart-shaped trinket container

was given to me by my grandson a while back.

I treasure the thoughtful gift and keep some earrings in it!

I got outside again in time to capture the last of the flowering blossom.

This one is in my street and I look forward to it every year.

These lovely pink ones are in my neighbourhood too.

My favourite apple is called Topaz and I eat one every single day.

I'm so happy that they can still be found at the market.

Do you have a favourite apple?

One day, I fancied some pancakes. These are made with three different kinds of gluten-free

flour, including chestnut and coconut flour.

I diced some ewe's cheese before folding them in half and then some avocado pear to garnish.

My favourite flower in the month of May is the peony.

They come in glorious colours and their petals get lighter and lighter as they mature.

Their centres are a wonder of details

The early morning light behind the pink petals makes them look like a watercolour painting.

I finally finished the edging on my latest crochet creation.

I mentioned it in April. 

It's Granny's Secret Garden and all the rounds in the middle represent

different flowers: a mixed border in the sixteen squares in the middle,

then come the blue and yellow forget-me-nots and then the soft red and pink cherry blossom.

The pattern is by Wool Thread Paint

and I have done my own personal colour scheme.

I made the heart garland a while back.

There is a new project on the go 

and 2022 is the year when I want to reduce my huge stash of yarns

 which seems to be taking over my apartment!

This pattern is called Spring Flower Blanket

I am aiming to crochet 64 big squares and join them together with a border.

This is a photo heavy blog entry as I'm catching up for the lost days of April.

I hope that spring is treating you well.

Whatever happens in our lives, especially the unexpected,

let's keep smiling and know that better times will return again. 

May Flowers

The blossoms have been wonderful since the end of April,

but May has brought a profusion of delicate flowers against deep blue skies.

Like this curtain of flowers.

The dark pink centres are a lovely contrast to the white petals of this ornamental cherry.

This one was taken just after a rain shower.

This little tree is in my street and I look forward to the blossom every single year.

These white Narcissus with the yellow centres was taken on an evening walk

in my neighbourhood.

Layers of pink petals so wonderful to see after the winter months.

More rain showers on this beautiful Iris growing in the planter

alongside the building I live in.

The Lilac bushes are still blooming

I managed to capture this Apple Blossom before the wind

blew away the gorgeous chunky petals.

I wonder if this will be a good year for apples?

How fresh the new spring green leaves are as they appear on all of the trees.

The Queen of queens for this month

has to be the luscious Peony.

I like to have them in a vase in my home during the whole of the month of May.

Aren't the petals just wonderful?

They start off  in a lovely deep, vibrant shade which  changes every day.

until they becomes a beautiful luminous creamy colour

and then finally white, before the petals start dropping.

A fallen petal and stamens on the tabletop.

Ruffles of peachy petals

and the last peony standing in the vase.

It will soon be time to get some more of these wondrous blooms.

Soft curves and colour create an abstract quality to the flowers

that bring me such joy all through the month of May.

We have had our fair share of rain this month with polar air blowing our way,

luckily there have been blue skies too!

The rain is needed as the level of the rivers and lakes was getting really low.

A beautiful basket of Hydrangeas arrived today

They have been sent by my thoughtful son in Canada

for Mother's Day this Sunday.

It always falls on the second Sunday during the month of May.

You can see the pretty accompanying card.

This lovely plant will be planted in a big pot on my balcony on Sunday!

Hydrangeas are my favourite plants to have on my balcony.

They flower the whole summer through.

Lilac time

Lilac is the perfume of the month of May

and may your day be full of sunshine and flowers!