I feel sorry for Mary. Don’t you? I mean, what’d she do to get labeled for all time? No fair, that’s what I say. No fair for Quite Contrary Mary.
Mary Mary quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells and cockle shells and marigolds all in a row.
Don’t know what Mary did, but I’ve always wondered about her garden. Never heard the answer to the question in the nursery rhyme. Hopefully her garden cheered her from the contrariness, just as mine cheers me from the crazy winter we endured. Snowy, icy, interminably long, frigid, crazy New Hampshire winter. Maybe I was just a smidge contrary. Yes, leaving those things behind. Looking ahead!
Thought I’d take you on a little field trip today. All the way out my front door, down the steps to my yard. You coming? Hope you enjoy this little peek at some of my favorite blooms this season, that they bring you joy too.
These peonies are definitely my favorite. The color is exquisite, the camera doesn’t do justice. They were a gift from my brother and sister-in-law after Hudson’s birth and surprise diagnosis with Down syndrome five years ago. Each spring these gorgeous blooms remind me of God’s faithfulness, how He got us through a very difficult time.
I love these bright, old-fashioned yellow flowers. I knew the name once. Now I’ve forgotten. (That and a few other things.) Anyone out there know what these are?
Check out my little friend sunning himself on a cheerful petal!
I was once told these are wild geraniums. Are they?
So I hung this colander planter on the dogwood tree by my side door to welcome guests. I received it as a wonderful surprise a few weeks ago. If you’d like to make one, directions are here: DIY Colander Flower Planter
Beautiful irises…
Every day for the last week or so we’ve picked a big bowlful of strawberries from our patch under the limelight hydrangea tree. These are wild strawberries, the sweetest thing you ever popped in your mouth! You’d think think my boys would jump up and down with delight when I ask them to pick our strawberries for the day. (But they don’t.)
These petunias hangs outside my front door. Really needing to replant in a bigger basket soon or they’ll die. I can tell it’s root bound, needs more room. (Hummingbirds love petunias!)
Here’s a fun little story about these primroses. My friend Brielle, one of Hudson’s babysitters, was working at her greenhouse nursery job a few weeks ago. Her eagle eye spied a crate of forty-eight primrose plants in a pile by the dumpster. They needed a little TLC, but looked salvageable, so she rescued them. Clever. Brought ’em home. She and her mother nursed them to health. And then, they shared some with me. (I know, I know. Lucky me!)
So how does your garden grow? Hope noone out there is contrary today. Would love to hear what you’ve got growing/blooming in your veggie and flower gardens. Have a wonderful weekend, friends!
(P.S. The carrots are just sprouting!)
“I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.”
~William Wordsworth, “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud,” 1804
Related post: Buried or Planted?
marilyn foehr says
I am a friend of you mother’s who has some health challenges which I’ve allowed to interfere with my quality of life. Your blog was suggested by your mother and I think it’s an answer to a prayer. I have smiled at the recipes and flowers. Held my breath over the slate incident and enjoyed every story, saying poem, etc. Look forward to more. Thanks to you and Judy!!!!
Allie says
Hi Marilyn, so glad to “meet you” here and thank you for coming along on this journey. So glad my mom invited you. Also very sorry to hear about your health challenges and hope you will be feeling better soon. Thank you for your kinds words today, have a wonderful weekend!
Linda Jenkins says
Condo living doesn’t allow me a garden; however, you brightened my day by sharing pictures of these beautiful blooms. Keep them coming, for I love the stories and the pictures. You always leave me smiling. I’m hooked. This is the perfect venture for you.
Allie says
Thank you so much Linda! I appreciate your comments and that you are on this journey with me. XO
Tracy says
Oh the questions you make us ponder….I loved that poem as a child. I always wonder what a cockle shell was and why they were in her garden. That was so enjoyable to read. The pictures were beautiful! I started a veggie garden for the first time and it is growing great! I have about 10 tomatoes that will be ready soon. The most exciting thing was to see the tiny baby green pepper hanging on the plant. I’m really enjoying my garden!!!
Nancy Hammett says
Thank you for sharing these beautiful flowers. God’s beauty.
Aunt Pinkie says
such pretty flowers. I love peonies, your yellow colander is darling. Wish I could name your flower -uncle Bob was the gardener-he would have known!
Allie says
You know Aunt Pinkie, I was thinking that very thing as I was asking. I was thinking, “Uncle Bob would know.” Well if I don’t find out here, I’ll ask him There… Love you. XOXO
Christy Smith says
What a treat to walk through your garden!!
Susie Mandel says
What a beautiful garden! I think your gorgeous peonies are my favorite, too.
Barbara B. says
Loved your beautiful flowers today, really took me back to Bay Street where we had some lovely Peonies by the side of the house in a small garden!!! I had started small rock garden after Daddy cut down a large tree next to our dining room window. Planted primroses among several other plants, long forgotten now, but so enjoyed all the colors among small and larger rocks, with bright pretty colors!!!! Your posts are always so inspiring and look forward each day to make my day!!!! Love and hugs
Diana says
Hi Allie
Wow the pics are so beautiful!! That flower you were wondering about is a Geranium Hybrid “Tiny Monster”
I have a few of them and just love them , they soften up your garden, with their feathery leaves.
Your peonies are beautiful too!! Wow they are prettier than the ones were saw in Mason!!
Sarah says
Good Morning Allie,
I think your yellow flowers are Evening Primrose and the geranium we call Crane’s bill. The primrose are one of my favorites, they are a happy flower! Enjoying the sunshine today!
Carina Spring says
It was such a treat to ‘join you’ in your beautiful garden, thanks for inviting us along! 🙂 The flowers look so beautiful – what a treat it must be to take in their sweet fragrances. I also have Peonies (the same pink as in your picture, as well as a lighter pink and white ones.), irisis (Same colour), and we love to hang red/purple petunias on each side of our front door. I can’t seem to walk past a peonie without stopping to enjoy their scent! Take care. 🙂