The White Lily

My favourite flower, and the star of my beautiful Christmas bouquet is the white lily. When first bought they were still closed, tight in their buds, but they bloomed revealing their full beauty. They have graced my dining room table for the whole of the festive period, but now the time has come to consign them to my recycling bin.  

My mum hates cut flowers for the very fact that they don't last forever, but it is this transience that makes me appreciate flowers all the more.  The fleetingness of their beauty makes it all the more precious.

The Lily

by William Blake

The modest Rose puts forth a thorn,

The humble sheep a threat’ning horn:

While the Lily white shall in love delight,

Nor a thorn nor a threat stain her beauty bright.

Valentine's Day Fun and A Fallen Hero

I know that many people do not enjoy participating in Valentine's Day.  However, all the arguments about the commercialism and resenting being told to be romantic on a specific day don't cut it with me at all. My relationship with Ian doesn't need to be prompted into romance.  We are pretty lovey-dovey 365 days a year anyway.  He is an attentive, caring and demonstrative man.  He believes in love and romance and soul mates.  He believes in sharing the household chores and responsibilities.  He takes the weight off my shoulders. We connect everyday, finding our moments even in the mundane.  We don't need Valentine's Day to keep our spark alive - but we love the excuse to do something a bit special and to include our kids, which makes them feel a part of it all.

Our Valentine's Day history goes back to a snowy February in 1984.  After painstakingly cutting out letters from a magazine to make an anonymous message in the card I had bought him, I cajoled my two best friends to walk the 3 and a half miles to Ian's house.  I didn't realise it was that far as my sense of geography is pretty pitiful.  Had I understood what a seven mile round trip in the snow would feel like, perhaps I would have thought twice about it.  But we made that journey and so begun the relationship with the boy that would later become my wonderful husband.

This year, like every year, Ian took the day off work.  We spent a very nice morning together while Freddy was at nursery. We exchanged gifts and snuggled under a blanket to watch a film together, uninterrupted by anybody or anything - a rare treat!  Our choice of film was the movie Sinister, not a traditionally romantic title but perfect for us and our shared passion for horror.

Afterwards, we picked up our boy, who came out clutching a card he had made us, and went for lunch at Starbuck's. Always a good idea!  Once home I hit the kitchen making Pink Vanilla Cupcakes and Chocolate Chantilly Cupcakes with Strawberries and Blueberries.  That's why I love Valentine's Day.  It's an excuse to make themed food and to decorate the house and interject a dose of loved-up fun into everyday proceedings.

We had a fabulous Mexican feast for five this evening.  All the flowers, homemade cards and balloons are decorating the living room and the girls are watching the gift that we got them "The Perks of Being A Wallflower" on DVD.  Ian is putting Fred to bed, as he always does and we have a bottle of Champagne chilling for later.  It is just perfect.  Knowing that Megan and Joe are also having wonderful Valentine's Days too is just the icing on the heart shaped cake!!

The only blot on the landscape of today was the news about Oscar Pistorius.  He is one of my greatest heroes.  The fastest man on no legs.  The blade-runner.  The first paralympian to compete in the Olympics.  I saw him run at London 2012.  I cried tears of total wonder and awe at this amazing individual as he broke down boundaries, challenged preconceptions and changed history. Now he is being held in custody over the suspected murder of his model girlfriend, having shot her four times in the arm and head.  Early reports suggested that he thought she was an intruder and acted in self defence, but four shots seems excessive even in this scenario.  The fact he has been refused bail and that the police have been called to his address numerous times in the past for domestic disputes suggests something far more horrible. Seeing his arrogant outburst at the Paralympics made me concerned about his state of mind.  Was there some mental health issues or extreme anger issues at play?  Was this a terrible accident or a deliberate act of violence?  Either way, I doubt that my sporting hero will ever be running again.  I'm glad I got to see him run.  I am sorry that his heroic journey has ended in this way.  Whatever the truth is, my hero has fallen.

Flora of the Lakes #Project 52

Flower and Plant Photos From The Lake District

Great Garden Moments

I've never been much of a gardener, although this is not from want of trying.  My lack of green fingers is an affliction that has marred my ability to transform my little green patch of earth into a colourful sea of vibrant blooms or provide a kitchen garden bursting with an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables.  Consequently my garden is little more than a square of lawn...dotted with dandelions and daisies.  But it is much loved!

Our only produce is the tubs of herbs and pots of vegetables planted by me and my children, and a thriving strawberry plant given to me for Mother's Day two years ago.  When new leaves or flowers appear in our graden they are met with wonder as we marvel at nature's ability to bring beauty to the world. We never take our green space for granted.   My garden may not be amazingly landscaped or like an allotment, but it is however a haven to my children who play in it tirelessly.  It is an outdoor space that is full of fun and laughter. This is why it is so precious to me.

Abandoned toys are strewn across the patio.  Scooters, bikes and balls each represent a memory of my children at play.  The sagging springs of our trampoline show the joy of a million bounces. Each  mark on the swingset and slide represent the wear and tear caused by an imaginary adventure involving pirates,castles and monsters.  My patio table and chairs may not be pristine, but their weathered appearance bears testament to the amount of evenings we have sat outside together as a family.  I can almost smell the coals of much enjoyed barbecues and hear the peels of laughter as we have giggled at the antics of one of the children.

The divots in the lawn that become waterlogged in the rain are exciting muddy puddles to be jumped in with welly clad feet.  Spiders' webs and creepy crawlies are the subjects of many a safari expedition.  Pots of mud  have replaced many of my attempts at seed planting.  The over watered compost, stirred with a stick may not be hospitable to seedlings, but in the mind of my kids they are cauldrons of thrilling ingredients ready to weave their magic spells.  Makeshift boats sail in my water butt.  Chalk drawn masterpieces adorn my creosoted fence panels.

My Great Garden Memories

This is why I love my garden.  These are my great garden memories which will endure long after any flower beds would have drooped and died.  My children are the brightest blooms in my garden and my family's laughter is the most perfect harvest we can reap!

Mother's Day Gift Ideas from Asda

Mother's Day is on Sunday March 18th.  If you have a mum like mine, who isn't really a lover of cut flowers, but who does love pot plants and flowers in the garden, then Asda have a great range at great prices that will be just perfect!  

I remember when I was a little girl and I bought my mum a Purple Flowering African Violet for Mothering Sunday.  She was so delighted because it would last all year round and not have to be thrown away after a week or so like cut flowers.  My mum has always been very practical like that!

'The Garden' range includes a selection of  grow your own plants, all beautifully presented in presentation boxes especially for Mother's Day.  Mums can plant Lilies in a basket, Freesia in a Ceramic Pot or Irises in a Planter.  If your Mum enjoys cookery too, you can also buy a Herb Trio consisting of three pretty pots to grow basil, chives and parsley on the windowsill.

These gifts are all just £5 each which is great value.

Grow Your Own Flowers

The Garden Range also offers some fun gifts for gardening mums to keep outdoors looking 'blooming lovely'  including a pretty 'Welcome to My Garden' sign, gorgeous metal bucket tea-light holders and a handy tin for storing bits and bobs.

Garden Tin £5

The tin would make a lovely gift filled with packets of seeds, a ball of twine, plant labels and maybe some of mum's favourite sweets so she can have a treat while she works in the garden.  It is very pretty and sturdy.  The bucket tealight holders have a heart shaped cut out on the front.  They will look lovely alight on a spring evening.

Tealight holders £3

Asda have a whole host of other great Mother's Day Gifts including a fun 'Breakfast in Bed' range, a lovely kitchen range for mums that love to bake and they even have pocket money priced pressies for little ones who want to raid their piggy banks to buy something special for Mummy! 

This cute mug is just £1 and is bound to make mum's cuppa taste perfect on Mother's Day!

With an amazing selection of gifts to choose from, at affordable prices, you can get your mum something she'll really love.  Head to your local Asda or go online at asda.co.uk to find out more.

**Asda kindly gifted me some Mother's Day goodies to make my mum's day!  But no compensation was received for this post**

A Guide to Gift Buying for the Lady in Your Life

Christmas has been and gone leaving in its wake a lot of extremely happy women whose husbands got their presents spot on, alongside a lot of disappointed ladies with partners who got it all wrong!  I was lucky.  I got a beautiful diamond ring from my husband which has earned him lots of gold stars to take into 2012!  But I've heard of friends receiving gifts that are much less thoughtful...a steam iron, pyjamas that were two sizes too big, a Justin Bieber CD (yes, really!) and a jar of hair removal cream are just a few of the less well received presents that have passed hands over the festive season!

When will men learn that however much we say we don't want anything, we are always however hoping deep down that our husbands or boyfriends will deliver a thoughtful gift to express their feelings for us!  It is not the value of the gift, but the thought that has gone into it and what it represents that really counts.

There is an easy answer to this age old problem.  Interflora have a fantastic range of gifts for her which offers a choice of beautiful, thoughtful presents including personalised items, as well as amazing bouquets.  They are all available to order online, many with next day delivery.  So even if a special date is forgotten, there is still time to get anniversary gifts  or birthday gifts delivered at short notice!

Who could resist this gift being delivered to your door?  A gorgeous tin of delicious Biscuiteers Personalised Love Heart Biscuits would definitely put a smile on my face!

Or how about a Divine Elegance Gift Set filled with a wonderful selection of extravagances such as elderflower vodka liquer and a scent diffuser.  Definitely a gift that would delight the most discerning recipient!

Being Interflora, the flower experts, there are loads of amazing bouquets to pick from.  With beautiful flowers in hand tied arrangements in an array of amazing and vibrant colours, you are sure to find the perfect bunch for the lady in your life.  So loved ones, wives, girlfriends, sisters, mums, grans or friends, will not fail to be delighted if they receive a floral gift.  Just look at this bouquet, the Rainforest Alliance Tropical hand tied arrangement.  It would brighten up anyone's day!

So if you are looking for an original gift for the woman in your life, or if you want to drop a hint to your husband when your birthday or anniversary is approaching, look no further than Interflora.  Whether you want to buy traditional flowers or get something a little more unusual, Interflora has the perfect present for any lucky lady!

The Art of Giving Flowers

The other day, Ian bought me flowers.  Just like that.  He returned home from work clutching a bouquet of flowers that he presented to me with flourish as I was cooking dinner in the kitchen.  It wasn't Valentine's Day, our anniversary or my birthday.  He gave me flowers because he said he was proud of me for everything I had achieved and wanted to do something nice to let me know how much he loved me.  My spirits soared and my smile lit up my face.  A thoughtful and unexpected gesture like this can really make your day.

Flowers have been used for centuries to symbolise meanings.  The Victorians used to give and receive flowers as a part of their courtship.  Each flower had a meaning and the bouquets contained a secret message for the lady to interpret.  The romantic gentleman could convey his feelings and intentions using the secret code of flowers.  There was real thought and meaning behind the art of giving flowers.  Here are some of those hidden meanings.

• Carnation- Fascination
• Chrysanthemum- Friendship
• Daisy- Loyal love
• Orchid- Love and beauty
• Lily- Purity and sweetness
• Red rose- Romantic love
• Pink rose- Secret love
• Yellow rose- Friendship
• White rose- Innocent love
• Rose, Yellow & Orange: Passionate thoughts

My bouquet contained a red rose and carnation...so I think Ian definitely made a good choice!

Even though we no longer adhere to the same code, buying flowers for a loved one is a gesture full of love and thought.  Favourite colours, preferred blooms and bouquets that we think suit the recipient's personality are thoughtful and valid reasons for choosing a particular arrangement and bring such joy.  As long as they are picked with love, flowers are sure to please!

Interflora Brighten Up Your Day

However down you may be feeling, however grey the skies may be, the delivery of a huge bouquet of flowers brightens up your day!  Today I received a beautiful Pink Radiance Bouquet courtesy of Interflora.

The stunning hand tied bouquet features a generous selection of fragrant, oriental pink lilies, classic pink roses, pink lisianthus and cerise germini.  The vibrant pinks contrasted beautifully with the gypsophilia, aspidistra leaves, eucalyptus and salal.  It is a personification of summer itself! Finished with gift wrap, ribbon and presented in a stylish gift bag, it made a huge impact as it arrived this morning by a lovely Interflora florist wielding an umbrella to protect them from the rain!

Flowers have an uncanny knack of making you smile and this exquisite bunch is no exception.  They looked so pretty and they smelt lovely too.  They add a real splash of colour to the house.  Take a look of these colours!

Interflora are proud to be the world's largest and most experienced flower delivery service.  Every day thousands of people trust Interflora to deliver good wishes or thoughtful sentiments on their behalf.  Everyone involved takes care to add a little personal touch to the Interflora experience.  Every bouquet is prepared with care and hand delivered.  So whether you are looking for flower delivery in Nottingham or florists in London, you can trust Interflora!