Text and images Britt-Arnhild Wigum Lindland
You must live through the Nordic winter to know what spring is. Really know. Year after year with long, dark, icy cold months. Telling yourself again and again that winter can be beautiful. Fleeding the darkness for a week. Counting days till spring.
Two weeks ago I was sure the snow in our garden would never melt. Never. Marta's confirmation is coming up the 14th of May. We will have a big party and I want The House in the Woods to look its best. That day. And always. "Terje, the snow in The Blue Garden is never going to melt this year. Everything will be gray, dirty and dead on Marta's Big Day."
Then, wonder over all wonders........of course I know that's the empty grave on Easter Morning, but for the sake of my blog post.........wonder over all wonders.....Saturday was a glorious day and when the night came, all the snow had melted.....well, almost, and wil a little help of my man.
Sunday came with lovely sun and almost summer temperatures. and Monday was perfect for more garden work. Now it is starting to look like the garden I dream of out there, the dream I garden.....
In between gardening I sit down with my books. And my dreams. With Tasha Tudor I create the rustic charm she mastered to perfection, with Gertrude Jekyll I paint with flowers and with Frances Mayes I dream, dream, dream.........of gardens, of travels, of Italy, of books, of art, of words, of travels.
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Before dinner I gather nettles and use them in a carrot stew I am making.
Oh, the pleasure of ones own garden, of nature.
Recipe for the carrot stew over in The Blue Cafe.
