Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Lilac time!


I have waited all year for just this time of year.
Lilac time! 






To me the lilac has the prettiest form of all the blooms in the garden.
And the loveliest scent.
But that isn't why I love it so much.
It is the memories that this bloom evokes.
When the scent of lilacs fill the garden it always brings back the days when my family 
would pile in the car and travel the 240 miles to my grandparent's home where we would 
again see many of our cousins and spend days playing in 
my grandmother's garden together.






This past weekend we had all of our children and grandchildren here. 
The lilacs are blooming and so while the children were all out playing in the garden I 
thought of those special times in my own childhood and wondered
if my grandchildren would associate the smell of the lilacs later in their lives
to the memories of their own time spent here with family.
I sure hope so!!!!



You can't believe all  the photos I am taking of them this year.
Many to be shown in my next post and some on the garden blog.
(the link is at the top of my sidebar)
I could literally have bouquets all over the house of them. 
I always wondered why a flower so beautiful should have such a short vase-life : (








Here is a photo of an old swing I found at a favorite shop about a month ago.
I love the green chippy paint.




I had it hung in what I call the Summer House.
It is really another gazebo in my garden, but this one is square
and a perfect place to hang a swing.





And on top of having the lilacs, I have my sweet little lily-of-the-valley
blooming like crazy now too!



This little Cath Kidston cup that my neighbor gave me as a gift 
is the perfect vase for them.

I have this cup sitting on my bedside table
and the intoxicating smell of the little blooms is wonderful to fall to sleep to.





Here are more photos of the blooming trees that are in and around the garden.

Some have now lost their blooms to the strong winds we have had,
but I took the photos just before.







I cut some branches from the crabapples and enjoyed them in the house. 

I set up a little shoot with some pin cushions I ordered
from Peony and Sage and the blossoms from my trees.




I adore the blooms on these trees.
As you can tell by all the pictures I take of them : o

















These tress sit behind the house and color up the entire backyard!! !












In the front garden I have several white blooming crabapple trees.



The bees have been working all the trees this past week and I love it when I walk 
under them and can hear the humming as they go about their work.














This little tree is a weeping Red Jade crabapple tree.
My favorite white blooming crabapple in the whole garden!
It's mature size is about fifteen feet and is perfect for a
 small garden. 
The limbs weep almost all the way to the ground and form a beautiful
canopy over the lawn.







No Spring garden could be without the bleeding heart.
I really love this unique little bloom.







 Every day that I walk outside, I am surprised by some new gift the garden 
has unwrapped overnight. 

I think that is what I love most about gardening.

I am so glad I have you to share it with!



80 comments:

Kate said...

Hi June
Wishing you a lovely spring day hope that you are doing well. Sending you hugs and love along the way! Love the lilacs so beautiful.

xoxo
Kate

Low Tide High Style said...

June your garden is a gift for all of us! Thanks for sharing these lovely images!

Kat

Julia said...

Your gardens and home sounds so inviting with all the scented blossoms. I love the scents of spring flowering trees and Lilly of the Valley is another favourite.

Your photography is just so lovely. Happy Memorial weekend. JB

j adore said...

soooooo romantische Bilder!!¨deine Garten ist ein Traum!!!! zum Verlieben!!

Liebste Grüsse
Tanja

flowersandhome said...

Lilacs always remind me of mother's day. I love their blooms and that smell is just divine. I'm sure your grandchildren will have the most beautiful memories of the times they spent in your garden. Such a beautiful garden, so full of bloom. Love the blooming crabapple trees. Wish I could have one in our garden. Maybe the little one you talked about. I just have to convert the feet into meters first to have an idea about its mature size ;-)
Bye,
marian

Suzanne@Meridian Road said...

Beautiful! I wish lilacs would last longer in a vase, too.
It's another windy day here~that's sad that all the blooms blew off your trees.
Just so you know, I'm coveting that swing. Where do you live, again?

Dorthe said...

June, oh dear June, this is like an adventure to see- I can only immagine how very beautiful it is in real, so many different colours of blooming trees ,from white til lilac and wine red-and every little bloom so special, and with each his own lovely smell. Can you at all leave that wonderful garden of yours, to go to work :-) -or to sleep ,I wonder !
Thankyou for your stunning photoes of a Paradise garden.
Hugs,Dorthe

Rostrose said...

My dear June, your garden is sooo wonderful!!! Your photos of all the blooms looks so beautiful - and I love the delicate lilac. And the old swing is fantastic! Certainly your grandchildren will combine wonderful childhood memories with the lilac, the scent and of course with visiting dear Grandma June! :o)
And I've learned something while reading: I knew that lilies of the valley are toxic - but I didn't know that they include a sleeping drug... ;o)
Thank you very much for your sweet comment! I am glad that you are able to read my stories - about knives and frightened nuns *)! ;o) I hope google translate it's not too hard to understand!!
*) By the way: The nuns didn't run away: Maybe they spoke a silent prayer - and finally they shared my melon with me, which I cut with my knife :oD
xox, Traude

Snooks said...

So beautiful. Love the pictures of all of your blooms. Lilacs are my favorites too. They smell so wonderful. Isn't it amazing how a smell, a sound, music, even a taste can bring memories flooding into your mind?

@ 3Beeze Homestead

Junebug said...

June, I know those grand kids will have fond memories of your home, not only the lilacs but the love and fun that oozes from every ity bity inch of YOU!

You dear one have a gift of capturing the most beautiful pictures of flowers. I just swoon looking at them and want to melt right into the setting. I think I need to come have a seat on that swing and devour the scents of your garden.

I'll be waiting for more, because I can't get enough of your flowers. And most of all I'll be thinking of you at the Farm Chicks for that was our lucky day to meet. The taller June, hee-hee! Okay, not by much!

Olive said...

You and your garden are a gift to me today. Thank you June

p.s. the chippy swing is perfect paired with the lilacs

Bente said...

Your garden and the lilacs are amazing, June. Fantastic colors. I planted one last summer, so it`s still sooo small. Now we got warm weather, so soon I will have some blooming in my garden.

Have a nice day

Hugs from here

Pamela said...

Gorgeous photos!!!
How funny just this morning as I took my dog for a walk I stopped to smell all the lilacs that were lining the road of someone's farm.
Heavenly smell!
Pamela :)

My name is Riet said...

MY dear JUne. You have the most beautiful garden. Everything is blooming and blossoming. The lilacs are beautiful and I am sure your grandchildren will remember the smell every year till they are old. And the crabappletrees are stunning with all the pink and white blossoms. As I said, gorgeous garden.
Hugs from Riet

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

Hi June! I've enjoyed perusing your beautiful photos. We are way past this stage of spring, and it's wonderful having it back again. All the colors are luscious. Your trees are amazing. You have so many! Love your new chippy swing.

Olive said...

June, here is the address http://www.blogherads.com/ then just scroll to the bottom of the page and it says "for bloggers." You apply, they email you back, you fill out an application and then you start. I feel sure they will accept you. You may need to start blogging more often-that might be the only catch. At least two times per week I believe is their requirement. It can take six weeks to hear from them. I heard after five weeks. hugs, olive

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Hi June: It's so nice to hear from you and to see all of your beautiful blooming garden. My lilacs are all through now and it is a sad time in the garden, but the roses are starting to make up for it. I enjoyed your sharing Grace Gardens also..Happy Wednesday..Judy

Bumpkin Hill said...

So so beautiful, i loved the photos with the pincushions. X

The Feathered Nest said...

ohmygoodness!!!! What loveliness surrounds you sweet friend and you have such a gift of taking photos of it all!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your beauty, it all simply takes my breath away ~ I hope you are doing so good June!!! hugs and love, Dawn

Beehive Needleworks said...

Oh my goodness...the beauty of your gardens take my breath away! I feel certain that the fragrance round about your home is heavenly!
Thank you for sharing a bit of your secret and enchanted world.
Most warmly,
Judy x

Donna Reyne' said...

Hello sweetest!
Gosh I have thought of you every time I pick up my spade or shovel and head outside!
The Spring blooms are really something this year! Such spectacular color!
I love the aqua swing so cool!
hugs and so much love from me to you!
Donna

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi June,
Your blog is so dreamy and relaxing. I just love seeing all of your pretty blooms and the lovely way that you display and photograph them.

thanks for making my day even more special.

hugs
Sissie

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Oh June,
Lilacs and lily-of-the-valley are the two flowers that bring back so many childhood memories for me. I think that they were in most gardens when I was a child and we were no exception....and now, I have my own in my garden.
We have just spent the day at The Chelsea Flower Show. Have you heard of it ? It is the biggest and oldest flower show in the world. You would be in heaven June. All of the top English gardens make gardens in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea which is the home of the Chelsea Pensioners....war veterans who are now old and are looked after in the most beautiful house.I took quite a few photographs so hopefully, I shall do a post about it. If you Google it, you will get a taste of what it's like. We have had so much rain over the last few weeks but today it was in the 80'sF !
Your garden is looking glorious as always June and would be a credit to The Chelsea Flower Show !
Enjoy your garden and take more photos !! Love your shabby green swing too. Much love. XXXX

jill said...

Hi June hope you are well,I only have a very small garden now but try and plant all the plants that I love into it.I used to have a very big garden which had Lilac trees and I would pick some off to put into the bedrooms and living room anywhere really just so I could see and smell it.Your post has brought back memories for me thank you.I also love the blossoms on any trees they all look so beautiful.Love Jill xxx

Gypsy Heart said...

I stopped by from Maggie's and so glad I did. The photos and flowers are just gorgeous! I would have flowers all over my house.

Congrats on being published in the magazine...that's wonderful!

Pat

Gypsy Heart said...

I stopped by from Maggie's and so glad I did. The photos and flowers are just gorgeous! I would have flowers all over my house.

Congrats on being published in the magazine...that's wonderful!

Pat

Cindy said...

So so pretty. I love the idea that the grandchildren may have the same happy lilac scented memories as you do, isn't that just so cool. I long to have lilacs here, they don't do well in North Carolina, although my neighbor has one that is happy, and it's scent fills the whole block when the weather and humidity are just right... what a wonderful walk through your garden...

Cindy

Susan McShannon-Monteith said...

The photos are lovely June... as intoxicating as the lilacs scent.
Your grandchildren shall remember just as you do and wonderful memories they'll be too.
Enjoy them, their beauty is so short-lived.
Susan x

pballard said...

Lovely post. Love your blog!

Unknown said...

so so so pretty!!! Oh be still my heart!!!

Brenda Pruitt said...

Lovely, and so very delicate.
Brenda

Anne said...

June,
Your flowers are lovely.What a beautiful garden you have.So many luscious trees with gorgeous blooms.You must be in heaven.
((Hugs))
Anne

Heaven's Walk said...

Oh June....what a gorgeous garden you have. I know that I've told you that over and over again...but it just takes my breath away! I agree with you about the lilacs being the most beautiful...and I adore my peonies, too. :)

xoxo laurie

Victorian1885 said...

Oh June your post makes my heart sing... I can almost smell your lilacs! I will have to walk our pups a different route tonight and see if I can get a sniff of someone's lilacs.. Have a great rest of the week!
Hugs,
Wanda

Koren said...

Oh June you must be in heaven..... I know it is not a good thing to be jealous, but, I HAVE TO BE, LOL!!!

Just the other day I told my husbands coworker that I would rather have my health and be able to have a huge property in the country with a huge garden, than to have lots of money.

You are amazing and what a blessing..... to be able to share all your beauty with us. Life is hard and no matter what comes our way, God is good and His blessings are many.

Wrap yourself in His Love and His Blessings, I know I will.

LOVE
Koren

Katherine said...

I always love it when you take us for a walk through your romantic garden. And these spring blooms are especially nice because of their wonderful fragrances.

Angela said...

Gorgeous colors everywhere! I can only imagine the smells wafting into your home, too! Ahhh the lily of the valley reminds me of my childhood with the pretty white flowers in my backyard :)

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Oh, you have brought me right back to MY childhood, the back yard was filled with purple lilacs...Gorgeous pictures!

Carol

Draffin Bears said...

Dear June,

Lily of the valley and lilacs remind me of my childhood too, at my Grandparents and my family home.
Just wish that I could smell your beautiful blooms and I loved seeing your as always, gorgeous photographs.
I am sure your Grandchildren will have the same fond memories you had as a little girl, of their childhood.
Love the old green swing and the sweet pin cushions.

Happy Thursday
Hugs
Carolyn

Nella Miller said...

Dear June, this post is just so beautiful....makes me wonder about all the beauty the earth gifts us..I wish for more blooms here, but am thankful for what it yields to me. Your lilacs, I can almost smell the scent! Enjoy the beauty, N.XOXO

Stacy's Shabby Shoppe said...

Beautiful pictures June! My lilacs are already finished and my roses are starting to bloom. I'm so thankful for such wonderful weather! xo

Alina said...

I would give anything to be able to walk trough your garden ...My childhood memories are also closely connected with lilacs,(they are very popular in Poland) and my Father's favorite flower was Lily-of-the- valley, unfortunately I can't grow them here, it is to hot for them...
Your pictures are fantastic as usual!
Hugs, Dear June!

jewels in the garden +: ) said...

Dear June, your garden is so ~amazing~ I cannot pick a favorite spot. All I know is that this morning when I read my "Jesus Calling" devotion, I read that there would be hidden treasures that reveal His Presence in my day. I found many of them throughout my day, and your post was definitely one of them. You are awesome dear friend and I thank you for sharing those treasures! Sending you goodnight blessings and hugs, Julie

Barbara said...

WOW, what a beautiful post and your pictures? I've enjoyed every one of them. Thanks for sharing.

Love,
B.

wendy said...

I am glad you share it with us too. Because I LOVE your garden (and everything else you post) I would love to take a walk around your garden.
Our lilacs around here haven't even bloomed yet.
I sometimes, sorta, kinda hate Alberta sometimes. Just so cold all the time, and windy, and late for things to blossom.
oh well, enough of that.
I had some beautiful flowering trees myself when I lived in Utah. I sure miss them.
So...I pretend YOUR garden, is MY garden, and it makes me smile.
I can smell those lilacs all the way up here.
hugs to ya

Alaina said...

Your pictures are just beautiful as always. I have to enjoy your lilacs as mine did not do well this year. I think I may have to move some or they will not survive. I think you are right about the color. I just couldn't resist the pinks and purples of the foxgloves, peonies and salvias. I hope you are enjoying your gardening as much as I have, with the weather being so nice it seems like a longer spring this year.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Good morning sweet June!

I can smell the lilacs everywhere HERE in Minneapolis! When I step out of my home, when I go to school....EVERYWHERE! And they are lovely this year. Your photos are perfectly rich and creamy, like vanilla ice cream!!!!

Be well and enjoy all the gifts of spring. Anita

NanaDiana said...

June- I'll tell you -you have some of the most beautiful pictures in blogland. I love coming here and seeing what you are up to...what beauty you have found in everday life around you. Today was no disappointment! Love it-Lilacs are MY favorite flower in the Spring- xo Diana

Leslie said...

Oh June! Magical. You have turned high desert Idaho into a spring fairy land. Your grandchildren will have sweet, sweet memories. xo ~ Leslie

Deb said...

How gorgeous is your garden & photography!! Thank you for sharing. I love the Lilac too ~ ours are spent now as are the lily of the valley ... now it's all about the Peonies in my little garden :-)
Have a wonderful day June ♥

Anonymous said...

Simply stunning photos June!!~
I love lilacs and your photo with the lilacs on the chippy aqua swing, GORGEOUS!!
Have a beautiful day.
Sincerely,
Melinda

Stan and Jody Gabara said...

June, Your photos are so beautiful. Always inspired by them. I wish I could grow lilacs here in San Diego, they are so gorgeous! Thanks for making me smile today with your garden. Have a fun Memorial Weekend.

Jody

Susan Anderson said...

Gorgeous gardens. You are so lucky to have al those lilacs.

They make me happy, just smelling them...let alone seeing them!

=)

Anonymous said...

E' sempre bello entrare nel tuo bellissimo blog!
ti abbraccio sara

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Hello June ~
Your ol' porch swing is wonderful!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful blooms!
Enjoy your holiday weekend!

Diane said...

I love the lilacs, too, June. Ours are already gone but they were wonderful. They remind me of my grandparents too. I hadn't thought of it till you said that but that's just exactly where the fragrance takes me - back to the idyllic days of childhood with them. Your photos are exquisite. Beautiful post. Diane

mudderbear said...

thank you so much for taking us on a walk around your garden. It is so beautiful.

Sandi said...

So glad I could finally view your photos June!! {at my sons house} They are gorgeous as usual!!! I love lilacs, but most of mine did not bloom this year. Lots of buds but no blooms...I think because of our crazy weather. My Miss Kim bloomed and one or two blooms on other tree, but that is all. Maybe next year :(
Blessings~

Robin Thomas said...

I am not even kidding, I could smell this blog.

I don't even know that I have s,Ellen lilacs, but I can smell yours.

Truly gifted you are.

I want to hug you, then lay in the grass in your garden and rub that white dog's belly.

Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness said...

Love all your flowers. I loved hearing about the memory of when you were a child and visiting family and playing in your grandma's garden, so special.

Julie Marie said...

Hello June... sooo many of my favorite flowers in your post!... you know how much I love Lilacs too, and like you, also because of the beautiful memories they evoke for me... Lily of the Valley is my birth~flower and I treasure those as well... and Bleeding Hearts... well, I guess I just love ALL flowers!... your yard looks like Heaven on earth... your new swing is fabulous... I would just sit in it and daydream all day as I savored the scent of all those flowers... your little Cath Kidston cup makes the perfect flower holder... and yes, I know your grandchildren will treasure their memories of carefree Spring days spent with you when Lilacs bloom... xoxo... Julie Marie

Cheryl ~ ZanyMayd said...

I sure wish Blogger had Smellavision, or whatever it would be called... With the crazy Hot weather we had in March it thru all the flowers off, I am sad to say that I never got to smell the lily of the valley or the lilac's this year (both being my favorites) I really miss that sweet fragrance.... So I am totally enjoying these beautiful photos, just pretending I can smell them too! Thanks for sharing,
xox
Cheryl

Maria said...

Your garden is spectacular and your photography is truly angelic.

Debbie said...

That porch swing is wonderful, June!
I'm sure your grandchildren will have sweet memories of their time at your house. The fragrance of certain flowers will remind them of their loving Gramma June.
Such beauty surrounds you.
xxoo

Unknown said...

Oh, June! Your flowers are spectacular. I envy all the lilacs. I have over 50 bushes & not ONE SINGLE BLOSSOM this year. It is my favorite bush other than roses. I just bought 2 more, a pink & a deep purple. Hope they do well for me.

Your crabapple is awesome! Love your little sachets ... always beautiful presentations.

Hope you are having a wonderful holiday weekend.

Please pray for those that are serving our country & those that have gone before us.

TTFN ~
Happy holiday weekend ~
Marydon

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

teeeheee....I just sneezed as I opened your page, as I am a bit allergic BUT SOOOOO IN LOVE WITH lilacs!!!!

oh June, you don't know how special it is to see your lovely smile when I see my comments! THANK YOU for coming to live vicariously through a ROMAN HOLIDAY where you can take the whole day to do what you want! ENJOY MY DEAR! I hope you are having good weather; we have been having some DOOZY thunderstorms!!!

LOVE! Anita

Carolyn said...

Hi June,
I love every single picture! Your lilacs are beautiful and I am enjoying mine now too.I am concerned about a frost warning issued for tonight though as we live in a frost pocket.I think I better go out and pick some more just in case.
Enjoy your garden!

Carolyn

Vicki said...

Hi, June, I enjoyed hearing your childhood memories. . . the smell of the lilacs associated with your grandmother's garden. I bet you inherited your love for gardening from her. I know your family enjoys your lovely garden. Your grandchildren will always remember the times they spent there. Enjoy the rest of your week out and about in your garden, dear friend~Sending love to you~Vicki

Terri said...

Absolutely gorgeous! You live in Paradise June! How wonderful for you to enjoy these incredible beauties of the earth. Springtime must be your favorite time of year : )
Hugs,
Terri (Big fan of Lilly of the Valley and Lilacs!)

Angie's Recipes said...

Some really stunning spring shots!

Barbara said...

Your garden is amazing, June. Colors upon colors! Beautiful photos.
and you've chosen to feature two of my old favorites: lilacs and lilies of the valley. Two things that will NOT grow in Florida. :(
I so enjoyed my visit here today!

Half-heard in the Stillness said...

Dearest June, just been over to your gardening blog and had to laugh at the photos of the guys and the cattle in the snowy weather, especially the one where you say 'this is the better side of Brad'!! :))))))) so funny!

I too love lilac, we are fortunate that our next-door-neighbour has a white lilac tree right outside our bedroom window. It's full of such heavy creamy blossoms..wonderful. I remember the perfume from when I was little, as you know we lived in a smoky town when I was young and although my Mum made a garden she didn't have a lilac, yet loved it. On my way home from school each day I passed a massive lilac bush leaning right down across the pavement...you can guess, yes I broke off a piece to take home to my lovely Mum! I can still smell it! She laughed, but I was told in no uncertain tones not to take things that didn't belong to me, tee hee ;)))

Big hugs dear friend XOX

Koren said...

O.K. So we'll have to have a toss up with who hates painting more, LOL

Well, we've gotten some colder weather for the past several days and rain so I've given it a break. I also have had to stop because of the awful pain I am in. For the past 10 years I've lived with many diff. health issues and pain is at the top, especially g.i. It's difficult to say the least, but my faith keeps me strong, He is my hope and He has been so good and His blessings are many, even in the suffering.

I keep busy when I can and when I can't, I just don't do anything, in the winters I am worse, I am at home most of the time now, it's been worse now since menopause. Thought I had done enough of those symptoms during pregnancy and nursing. Gee whiz... Oh well!!

Still have more painting, soooo, you could fly me down there for a vacation and maybe I'll hire someone to finish up the painting. Would LOVE to do some antique shopping in the U.S., not so sure hubby would love it so much though. HA! Ha!

But, then again, I still have my vegetable garden to get ready and still feed my flowers their sheep manure and some mulch!

Hope your enjoying your beautiful garden and some sunshine June.

Keep looking for Him in everything, He's there XOX

Love & Blessings
Koren

Fete et Fleur said...

Oh my goodness June, you live in paradise! I would love to see a full view of your love garden. The row of trees had me swooning. Wishing you a glorious blooming.

Nancy

Anonymous said...

What an amazing garden you have! I loved the pics! I remember tiger lilies from my grandma's garden. Traci

Lana Manis said...

June... I can smell those lovely blooms all the way here in Tennessee! Your photos are gorgeous... as always!

I enjoyed hearing about your family gathering memories. I miss time like those. Nowadays everyone seems so busy. Thank you for sharing yours with us. :)

THE FARMHOUSE PORCH said...

Simply stunning >>>---♥

Linsey

The Vintage Farmhouse said...

Oh my gosh, that swing is amazing! I lo9ve the chippy green paint!!

Angela said...

Sweet June it blessed me SO much when you drop by and leave me a lovely comment and honored that you like my photographs! I love every single one of yours, so beautiful. I did think of you the other day when I was admiring my mom's hydrangeas. Blessings and big hugs! Angela

Shanon at Vintage Sparkle Chic said...

June, I have just been scrolling through your blog and ogling at all of your beautiful photos. The green shabby swing is to die for gorgeous!
Love, LOVe, lOVE your blog!!!!

~Shanon