Zen and the holiday weekend

It’s a three-day weekend. The sun has been out for days. The weather is decidedly warm.

I am thankful. After so much poor weather and stressful work it is good to have the space to just breathe.

Saturday started with a very intense yoga practice. The teacher continuously referenced the term Santosha (contentment).

Much time spent in the garden over Saturday and Sunday. Weeding. Fiddly things like getting single bits of grass out, picking up the leaves that the overhanging tree drops, cutting the grass with scissors around the wildflower patches related to the beebombs I planted alongside the right edge of the path. Mostly stuff that needs to be done gloveless (Monty would approve – I’ve never seen him wear gloves).

Cut back the hellebores.

The red rose Etoile d’Hollande is in bloom; the yellow climber and the apricot bush have buds. The unhappy honeysuckle is sprouting all over the map (and flowering); the clematis I had rooted from a cutting (which looked like it had died) is giving the honeysuckle a run for its money. Soon, next door’s Philadelphus will bloom.

The bees are finally showing up in numbers. I’m hoping the butterflies follow soon.

Walked with the dog early and late, when it was more comfortable for him (he’s just starting to divest his winter coat).

Making bagels to go with tuna salad and will watch Gardeners’ World.

Sprayed on some Le Labo Ylang 49 after all the outdoor stuff was done today. It comes out so well with warmer weather.

Hope your weekend is relaxing and enjoyable – and productive if you want it to be. If you’re wearing perfume (fragrance in any form), what have you chosen?

  • Patty says:

    No sun for us until today. It rained all.day.long on Monday, that following about five days of off and on rain. But this week looks like the week summer is showing up. We are going to upper 70s and 80s for the foreseeable future. I turned the heater up on the pool, it’s time!

  • Musette says:

    omgosh. I am SO jealous of all your garden vigor! I keep wanting to get out there and weed but it seems I have lost the will – I am happy I have enough energy to mow/edge the lawn and yank up the incredible amount of bindweed that grew this year. So. Much. Bindweed.
    Wearing a lot of Jean Nate splash and Coty Sand & Sable. and omgosh #2: that combo? Magnetic. I have had several people follow me down the grocery aisle, noses in the air like pointers, trying to track that scent.

    huh.

    xoxo

  • Dina C. says:

    Sounds lovely and very productive at your garden this weekend, Cinnamon. I love watching Gardener’s World. My three small rose bushes have been blooming, and when I walk my dog, we pass other larger rose bushes which I always stop to sniff. Today I’m wearing Pacifica French Lilac.

  • March says:

    The sun is FINALLY out here too! It was too cold for the cicadas, which made me sad. Hopefully they perk up today. I’m endlessly packing and sorting but I think I’m making progress? Sometimes it’s hard to tell.

    • Cinnamon says:

      Great on the sun for you ? so the cicadas want it to be warm? How long does this last? Best wishes on the sorting and packing. Will you throw what you choose to keep on moving van and will it go into storage till you’ve found a place to live?

  • Maya says:

    Guerlain Insolence on this very very chilly rainy day.

  • Portia says:

    Hey there Cinnamon,
    Who is Monty (with no gloves)?
    YAY for spring, sounds like you are finally getting some weather that you love. All those flowers too! Sounds lovely.
    Do you use a shedder comb on the pup? I take ours across to the park and it pulls out all the old hair. Birds LOVE it and often swoop in for the offcasts while I’m doing it.
    Over the weekend I was wearing The Aoud by Mancera. Basically cow poo and vanilla. It suits me well.
    Today for house cleaning and trivia writing I’m in Eau de Narcisse Bleu by Hermès. A perfect warm sunny winter day pick.
    Portia xx

    • Cinnamon says:

      Sorry. Monty is the host of Gardeners’ World. I’ve only seen him wear gloves when dealing with a very thorny rose. Otherwise, it’s hands in dirt. I have a brush for Joe, but I don’t think it’s what you mean. I keep meaning to contact a local woman who does dog grooming in the village. He had a bath with her once so knows her and won’t freak out.
      Cow poo and vanilla. That’s what the air smells like here sometimes. Or cow poo, sea air and flowers. I think the muck spreading is done for the time being though …

      • Portia says:

        Yeah, no, the Shedder Comb is a special comb for getting rid of moult as quickly and easily as possible. You take them out once a week and give them a good combing. It will stop about 95% of their moulting all over the house.
        Make sure you get a comb, not a rake.

  • filomena813 says:

    Right now I am wearing BDK’s Gris Charnel.

  • Tara C says:

    I’m wearing Papillon Bengal Rouge. It’s rainy and cool, so anxious for summer to arrive. But I am enjoying all the blooming irises. Happy to hear your weather has improved!

    • Cinnamon says:

      Thank you on weather. It is such a relief. A small number of irises are blooming in the village — tall pale blue flags. I hope your summer starts soon.