Focusing on "happy" right now & one thing that's captivated me ( and brought joy) for quite some time is following the restoration of this grand old French Chateau:
http://www.chateaugudanes.com/captains-log
I've been hooked since first discovering the blog/website. Taking on a project of this caliber, with so much history behind it, would be daunting but oh the rewards. I think I would LOVE to do something like it but not by myself! What a legacy the family, the country of France & the town are bequeathed by the restoration of an estate so magnificent. How could anyone not find that goal appealing? It seems especially meaningful to me right now. The chateau has endured for centuries. It's intriguing to think of the triumphs and losses encountered over such a span of time. I imagine within and surrounding those walls, every earthly occurrence has been witnessed. How lovely to bring it back and allow future generations to forge & add new memories to all those that predate them. There are so many spectacular homes falling into decay around the world & country, I wish more people would tackle similar jobs instead of tearing them down & building something new (but not necessarily superior.)
The quote on the May 30th "Captain's Log entry was so lovely I had to copy & paste it here (afterall it IS still Spring):
"Now that the winter's gone, the earth hath lost
Her snow-white robes; and no more the frost
Candies the grass, or cast an icy cream
Upon the silver lake or crystal stream"
~Thomas Carew
The weather here has been as turbulent as my emotions ~ hail, tornadoes, wind & drenching rain with one 90 degree day sprinkled in for hope.
Above: Clematis 'Snow Queen'
David Austin Rose 'Lady Emma Hamilton'
Despite the less than ideal incubating conditions, there are lot's and lots of babies:
& nesting activity around the garden.
Above: Mourning Dove nest
I've also had a new project/distraction lately ~ relocating baby bunnies. One day, I returned home to see sixteen in my garden! No wonder so many of my cherished plants are chewed to the nubs or lost completely.
Above: Siberian Iris 'Caesar's Brother'
Finally, the subject of my post, Itoh Peony 'Canary Brilliants.'
New last fall ~ purchase inspired by my friend Dana who is just a little obsessed with them.... in a positively good way, of course. :)
Now I see why. 'Canary Brilliants' is truly a creation of splendor. If I can keep the hail from destroying her, she will do much to buoy my tender spirit...
YAY!!!!! I am so happy you have an Itoh and that one is stunning! I hope you become as obsessed with them as I am. I just can't get enough of them. I have not seen this one before and if I had, I would have bought it. I hope the hail & rain don't destroy it. My Magical Mystery Tour got beaten down a bit yesterday, but still looks ok. Fingers crossed for no more hail.
I got a trap today and I'll begin trying to capture the few bunnies I've seen here too - I don't want to have them ruin my gardens too.
Can't wait for the Garden Tour tomorrow - maybe we can run by the Tree Farm and look at more Itoh's!!!
Posted by: Dana | June 05, 2015 at 04:44 PM
Oh my gosh the picture of the baby rabbit is adorable!
I was watering a small patch of Monarda -- literally in the middle of the lawn -- when to my horror I started hearing distressed squeaking. There were 3 very young rabbits in a shallow den in the Monarda.
We had tons of rabbits too but luckily there are predators and the rabbits seem to prefer the clover and grasses to the garden. Otherwise all of my low-growing plants would be gone.
Posted by: sweetbay | June 06, 2015 at 08:03 AM
16 bunnies! Yikes! Cute they may be, but they have to go!
Posted by: Robin | June 06, 2015 at 07:27 PM