The Darling Buds of March

Winter quietly leaves the garden, and while content to allow the thaw, he laments that Snow missed its falling. All of us creatures here at Maison des Mots embrace the cycle of Nature’s offering, and we miss her gift of tender white flakes. Nature’s intent is for Snow to alter our momentum, while blessing the earth with fresh purpose. But in the absence of snow, we say hurrah to the rains!

So, we say farewell to cold & weary old Winter, thanking him for allowing sprightly young Spring to move in. Each year, seasons change. Each year I feel a change. Mostly, I feel the beauty of experience, and the discovery of new. This garden has encouraged me to wonder, and in my own unusual way, observe and learn.

The Blackbird couple (merle in French), who has called this garden home for a few years now are frantically nesting. It took me a while to discover where this years nest is building. I do my best to pretend I know naught - Madame & Monsieur Blackbird detest a looky-loo. The Blackbirds preparation for family finds Minette extremely cautious when she visits the garden in the light hours, always asking for my protection before sprinting up the steps into the garden.   The Blackbird sings a melody to soften a bended heart, but dives close - while shrieking a ‘beware!’ to furry four-leggers.  Each morning, when dark covers us still, Minette asks to go out for her airing and patrol, making it back in before Blackbird begins his territorial dance.

My Winter has been gentle, well, not so much in its entrance, but I allowed myself to live in repose after the early January dental issues. I welcome Spring.  While Spring has the advantage of being eternally vigorous, I softly morph into Minette’s bright-eyed and bushy-tailed movement. Spring allows me to enjoy more time each day in the garden. Spring encourages me to clean windows, wash curtains, beat carpets, walk with abandon, write poetry, pour over cookbooks, create menus…   

Eagerly, I await guests to arrive in April, May, June, the Summer, September, and October. There is room for more of you to book in, and as it appears I will be here for a while longer still, I encourage you to join me in the French country-side.      

Before the doors open for the arriving guests, I will train up to Paris a lot, travel to the South, and celebrate my birthday with lunch at one of the Troisgros family restaurants in Roanne. After my four-hour aventure with their delightful documentaire, I feel I must visit - and lucky me - it is near, just one and ½ hours by train.  Oui, I will be day tripping for deliciousness.

I leave you with images of what plants are popping here. These first signs of new life always inspire feelings of magic.

Sending you all gros bisous, across the lands and seas.   

Moi et Minette   -  March, 2024