Friday, May 24, 2013

Pansies and Cornbread

A flower fairy came yesterday morning (the gnome-giving neighbor!) This morning the breeze is dancing with the tree branches and the birds are chirping and IT'S FRIDAY!  Yay!
I made cornbread.  Gluten-free!  It was yummy!
I was home yesterday because I took the day off  so that I could take Bill in for a routine medical procedure (all good!) and I nursed my cold all day.  I am feeling much better today!  I watched Out of Africa AGAIN.  Oh, I love it so very much.  Do you?  I kept asking myself why I love it the way I do and I think it's because Karen Blixen was so determined.  She was unapologetic when she asked a lot from her life and the people in it.  She worked hard to make things happen, too.  It dawned on me that doing the little things that make eating and sleeping lovely are important (her dishes and her pretty bedroom).  She continued to accept invitations to hobnob with the community even though they sort of judged her and she walked forth with a lot of courage.  I know it's a movie, so they jazzed some features of her life up quite a bit, but the scenery and the music . . . delightful.   I cry when the coffee farm burns and when she says goodbye to her workers.  Of course I cry when the lions rest on Denys Finch-Hatton's grave.  
Reve also left three big peat pots of purple pansies (how's that for alliteration?) and this is her regular type of doings.  She is a garden ambassador/garden  mentor/flower fairy through and through.

I leave you with a Gladys Taber quote,
"The whole land has a changed look now that the winter etching is gone, everything is sweet and blossoming under the May moon."

22 comments:

Nancy McCarroll said...

Love those purple pansies. Loved reading your take on OOA...you value in others what you, yourself, have as fine qualities. Are you not just as strong, forthright, unapologetic and loving of all things beautiful? Why, yes, you are!

Pom Pom said...

Oh Nancy! What a lovely complimentary comment! Thank you! My heart just grew two sizes!

Elizabethd said...

Oh , how beautiful those pansies are, they would cheer anyone's day.

Left-Handed Housewife said...

I must admit: I have never seen "Out of Africa"! I'll see if I can stream it this weekend.

How lovely to have a neighbor who brings you flowers.

Feel better, my dear one!

xofrances

ann said...

Friday feels good,today. Thank you. We could all use a flower fairy, or perhaps better--be a flower fairy.

TexWisGirl said...

such gorgeous blooms!

Farm Girl said...

Lovely words from Gladys Tabor.
Your flowers are all just beautiful.
I think your cornbread looks wonderful.
I hope you have a nice three day weekend. I hope your cold gets better too.

Elderberry-Rob said...

I have a bit of cold too Pompom so can commiserate with you. Today I made a sausage casserole and am looking forward to wearing my new towelling robe as I am soooo very cold - the UK is so cold, wet and miserable - we had hail stones yesterday and they battered my little flowers that had painfully tried to smile up at the minimal snatches of sun we are getting - sob!

Between Me and You said...

Well now, just loving Mary Poppins atop there!!'Out of Africa' is also one of my firm favourites. Great story and I cry at the same bits as you!Wasn't Redford mighty fine looking then?I still can't forgive Finch-Hatton for dying on her like that even though he left her!Meryl Streep's finest hour methinks...and the music!Have a lovely weekend Miss Pom-Pom Poppins. x

Anonymous said...

I've never seen that film either, sounds like I should watch it! Your cornbread looks amazing, any chance of the recipe? :) Big hugs, xxxxx

Happy@Home said...

What a thoughtful neighbor you have. The flowers are beautiful.
Would you believe I have never seen Out of Africa? I'm not sure why because I love Meryl Streep. Must change that and soon!
Enjoy your weekend.

Leslie said...

Oh, I loved Out of Africa. Sigh. I went through an Africa phase a few years ago and still love it. Have you seen Flame Trees of Thicka? It is a good mini series that I also really enjoyed set in Africa. Love your purple pansies. I had johnny jump ups but it is already too warm and they are fading fast. :(

Melanie said...

It has been many years since I watch 'Out Of Africa', I can't quite remember the story but now I am curious so may have to watch it. I LOVE those purple pansies. I have a whole tray of them ready to plant as soon as this rain stops. They are my favourite Winter flower. Have a great weekend Miss Pom Pom xo

Lisa Richards said...

You're blessed with a wonderful neighbor! And she's just as blessed to have YOU for a neighbor!
I, too, will have to watch OOA.
Enjoy your weekend. Breathe in lots of warm, fragrant breezes!

Anonymous said...

Get well soon Lovely Pom pom.the pansies are so beautiful.hope you have a super relaxing weekend.lots of love xxxxx

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Karen, what's gluten free cornbread?
I adore Out of Africa and every time I wash my hair and lean my head back to rinse the shampoo, I think of that scene with Redford and Streep. I think rinsing my hair is the most sensual feeling...not sexual but delightful sensual.
I'm crazy, eh? -grin- Like you, I always cry at those bits. Do you know Beryl Markham? Ever as exciting an adventurer as Blixen and, probably, more interesting.

GretchenJoanna said...

Did you read her book Out of Africa? You would love the writing - so good, you just want to stay there with her and read on....

Pooch said...

The "peat pots of purple pansies" are pretty-pretty-pretty! The color is luscious!

:)

Kit said...

Oh how I just love Gladys Taber. I have about 20 of her books and re-read them often. A movie that makes my soul sing is The Color Purple. I cry buckets with that one. :) Kit

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

Hello Pom Pom! I love your neighbor and wish I knew someone like that around here. Or, maybe I should get the ball rolling and become that kind of neighbor myself! I bet YOU are that kind of neighbor. Loving all the color of your beautiful flowers on this post. The cornbread does look delicious. Be well soon.

Catherine said...

I have been wondering how you're doing with the gluten & dairy free thing? It takes a bit of concentration those kinds of changes I find..helping any?
I guess we are now in our winter etching phase. I am very glad that we don't actually get snow here. I couldn't bear not being able to garden all through the whole year.
Interesting that you should mention Out of Africa. It was a very dramatic reconnecting time when Rob first saw the movie as he had grown up in Africa those first 7 years of life but then been disconnected emotionally & geographically from the experience...he cried & cried as his heart touched "home" once again.
Hope that you are well & strong by weeks end & have a happy weekend with those precious little ones of yours.
Much love GK x0x0x

Unknown said...

Those pansies are beautiful.

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