Monday, February 09, 2009

RUBY TUESDAY SPRING

February second is reckoned to be first day of spring in our part of Norway. February fourth winter came with snow, frost and total transformation of the scenery.
Outside my kitchen window the Birches, the Lilac tree and the Spirea hedge looked like a carefully made art of filigree. The only red being the reflex of the lamp and two candles.
Since January first I have fetched Forsythia branches from the garden and driven them to bloom indoors.
The first ones took two weeks, now four days will be enough.

In January I also start buying Primroses, four per week. They'll then fall down and are being replanted outdoors. Often they will bloom a second time in May.
The flowers make my kitchen table look like an immense firework of spring forces.
I drink tap water filled and chilled on empty Martini bottles in the fridge. While listening to The Spring by Edvard Grieg I am living happily in the sudden winter, with a certain knowledge of the joys that is to come.
For the Valentiners:
To
Music, when soft voices die,

Vibrates in the memory -

Odours, when sweet violets sicken,

Live within the sense they quicken.

Rose leaves, when the rose is dead,

Are heaped for the beloved's bed;

And so thy thoughts,
when thou art gone,

Love itself shall slumber on.

Percy Bysshe Shelley



http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/

34 comments:

Anonymous said...

We had a little snow today too...weather: unpredictable! Just a few weeks more and your flowers will dance!

EG CameraGirl said...

Spring comes so soon to your part of Norway. February 2 in Ontario means we are halfway through winter. The first day of spring here is the spring equinox. Your weather is MUCH warmer than mine.

The forsythia and primroses are beautiful. You may have just convinced me to purchase a primrose tomorrow. ;-)

EG CameraGirl said...
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Dora said...

Primrose? Is it the same as "evening primrose" for medicinal uses?

Happy RT and have a great day on Valentine's Day! :)

Felisol said...

Dear EG,
I take it you did not want your address here, I therefore deleted it, after sending the mail.
Thank you for responding so quickly.
From Felisol

Felisol said...

Hi, Dora,
I really wouldn't know.
They are growing wild here along the coast, being bright yellow.
We call them Primula, the dictionary translated that to Primrose.
From Felisol

Dora said...

Oh i see. :)

Ralph said...

Red is a color from the heart. The reds are colorful, the candles adding nice indoor atmosphere. And spring can be indoors, as your flower table shows. Winter is still here, but we can have romantic views of spring to keep us focused to those warm(er) days!

Leora said...

I have to try that with forsythia.

I love looking at your posts. So pretty, even when it's so cold.

"And so thy thoughts,
when thou art gone,
Love itself shall slumber on. "
Somber but lovely.

Rebecca said...

What beautiful blogs you have...when I look at them I miss Europe and the lifestyle there....And the forsythia...yes....I cannot wait to see some...I travel soon!!

Amrita said...

Very pretty post Felisol. I dropped in for a visit before leaving for the courthouse for church related business.

Spring is knocking at your door it seems. Good news. The flowers are very attractive.

Have a good day.

Becky said...

Very pretty.

My RT is up. here, if you get a chance to stop by.

Eaton Bennett aka Berenice Albrecht said...

Felisol, thank you, I always feel like I have been inside your home, welcomed and treated to something red and beautiful. Tuesdays are my favorite day of the week now. :)

Eaton.

Jim said...

Oh Felisol, aren't you romantic! I like your poem, the 'red' spring snow, the candle light water, etc.
You are pretty smart having spring when it should be instead of way back in March. Especially where you and I live as it is plenty warm. The plants know, they are greening.
..

Mojo said...

Spring in February?

I think not!

But some lovely photography in any case... I guess it won't surprise anyone that my favorite is the first one.

Catherine said...

You certainly have snow and frost in Norway, but you know how to make them disappear from your day-to-day life.
All these colorful flowers and candles warm your home. Just a little bit of patience, and outside will be as welcoming as your inside.

Catherine said...
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Catherine said...
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Gattina said...

Good idea to creat "spring" in your kitchen. We have to wait until march ! I am soooo fat up of winter ! Today we have storm, rain and everything is grey ! How lovely !

Dianne said...

so many vibrant colors!
the composition of the first shot is stellar!!

Raven said...

I just LOVE that first photo with the lace of the snow on the trees and the dark cozy warmth of candle-light inside. And of course all those pretty forsythia and Spring promises are great too! Hope you are feeling completely recovered from your January health problems.

Jada's Gigi said...

Spring in Feb..? In Norway??? We start thinking spring here in GA in Feb. with daffodils blooming here and there but Norway??really?

Pia K said...

Some of my most loved jewellery are filigrees, such a delicate wonderful work that is! What a wonderful vase you have for your lovely forsythias, all these intense colours and still your post is very soothing and thoughtful, I like that combination!

Trish said...

How beautiful!!! Your flowers gave my spirit a lift...thank you!!!

MyMaracas said...

We won't see spring flowers for a while yet, but the worst of the snow is over. I hope.

Your photos are a breath of fresh air, so colorful and lively.

Amber Star said...

I so enjoyed your flowers and the reds in your pictures. My forsythia is budding, but not blooming yet. It is its first year, so not many branches to bloom.

Patti said...

All of your lovely flowers surely brighten up a winter day. You home is so inviting, Felisol.

I wish you a happy Ruby Tuesday ~ I guess I am a bit late, sorry!

Eaton Bennett aka Berenice Albrecht said...

Felisol, is someone leaving you horrible comments? All those deleted comments!

I just wanted to tell you thank you for encouraging me with my photography. God Bless you for that encouragement, it means a great deal to me. I hope you are well.
Would you consider exchanging occasional emails with me?

Love Eaton.

Carletta said...

I love the red candles glowing - so romantic for Valentine's Day week!
I never thought of forcing the forsythia to bloom. I must go out and look at mine tomorrow.

The steel ice in your previous post is awesome. I'd be nervous standing there. :)

Annie Jeffries said...

Spring can't make up its mind if it wants to arrive here. I like the surprise second winter you were gifted with. Your ruby candles are warm and comforting.

Robin said...

Everyone must be very tired of winter by now - spring posts are popping up all over the blogosphere this week, including over at my place.

I love your forsythia branches - such a lovely way to hurry spring's arrival and bring the outdoors in.

PS You'll have to share some of those cake disasters one day!

Mrs. Mac said...

The black and white of the winter landscape offset only by the color inside your home makes for a lovely arrangement. We still have such landscape ... always amazes me each day as I look out my windows through the forest how beautiful winter is.

Crown of Beauty said...

Been following your blog... loved the pictures you posted of your long hike with Tilly. And now your Ruby Tuesday photos! so beautiful and so joyful. Inspires me to get a better camera and learn photography! You inspire me really, Felisol.

Terry said...

Oh Felisol those yellow Forsythia are so pretty I have always loved this second sign of spring.
I never knew what they were called until now.
Of course the yellow dandelions are the first sign of Spring here in Ontario, Canada, where the official date of spring is March 21st.
So long away!
Those flowers in the kitchen are more precious than finest gold!...Love Terry