Knitting is like gardening, a slow methodical process, with (hopefully) a beautiful reward. Both have the ability to frustrate us like crazy, but also nurture our souls.
This post is for my dear friend H, The Knittin' Kitten, Lynne, Kristen, Rebekah, and other knitting bloggers who have been sharing their beautiful garden/nature photos with their readers. Your photos have inspired me and made me smile, and I hope mine will do the same for you.
First up, some knitting progress:
The Lace Dream Stole is about 18" now. A long way to go yet!
The Kitty Blanket is 5"-6" longer now that I've added a second skein.
Now the garden. Poppies, before the rain came:
These are Coral Reef poppies, grown from seed by Thompson's. They keep spreading each year, and this year I had more blooms than ever! Whenever I see them, I think of the line from Keats' poem, To Sleep: "ere thy poppy throws Around my bed its lulling charities..." It's the only line I remember, but the language, like the flower, is so pretty. I like the idea of flowers lulling us into peacefulness (we will not think about the poppies' other use here!).
Reine Victoria bourbon roses
Eglantyne roses (David Austin)
Louise Odier, a bourbon rose
Queen Elizabeth roses with Hidcote lavender
Monkshood
My garden has a pink and purple theme. It looks best this time of year. Next up are the lilies, and then things will quiet down in the main garden, except for some purple alyssum. My apologies if you now have the Inch by Inch song stuck in your head, as I do!
Oh I do admire people who garden, as for me my husband reckons I can kill weeds!!!
Posted by: Sharon | June 21, 2006 at 02:06 AM
I am very impressed by your lace knitting. The Dream Stole is so beautiful already--it will be stunning when you finish! I'm so pleased you posted flower pics. I love the poppies. I've ordered quite a few seeds from Thompson's and enjoy just browsing thru their catalog too. Your roses inspire me especially as I am hoping to begin a small rose garden next year. How will I choose just a few varieties when they are all so lovely?! Thanks for linking to my site:-) Sarah
Posted by: Sarah | June 21, 2006 at 08:28 AM
Pretty photos, both flowers and knitting. Yes, the song is in my head now, but it is one I've always liked!
Posted by: Kristen | June 21, 2006 at 04:45 PM
Oh definitely inspiring, I love poppies. I've never seen that color though, I'm awed by them.
Your projects look great too.
Posted by: Rebekah | June 21, 2006 at 05:36 PM
What beautiful knitting, and what lovely flowers you have in your garden!
Posted by: Amy T. | June 21, 2006 at 06:25 PM
Wow, what a garden. We just moved in January and the garden is a completely clean slate. I have been enjoying just fantasizing about what to plant!
Posted by: Meg | June 21, 2006 at 07:45 PM
The Lace Dream Stole is beautiful. It looks like cotton candy, light and airy. Those roses are lovely, although I am partial to poppies because my grandmother had them in her flower bed. Good memories.
Posted by: Brenda | June 21, 2006 at 10:44 PM
Debby, both your knitting and garden are beautiful -- an absolute picture. I'm not at all surprised at the name, Coral Reef, you chose for your poppies either!
Posted by: Heather | June 22, 2006 at 05:29 PM
I'm very envious, your garden is beautiful, I hope mine will look so lovely one day
Posted by: Katie | June 26, 2006 at 03:28 AM