Friday 16 May 2008

Throw open your windows...

to let the lovely lilac scented air inside.These flowers hold some special memories for me from my childhood. They take me back to the year my family moved into a tiny little house with a yard dominated by rows of these shrubs....
I spent many an hour gathering armloads of these pretty blooms to fill empty milk cartons which I had tacked to my bedroom walls in order to make my room a butterfly sanctuary. It was magical when my room was filled with the colour and scent of the lilacs, my bedroom window open so that the butterflies flew in and out. What I can't remember, is if I asked permission first or just went with the idea... I do remember how surprised my mom was when I invited her in to show her what I'd done.
My room was alive with gently fluttering wings and the sweet scent of lilacs.

So every year when the lilacs bloom, I throw open my windows and I'm a little girl again.

5 comments:

Mary-Sue said...

Wow! Really? That is so amazing. What an incredible little girl you were to think of doing that! And it worked! What a vision.
I love lilacs too. They remind me of my dad. He'd hang them all around the place where he could smell them, one draped over each ear. I just love them. Ours are still probably a week away from blooming though...

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful visual Katherine. I love that! I can only imagine how magical your room must have been. They are one of my favorites, too. Jhovy and Zara came home from a walk today with an armload of them so my kitchen is smelling so good!
jacq

Heather said...

I can just picture it Katherine, must have been magical. E went and picked a bunch from one of our bushes yesterday to put on the kitchen table then our neighbour brought us over an armful of double blossom ones. They are so gorgeous and their scent is so powerful. I love them too.

Katherine said...

It is nice to know that there are others that enjoy the scent of lilacs as much as I do.
In earlier days, I falsely assumed that everyone loved this scent. I found out quite the opposite. I had placed vases full of fresh lilacs throughout our home to welcome out of town guests and was told that the scent was nauseating. Apparently the smell was so offensive to them that all the flowers had to be removed.
Nevertheless, I still love lilacs and look forward every year to their bloomtime and proceed to surround myself with their sweetness. ;o)

Heather said...

Perhaps the guest should have been removed instead. ;-)