Sunday, 24 July 2011

all frills and ruffles

I walked in a garden yesterday

it was so good to be out in the sunshine again
the first time in two weeks

I still can't smell the flowers yet
it's been a nasty cold after a nasty flu
but a little progress is being made each day ... I feel

hollyhocks take me back to another time

an old fashioned house, an old fashioned garden
an allotment patch, a dusty street, summers so hot
and hollyhocks in every shade of icecream
I stopped to watch a bee getting sticky
up inside the frilly skirts of the hollyhock
(ooo errr missuss!!)



The stately Lady Hollyhock
has graced my garden bed for years
sedately stiffened in a frock
all frills and ruffles to her ears
for at the fashions one may mock
when one is born a Hollyhock

a poem by Sarah J Day

"mayflowers to mistletoe: a year with the flower folk"

well ... back to the sewing machine and another day of quilting
thanks for all your lovely visits and comments
and hello to new followers

have a wonderful week ahead

summer blessings
Carolyn

30 FAB AND GROOVY COMMENTS:

  1. Really glad you're starting to feel better.
    Hugs,
    A x

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  2. Summer blessings to you, too! I'm so happy that you are feeling better! I love hollyhocks. Mine are so green this year with lightly colored blooms. Lovely poem!

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  3. I love watching the bees too as they go about their business. It has been really good to have a little sunshine at last, my garden is just starting to become over run with courgettes, squash and lots of nasturtiums. My favourite thing this time of year is the cornish hegderows, full of honeysuckle and bright pink campions. Glad your feeling better :)
    lisa

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  4. can 'hear' it in your post that you are feeling well again and am so happy.

    "in every shade of ice cream" LOVE that description of the oh so feminine hollyhocks~!

    have a healthy, happy, sunny day Carolyn.
    :-)
    libbyQ

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  5. such a frilly lovely poem - made me smile! Heading your way next week, hope to get to the Hepworth garden this year, but always bottle it at this time of year as the parking is so tricky! We shall see! Feel better,

    Sarah x

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  6. Lovely Hollhocks!
    Poem was good too.

    Sandie xx

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  7. Glad you are on the mend. You have really had a nasty virus. My sister has had whooping cough of all things...it's surprising this time of year how many germs are around. Take care of yourself and see you very soon. x

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  8. Nothing worse that feeling ill on a sunny day so glad you are on the mend. The weather here has been lovely too and the forecast is good for a few days which should produce even more beautiful blooms.

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  9. Glad you are starting to feel better. Don't overdo it!

    Have a great week

    Karenx

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  10. Glad you are feeling better - those hollyhocks are cheery enough to brighten anyone's day!!

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  11. So sorry to hear you were poorly. Sorry that I've been out of touch xx

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  12. Hollyhocks are so sweet, and so many colors, your pink ones would look yummy against some black ones.....xox Corrine

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  13. I love so much hollyhocks... but they want grown in my garden...next year I´ll try again
    :-)

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  14. Hello Carolyn
    So glad to hear that you are starting to feel better. What a lovely story you told of the Hollyhocks. Your Friend Elizabeth XX

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  15. glad you are feeling better ... flowers are lovely

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  16. glad you're feeling better..what a nasty bout you had!!

    Hollyhocks are such amazing flowers but i have not been able to grow them in my garden...;( what a lovely story of them...

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  17. you are such a talent- i love, adore your textile house and stitching on a previous posting- thank you kindly for your comments - im enjoying your blog , art and hotography very much indeedy ;0)x

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  18. Hooray hooray Carolyn has come back out to play x

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  19. Glad to hear you are feeling better. I liked the hollyhock poem. The deer around here also love my hollyhocks. LOL

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  20. Glad to know that you are well on the road to recovery Carolyn. x

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  21. Thank you for all the lovely get well wishes :o)

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  22. I've developed a longing for Hollyhocks in my garden....

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  23. Sorry you've not been well, but glad you're feeling better now. (I've been catching up on blog reading as I've been away on holiday with my sis Gill xx

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  24. So glad you're feeling better honey!
    Do collect them there hollyhocks as they fade because they're fabulous for the dye pot!

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  25. I'm glad you are feeling better, take care and convalesce, which is a thing modern life does not always allow us to do now! My Grannie always spoke of doing it and having a 'tonic' - I wonder where you buy them now? Her's slways came in lovely shaped bottles, tasted revolting but 'did you good'! Perhaps you could bottle St Ives air - now theres a thought! xx

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  26. Glad you're on the mend. Love the hollyhock verse and your pictures.

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  27. Pretty flowers and what a lovely poem!

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  28. Lovely shots, Carolyn! The light coming through the petals is so beautiful. Watching bees buzz around flowers is a sight that warms my heart.

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  29. Fun catching up here. Do hope the flu bug has gone it's merry way away from you. those ribbon beads are the most delicious I have seen in a while...
    I too love Hollyhocks and the poems are delightful...as is your words to the bee up the skirt! tee hee

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  30. I’ve been a blogging slacker lately because we are on the loooongest road trip. We’re in Arizona now and I have a bit of time on the computer – finally! I was having withdrawls from being away from my blogger buddies so long, I tell you. I hope your summer continues to be as wonderful as it sounds here. Love to you.

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