Friday 30 May 2014

luxury

ooh la la….. a week of pure, fragrant bliss! 
to be in the orchards during blossom is positively enchanting







every sense falls under a spell….
the blossoms have a delicate, sweet scent that i wish i could bottle… it’s dreamy 






oh and the view takes your breath away!




soft grass and moss underfoot feels sumptuous


when you are still,  
you can hear the birds and a gentle hum of bees 




it is remarkable how the different varieties of apples  
have different coloured blossoms… 






and they blossom at different times too!


                                                                             
surrounded by blossoms...the perfect setting for an 
al fresco evening with friends 



the clouds too looked like blossoms this day!








the baby orchard was so cute…barely a twig of a tree and full of blooms!   


it is inspiring!


recently i spent an evening painting en plein air with my special painting teacher 
who has the wonderful art supply store art hoot




 the petals were falling as we were painting 


i love that the fallen petals resemble confetti...so festive!







the blossoms are so fragile and ephemeral..i think it makes me cherish them more







our farmer friend david bianchi took these last two gorgeous photos 




we are so fortunate to enjoy this fleeting luxury.
oh i do love this season!

warm spring hugs,
laura 

                                                                              
                                                carl laidlaw orchards

Thursday 22 May 2014

delight


oh what a treat to return home to find the pear trees in blossom. (after a wonderful week away) 
so lovely! did you know that pear blossoms smell like daisies? not quite so lovely!






the baby bartlett pear orchard is adorable. 





nothing says i love you like picking asparagus together! 
it is one of my favourite spring pleasures with mark and often our special evening date. 


since it grows wild all over the farm, picking becomes a bit of a treasure hunt!
eating a warm, just picked spear is simply delectable…the quintessential pure taste of spring!







our favourite way to enjoy fresh asparagus is grilled. 
it is so easy…just drizzle the spears with a little olive oil to coat and then grill until well browned...
generously sprinkle with maldon salt and enjoy warm.
we really take advantage of this seasonal gift and savour it every day somehow...
tucked under poached eggs with smoked salmon and hollandaise for breakfast,
tossed with sesame oil, honey and soya sauce in a salad for lunch,
rolled up with prociutto and boursin cheese and warmed as an appetizer,
blended with broth and tahini for an easy raw soup,
stirred with lemon zest and chives into spring risotto for dinner.
so many possibilities!

a bunch of asparagus makes a gorgeous kitchen bouquet too!



our forest beside the river has changed dramatically…
i love the swirly shapes of the frilly fern fronds unfurling. (try and say that 5 times fast!)














do you remember the little nest we found in the mutsu orchard? 



we have learned that it belonged to a brown thrasher…we saw her recently while we were grafting.  




our much anticipated apple blossoms are very near...
they usually appear within a week or so of the pears.
it is the very beginning....a breathtaking beginning!



life in the credit river valley is sublime.
i am still revelling in spring!
warm farm hugs,
laura
  

                                                                              carl laidlaw orchards


Sunday 11 May 2014

moms

happy mother’s day!



sending the warmest biggest hugs to all the dear moms we love…
especially mine!

love,
laura


                                                                                                                         carl laidlaw orchards

Thursday 8 May 2014

treasure


every spring is the only spring, a perpetual astonishment     ellis peters


i must concur! it is so marvellous to be present as spring unfolds! 
so many firsts to celebrate and welcome!
leaves are unfurling, flowers are opening, seeds are sprouting, and bees are bustling
while the birds provide the perfect soundtrack.....so much to appreciate!
every time i see a bird in the garden she is picking up something for her nest. 
 even the weeds are welcome...for a little while!
haven't these recent warm days been absolutely splendid?



what a difference a week makes…



 i am absolutely smitten with my little magnolia tree! it is so gorgeous!
i can’t remember the variety…it’s kind of girly and frilly and definitely festive...





                                           

everyone deserves a magnolia tree!


and i saw my first dandelion this week...so jaunty and cute!

 



my unexpected euphoria in the garden…

i was convinced they were lost forever…
raked up and tossed in the compost with the leaves and twigs


every day we wander on the farm and are always delighted by something…
this was on the ground, quite well hidden in the mutsu orchard




i can hardly wait for the apple blossoms...still a few weeks away





can i just say again how much i love spring? 
and there is so much to look forward to. i hope you are enjoying it too!
warm farm hugs,
laura

                                                                                                              


                                                                                                                    carl laidlaw orchards