Sometimes, in the midst of a busy day, after a trying time, or just because I desperately need to feast my eyes on some natural beauty, I find myself drawn to a shelf in my library where my gardening books are. Books on weeding and wisdom and whimsy. If I”m looking for garden essays, botanical names, or some inspiration, there they are, waiting for me, like spring flowers waiting to be plucked.
It was to this shelf yesterday that I wandered, looking for blossoms and blooms and beauty on a bitter, cold day with snow on the ground here – in April. There it was, where last I left it. A Time to Blossom: Mothers, Daughters, and Flowers by Tovah Martin with photographs by Richard W. Brown.
I have appreciated Tovah Martin’s writing style and expertise since first reading her words in Tasha Tudor’s Garden, which is where I actually also came to love the photographs of Richard W. Brown. They have collaborated on several books. Tovah Martin also collaborated with artist/illustrator Marjolein Bastin, whose pictures and cards I simply adore. I have written about their work, View from a Sketchbook previously. I’ll admit, I’m a whimsical sort of gal, especially when it comes to gardening and nature (one of Tovah’s books is aptly titled Garden Whimsy).
It was A Time to Blossom that I needed yesterday, and today as well, and I just wanted to share it with all of you. I am so eager for this winter that hangs on and on and on to end and for spring to finally take hold, aren’t you? This lovely book will have to tide me over for a while longer, it seems.
A Time to Blossom takes us through the seasons with Tovah’s remembrances of climbing apple trees and tea parties and making hollyhock dolls and her adventure through childhood that led her to become a celebrated horticulturist, author, and lecturer. It is also a book about mothers and daughters and the way flowers and gardening participate in their relationships. It is a book to remind you of your own mother, or grandmother, daughter or granddaughter, or maybe another special woman in your life.
I think I’ll go spend just a little more time with Tovah Martin and Richard Brown before putting them back on the shelf. I’ll read through the seasons with instructions on making flower garlands and May baskets, or the joy of lanterns and lilies. Or maybe, just maybe, I’ll settle on just the chapter on spring and I’ll try to be content for now. After all, at least the daffodils bloomed.
This sounds like a lovely book to delve into. I found Tasha Tudor’s Garden some years ago, but didn’t know about ‘A Time to Blossom’. I can hear your yearning between the lines, for spring to come bounding in. It can’t be long now. With every sign of the warmth leaving us (and that’s happening fast now), I think of it moving over to you. I’m sure it will be glorious when it does come.
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It is, Juliet; full of wonder and some fun things to do with children as well. As I wrote, I was thinking that it would be a good gift for Mother’s Day or for an expectant grandmother. Some of the pictures in this, though not captioned, are of Tasha Tudor’s house and garden.
I try to enjoy the seasons, each one for what it brings, but, this year, we are all so anxious for warmer weather now. Sigh.
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Oh, this looks beautiful, Penny. It’s another purchase, I think, because Maddie would enjoy it too. Thanks!
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It is, Kate, and would be a lovely mother/daughter book for now, and as you make your own garden memories with Maddie. You are quite welcome.
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This looks like a winner and a “must read” for anyone in an area that just had more winter weather. We have been more fortunate, no snow just rain and gloom. When I look at the cover photo I can almost smell the lilacs.
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It is, Janet, and there is plenty in it for a country girl, too (in fact, much more than for a city girl). I do enjoy the seasons and try to find beauty in what comes our way, but, my goodness, this is going on and on. I wish you could see the hollyhock dolls, which I think you and Celeste would have fun making.
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I am beyond ready. It sounds like a lovely way to spend time waiting for spring to arrive. It’s been alternating between spitting snow, sleeting and now, a little bit of sun at the end of a long, gray day. Every little bit helps.
I remember hollyhock dolls. Their pink dresses as we played on the porch of our grandmother’s yellow house.
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A sliver of sun peeked through at the end of the day today here as well. Hope.
What fun that must have been playing with your hollyhock dolls on your grandmother’s porch. It is such a lovely little image in my mind right now.
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I had to stop by and ‘visit’ you again Penny to wish you happy Easter. I hope that spring arrives this weekend wearing her Easter best complete with her new-for-this-season bonnet.
This book sounds delightful.
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I’m so glad you did, Marilyn. Happy Easter to you as well. That would be lovely, and if she does arrive, so attired, I’ll know to thank you for such a good wish.
It is delightful and it evokes such lovely thoughts.
Hope you can “visit” again, soon. Best to you, Marilyn.
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[…] Comments « A Time to Blossom […]
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What a beautiful book this must be.
I also came across her writings when I found Tasha Tudor.
Her style was perfect for the pictures that followed.
Thank you for sharing….I am a gardener, and I learned by watching my maternal grandmother garden in the little bit of land she had behind her town house.
Mrs. M.
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It is, Mrs. M, and some of the pictures in this book are of Tasha Tudor’s house and gardens, though they are not captioned. Tasha’s property had a certain quality I have loved. It is a lovely book.
You are welcome. I sensed you were a gardener and then your pictures, of course. I think we must have learned some similar things from our grandmothers.
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This sounds a lovely book Penny. I’ll be looking out for it. Thank you.
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Oh, I think you would enjoy it, Joan. Re-reading it made me think of you and your little neighbor, Sophia-Victoria, and all you do together.
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[…] book I always enjoy and have written about before is called A Time to Blossom by Tovah Martin. It is one of those books that always give back to me more than its purchase price, making me smile […]
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