Let's scatter the ever-present British rain clouds with a few things to brighten the day, starting with the painting above, a portrait of the artist's wife and her sister with cornflowers, by Igor Grabar (1914). The cornflowers in my 'meadow' are still in tight bud, and I doubt I'll have enough to cut as many as the ladies here have done, even if the sun does eventually bring them out, so I'll make do with these bunches of beautiful blue.
Elsewhere:
Deborah is back at her lovely house in Provence, and the sun's streaming in. If you haven't already come across it, do read her latest novel The Lantern
Charlie is making fabulously photogenic, summery soup. Any post which can combine pretty ceramics, gorgeous food, a wonderful book and sublime music is a must, and Charlie's are always a treat to read.
If you're a fan of Paul Hollywood's and have your eye on his new book How to Bake
Bonsoir de Provence, Ka-renne, et merci! Most of way down through France the weather was gloomy too, and people were grumpy with the continuing grey. Headline from the tabloid Aujourd'hui: "Quand fera-t-il beau temps?"
Posted by: Deborah | 13 July 2012 at 08:36 PM
I was wondering how your meadow is doing! I have masses of buds and leaves but the flowers are slow to open... maybe in August?
Posted by: Freda | 13 July 2012 at 10:22 PM
You will love the cornflowers in the Olympic meadows, there's a good display already. And from the same seeds you used.
Posted by: m | 14 July 2012 at 12:48 AM
It sounds as though Harriet struck lucky with her weather last week. Our other daughter is about to set off for the east coast of the US where the temperatures are in the high 30s, apparently!
Posted by: Cornflower | 14 July 2012 at 05:23 PM
I can see a little colour in some of the poppy buds, but no actual flower as yet. Likewise, my sweet peas are very slow to blossom.
Posted by: Cornflower | 14 July 2012 at 05:24 PM
I hope they are all in their prime for the Games - that will be a lovely sight.
Posted by: Cornflower | 14 July 2012 at 05:25 PM