I love spring. I love breathing in its fragrances so earthy and fresh. I love tasting its bounties so crisp and flavourful. And I love seeing the world transform from stark and colourless to vibrant and alive. It makes me feel like I’m waking up from a long winter hibernation. I just can’t help but feel happy and refreshed these days and I want to share.
Over the weekend I visited my local farmers’ market, the absolute best place to go if you want to induce a sensory overload like the one I mentioned above, and while I was only planning to pick up asparagus I was instantly seduced by some of my favourite spring blooms when I arrived.
The smell of sweet peas, Lily of the valley and lilac are irresistible to me. If I could, I would fill every room in my home with them. Perhaps it's also a bit of nostalgia, too. Every spring when I was a kid my family would pile into the car to go scouting for lilac bushes. We'd drive with the windows down literally sniffing the flowers out (well almost literally, I'm sure my Dad always knew where he wanted to go). Then we'd bring them home by the armful to fill the house. It was heavenly.
Needless to say, I can home with a bouquet for table in addition to asparagus for my fridge this weekend. I also decided to try chocolate tomatoes (new to me, quite similar to the heirloom variety in taste). Next week I've got my fingers crossed for the arrival of the lady's slippers and then my favourite spring blooms bouquet will truly be complete.
Thought that was sweet? You'll enjoy: