~ Henry Ward Beecher, 1800s
Last week my husband and I were visiting with our friends, Jim and Marilyn, who have a lovely home in the country, with large gardens and fruit trees. As we were taking a stroll around the gardens, Marilyn mentioned her neighbour's hollyhocks growing alongside the barn. Of course I had to take a look as I love the old-fashioned appeal to hollyhocks, so carefree and majestic like pretty maidens all in a row:
The flower is dainty and frilly:
Hummingbirds, bumblebees and butterflies love hollyhocks:
If you enjoy gardening, you will love all of the books written by Sharon Lovejoy, whose blog you can read here.
If you have never seen or read her books, you must go in search of them at a bookshop or at your local library.
Described in a foreward of one of her books as a gardener, poet, naturalist, teacher, artist, ambassador of joys and gardens, Sharon celebrates the beauty of childhood memories and gentle lessons learned in nature.
I have taken her books out of the library many times over the years for myself as well as for my children. I had not seen her latest award-winning book Toad Cottages & Shooting Stars yet so I was excited when it came in for me at the library today. It is filled with wonderful activites for children and instills in them a sense of joy and wonder along with a passion and respect for nature. It is about building curiosity and adventure, noticing the details in nature surrounding all of us. Sharon may have written it with her grandchildren in mind, but it is a delightful book filled with many creative and wonderful ideas for everyone!
Thank you Sharon for the beauty of your books and the whimsy, inspiration and creativity found on each page...truly a delight!
