Early Spring

There’s just something about daffodils. Seeing them stand proudly, being battered by the wind and frozen by the hail, born too soon. They normally start to bloom end January, early February but the cold spell this year lasted much longer than usual. So, they waited. Slowly, their yellow petals emerged, shining in the early Spring sun. Now, the whole drive-way is lined with them- golden daffodils, those optimistic flowers.

They’re my favourite flowers- everything about them is cheerful and mellow, like the Spring. Daffodils pave the way for crocuses, blossom, ducklings, Easter and warmer weather. I guess that’s why I’ve always liked Spring; its the promise of things to come. By Summer, its all already there, slowly slipping away, nothing to look forward to.

Right now, stepping into the garden, all you can hear is birdsong. The sweet chorus of the robins and bluejays, from every hedgerow blackbirds sing their hearts out. Overhead, the skies are full of returning birds- winter sun vacations over. They fly in incredible formations, filling the blue-grey evening skies with their dark shapes. Their return is like the daffodils blooming- a promise of good things to come.

I guess I’m not that keen on Winter- I hate the darkness, the short days, wearing ten layers of clothes. My hands are always numb, my face raw from the wind. I do like curling up on dark evenings though, hot showers and the calm cold weather seems to bring. But Spring is special. The dogs can go back outside; they lie on the grass again, sniff the warmer air, feeling the shift in seasons. I like to watch them, enjoying being outside once more after so long spent indoors.

Whilst I was musing about the changing of seasons, I made some pancakes following Maya’s recipe on Nutmeg and Pear. This is the first time I’ve made pancakes, and I’m quite proud of my little stack of fluffy ‘cakes. They taste pretty yum too- so Maya’s recipe is a success. They’re best enjoyed whilst watching the spring sunshine fall on the daffodils. No, thats a lie. They’re great any time of year I’m sure.

I was passing through the high street a few days ago, head down against the wind (on a very un-Spring-like day) and I walked right past one of those elderly volunteers collecting money for the Marie Curie Nurses charity. They’re pretty noticeable; dressed head to toe in buttercup yellow. I  turned back and emptied my loose change into her collection pot. ‘I need to go in soon for a warm cup of tea’, she said to me, her weathered features crinkling as she smiled. I agreed with her; it must have been hard standing out there all day in the wind, hoping passers-by would drop a few pennies. In exchange for my coins, she handed me a little felt daffodil. I took it and walking back to my car, I thought once again about daffodils. Strong, brave and proud, the first flowers to grace the garden, standing through the late frosts and strong winds of early Spring. Not a bad symbol to have chosen.

I don’t normally delve so deep into the symbolic meaning of each flower I see, but to me there’ll always be something about daffodils. The weather seems to be improving here, and soon the daffodils will be gone. They’ll be back again next year though, to cheer me up and lead the way for all the other blooms to follow.

Have a lovely Spring whether that means enjoying the garden again, spending more time outdoors, trying a new recipe or anything else. Make sure you head over to Nutmeg and Pear if all this talk of pancakes has made you hungry!

All photos my own