Celia M. ~ Living My High Heeled Life: lessons from nature

image HHL - June 2013

This time last year we had returned from an amazing trip to The Netherlands to celebrate Mr. G's Birthday in May. While there we were lucky enough to catch the last week of the BEYOND GORGEOUS gardens at Keukehof!!! And that put in motion something that we too often over look - "anticipation and patience."

In today's fast paced, constantly connected, desire for instant gratification there is little room for things that take time ... well Mother Nature is a great reminder ... that some of the most fabulous things in the world do take time and when it comes to nature - nothing will happen before its time.
And the waiting/anticipation began once we were back in Canada - June 2013.

FOUR months later ..... our precious package arrived, just in time for the autumn planting here.

It was like an early Christmas ... all these bulbs!!!

The weather had begun to turn ....and the autumn garden boots were already out.

The trees were almost completely bare and the early cold temps had called the gardens to an early rest.

But these bulbs had to get in the ground ....

I was nervous because winter like temps had begun early at the country house and the earth was starting to freeze.

We planted and asked Mother Nature and the garden fairies to look after these precious gifts all the way from Holland....

Winter was extra harsh ... and SIX months later ....

Our new garden beauties were making their debut .....

They were quite late ... due to the harsh winter ...and didn't start coming into full bloom until mid to late May....

But when it was time BOOM!!! the blooms were spectacular...

And then this beauty started to unravel slowly .... I fell in love with the Maxima Lutea at first sight at the Keukehof gardens ... but the yellow that I waited a year to see remained tightly closed.

Each day ... the blooms raised up ... higher and higher....

and this past week-end the long awaited yellow Maxima Lutea ... made it's grand entrance!!!! In my opinion worth every second of anticipation!!! all these months.

As I walked out to the tulip garden each morning and was greeted with yet an other breath taking tulip - I couldn't help but think that thankfully there are still some things in the world to remind us to be patient. That no matter how much we worry - things will turn out the way they are meant to - for our highest good.

The tulips are now starting to fade ... and soon there will be just a patch of dirt were they once were. BUT! I know that with care and nurturing during their rest time... next spring I will get to see them again. And I can't wait to see what Mother Nature will surprise us with.

"To truly enjoy a luxurious and balanced life, one must be able to appreciate the time of anticipation/waiting for something magical." ~ Celia M.

Do you wait with anticipation for your gardens to return each spring?

If you missed it you can see photos of our trip last year to Keukehof Gardens here and the original Maxima Lutea that captured my eye. More photos of our trip here

Hugs and Blessings,