I was so torn today. On the one hand, I wanted to sew. I’m half way through a project and, to add to my indecision, a parcel of fabric arrived this morning with the post. Projects are swirling around in my head, desperate to be turned into reality. I feel the call of the sewing machine.
On the other hand, I am embarrassingly late with the garden. So late that for the first time, I’m considering buying vegetable plants instead of seeds. I love growing my own food. I love being able to gather food from the garden just before we sit down at the table to eat it. It is the only way to eat sweetcorn or tomatoes. Nothing as fresh. I need to make a start. I feel the call of the kitchen garden.
So which won today? The sewing machine or the trusty garden fork? Well, the sun was out and the washing was on the line. I chose the garden. Spurred on by a trip to a little, local nursery. I took the girls with me. They make surprisingly good plant shoppers.
Along with the bleeding heart and the poppy (I’ve wanted both of these for years – almost brought a beautiful bumblebee home as it didn’t want to leave the poppy!), I bought two cucumber plants.
There is something about holding two new veg plants in your hand and imagining harvesting the resulting produce. Remembering early morning visits to the greenhouse, to collect fresh salad for school lunch boxes. These images inspired me to clear out the greenhouse and dig up half the kitchen garden, today. Watch out garden, I am on a roll!
I also cleared one of the beds in the cottage garden. The girls have a wonderful list of flowers that they want to sew (oops! just re-read. I meant sow) in this patch. They are very excited about the project. I want to hug them everytime they talk about. They are sweet. I couldn’t resist leaving a bit of woad. It gives the most amazing glow at this time of year.
And the sewing? Well, I reckon I can fit a bit in before the end of the day. I’m not keen on gardening in the dark, so I can sew then. Although, I really must stop myself from wishing for rain tomorrow, just so I can sew instead. Still very torn, you see.
I’m sure you wouldn’t blame me if you knew the fun projects that these are destined for. I have such plans for each of these fabrics. Such plans!
I think you made the right choice, there will be plenty more dreary days for sewing and the gardent needs to be seen to.
I really miss our allotment, I used to love sowing the seeds and pottering all day on it.
But, when you have to work out how you are going to get down and up again, its not so much fun. lol
Briony
x
You’re right. As sure as eggs are eggs, we will have more rainy days to sew. Hope you can still fulfill some of your gardening passion without your allotment. I can’t imagine no planting and harvesting.
I love Bleeding Hearts. They come back stronger every year and the flowers are just amazing. Luckily I knit so I can sit outside giving direction to the children on what veg has got to go where and still be knitting. That’s multitasking!!!
Not sure that would work for me. You must have your family very well trained. 😀
I can so relate to this post! The garden hasn’t won yet… Yesterday was going to be our get serious day (beginning too with a trip to the nursery as we have found that also to be the inspiration that turns us around) but it poured and poured all day long and into the night. Looks like it will do the same today. So, for me it’s still the lure of the needles (knitting)!
Blessings, Debbie
Hope the weather is more inspiring soon. Knittings good too!
gorgeous gorgeous flowers!! that poppy makes me super happy!
you made the right choice, and i’m glad for the rest of us that you documented your choice with such lovely photos!!
Thanks melissa! Gardening is still winning, but the lack of sewing is such an ache!