Ashley, I get overwhelmed with being behind in my garden while tending the garden (my newborn) in my house and slowed down enough to read this beautiful piece. My lilacs are now 3 years young since I planted them and have enough blooms (for the first time) to make a lilac syrup. I get you.....the note to the old homeowner, the tending on plants in the garden, the nurturing of the earth. You write what I feel but struggle with putting into words. Thank you. Your neighbors are blessed by your work. I plant my garden for my boys and my neighbors. Hoping my seed planted will bloom and inspire another's life to tending for this earth. It's so remarkable, isn't it? My little Garden on Gibson, your garden, every urban garden big or small, cultivates so many things, deep thoughts, dreams, plants, and most of all hope. Our hope to bring life. Lilacs are among my first spring romance, with tomatoes being my 2nd....my Christmas in July. I love to smell the lilacs and rub their petals so gently the same way I rub my fingers through my tomato plants and let these aromas take me away...your writing has that same affect. - Your old neighbor, Amy
My early life was lived in the midwest. One of my fondest memories from that time is the smell of lilacs. While living in Tennessee for decades, I search for that smell, only to find a whiff of it. Now, in California, the search continues . . . .
This was beautiful - and I wish I had a lilac here, but we don’t plan on staying long enough, only a few more years, to make it worth my while planting one. Though this has made me start hoping whoever inherits my space will care for it as much as I have - what was already here was much neglected, so now it is very much my own.
Oh! I hadn’t realized (until now!) that lilacs are edible. I am going out to pick some this afternoon and make some tea to take off the chill of this unseasonably cold PNW day. Thanks for the lovely writings. It was just perfect for today!
Ps-have you had the chance to stop off at the Hilda Kruger lilac garden (a little bit North of Portland)? It’s a lovely place and was started by a woman back in the 1920’s. You can buy plants cultivated from her original specimens and tour her little home. It’s magical.✨
What a beautiful tribute to read on this dreary day. Thank you so much for this! The lilac in my yard sadly doesn't have much of a fragrance - do you still think it's worth trying some recipes?
What a lovely story about the lilacs in your garden! I just had to snip the lilacs in the front of my house, all the rain made the blossoms so heavy the branches were halfway to the ground. Maybe I have some lilac syrup in my future.
Had a sec to catch up on some reading and have been, once again, blessed by your words. Your desire to grow & nurture yourself and your (I can’t believe how old they’re getting) family is stunning and I admire greatly. I love you dear one.
Ashley, I get overwhelmed with being behind in my garden while tending the garden (my newborn) in my house and slowed down enough to read this beautiful piece. My lilacs are now 3 years young since I planted them and have enough blooms (for the first time) to make a lilac syrup. I get you.....the note to the old homeowner, the tending on plants in the garden, the nurturing of the earth. You write what I feel but struggle with putting into words. Thank you. Your neighbors are blessed by your work. I plant my garden for my boys and my neighbors. Hoping my seed planted will bloom and inspire another's life to tending for this earth. It's so remarkable, isn't it? My little Garden on Gibson, your garden, every urban garden big or small, cultivates so many things, deep thoughts, dreams, plants, and most of all hope. Our hope to bring life. Lilacs are among my first spring romance, with tomatoes being my 2nd....my Christmas in July. I love to smell the lilacs and rub their petals so gently the same way I rub my fingers through my tomato plants and let these aromas take me away...your writing has that same affect. - Your old neighbor, Amy
I’ve not made lilac syrup before but, with the beautiful bloom in my garden, I am going to now. Thanks, Ash!
My early life was lived in the midwest. One of my fondest memories from that time is the smell of lilacs. While living in Tennessee for decades, I search for that smell, only to find a whiff of it. Now, in California, the search continues . . . .
Oh, what an idea!
This was beautiful - and I wish I had a lilac here, but we don’t plan on staying long enough, only a few more years, to make it worth my while planting one. Though this has made me start hoping whoever inherits my space will care for it as much as I have - what was already here was much neglected, so now it is very much my own.
Oh! I hadn’t realized (until now!) that lilacs are edible. I am going out to pick some this afternoon and make some tea to take off the chill of this unseasonably cold PNW day. Thanks for the lovely writings. It was just perfect for today!
Ps-have you had the chance to stop off at the Hilda Kruger lilac garden (a little bit North of Portland)? It’s a lovely place and was started by a woman back in the 1920’s. You can buy plants cultivated from her original specimens and tour her little home. It’s magical.✨
What a beautiful tribute to read on this dreary day. Thank you so much for this! The lilac in my yard sadly doesn't have much of a fragrance - do you still think it's worth trying some recipes?
What a lovely story about the lilacs in your garden! I just had to snip the lilacs in the front of my house, all the rain made the blossoms so heavy the branches were halfway to the ground. Maybe I have some lilac syrup in my future.
Such a lovely post I had to re-read it again.
So very beautiful to read 😊
Had a sec to catch up on some reading and have been, once again, blessed by your words. Your desire to grow & nurture yourself and your (I can’t believe how old they’re getting) family is stunning and I admire greatly. I love you dear one.