Nothing to see here

Published on Monday March 10th, 2008

I had a deadline to meet for a proofreading job this weekend, which means my trusty red pencil is a little shorter and I have no new knitting to show you. But here’s a fair promise of spring:

star_magnolia.jpg

Star magnolia catkins. Today they have burst open to form a constellation on my windowsill. 

I love this tree, which grows by the back gate. Catkin comes from the 16th-century Dutch katteken, “kitten,” and plump little grey pusses they are in February, but give them a few warm days and they shake off their velvet mantles and spangle the branches.

Today was overcast with snorts of rain. I sipped a cup of lapsang souchong. And since I can’t hope to craft better poetry than the name of that smoky tea, I’m off to bed.

5 Comments to “Nothing to see here”

  1. carrie Comment Says:

    Pussy willows! We call them pussy willows in my neck of the woods. I have fond memories of cutting the branches in my grandmother’s yard in early spring and setting them up in vases just as you have. 🙂

    And lapsang souchong – love it too. Wish I could find a good tea shop around here!

  2. Marianne Comment Says:

    I love Pussy Willows, and have a small weeping willow tree in a tub in my garden, it is a pleasure to watch it change.

  3. Ingrid Comment Says:

    I love magnolias … the giant old magnolia tree in the front of our house may have played a role in me chosing our lemon house…but last year as the magnolias budded up we got a cold snap (10°F) and all the buds went brown (we’re at the northern limit of magnolia happiness)…I should have cut them and set them in vases.

  4. Seanna Lea Comment Says:

    I love tea and the lapsang. Though today I drank my rose petal black. I love the combination of strong black tea with the heady floral scent of roses.

  5. Emma Comment Says:

    Gorgeous!