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Saturday, May 5, 2012

KATE GREENAWAY REVISITED








Spring is bursting forth all around. My flowers have been lovely and early spring has passed for the pink trailing rose show. Now my yellows are blooming, day lilies and lantana. My red lilies are starting to bloom and my verbena is still blooming. My white lilies are in full bloom now.  I love to start my day early with a cup of coffee sitting outside on the veranda. The early morning air is perfumed with the fragrance of flowers. 
One of my favorite books to enjoy with my coffee is the sweet little charming book by Kate Greenaway, "The Language of Flowers." For the reader this book recreates a tradition of the Victorian Era using flowers and plants to express both positive and negative feelings in a simple and subtle way. Modern readers become entranced with the new language of flowers. Each flower represents a specific mood or emotion with their traditional meanings. It also lists many common and uncommon messages with the flower names that best express them. Brides use this book as a reference when selecting flowers for their weddings. Kate Middleton selected "Sweet William" which means "Gallantry" to use in her bridal bouquet. I think the definition quite suits her prince!
Illustrations by Kate Greenaway in "The Language of Flowers" are charming and quite innocent with the naivety of a more simple time. Attention to detail and delicate lines along with the colors characterize the quality of her style. 
Won't you please come over for a cup of early morning coffee?




On the Veranda





Kate Greenaway's
The Language of Flowers
















Now Blooming in my Garden








Fun in Photoshop







I have had the pleasure of petal showers from windy days and rose petals falling gently to the ground, reminding me of a flower path for a bride. So tell me please, how do flowers speak to you?



Scroll down and turn off the music for The French Hutch to watch this time lapsed flower video. 




Linking here


Seasonal Sundays
Masterpiece Monday
Mosaic Monday
Blue Monday
Table Top Tuesday
White Wednesday
Rednesday
Home and Garden Thursday
French Party Monday



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51 comments:

  1. Barbara F.May 5, 2012 at 6:25 PM

    Beautiful photos of beautiful flowers, Emily. I love your background music too, so soothing to hear. Have a wonderful week. xo

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  2. LynnMay 5, 2012 at 6:42 PM

    Sounds like a lovely way to start the day-enjoy:@)

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  3. JojoMay 5, 2012 at 6:54 PM

    That time lapsed video is amazing! Isn't spring heavenly? I love being able to sit outside to enjoy the milder weather. It's heavenly be able to sit quietly and soak in the sights, smells and sounds.

    Hope we see more of your lovely veranda and thank you for reminding me about Kate Greenaway! In my younger days I enjoyed some reproduction art from Kate Greenaway made into paperdolls. I loved them!

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  4. black eyed susans kitchenMay 5, 2012 at 7:00 PM

    What a treasure of a post! I love Kate Greenaway! Just lovely...I hope you are having a wonderful weekend.
    ♥, Susan

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  5. AnonymousMay 5, 2012 at 8:06 PM

    Hi! I love the photos. They are so nice. The flowers are beautiful. Your mosaic is very pretty.
    The saying at the end is a keeper.
    Pat

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  6. The TablescaperMay 5, 2012 at 8:48 PM

    Such beautiful images!I think I have some of the same photos in my post. Great to have you be a part of Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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  7. ElaineMay 5, 2012 at 10:29 PM

    Now, I have to figure out what flowers were in my bridal bouquet! I was married a year ago in Hawaii, and only requested that the flowers were shades of peach. Looks like a fun book, and your photos are beautiful! Really enjoyed the video, too!

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  8. Entertaining WomenMay 5, 2012 at 11:06 PM

    A garden full of friends is always in bloom. Beautiful! Cherry Kay

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  9. SarahMay 5, 2012 at 11:32 PM

    Emily, I have several books on the Language of Flowers which I enjoy. For those of us who love to garden, it's fun to discover the meanings of the different blooms. Your veranda looks like a wonderful spot to enjoy a morning cup of coffee. I'm going to look for a copy of the Kate Greenway Language of Flowers. The illustrations are charming.
    ~ Sarah

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  10. Sweet Posy DreamsMay 6, 2012 at 6:21 AM

    What a charming book and such lovely flowers in your garden. We still have the last of the bleeding hearts and allium. We are still a ways from lilies, so it's nice to see yours.

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  11. My name is RietMay 6, 2012 at 7:02 AM

    What a beautiful flowery Sunday post. That is a lovely book you show us here.
    Have a happy Sunday.

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  12. AnonymousMay 6, 2012 at 8:00 AM

    Your post has been a delightful way to start my day. Thank you for that.

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  13. DianeMay 6, 2012 at 8:48 AM

    Such a sweet photos and the photographs are wonderful. I wish I could remember what all of the flowers mean - lol!

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  14. FABBY'S LIVINGMay 6, 2012 at 11:22 AM

    Stunning images of spring and the beautiful post. Fabulous post it sure has made me happy and delighted for my sunday morning! Thank you so much for your sweet and kind visit. Yes, I can imagine how sad it must be not to have your mother with you, but I have to prepare myself for the inevitable, as my mom is not getting any younger...she is 82. Thanks for your lovely and sweet visit my friend. Hugs,
    FABBY

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  15. MaryMay 6, 2012 at 11:55 AM

    Emily~ What delightful illustrations in your book! I read The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh several months ago~ an interesting read that touched on the meaning of flowers. I could spend many an hour on your veranda reading and enjoying the beauty :)

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  16. Tablescapes By DianeMay 6, 2012 at 12:24 PM

    Hi lovely lady.
    I love the book !!!And your Friendship garden your photos are Beautiful.. I hope you have a wonderful weekend with your family.
    XXOO Diane

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  17. AnnMay 6, 2012 at 1:10 PM

    Your post is a treasure. Just the perfect thing for a nice Sunday afternoon read. Thanks for including the time lapse video. I watched multiple times--it's so fascinating.

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  18. BarbaraMay 6, 2012 at 6:02 PM

    I remember that book. What a wonderful place to sit and enjoy it. I loved seeing all that is blooming in your garden.

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  19. Yvonne @ StoneGableMay 6, 2012 at 8:46 PM

    What a delightful and interesting post! Flowers abound at the French Hutch!
    Beautiful photography!

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  20. Shenita @ Embellishments by SLRMay 6, 2012 at 9:15 PM

    Emily, what a beautiful post! The veranda is just lovely!! What a wonderful place to spend time! The flowers are gorgeous!

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  21. Ricki TreleavenMay 6, 2012 at 9:38 PM

    Your veranda is stunning, Emily. I enjoyed seeing the illustration in The Language of Flowers. What a sweet book! Your flowers are looking fantastic. I bet they have benefited from all the rain we've had this weekend!

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  22. A Garden of ThreadsMay 7, 2012 at 7:56 AM

    The language of flowers is special to me, thanks for sharing. Have a great week:)

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  23. StephanieMay 7, 2012 at 8:00 AM

    Enjoying my morning coffee with the beauty of your blog is a lovely way to start the day.

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  24. Chubskulit RoseMay 7, 2012 at 9:34 AM

    Delightful!

    Blue Eggs, have a great week ahead!

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  25. LorrieMay 7, 2012 at 10:01 AM

    I'd love to join you on your veranda. What a pretty place. Kate Greenaway's illustrations are so charming.

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  26. SmilingSallyMay 7, 2012 at 10:10 AM

    Ah, I did take the time to view your video, and I'm sure glad I did. Thanks for sharing your blues.

    Happy Blue Monday, Emily.

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  27. Ingmarie WeMay 7, 2012 at 11:42 AM

    Lovely mosaics, espec the one with the red daylily. Have a nice week.

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  28. Yael at Home Garden DiggersMay 7, 2012 at 12:27 PM

    Such lovely images. The Photoshop experiments are nice.

    Yael

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  29. Tina´s PicStoryMay 7, 2012 at 1:10 PM

    i would really like to sit on this veranda! and the flower mosaic is also soo pretty :)

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  30. Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise)May 7, 2012 at 1:36 PM

    What a wonderfully beautiful tour you provided here today. I now want a veranda! Heeeehehehe!!!

    Your bloomers are just lovely. Dont' ya just love this time of year were the color spring into action?

    God bless ya sweetie and have a magnificent week!!! :o)

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  31. NaturegirlMay 7, 2012 at 4:22 PM

    The language of flowers..one needs only to look in the face of a flower..no words spoken but the sentiment is clear. A wonderful series of images! Thank you for sharing!One who believes in the language of flowers!naturegirl

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  32. Pat@Back Porch MusingsMay 7, 2012 at 4:51 PM

    This is such a beautiful post!

    When I think of Kate Greenaway I think of dresses. To have a "Kate Greenaway" dress was to really have something. I had a couple of them when I was growing up. I'm not sure if they were the ones with smocking. I had a few of those too. The thing I remember best about the KG dresses was the secret pocket in each one.

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  33. On Crooked CreekMay 7, 2012 at 4:58 PM

    The vintage book is exquisite...flowers and their meanings have long intriqued me! I adore your lop~eared rabbits in the garden. Dropping in from Marty's Table Top Tuesday!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  34. Full-On-ForwardMay 7, 2012 at 5:12 PM

    BEAUTIFUL PICS and I so LOVE Enya!

    J

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  35. OliveMay 7, 2012 at 5:26 PM

    Hi Emily, I was just given a rather large cactus, the night blooming cereus, which if you do not know blooms once between 11 PM and midnight. I am anxious number one to keep it alive and number two to see it bloom. Your book rightly says it means transient beauty. Great post. Olive

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  36. EJMay 7, 2012 at 5:49 PM

    Captured beautifully!

    Come and see my Rosary beads, your comment would mean a lot~!

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  37. PAINTORDIG.blogspot.comMay 7, 2012 at 5:50 PM

    I love your music, just beautiful.You have a lovely garden-a great place to read your book!

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  38. Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️May 7, 2012 at 8:29 PM

    I enjoyed seeing all your beautiful flowers.

    Dee

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  39. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeMay 7, 2012 at 8:44 PM

    Beautiful flowers and such a lovely patio also. Thanks tons for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

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  40. AnonymousMay 7, 2012 at 10:02 PM

    Hi Emily! Oh, what gorgeous flowers. So beautiful. Don't you just love her illustrations? That is a wonderful little book.
    Thanks so much for popping in to see me.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  41. Karen LakisMay 8, 2012 at 6:02 AM

    I recently read a fictional story about the language of flowers that sparked my interest in this. Thanks for sharing your vintage book about it - it looks really lovely!

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  42. Wsprsweetly Of CottagesMay 9, 2012 at 12:05 AM

    My! What a beautiful post. Everything is just lovely!!

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  43. PondsideMay 9, 2012 at 1:31 AM

    Some years ago I cross stitched cushion covers for special friends and my mother-in-law, using the Kate Greenaway alphabet. They were such fun to do. I love the idea of the Language of flowers.

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  44. Pat @ Mille Fiori FavoritiMay 9, 2012 at 8:03 PM

    Emily, you have a beautiful garden! I have not been able to plant flowers in mine as yet as it has been raining so much the past week. I am hoping for beautiful weather for my daughter's wedding next week. I enjoyed the time lapse video very much! It is amazing to see flowers bloom that way.

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  45. yvetteMay 10, 2012 at 1:50 AM

    A beautiful look into your garden, and I would certainly enjoy time spent there with a cup of coffee in hand. I've recently read 'The Language of Flowers' by Vanessa Diffenbaugh, its for a visual book review in June, such a wonderful story and insight to the Victorian era of flowers and their perfumed secret language. Your vintage book is just beautiful and I'll have to see whether a copy is available..Just Beautiful. Yvette x

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  46. HAMPTON HOSTESSMay 10, 2012 at 8:23 AM

    love your garden photos--so beautiful, bursting with color! A lovely spring time walk for us all!

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  47. Blooming Rose MusingsMay 10, 2012 at 7:36 PM

    Emily, your patio is lovely and your garden is already full of wonderful spring colors. I could sit there for hours! The illustrations in your book are delightful and charming. I love the idea of the language of flowers.

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  48. UnknownMay 14, 2012 at 3:06 AM

    omy, i love your garden and the style is so like a secret garden story. lovely flower blooms. visiting from blue monday. http://www.heartscontentofamama.com/2012/05/blue-pansy-some-blue-wild-flowers.html

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  49. BabsMay 15, 2012 at 8:20 AM

    I really enjoyed your post on Kate Greenaway and the language of flowers. As a child I always loved Kate Greenaway dresses because they had pockets, but never knew anything about Kate Greeneway, the artist. Thanks so much for sharing your garden, too.
    Hope you're having a great week,
    Babs

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  50. KathyMay 15, 2012 at 5:56 PM

    I just love that book! Gorgeous graphics and poetry - your garden is blooming beautifully - I loved visiting! Thank you for sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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  51. UnknownMay 21, 2012 at 12:01 AM

    Oh wow!!! What a wonderful post! My day lilies are going to bloom soon! Can't wait!
    Thanks for linking! I have another French party going on! Come link!
    Xo
    http://lechateaudesfleurs.blogspot.com/

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