Enjoyment

This isn't officially my mantlepiece - it's our kitchen windowsill but I'm sure you will look past this, this time!

Is it only me who loves Cow Parsley? I do get such strange looks when I stop the car to pick some on the verges. It grows wild and free, is full of creepy crawlies and smells disgusting but I love it's simple beauty. It used to be known as Queen Anne's Lace (I think..) and I used to enjoy reading about it in

Little Grey Rabbit Makes Lace when I was a tiny girl (and now as a not so tiny girl!). Those Little Grey Rabbit books are simply wonderful and I urge everyone to read one (at least!).

To mask the horrid smell I have discovered these plug in air fresheners. Well discovered is not quite the right word. ..I have always had plug in air fresheners because, as you know I'm a sucker for scents; but they have brought out a new type.

It has 3 separate scents which it changes every 45 minutes. I'm really enjoying them especially as they were half price!

I'm also enjoying my crosswords at the moment. I have just started taking Tom to his drum lesson and it means a 30 minute wait in the car...by myself....alone..for uninterrupted me time! I take a drink, put on Radio 2 (forgive me Chris Martin) and sit and try and do the 'Mail On Sunday's' You' magazine crossword. It has become a highlight of my week and all day on Tuesdays ( with thirty 4/5 year olds) I remind myself that I will have a full 30 minutes of peace later on!

So, if you're in sunny Torquay and happen by a blonde lady sitting alone in a red car (with a Cath Kidston sticker) on a Tuesday from 6.30 to 7pm - nose buried in a book....give me a knock as I'm probably stuck on a clue and would welcome an interruption!

Comments

[Gena]

I love cow parsley too but I agree the smell is not great! thank you for your kind words on my last post Jane,it meant a lot xx

[Zita]

U listen to coldplay too... I think we could be best friend.. to bad the i don't live in England..met chris martin in amsterdam 4 years ago.. he's cool

[Posy]

You met Chris Martin...!!%~#?

[Ali]

I thought I was the only one who loves cow parsley.

I wanted it as part of my wedding flowers until my mother pointed out its unsavoury smell. Funny, I'd never noticed it outside.

A little patch has seeded itself in my garden - I'm so excited and woe betide anyone who weeds it out.

[Jill Assman]

Hello,
I happened upon your blog and wanted to let you know how much I enjoy it! Your flower photos are gorgeous! I love the white walls! Am thinking of lightening things up a bit at my house.
Thank you.
Jill

[Gemma]

You sucker for novelty you! I wanted the three scent air freshner but G has put his foot down. :-( Apparently I am an ad man's dream, known as gulible to the rest of the population!

Loving the cow parsley! I have a little patch in my garden. Really pretty.

[Zita]

Yap.. Chris Martin rock.. I was an F&B supervisor at the Americain Hotel where He had to stay during the concert (I went there as well), I had to bring him mineral water.. and he said "thank you" to me...aaaaahhhh

[Clarice]

OHHH I love Little Grey Rabbit. Actually I love any book by Margert Tempest. They are hard to find here in the states but I keep on the look out. The books children's books I would be buying if I lived in England !!

I love cow parsley to. It looks like lace. It is one of those things that looks so simple but yet to elaborate at the same time. Clarice

[Joanne]

Sheer beauty!
Lovely photos Posy!
I'll be looking for the blonde in that red car
(clue: Cath Kidston), and take you away from your puzzle for a cup of tea,k?

[Rosa]

I love queen anne's lace (that's all I know it by). I saw a lady walking out of a "weed" field with a hand full just the other day. I had it in my bride maids' bouquets too! I don't remember ever smelling it though. Must be like sunflowers--ew!

[Joanne]

Oh Torquay! We went on a school trip for Easter break when I was 11. My best friend Heidi and I wore way too much blue eyeshadow and dangly earrings and ate many, many Cadbury cream eggs--things we were never allowed to do at home. Thanks for another fun memory from when my family lived in England!

[littlejennywren]

I love Cow Parsley but it is known as Queen Annes Lace here in Tasmania. It is supposed to self seed like crazy but I have had no luck with it. I do very well with foxgloves and this year I hope to have brilliant hollyhocks as I collected seeds from some beauties up the street. LOVELY PHOTOS - I love the soft colours in your house.

[ms*robyn]

I grow queen annes lace in my garden - love it! I wonder if it is the same plant as yours - sometimes common names are used for many plants. This one is great to attract hoverflies into the garden.

[Kate]

Those airy things are £6.99 in Waitrose!! Glad you got them half price!! Thanks for your note. I'm trying (oh yes!) and don't know if I'm succeeding. Need a header. Pop by for a laugh!

[Kate]

Sorry Jane - got my addy wrong. What a maroon. xx Try now!

[fiona Hornby]

Cow Parsley and Little Grey Rabbit......I've been taken back to my childhood. Love them both! I love your site as well. I stumbled across it by accident yesterday while searching for info on Caroline Zoob(I'm a fan of hers too) and as my boss is away have read it all plus links to others! I've discovered a whole new world out there of people like me who love the same things as me. I too have been a fan of all things vintage, Cath Kidston etc for a long time and I'm slowly trying to turn my very modern and boxy rented London flat into a vintage nest. You have inspired me. Thank you

[Maria]

In everyday speech in Swedish Cow parsley is "dog biscuit", funny how same thing can have so many different names.

[Carol]

Nope, I pick cow parsly too when I have the chance. Very delightful photo!

[Barbara]

Oh, those are "Queen Ann's Lace" Actually they grow wild in areas around Nevada. I love them. They can get rather overwhelming but they are so pretty!
Barbara