What a great weekend. Crissie, Liam and the girls came out, and we spent it in a frenzy of gardening. I'd spent most of Thursday and Friday planting...anomones, phlox, veronica gentianoides, asters, agapanthus (blue and white), acanthus spinosa....the list goes on and on. Crissie's designed a border in front of the house, and it looks beautiful. As does she. (Sorry--can't help it. My daughter really is uncommonly gorgeous). Here's a shot of her in gardening mode:
And here are the girls looking out at the future vineyard.
Liam is the Veg Supremo. Here he is tying up his broad beans. His new specs look great!
And here are some more with Crissie and the girls.
I'd brought both girls aprons from Italy, with their names embroidered on the front, Isabella's in pink, Mariana's in orange (their respective favourite colours). Underneath, it says 'Aiuto Nonna.' (Granny's helper, roughly translated). I am such a soppy old thing. On Sunday afternoon, while Mariana had her nap, Isabella and I made snickerdoodles, which are a kind of American cookie. She loves baking, and particularly enjoys licking the beaters.
So it was great. And then there was some lovely poetry news: first, I had five poems featured in the Sweet Spot, on Fat Damsel, edited by the wonderful Jane Burn. It's one of the most exciting new magazines around. Here's a link.
And then I heard from Kate Garrett-Nield that my pamphlet Constellations is now going into its second edition! Kate is the fantastic editor of Three Drops Press, and this was great news indeed. It's yours for a fiver! Here's a link:
So all in all it was such a very wonderful weekend. I finished it off, after the kids left, and again yesterday, by planting lettuces and listening to Tchaikovsky.
God how lucky I am, and how blessed. I am so incredibly grateful, in this jagged burning world, for all this warmth and beauty.
Have a great week, dear friends!
love, Susan x
