Linderhof


Gardening, Cooking and Decorating on the Prairie of Kansas


Welcome to Linderhof, our 1920's home on the prairie, where there's usually something in the oven, flowers in the garden for tabletops and herbs in the garden for cooking. Where, when company comes, the teapot is always on and there are cookies and cakes to share in the larder.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Forcing Blooms and Easter Eggs

A ritual of spring . . . . cutting branches of pussy willow, forsythia and other spring flowering shrubs or trees to bring inside to force. To make Spring come a bit quicker to Linderhof.
Another ritual -- on Ash Wednesday, I get out the box of 12 real hens eggs which we bought on a Lenten trip to Germany 18 years ago. These are always hung on forced branches in the dining room. The dining room because the Germans seemed to always have them in the dining room where we breakfasted.
Although I collect Christmas decorations by the boxful, I have restrained from buying other Easter eggs for the tree. I'm a purist -- the German eggs only (bought at Woolworth's for a ridiculously small sum). It's a rite and a ritual.

Both the branches and the eggs remind us that Spring is on it's way and will come soon. Both definitely make a bright spot to a sometimes dreary winter.

It's Wednesday which means that dear Susan is hosting Outdoor Wednesday at A Southern Daydreamer. Visit her and see what everyone has been up to outdoors on this Wednesday (and do you suppose there will be more snow pictures?)


15 comments:

LV said...

Love your spring reminder. That is a lovely egg feature.

Lori E said...

That is a great tradition. I never seem to get any pussy willows or forsythia. I don't notice them in the bushes or fields until they are in full bloom.

Light and Voices said...

I have a forsythia wreath on the front door welcoming Spring. Lovely family tradition.
Joyce M

~Country Lady~ said...

Thank you for sharing! Lovely ritual and arrangement! You have inspired me to get some touches of Easter out in my home to remind me that Spring is coming. Oh how glad I will be when it arrives.

Betsy said...

Great idea , I will have to snip a few branches from my forsythia. I like the eggs hanging from the branches.
Betsy

Linda Q said...

Hi Martha,
Trying to get in some blogging time, been busy and with grandson happening then really busy.
Lovely this Spring display on your table. Makes me want to get my Easter things out early.
Linda

Allie and Pattie said...

Martha, the forsythia look especially lovely in that gorgeous vase. Yes, I had already planned to head to the attic this weekend and find the Easter things Spring can't come soon enough this year
xoxo Pattie

eileeninmd said...

Love the bloom sand the eggs, really pretty.

Mrs. Mac said...

A lovely arrangement! What a great tradition to usher in spring.

Elizabeth and Gary said...

I love your Easter eggs hanging from the pussy willow branches!. I have started putting a few things out too for Easter. My favorite time of year is spring. Your dressing table is lovely!!
Enjoy your day, big hugs~Elizabeth

My name is Riet said...

I love that easter tree and the eggs. Lovely decorated

Ms. Bake-it said...

Hello Martha,

What a lovely tradition to welcome spring. It is a very lovely arrangement.

~ Tracy

Mary Bergfeld said...

What a lovely tradition, Martha. Your arrangement is lovely. We are very nearly in full spring bloom here, so no need to force branches for color.

Lucille said...

So much to enjoy here. I must pop out to see if I have any forsythia showing signs of life. Thank you for visiting me.

Cass @ That Old House said...

Hi Martha!
I just got home from the hospital -- sitting with my Dad -- and am enjoying catching up with you and Linderhof. LOVE the eggs on the pussy willows. I have a big forsythia; I think I will cut branches tomorrow and begin the forcing. Thanks for the reminder!

I bought similar eggs, painted, at our county arboretum years ago. Now... to find them ...
Cass