When I was at Elmwood, the wild lily-of-the-valley was blooming. Everywhere, in every small nook of every inch of the forest floor. They've become a springtime favorite at work, so it was extra nice to see them in their natural state, free for the smelling. If you've never smelled lily-of-the-valley, for my sake please add it to your list of things to do before you die. The smell is a wonderful combination of earthy and sweet, I could just eat them up.
I carried a few stems with me at all times and kept robotically lifting them to my nose to smell. In the canoe, in the car, by my bed, out to breakfast. I am happy to report that it's not possible to OD on flower smell. For the sake of humanity and to cover the lingering smell of burnt wallpaper, I tried.
i like them resting in the shallow plate of water.
ReplyDelete[and fyi this is not one of the cute things i mentioned; i file this in my serious category]
beautiful photos..
ReplyDeleteLily-of-the-valley is my spring nosegay of choice. Glad you agree. My mummy flew out to the desert to visit me two weeks ago and brought with her, as a present to her daughter who is also named Lily, a posy of lilies-of-the-valley in her little mummy purse. All the way from NJ. So that I could smell what the farm smells like in spring. That's love.
ReplyDeleteHope the damage isn't too bad inside beautiful Elmwood. What a magical place.
I've been checking out your blog over that last few weeks, because I love your "Living In" posts on Design*Sponge. And then last night I was reading Body & Soul and saw a write up on you and I made up my mind to stop lurking. Anyhow, your posts make me smile and I'm glad you didn't get hurt in the fire (that would have been so scary!) I'm going to hunt up some lily-of-the-valley this week so I can enjoy the scent.
ReplyDeleteI love lily-of-the-valley - I can't imagine just running across it wild. What a treat!
ReplyDeleteI love lily-of-the-valley. It always reminds me of my mom. It is her favorite. so thanks this post made me smile.
ReplyDeleteWe have some lily-of-the-valley blooming in our garden right now!, and I have to agree, is has the most loveliest scent!
ReplyDeleteActually, it's le muguet (always singular)... this is nit picking I know... SORRY...
ReplyDeleteLove lily-of-the-valley, love Elmwood, love your blog btw...
When I was your age there was a perfume called Muguet des Bois that was very popular...I am sure your Mom would remember it...It still invokes memories of 1968.
ReplyDeleteIn California where we got married, lily-of-the-valley is as expensive as gold (ok, not quite). I remember being shocked when we saw it growing wild here on the east coast for the first time.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Northern Europe! I love your blog! I grew up thinking those flowers are extremely poisonous. Thus, however much you love the fragrance, don't proceed to eat any! ;D
ReplyDeleteLove, Jo
il ove these little flowers, dont you just imagine fairies living in them??
ReplyDeleteeveryanything- That's exactly what I always think! Or cute little imp hats :)
ReplyDeletele muguet des bois ... the courtyard at my apartment building in Cambridge was covered with it
ReplyDeleteGlad you didn't eat them since they are poisonous. They do smell lovely, I have a small bouquet in front of me now.
ReplyDeleteI've loved lily of the valley ever since 2nd grade, when I first read Little Women. Remember when Meg gets married? The only ornaments she wore were the lilies of the valley, which "her John" liked best of all the flowers that grew.
ReplyDeleteSWOON. Bestill my forever-7-year-old heart.
Sadly, we don't have those here. :(
ReplyDeleteWhen I was little I would pick lilies of the valley and put little vases of them all over the house to surprise my mom. They grew under a big mossy tree. Oh I love them!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite flower smells! Too bad they are only in bloom for a short time. Beautiful photos! :-)
ReplyDelete-Pam
I love them too. Grace Kelly's bridal bouquet was a bunch of lilly of the valley. She also did a large body of work with flower pressings, so pretty.
ReplyDeleteBTW I saw your feature in Body & Soul magazine, so great!
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ReplyDeleteI love lily-of-the-valley - I can't imagine just running across it wild. What a treat!
L.otV. rocks - we took a whole bunch from a construction site that was going to be razed to the ground anyway, and planted them under a big pine tree in our garden, and they've naturalized beautifully and smell gorgeous every spring!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen lily of the valley in real life...I'm not sure that they grow on the West Coast. My sister and I did find an antique lily of the vallye pin, once--of course we got it! It's lovely, with the retro green and gold coloring. Almost like the real thing, minus the smell. ;-)
ReplyDeletein france everyone gives each other /wears lily of the valley on the first of may.
ReplyDelete-katie
Aw, I love lily of the valley! It reminds me of grandma's perfume.
ReplyDeleteC'est tellement bon l'odeur du muguet que rien de le voir on imagine sa senteur, bonne idée!!
ReplyDeleteSéréna