Don’t you just love Spring? After a drawn, dark, dreary season of winter everyone yearns for it. The days grow longer, the temperature warmer, and we begin to put a little spring into our step. We may even do a bit of spring cleaning as if dusting those wintertime cobwebs out from amongst the blustery mind-like shadows in our heads.
If we were to take a few moments to look out the windows of our imagination, what would we see? Well, since its spring, we might envision crisp clear blue skies with rolling hills covered with green grassy pastures and bright new leaves budding on limbs from ambitious stalwart trees. We might imagine bees buzzing, birds tweeting (yes tweeting), and butterflies flying in the air without care.
Yet one of the most prized possessions of the season of spring are its flowers. Yeah sure, go ahead and sneeze if you have to, but seriously, aren’t flowers part of the reason why we love spring so much? It’s like our world comes back to life and takes on a melodious color!
Take the Tulip for instance.
The Tulip was originally a wild flower grown in Central Asia. It was first cultivated by the Turks around the year 1000 AD then the flower was introduced to Western Europe and the Netherlands in the 17th century by a famous biologist from Vienna named Carolus Clusius . In the 1590’s he became the director of the Hortus Botanicus, the oldest European botanical garden found in Holland.
Mr. Clusius was hired by the University of Leiden to research medicinal plants and while doing so, he received some bulbs from a friend who happened to be the Ambassador to Constantinople (presently Istanbul). The friend had seen that beautiful flower called the tulip, (from a Turkish word for turban), in the palace gardens and sent a few to Clusius for his garden in Leiden. Then Clusius planted them and this was the beginning of the amazing bulb fields we see today.
It is in the Netherlands, far from our fictional imageries, that the most renowned display of these beautiful flowery gems blossom in a truly exceptional park called Keukenhof. Keuken meaning kitchen in Dutch, thus Kitchen house or Herb garden in English. More than seven million tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, gladiolas, and other bulbs planted each year form a glorious décor in such an abundance of colors and fragrances, why there is nowhere on the face of the earth quite like it.
Flower lovers from all over the world flock to this country’s most spectacular bulb fields. This is where you can enjoy the ultimate feeling of spring, the wonderful works of art along with its inspiring flower gardens and the best in organic expressions.
Because Poland is increasingly becoming an important market for these incredible Dutch flowers, this year’s theme is called “Poland, Heart of Europe.” Among the highlights for this year is a special exhibition of a 39-by-65 foot portrait made from 50,000 red, orange and purple Tulips that make up a mosaic of Frederic Chopin and a special theme route. Who knew classical music and romance form a whimsical combination with flowers!
So as we clear out those shadowy cobwebs of our mind from last winter, let’s use our colorful imaginations to buzz with lots of conflict and action. Let’s keep our blogs fresh with activity and tweet like birds in support of one another. Let’s write like butterflies and fly free in the air of creativity. Let’s make like beautiful flowers and perform in a springtime melody!
So what do you think? Has your mind been a bit cluttered lately? Are there shadowy cobwebs lingering in your mind from last winter? Or are you abuzz with lots of colorful creativity! Is your blog active and are you tweeting to support? Let’s help each other to be creative!
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Thank you for your many thoughts and fine comments everyone!
Karen
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Even in Wyoming, we could grow tulips and as others have noted, they often met snow, as did poppies yet I have so many memories of them holding their heads proudly through spring snow.
Lovely post, Karen.
Karen
KM Huber recently posted..Comment Choice
Ah, thank you Karen! I used to live in snow country and well know the plight of the Tulip as mine forged upward through the heavy snow-pack proudly showing their beauty! Got to love how nature works. Amazing! Thanks Karen for stopping by! Enjoy your weekend and see you next Wednesday. I have a surprise guest! Take care! 🙂
Absolutely breathtaking! I so love tulips. I tried to grow a tulip garden once, but caring for flowers doesn’t appear to be my thing. I would love to visit such a remarkable garden. And thank you, I could use an uncluttering of the mind.
Debra Kristi recently posted..Row80 – Round 1 Comes to a Close
Now see, I would have pegged you having a green thumb Debra. Seriously, those pictures took my breathe away! I can’t imagine what it takes to take care of 7 million flowers. Amazing! Ah, your mind is being uncluttered on that awesome vacation time with your children. I hope you’re having a great time and thanks for coming by while you’re gone Debra! That was super nice of you! Now go have fun! Take care and drive safely home! 🙂
Karen, Waaahhhh, I love tulips, but I live in the tropics, much too hot for those delicate lovelies. Sigh. I will just have to keep drooling over your photos. Thanking you!!!!
Rachel recently posted..Astrology for Writers — It’s All About Aries!
Well as long as you don’t drool on the Tulips Rachel I guess it’s okay! LOL! But you have beautiful flowers in Hawaii! And Kona coffee. And macadamia nuts! I may have you ship some over girl! Great to see you Rachel and keep those creative juices going! 🙂
Karen, these pics are a true delight to the soul. Thanks so much for sharing.
Prudence MacLeod recently posted..Avoid the Drama
See, thank you Prudence! That right there made all the diference in the world. “A delight to the soul!” Yep, that they are! And thank you Pru for coming by! 🙂
What a beautiful and inspirational post, Karen. So, the tulip, who knew? Originated in Asia? I’d have been dead wrong on that one playing Jeopardy! (Of course, I’d be wrong on most of those answers.)
Stunning pictures. Wish I could fly there right now and inhale for a few minutes. Wouldn’t that be a rush?
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
Why thank you Patricia! How are you? Yes, who knew that the Tulip originated in Asia? I thought that was an interesting fact also when I did my research for this post. LOL Jeopardy. Well, that’s why I brought those pictures to you girl! How many of us can afford to fly over there, eh? I’m so glad that you enjoyed the Tulips and thanks for coming by Patricia! It’s always great to see you! 🙂
Well, as you know, I love spring! Also, one of my favorite flowers is the Tulip! I had a huge bouquet of jumbo white tulips for my wedding. Europe really does flowers well. When I lived there, the bouquets were works of art and in and around town, flower gardens were gorgeous and so well maintained. It sort of just makes you happy!
Right now it’s wildflower season in Texas and so nice to see fields of blue and red when I’m out and about. 🙂
Thanks for the lovely pictures to bright out day!
Hi Ginger! I saw that field of beautiful Texas wildflowers on your site yesterday. They looked like lupine? Anyway, what is it about Tulips? They have such a short life-span, yet we grab them up when they hit the stores. And those Tulip gardens where amazing. I’m so glad you like them. You lived in Europe Ginger? How cool is that? Where did you live? I love it over there. And yes, they do know a lot about flowers. I’m glad I could cheer you up! Take care Ginger and thanks for coming by! 🙂
Gorgeous pics, Karen. We sometimes go to Buchard Gardens and the Tulip Festival in Skagiv Valley.
Fabio Bueno recently posted..ROW80 Update 11 + What’s Cooking
Oh Fabio, Buchard Gardens? I forgot about Buchard Gardens. I was there many moons ago, but what a beautiful place. Well Victoria Island is a very special place. I have never heard of the Tulip Festival in Skagiv Valley. You live near some gorgeous areas Fabio. Those are great places to take the family. Thanks for helping bring back some awesome memories and for sharing your flower experiences during spring! 🙂
Gorgeous flowers, Karen. Every spring, I look forward to the multiple visits to the greenhouses so I can fill my gardens with flowers. For me, that sweeps out the winter doldrums and renews the spirits. 🙂
SheilaSeabrook recently posted..The Gift of Sight
Hi Sheila! Aren’t they gorgeous? Isn’t it amazing how flowers can pick us up? There’s something about their perky color that makes us feel better and happier. Glad you have those greenhouses nearby Sheila! And so glad to read the good news about your mom! Take care and thanks for stopping by! 🙂
It hardly snows here at all, and today? Woke up to 3 inches. Happy second day of spring. Thank you for the spring flower photos. It was great to dive into your post, which suits my mood much more than the view outside.
Julia recently posted..BOOKS on the Nightstand
Hi Julia! Good to see you! And yes I found you! Your comment was awaiting moderation. Sorry about that. Well don’t ya know it would snow at the beginning of spring. I think winter just wants us to know that he’s not ready to leave yet. I’m happy that I could perk up your mood a bit so you could enoy those springtime pictures! Love those flowers. They’re a pick-me-up! Thanks Julia for stopping by! Take care! 🙂
fabulous pictures, karen. amazing. here in Calgary, tulips definitely announce spring, so they’re waited for and anticipated.
Louise Behiel recently posted..The Mascot: It’s Not all Fun and Games
Hi Louise! I’m so glad you like the pictures. Oh I bet when the tulips arrive in Calgary they really make a statement that spring has arrived! And after the winters that you get there, I bet you can’t wait to see them. And I hope they’re blooming soon Louise! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Gorgeous pics! We’ve always got things blooming year round in Florida, so maybe I take this for granted…but Spring definetly makes me feel like I”m growing wings!
Hi Shannon! Ah growing wings. I love that! Yes, I believe that Florida blooms for most of the year. How wonderful! I’m glad you enjoyed the pictures. They are quite something! Thanks Shannon for coming by! 🙂
Not cobwebs for me so much as burn-out. I’ve been soooo tired and those glorious photos and your lovely words made me feel much better! Thank you for this, Karen!
Alicia Street recently posted..Mel Vanity – Ice Is Nice
Oh Alicia, how kind of you to say that. And burn-out is no fun. I was hoping that the pictures would take everyone on a little mini mental vacation and it worked! Fantastic Alicia! Thank you so much for stopping by and for all your support! Say hi to Roy! 🙂
Those photos are amazing! I am mentally transporting myself there right now! 🙂
Coleen Patrick recently posted..Steal Like an Artist or Wait for the Idea Fairy?
Exactly Coleen! The minute I saw those photos I knew they were my inspiration for this post. It’s a mental vacation! A spring cleaning of the mind! Thanks Coleen! 🙂
OMG those photos are spectacular. I soooo want to go there!!! I’ve never been a huge flower garden person but WOW!!!
I have to say, Spring does wonders for hubby and I. We are definitely more sunny, warm, outdoors people and we definitely both feel like we are letting go of the cobwebs and are ready to rock! FAB post!
Natalie Hartford recently posted..Urban Word Wednesday: Ambisextrous
I know what you mean Natalie! And even if you arent’ into gardening, what not to like about those gardens? They are spectacular. And after a cold, long winter, what can be better than spring? I hope you and Hubby enjoy yours. Thanks for stopping by Natalie! 🙂
My mind is always cluttered. I try to declutter by making lists, but there’s only so much I can do.
Spring? What’s that? We went straight from winter to summer! We do have daffodils, though. Love ’em! Keukenhof looks absolutely amazing!
Jennette Marie Powell recently posted..My Town Monday: March – Nice Day for a White Wedding
Well Jennette, if you have daffodils, you have spring! And yes, as you can see, my mind is cluttered. Every week you never know what I’m gonna blog about. But something comes to mind. That’s it, I’m making a list Jennette! Thanks for coming by! 🙂
Love this post, the flowers are awesome. Just about to go downstairs and take some photos of mine! Not that they look like those. Ahem.
Yes, I feel spring has sprung. We’re having a slight heatwave here too. Even have ducks in the pond!
Will blog, cannot get into the swing of it and have no excuses.
CC MacKenzie recently posted..GOALS! WHY OH WHY?
Oh now Christine, I’m sure your flowers are beautiful! And duck in the pond? That’s cool. Not everyone has ducks in a pond. Say what? Christine I have an idea for your blog. I will email you girl! Thanks for appreciating my post today and coming by! 🙂
Absolutely gorgeous, Karen! One of my favorite spots in San Francisco is the beautiful Dutch windmill in Golden Gate Park. In the spring, they plant a tulip garden around it, and the colors are exquisite.
I have to admit, though, I’ve been really confused by the sudden influx of “spring” mentions I’ve been seeing on Tweetdeck and Twitter… and then I glanced at the calendar the other day and realized that the 1st day of spring had arrived and I completely missed it, lol. I can’t wait till I’m through with grading – can’t wait to actually enjoy the change in season.
Lena Corazon recently posted..ROW80: Spring Break is (Almost) Here!
Oh Lena, I love Golden Gate Park. It’s beautiful! LOL Lena, yes it’s spring! And Tulips are such a special flower cause they don’t grow all year and only in certain conditions. I’m glad you enjoyed the tulips! And thank you so much for dropping in to see me! Take care Lena! 🙂
Lovely post, Karen! Thanks for teaching us about tulips. I never understood as a kid why Minnesotans planted tulips when they last for such a short time—between winter and…more winter. 😉 As an adult, I’ve observed the incredible wonder that happens when their flamboyant color bursts through the gray.
I have to say, I’ve been feeling colorful and Spring-like. I’m not sure if it’s the season change or the fact that I finished some big projects and feel a crazy sense of relief. 🙂
August McLaughlin recently posted..Gluten-Free Diets: Useful Tools or Harmful Trend?
Thank you August! I know what you mean. I used to live in an area where we could plant bulbs. And every spring when they came up they would be crushed by snow. And it’s a lot of work to plant those babies too. But I have a feeling that you must feel so much relief from accomplishing those projects and putting them behind you. I’m glad you enjoyed the flowers. They always make us feel better! Thank you for coming by! 🙂