I had something all ready to make for a shiny, happy New Year project, and then I went outside and did something else instead….
Nothing new there, except that the something else was picking up rotten apples and clearing away brown, soggy leaves – not exactly the kind of thing you spring out of bed for, and yet those two hours of raking, sweeping and clearing have been my favourite for a long time.
My book, in its proper book form, got delivered to me recently…that was a pretty damn great moment I can tell you. And yet with the inevitable stroking of the shiny new pages, and the hugging of the thing, and the tears of joy shed (yes, I’m a bit soppy), there were still the (guilt-inducingly high-class) questions:
“Will anybody read it?”
“Will they like it if they read it?”
“Will I ever write another one?”
“Will anyone ever give me another job?”
…the list goes on and on
…And then there was my daughter beginning another term at nursery, and flinging her arms around me afterwards and saying “I need to go to school AGAIN!”. That was a rather fabulous moment (I can’t remember ever feeling that way about school). And yet, there were the questions:
“Will things always be joyful for her?” (to which I know the answer is ‘No, not always, that’s life’.
“Are all the other children being kind to her?”
“Is she being kind to all the other children?”
“Am I doing enough?”
etc…etc…
So yes, the rotten apples, which were so soft and yucky that they kept exploding in my hands, and I have come away smelling like cider…the sweeping, the slow, steady, physical act of clearing…of doing something simple and silent and alone, with no questions….That’s been my favourite moment so far this year.
There are daffodils and hellebores out, and sarcococca, and snowdrops coming up…
And hey….it’s getting LIGHTER!
14 Comments
Was out in the garden doing similar all morning. Ace isnt it.
I’ll read it x
so excited to see this! we have our first flat, with a tiny little garden, which i am desperate to fill to bursting with things that grow!
will be snatching this up as soon as it’s out!
congratulations, and taking stock in the simple, slow moments? that’s where life is.
i’ll be reading it too x
Pre ordered dear. Placed a huge dahlia order myself today and I,m all ready to start growing 100 different plants from seed.soooooooooo excited this year for all that colour.
I’m building a Rose house and more shelving for my many seed trays over the next few weeks.
And starting so seeds tomoz morning.
Happy new year x
Hi Laetitia
Happy New Year!
I received your previous book, The Virgin Gardener, for Christmas and absolutely love it!
So looking forward to seeing Sweetpeas for Summer: How to Create a Garden in a Year.
Do you have a date for when it will be on sale?
Very best wishes
Rona
The book looks wonderful! I cannot wait for it to come out. I always think the act of creating your own space, if it is cleaning house, digging your hands into the dirt, or handling exploding apples, is much like creating sacred space of your own. I always think that much blood, sweat and tears (ha!) would make anything holy.
I am really looking forward to bulbs popping up and lilacs blooming in a few months!
Happy New Year from (thankfully non-snowy) central New York!
Toria
I’ll be buying it! I’m hoping to get my first proper garden this summer and a book to help me get it on its feet would be super useful! Plus I have and love your first book
I’m curious about the doubting questions. Of course we’ll all read it and enjoy it. By the way did you know that there’s a parrot in your tree?
Hi Laetitia, I loved your first book and I’ll definitely read next one. Only one question: will it be released in the same countries of “The Virgin Gardener”? I’d like to read it in my first language but if it isn’t translated I’ll buy the english version
Best wishes!
Hi Pupy – We were too late for co-editions this time round, but I’m VERY much hoping it will happen at some point! Sorry not to be more clear right now, but the truth is, I just don’t know yet. Thank you for being kind about The Virgin Gardener…so glad you enjoyed it x
Thank you, Laeititia, I will pre-order my copy on Amazon. Can’t wait to read you again!
Your new book looks wonderful. I can’t wait to get it as I loved the Virgin Gardener and really thought the presentation was divine. This one looks as lovely. The conversation you are having with yourself about your books and your daughter is exactly the same one I have as well about my books and daughter at school – so take heart. You are not alone! Congratulations on the new beautiful baby. I love your Blog. I always find masses of inspiration here.xx
Thanks everyone for your wonderful comments here…lump in throat!
You’re all lovely xxx
It’s just the truth, dear, I still read almost every day at least one random chapter of The Virgin Gardener, not for gardening tips (cause now I know very well the book ofc
) but because your style is unique, deeply relaxing and makes the reader feel into another world, mainly when is a “bad hair day”.
Just my opinion
p.s.
I like a lot your style too, such nice outfits!