Pink

Spring seems to be late this year; actually the seasons do seem to be getting later and later. After winter I am sure most of us are anxious for the warmer weather.

Some of my spring bulbs were actually up and out in June. I don’t seem to have a lot of luck with daffodils; I am not sure what the secret is, but maybe it’s something to do with the soil or climate change.

I love looking for signs of spring though and really enjoy all the soft flowers making their way into bloom. The Japanese cherry blossom only lasts a few days but it is a clear indicator spring is on the way.

My roses are in bud and I have to say I adore roses – all different shades of pink being my favourite.
I don’t wear pink, though my daughter does and I really love the colour. Pink seems to make you look youthful, pretty and delicate I think. When I was around eight years old I was a flower girl – my dress was soft pink, covered in lace. I loved that dress and still have a small piece of it as a keepsake.

I enjoy looking back at the fashion from the sixties, including some of the pretty waisted dresses with the knee length swing skirts. The young women looked ever so glamourous with their tiny waists and stiletto high heels.
Seeing a resurgence of some of these fashions now is lovely.

I like to see girls looking ‘girlie’. When my two daughters were young I loved dressing them up in frilly dresses along with bows in their hair. Both my girls have curly hair and I had fun prettying them up like little dolls.

On one of our first overseas trips to Hawaii I had my daughters all dressed up in their Sunday best while I wore a turquoise linen dress. What a massive mistake – my youngest daughter, who would have been around two, looked a picture in her little lemon dress, but wriggled around in her seat and managed to tip a cup of orange juice all down my dress. What a mess, we were in a travel group and on arrival in Honolulu we had to pose for photos. I tried to hide myself as I had this massive orange stain all over me and couldn’t wait to get to the hotel to change. Lesson learnt – we now travel in clothes that are way more comfortable.

I think in life we all need to feel comfortable in what we think and do. I turned sixty nine at the weekend and feel I need to make the most of this year as I am not ready to be seventy just yet. I am going to go out and enjoy the spring and summer soak up all the lovely colours, and you never know I might even wear pink. (Even if it’s only a scarf or lipstick).
I did buy some cool orange shoes the other day – now that makes me really feel like summer is on its way.

Enjoy spring everyone – enjoy your gardens and flowers, and go and spoil yourself and buy a bunch of lovely old fashioned roses.

By Kay Rayner. Read more here.