March 31, 2011

Sapphire And Gold.

To me, no other spring flower is more beautiful than the colourful crocus. I have a very special connection to this vernal bloom.

It is without a doubt the first delicate living item that captured my attention, when I was a child. I recall running around on the meadows of Slovakia, when the first green grass was exposed after the snow of winter slowly melted away.  As the brilliance of the first sun rays and the early birdsong defined the nature, the new green carpet was littered with these precious gems, in all colours, in all shapes and all sizes. It was the first wild flower which name I learned and which I knew how to recognize. And interestingly, the name is the same in Slovakian, Swedish, Danish and English.

Thus even today, the first blooming crocuses around my house hold my undivided attention. I almost hold my breath every year, as they start pushing relentlessly through the frozen ground already in January.
Finally, as we cross into spring and their beautiful crowns open when drenched in the first sunshine, I feel like the richest woman on earth, while my patio becomes adorned with sapphire and gold.

38 comments:

Rajesh said...

These flowers are very beautiful. I love their colors.

S. Susan Deborah said...

Wow, Zuzana. I'm seeing these flowers for the first time. Even now as I am typing this comment, I am wearing purple, which is one of my favourite colours. The combination is indeed lovely. A sari in that combi would look beautiful. Zuzana, you should try wearing the sari someday. You would look gorgeous in it. Looks like spring has finally arrived in your parts of the world.

I wish you happiness, butterflies and joy always,
Susan

Mimi said...

Very interesting that it's the same word in 4 languages.
Are those pictures really from your patio? Wow! you've green fingers, they're amazing.

Anonymous said...

I love those sapphire crocuses... I saw a bright yellow one yesterday, and am hoping that the very cold temperatures overnight (-11 C) haven't killed it.

Fabulous shots!

Anonymous said...

Springtime flowers are the best. It amazes me how they survive even when the get a frost or a bit of snow. My daffodils, however, were right at the end of their blooming cycles and our last snow sort of did them in so to speak.

Di

Laura said...

Zuzana, this is such a lovely expression of your deep connection to these beautiful gems. I remember as a preteen, when my older sister went off to college, we would go to visit her, (of course) and on the way, there was a magnificent home on a hill. Each spring the words "welcome spring" were spelled out in crocuses on their lawn. It was glorious, something I will never, ever forget!

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

GORGEOUS! We are still in the midst of freezing here BUT I catch a COLORFUL glimpse of Crocus peeking out of different flower beds as I drive to and fro and it is so inspiring. The grays and browns of winter have lingered too long this year.

The vibrant colors are so cheerful.

XO

Alberto Hugo Rojas said...

the beautiful colors of your flowers. magnificent photos. kisses

Velvet Over Steel said...

Beautiful Flowers, you take such wonderful pictures too!!

I'm not sure my pretty flowers are going to bloom this year. They try, then we get more snow. I think they are confused this year...! lol

Thank you for the 'sunshine'! Have a Wonderful Day, Zuzana!

Hugs,
Coreen XOXO

Brian Miller said...

ah these are beautiful my friend...the colors so royal as they usher in spring...and warm weather...and delicious smells they bring. i hope you enjoy a wonderful day today!

adrielleroyale said...

Wow, such vibrant colors to usher in Spring and all her glory! I think I would like these in my yard very much! Beautiful, beautiful pictures..

Unknown said...

Beautiful Crocus photos Zuzana!
We've got them in our garden near our side entry.. and I am equally as captivated by them each spring...
Thanks for the beauty today!
Deb

tony said...

Yes,the Crocus's have been shooting up here in Yorkshire over the past ten days or so.An advanced-party for Summer!
These past few days the Cherry Blossom 's have appeared.Are they with you yet where you are?

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Beautiful! Jewel-like.

And here, we are expecting snow...

Won't you be glad when our Spring comes, and I stop wining about snow?!? ,-)))))

Reading Tea Leaves said...

Zuzana, they are like beautiful jewels. Enjoy!

Jeanne
x

Claus said...

so vibrant colors! beautiful! We have a purple flower in our patio, but its purple is not as vivid and bright as yours. Really gorgeous flower. How could one not be happy when seeing them?!
have a lovely day!

Bossy Betty said...

Riches indeed! They are lovely and you have captured their essence so nicely in words and pictures.

Myrna R. said...

Zuzana, the photos are so beautiful I could almost smell the flowers. They are truly luscious.

I hope you enjoy life every day, the way you enjoy the flowers.

Margie said...

I too love the crocus!
Such a beautiful flower!
Has always been one of my very favorites.
Your post brought me a smile :)
Thanks so much Zuzana!

Oh, such beautiful photos of the crocuses ....loved them!

Margie xo

Dan said...

Hi Zuzana
What beautiful vibrant shades of yellow and gold! I love to see the first crocuses. My last garden had lots of the tiny 'botanical' crocuses planted in the lawn. They came up extremely early, were a beautiful sight in late winter/early spring.
Thanks for sharing yours, the photographs really capture their beauty, especially that glorious purple shade!
Dan
-x-

Elizabeth said...

They are beautiful and you are so right, they are THE sign of spring.

Hilary said...

Such lovely, rich colours. It's so encouraging to see the first blooms of the season.

Kath said...

How clever nature is, to combine these 2 colours to such breath-taking effect!

Lynne said...

I just love it when they flower in a lawn beneath a tree. But lovely wherever they are.

sprinkles said...

Those crocuses are absolutely gorgeous! My mom has some in her garden by the pond. My favorites are the purple ones (one of my favorite colors!).

I hope the weather there is as beautiful as it is here today.

Betsy Brock said...

I really must plant some crocus bulbs in the fall! Yours are so vibrant and lovely!

A Plain Observer said...

they are beautiful, they appear beautiful in your pictures. Funny, I am the type to not notice anything around me, but your description of nature since I read you has made me stop and "smell the roses"...thank you for that.

Sumandebray said...

Its a beautiful flower .. a nature's gift to us. But it is only to selected parts of this world. But interestingly there is a different present for parts of the world... enjoy the beauty .. enjoy the colors and get inspired!

Anonymous said...

I love the crocus, but have never seen them this vibrant. The color is so deep and rich. We don't have any flowers sprouting up yet...soon hopefully : )

Anonymous said...

Zuzana,
The crocus is a beautiful flower indeed... I really enjoy your blog. With you having lived so many different places, you have so many experiences to share with us.
I love Prague; it would be a lovely place to live. If I were a millionaire, I'd have to have a villa there. There is classical concerts going on all over town everynight... I would deeply enjoy that.... :) Thanks for your comment on my Henry VIII post and you have a nice weekend.

Anonymous said...

very nice post on "places of tranquility"... so peaceful!! :)

Hello Jessica Lynn said...

WOW! Very nice colors!!

I am blog hopping today and I am happy to stop by your blog!!

Please stop by either or both of my blogs (and become a follower if you aren't one already):

So Stylilized is where I am currently offering FREE Custom Blog Designs at http://sostylilized.blogspot.com

Jessicas Lil Corner is where I blog about family and life at http://jessicaslilcorner.blogspot.com

Have a Happy Friday and a blessed weekend! :0)

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

A most beautifully breathtakin' mosaic you've made with these bright and lively little flowers!

Don't ya just love it when spring breaks through???

God bless ya and have a fantastic weekend sweetie!!! :o)

SandyCarlson said...

I am with you. I love these guys. And they are so delicate despite how hardy they are.

Joanna Jenkins said...

Crocus are the first signs of Spring-- I remember them well growing up in the Midwest. I so wish they grew in Los Angeles-- They were always such a welcome sight.

Your crocus are stunning!

xo jj

Jerry said...

I always thought that if I had to pick a favorite flower, it would be the tulip....until I saw your pictures of the crocus.

Zuzana said...

Rajesh, Susan Mimi, ladyfi, Di, Laura, Jill, Alberto, Coreen, Brian, adrielle, Deborah, tony, Amelia, Jeanne, Claudia, Betty, Myrna, Margie, Dan, Elizabeth, Hilary, Kath, Lynne, sprinkles, Betsy, Myriam, Sumandebray, LadyCat, Thomas, Jessica, Nezzy, Sandy, Joanna, and Jerry – how happy I am that you all enjoy the beauty of this first resilient yet delicate spring flower.

My camera deserves all the credit when it comes to the photography presented here, it captures images in the most vibrant colours. I love my new friend.
I am glad that this post brought a little bit of sunshine to your home and your heart – thank you dear friends for your constant visits and kind words that in its turn warm mine.

Xoxo
Zuzana

bright star said...

Really Zuzana they are so vibrant,thankyou for sharing the lovely flowers.It cheered me up as I have had a chest ifection and need uplifting things like these.Colour is so healing ! lol Angela