25 March 2008
the signs of spring in calabria
Even though you couldn’t tell from yesterday’s cold, windy, rainy Pasquetta weather, primavera is definitely here in Calabria, and do you know how I know?
From the flowers on the trees.
I’ve always loved the season of spring and its gorgeous gifts, but before living here I didn’t pay much attention to what blooms when or even really which flowers belong to which trees.
Now I have the routine down and look forward to it every year, which you might be able to tell from my posting about the first almond blossoms–here are last year’s and remember these from January?
Yes, the almond tree (il mandorlo) always flowers first.
Next comes the apricot tree (l’albicocco):
Then the plum tree (il prugno):
And finally the peach tree (il pesco):
Watching this cycle with anticipation and excitement every year is so soothing to me–knowing that, without fail, these blossoms will usher in the new season, new growth, new opportunities, new possibilities.
Also? The figs are coming! The figs are coming!
I just love the sweet breath of inspiration that spring provides, don’t you?
Related posts:
- ovarian cancer awarness month: signs & symptoms
- pasqua in calabria
- snow in calabria!
- into the heart of calabria: benvenuti a badolato!
- destination calabria:photo tour of a medieval village in southern italy (part I)
29 beans of wisdom »
Giulia on 25 Mar 2008 at 8:44 am #
Yeay, I can’t wait to sink my teeth into a nice sweet, juicy peach!
I love peaches too Giulia. Was just thinking the other day–that’s what my fruit salad needed!
Judith in Umbria on 25 Mar 2008 at 8:49 am #
Check, check, check, all of those have happened except the figs– and I haven’t actually looked yet, but I expect we are behind you there– and then, and then…. I woke up to snow on the ground and the roofs this morning!
Judith in Umbria’s last blog post..Hot crossed buns for Easter
Ugh the weather has been horrible here too, although no snow…*very* high winds and rain though.
My Melange on 25 Mar 2008 at 12:24 pm #
Io sempre amo gli alberi in primavera! I love Magnolia and Cherry Blossoms. The Peach tree in your photo is so pretty though. And figs…don’t get me started!!!! Yum
My Melange’s last blog post..Summoning the Green Fairy
Don’t get me started either on the figs…I can’t wait!
running42k on 25 Mar 2008 at 12:29 pm #
Great photos. Plus it’s nice to know spring is somewhere as we are due to get snow yet again today.
I’m glad you showed the fig tree as we brought a snipping home from Portugal two years ago and it is over a metre high now. Perhaps figs next year?
running42k’s last blog post..Legs
Well I’ll keep my fingers crossed for that fig tree! But snow again?! Come on Mother Nature
bella on 25 Mar 2008 at 1:09 pm #
Beautiful signs of spring are blossoming all around you! I’m so done with winter
bella’s last blog post..so yesterday
Hah! Me too Bella, me too!
Cherrye on 25 Mar 2008 at 2:16 pm #
Funny you wrote about this today. I JUST noticed our cherry tree yesterday, and our orange trees today!!! I love them and the area always smells soooo nice!!
Cherrye’s last blog post..Holy Weekend - Easter in Italy
Funny you mention cherry trees…I just wrote on my Flickr site that I wasn’t even sure if we had cherry trees around here. Guess we do! And yes, the smells are definitely lovely
erin on 25 Mar 2008 at 2:33 pm #
it’s been nice to watch the trees bloom and now start to turn green again here as well…i just wish the spring weather we had a couple of weeks ago would return :/
erin’s last blog post..festa della donna & a bike ride
It was gorgeous, wasn’t it? It’ll be back soon, I’m sure. Well I’m hoping
i-Mommy on 25 Mar 2008 at 2:37 pm #
Beautiful pictures!
Thanks i-Mommy
nyc/caribbean ragazza on 25 Mar 2008 at 2:47 pm #
Sorry if this is a double post. something funky was going on.
Michelle, you have all those trees in your area?
Lucky you!
nyc/caribbean ragazza’s last blog post..Happy 80th Dad!
Sorry about the funky-ness! All of those trees except the peach are actually in our garden
carol on 25 Mar 2008 at 3:29 pm #
you bring tears to my eyes and a longing to be there that the cherry blossoms here in DC cannot soothe.
Oh and those cherry blossoms are pretty too….
SabineM on 25 Mar 2008 at 3:48 pm #
Lovely photos! I love Spring. My favorite time of the year!!! Hope you had a nice Easter!
SabineM’s last blog post..Happy Easter and more…
Thanks Sabine; I love spring too, and thanks I had a lovely Easter
Diane Mandy on 25 Mar 2008 at 4:49 pm #
I arrived home to Germany with a snow fall to greet me but many flowers in bloom. Yes, it gives me hope!
Diane Mandy’s last blog post..A friend in need
Snow and flowers…gotta love it Diane
Gil on 25 Mar 2008 at 6:17 pm #
The only signs of Spring around here are some Robins and a few crocuses popping their heads out of the ground. Funny how you Italy and England got snow for Easter and not Christmas. Happy Spring!
Ooh we have lots of birds singing too…some heavy rain, but no snow thank goodness!
qualcosa di bello on 25 Mar 2008 at 7:25 pm #
i know these springy flowers are meant to inspire for the season, but i can’t keep my mouth from watering…i’d love some figs & apricots right about now!
qualcosa di bello’s last blog post..holy week hiatus…
I can’t wait either Qualcosa
A Novelist on 25 Mar 2008 at 8:09 pm #
Ohh, what gorgeous pictures. I’m still waiting for spring to arrive in NYC. It’s sunny and clear, but very cold!
A Novelist’s last blog post..Happy Valentine’s Day!
Well sunny is half the battle! Hope it warms up soon
sadira on 25 Mar 2008 at 8:15 pm #
Oh how beautiful! My father just left for Italy on Saturday, how I wish I could be with him…I spent the Easter holiday in Italy a couple of years ago, and the springtime is just wonderful! Although, most times I’ve been in Italy have been amazing…
sadira’s last blog post..Silhouette Drama…
Hope your father is enjoying his time here! The weather’s been kind of crazy the past few days, but hopefully it’s calming down now.
jen of a2eatwrite on 25 Mar 2008 at 8:28 pm #
Those trees are lovely and any thought of figs brings me to summer… instantly. Beautiful!
jen of a2eatwrite’s last blog post..Springtime in Michigan
Thanks Jen
Karina on 25 Mar 2008 at 10:06 pm #
OH figs….let me start saving my money now because I will spend a small fortune on figs, as they are so rare and so freakin’ expensive here in New England. Oh how I love me some figs!!!
Those are beautiful photos, and I don’t know that I’ve ever noticed flowering trees before, but now I’ll be on the lookout as well.
Karina’s last blog post..Spring Fling - Thursday Thirteen #47
I wish I could send you some Karina; it never ceases to amaze me how many are just left to rot on the ground when so many around the world would *love* to have them. They just don’t transport well unfortunately
Anyway keep looking for those trees…and take photos!
Eryn on 25 Mar 2008 at 11:04 pm #
i love the picture of the baby figs….they have to be one of my fav fruits! it’s always so hard to find them fresh here….esp. if they’re out of season!
enjoy some for me
Eryn’s last blog post..It’s the first day of spring…
Will do Eryn!
cheeky on 26 Mar 2008 at 12:04 am #
It is amazing how one never pays mind to such things until you live in a different environment. Less people, less concrete, less noise. It sort of carves the way to allowing oneself to really see what is around. Sometimes all those other things are just distractions from the beauty nature provides.
My favourite is the peach tree. Those blossoms are beautiful and peaches aren’t bad either!
cheeky’s last blog post..Bush By Foot
So true Cheeky; I always *wanted* to be able to identify trees and plants from their leaves and flowers–now I’m getting the chance to learn in the best way
Shan on 26 Mar 2008 at 12:12 am #
I am jealous of your spring. We had more snow falling today… although the rumor is it will turn to rain at some point this evening.
Shan’s last blog post..spreading the linky love #9
Rain is good! Rain means spring…right?
Jill on 26 Mar 2008 at 8:43 am #
I love the pictures… We, too, are bursting all over!
Jill’s last blog post..Pasquetta
Thanks Jill; spring sure is lovely isn’t it?
steamy kitchen on 26 Mar 2008 at 1:56 pm #
ooooh - i love the apricot flower!
Isn’t it unique? I love the colors too
Anali on 26 Mar 2008 at 4:14 pm #
Beautiful flowers! I can’t wait to see them here! ; )
Anali’s last blog post..Stuff Educated Black People Like
Thanks! I hope they’re on their way
Kelli on 26 Mar 2008 at 9:05 pm #
Oh my, that is simply beautiful! Happy Spring, my Calabrian friend.
Kelli’s last blog post..African Heart, American Summer
Thanks Kelli; same to you
Crazy Daisy on 27 Mar 2008 at 6:10 am #
beautiful photos!
Crazy Daisy’s last blog post..Wacky Web Wednesday
Thanks Crazy Daisy!
grace on 27 Mar 2008 at 12:00 pm #
Spring? What spring? It’s already summer here in Dubai!
Lovely photos! Reminds me of Japan so much.
grace’s last blog post..13 Reasons to love Dubai
Hah, and here we’ve regressed a bit…some cooler temps, definitely not summer yet!
laradunston on 28 Mar 2008 at 6:33 pm #
Wonderful post and great blog! Just discovered you - doing some research on Calabria (I’m a travel writer and will be there in a month or two). I’ve also been blogging about Spring - in Turkey, where I’m currently writing. I’ll add you to my blogroll and check in frequently. http://cooltravelguide.blogspot.com/2008/03/spring-is-here.html
laradunston’s last blog post..Observations on Cretan Village Life, or enjoying a bit of ethnographic travel
Pleased to meet you Lara and I’m looking forward to getting to know you better
Sara on 28 Mar 2008 at 7:42 pm #
I don’t know which I love more, the beautiful pictures or the idea of all that delectable fresh fruit. I’m so happy you get to enjoy these trees year ’round, and that you are willing to share their beauty.
I’d share lots of fruit with you too if I could–so much of it always goes to waste around here b/c people neglect their trees