Thursday, May 9, 2013

Pride and Prejudice: Designed for Each Other

On Saturday morning Elizabeth and Mr. Collins met for breakfast a few minutes before the others appeared; and he took the opportunity of paying the parting civilities which he deemed indispensably necessary. . . ."You may, in fact, carry a very favourable report of us into Hertfordshire, my dear cousin. I flatter myself at least that you will be able to do so. Lady Catherine's great attentions to Mrs. Collins you have been a daily witness of; and altogether I trust it does not appear that your friend has drawn an unfortunate—but on this point it will be as well to be silent. Only let me assure you, my dear Miss Elizabeth, that I can from my heart most cordially wish you equal felicity in marriage. My dear Charlotte and I have but one mind and one way of thinking. There is in everything a most remarkable resemblance of character and ideas between us. We seem to have been designed for each other." 

~Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice Chapter 38

I don't know what it is about the color red, but "she" and I seemed to have been designed for each other.  (And yes, I believe all colors have genders, as do automobiles and kitchen gadgets.)  My wedding colors were black, white, and RED.  The first wall I ever painted was RED.  And when I take those color personality tests, I always come out as a RED.




But I don't have NEARLY enough red in my yard. Each year I sprinkle my garden with the queen of colors, but only in small doses.  These are pictures of my yard from last summer.



Can you say restrained, timid, and BORING?

Well, this year is going to be different.  This is the year to "go big or go home."

I want to have sweeping beds of red like these in front of my house . . .







I want bursts of red throughout the greenery like these . . .








And I want my window boxes and porches to be as stunningly scarlet as these . . .




The only thing that could make my vibrant dream complete would be an entry like this.  Be still, my beating heart . . .


Dreaming in red is the easy part.  Now comes the hard work. 
 So if you'll excuse me, I need to head out to my garden to get planting . . .

Sharing at . . .


10 comments:

  1. Good Afternoon Erika, I love the Austrian trailing geraniums in your photograph. I grew these when I lived in Germany and it was lovely to see baskets of these beauties trailing from just about every balcony I saw.
    Red is a favourite colour of mine as well and I use it in my kitchen....so beautifully vibrant.
    Aaahh, Pride and Prejudice a lovely book.
    I have enjoyed my visit and I have become a new follower. I look forward to reading many more of your posts.
    I would like to invite you to visit me at Ivy, Phyllis and Me! when you have the time, as you will be most welcome.
    Best Wishes
    Daphne

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  2. Such wonderful inspiration pics. I am also trying to work on our beds. I am always in love with beds full of color. Thanx for partying this week at THT!

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  3. Such great inspiration. And I love that you started with Pride and Prejudice! Enjoy your garden!

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  4. What beautiful pics - and YOUR garden is beautiful - can't wait to see with big pops of red though!
    XOX

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  5. Red is my very favorite color of all in the house and the yard. Those begonias are easy peasy to grow! We just planted red roses. Can't wait for lots of blooms. :)

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  6. Happy gardening! Eager to see your garden in its red glory. Your inspiration images are well, inspiring. '-)
    If you have shade, the red impatients are a great choice.

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  7. Absolutely gorgeous! I would love for you to share this at my linky party. http://hickorytrailblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/efforts-and-assets-linky-party-1.html

    Angela

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  8. Just discovered your blog and I am your newest follower! A blog inspired by books - I can hardly stand it!! I have been a voracious reader, since the first day that words made sense on a page. Books are one of my obsessions!! This post spoke to me, because I cannot live without red geraniums in the summer on my porches. Your photos are great and full of inspiration!

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  9. Hi Erika,
    I'm with you, I need to plant some red in my beds this summer too! Gorgeous photos of red flowers! You've inspired me! Have a great weekend!
    Gina

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  10. Beautiful photos amazing how the pop of red looks. Now the last photo with the arched red door ...I am in love!! Have fun planting and a wonderful weekend too.

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