bursting forth with blooms

i want to be the kind of almond tree that bursts forth when others are still being a little risk-averse. i don't want to hesitate, to wait, to hedge my bets and delay beauty, joy, celebration.

just a five minute walk from l’Artesania, out by the highway, is an almond orchard that was still hesitating last week. now this week: about half the trees have decided it’s time to send out their flowers.

the almond trees are in bloom in catalunya, and since many of the farms around here are filled with almond trees, the land is coming to life before my eyes on my walks and drives through the area. some of the flowers are white, with a blush of pink in the center, and then others are quite brilliant pink indeed, and then some in-between because, like everything in nature, it seems to be a spectrum. i did some research, and found out that the white blossoms produce sweet almonds, and the pink blossoms produce bitter almonds. the bitter ones are still used for things like almond flour, liquors, and so much more. or they can be baked or roasted to get rid of that bitter element. one is not bad in comparison to the other; one is not even better than the other. it’s just a matter of how they are put into use. they have different gifts for us.

i am reminded once again how a connection to the earth, whether it’s gardening or farming or just hiking through it, shows us so much beauty and also much about how life works. the romantic and the practical, all in one. we learn so much, and we are nourished in so many ways just by taking time to connect to the natural world around us.

(yes, i know that center photo is not almond blossoms: but this week it seems a few more of the almond tree's neighbors are joining in the fun.)

every few days, i notice more and more almond trees going from that budding stage to letting their blossoms burst forth. last week, there weren’t that many in full bloom yet. most were just cautiously putting out a small group of flowers or two, if that. some were holding in their buds, not even wanting to have hope, i suppose.

it was in that week that i was walking down a country road past sergio’s house, on the way to julio’s land, that i discovered this solitary princess of an almond tree that had decided to burst forth, all alone in this terraced field. she was having a party all by herself while the trees on either side of her field were still hesitating. buds on their branches were starting to show up, but they were most definitely not bursting forth–maybe for good reason as it was only early february and we could still have some just-below-freezing temps at night.

even the hesitation is just so beautiful.

but i guess, like me, she had gotten tired of being cautious and was ready to fully embrace life while she can. it was time for her, she had decided, to enjoy the sun and the breeze in her little valley. it was time for her to make me smile. i wrote in my journal: “i want to be like this raucous, early-to-the-party almond tree.”

i am ready to be full of joy, despite the dangers looming around the corner. I want to stop hesitating and waiting for life to be safe to start enjoying the good in it. I want to make lots of beauty, generously, regardless of what might, possibly, happen in the future. I want to bring that joy to others, brighten their day and remind them that it is not too early burst into life, to create beauty, to stop being hesitant and just expand.

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join me at l’Artesania | The Craft

i’d love to take you out to the fields and orchards around l’albi for a plein air drawing/writing art journaling session, to la seu to wander the most stunning cloister in any cathedral I’ve ever seen, and of course, walk up to bar casal for a vino con gaseosa and some tapas. now is a great time to visit: mid feb to mid march the almond trees are in bloom (and there are some really cheap flights to be had right now, too!). Or come in july or august if you don’t mind the heat, and want to experience all the summer fun, with our festa major and late nights on the plaça enjoying the cool evening air. but if you do mind the heat, maybe come in april/may, or september/october… even into mid november. these are the times we enjoy the warm-but-not-hot, doors-and-windows-flung-open season. Whatever time of year, there’s plenty to experience all around the area. learn more on thecraft.es.

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