image - vicki archer
The almond trees in my part of Provence are about to bloom... it must be so as the mistral wind has picked up and threatens to destroy the delicate petals. Why is that? It is as if a fleeting glance is all that we are allowed... Almond trees were once growing all over Provence... but today there are far fewer. Their commercial value has waned and the land has been taken over for olive trees or grape vines. This saddens me as they were just as symbolic of Provence as the sunflower and lavender fields. Out of bloom they are not pretty and they are slow growing... this could further explain why they have lost popularity... but when they do come out to play, when they unfurl those magical buds... they are the most beautiful of all...
Mr FF has a passion for the almond trees... On a walk around the farm yesterday he asked me if I had written about them recently... so here I am writing to you about almond trees and our love for them... A couple of years ago I gave him what he would consider to be one of his best presents ever... I planted a row of almond trees along one side of our boundary. The trees were ten years old, still scrappy and unexciting to look at, but for him, they were a thing of beauty and a gift from heaven. Next year and the year after that I will continue to plant almond trees until they run across the width of our property... It is an ambitious project but when they blossom for those few days in March and when I see his face light up as we pass by them on our walks... it won't matter that for most part of the year they disappear into the landscape and are un-noticed...
I don't know that we will ever see these trees in full maturity, or that we will gather the almonds and benefit from their extraordinary nutritional value but their sweet smelling blossoms, even for a moment, will be our great pleasure. Sometimes a glimpse, a moment of splendour is enough... xv
Have you tried Almond oil in the bath or on the body? It is the softest and most gentle of oils... I buy it in our village at the L'Occitane boutique but you can find it HERE...
(European readers can find L'Occitane here...)
my daily click HERE
We are just heading out today to Maussane and Eygalieres (yes, in this wind, I know!) and will be on the look out for the blossoms! They bring me so much joy to--the first promise of Spring. And I like to think that even if you don't see your trees at maturity perhaps your children will or their children...
ReplyDeleteEarly blossom is so fragile and depends on the vagaries of the weather. I've noticed the delicate flowers of the wild plums in our hedgerows and pray for clement weather.
ReplyDeletei am a huge l'occitane fan. I love the cherry blossom perfume. And their almond products are gorgeous xxxx
ReplyDeleteI think that is just beautiful, doing that for your husband...would love to see those blossoms for real!
ReplyDeletexxx dj
Same thing must happen the world over ... whenever the wisteria blossoms, plum, almond, quince - always the wind picks up and blows them away. So lovely to see the first signs of spring ... getting very excited to head to Provence.
ReplyDeleteVicki,
ReplyDeleteAre you able to harvest the almonds? I love almonds and believe in the central valley of California they grow a lot of almonds. I've never been fortunate enough to see them bloom. What a sweet gift you have given your hubby and the surrounding landscape! :-)
Karen
A row of almond trees - what a lovely, original gift. I love almond oil products and I've been a fan of L'Occitane for many years.
ReplyDeletehttp://missbbobochic.blogspot.com/
I can only imagine the fragrance!
ReplyDeleteI have just discovered homemade almond milk and call it my new favorite thing on my daily bowl of oatmeal. Thank you for sharing this information about almond trees in Provence. Although I've visited several times I never new they were once apart of the landscape.
ReplyDeleteI love it when the almond blossom is out, it is the first tree to blossom and brings with it the promise of spring..
ReplyDeleteI have finally given in to past temptation and have found myself unable to resist this post. Vicki Archer, your French home is heaven. Everything about it is glorious and today's update about almonds stuck me to the core. I lived in Spain, near Madrid, for 22 years, where the end of February always brought us the first glimmers of spring: blooming almond trees. But these too are nearly wild in this part of Spain. No one grows them in any great number. You have to go south to see that. There was a time when I lived in the country and had two trees, one old that was there when I arrived and one young I planted myself. I suppose you'll tell us about biting into a green almond, before the hard shell begins to form, some time in June? Thank you.
ReplyDeleteVicki, Van Gogh's almond tree painting ( http://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/vgm/index.jsp?page=3128&lang=en ) is one of my favorites, but I love seeing the real thing at your home even more. Sad to think there are fewer and fewer almond trees in Provence -- but I love that they are making a come back at your home! Enjoy the fleeting beauty while it lasts.
ReplyDeleteSO beautiful Vicki! My parents have an almond tree in their back garden - it is very old and gnarly. It produces fruit but unfortunately no sooner do the nuts arrive then the birds steal them all!
ReplyDeleteI have decided to start making my own fresh almond milk in the mornings (from store bought almonds unfortunately). I've read that it's really not difficult so I'm going to give it a go!
xxSP
Yes, they are dependent upon the survival of blossom in order to be pollinated. If an early or inopportune windy period comes in, the blossoms shatter and there is little, if any, pollination. We have almond trees around where I live; they are indeed beautiful. The same thing happens to apricots here, they are rarely successful unless planted in a sheltered but sunny area. We just have too many early spring winds and frosts around the time of blossom. But when they do succeed, they are glorious!
ReplyDeleteI remember one of the early memories of my mum was of her wearing almond cream. I used to love that fragrance; even if it was just her Jergen's hand lotion. There is nothing quite like it.
I love that you are planting almond trees and that Mr FF is so very happy...
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Jo x
my grandmother ate 3 almonds, 1 T honey + 1/2 grapefruit each day and she lived to be 103 years.(in good health) I am a huge fan of Almonds! What a sweet story about your Almond Trees. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
ReplyDeleteI am obsessed with l'Occitane's almond line...simply incredible! yOu are lucky to have almond trees and to be right next to l'Occitane... : )
ReplyDeleteHi Vicki, Everything is gorgeous and waiting for Spring. Thank you for sharing. Mary
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely, poetic post! Your gift to your husband truly was a testament of your love for him. What can be more heart-warming than bringing joy to the people we love?
ReplyDeleteWithout doubt Almond blossom is my all time favourite. Perhaps its because it is the first of the year, but also the scent is just so gentle
ReplyDeleteWhat a romantic gift you've given, and continue to give him. I agree they make a statement in numbers...like the 3,000 cherry trees here in Washington DC. In two more weeks the 100 year celebration of our National Cherry Blossom Festival begins. It's exciting to see a massive row of pink color against a blue sky and the blue waters of the Tidal Basin - like seeing Van Gogh's Almond Blossom painting!
ReplyDeleteThis is just lovely Vicki and so beautifully written. Almond oil is one of my favorites. It's wonderful, a few drops in the bath!
ReplyDeleteHope you are out enjoying the almond trees today!
xo Mary Jo
Hi Vicki
ReplyDeleteOur son attends a Rudolph Steiner school in Sydney where they always have fruit and nut trees (as well as vegetable and herb gardens). There is a beautiful almond tree that blossoms near one of the paths every year, and the children try to harvest the nuts before the parrots feast on them.
Likewise, I work from what used to be a family hone, and there is an almond free planted against a garden wall. Of course the parrots know about that one too!
I've used almond oil many times in my massage business, but unfortunately one has to be so careful these days with so many nut allergies. I'm so glad you are planting more almond trees. :)
Wonder if the blossoms smell like almonds..
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot of work, it is worth it .
yvonne
I will have to give the almond oil a try! That tree is just beautiful, and so sad to hear about how it is being replaced by the olive tree and grape vines.
ReplyDeletewww.donnaviningblog.com
last week i bought this oil! and i love it
ReplyDeleteI never knew what an almond tree looked like - thank you. It's rather beautiful in a sharp wintery way softened by those beautiful blossoms....B:)
ReplyDeleteI love almond trees and their blossoms are stunning. We lived in Northern California and would drive on Highway 5 to get to San Diego and we would look forward to seeing the almond trees in bloom. Beautiful Photo.
ReplyDeleteI'm having my first linky party Simple & Sweet Fridays. Hope you can stop by with all your inspirational ideas...
Jody
It sounds amazing! I love almonds and now I must try almond oil. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteJennifer
Lovely post Vicki.I can remember as a child in country NSW visiting my Great Uncle and Aunts farm and devouring almonds from their tree.It was a beautiful tree in flower and I still adore almonds to this day.What a thoughtful present for Mr FF.Have a lovely weekend.Trish
ReplyDeleteGood evening Vicki!
ReplyDeleteOh, the fragrance of these trees is just heavenly, like so many trees and plants in Provence. ENJOY!!! Anita
mmmm.....
ReplyDeleteDo you know what's more beautiful than anything? The fact that Vicki knows her husband so well after they have been together so long that she is aware of those displays of emotion upon his face that could have been so easily missed. Trees come and go, but the love we show goes on through the generations. It's that expression of love and loyalty, shown by Vicki to her husband through her devotion and her acts of service that speaks the most to me here. She is entering a time which is precious, where she can savour the sweetness of still being in love with the husband of her youth. Leaning on his arm while they walk underneath Almond blossoms. In today's world that's rare.
ReplyDeletePerhaps you should write your memoirs like never before Vicki. How did you come into all this relational richeness??
I would like to hear a counter opinion to our present-day culture thinking. We are told we don't need marriage, we don't need children. Look after you needs first and the rest will follow.
Vicki's life has been one of giving to her family and enjoying every waking moment, and then some!!
I hope I get to love an adorable baby, to see them grow year by year, experiencing the delight that life can be. To love a man and for him to love me, to walk the earth together. To raise a family, to be a family. What a treasure and a fulfilment that would be. As a divorcee with no children and now 40 years old, I can only peer in from the outside and wonder what it must be like inside a family. I have faith that one day I will have an open heart, meet the right man, be the right women, and reap the blessings of being a family with someone.
We have experienced the same loss of the beautiful almond trees around the village of Willunga which is smack in the middle of the McLaren Vale wine region. Thousands have been ripped out so vines can be planted. But bless the folk of Willunga, they still have an Almond Blossom Festival the week in Spring when the countyside is awash with pink & white blossom. They crown a King & Queen of the Festival each year & they are paraded through town on the back of an old Holden ute. I hereby crown you King & Queen of the Mas de Berard Almond Blossom Festival. Finding the appropriate vehicle as a substitute for the Holden is up to you guys!
ReplyDeleteMillie xx
It's a certain beautiful faith in the future to plant a tree (or an entire row, as you did) and know you'll not see them through to maturity, but to relish their growth and brief blossoms. What a lovely person you are, Vicki!
ReplyDeleteSue M. March 9, 2012
ReplyDeleteVicki, I love following French Essence and was pleasantly surprised reading and seeing you also appreciate and enjoy the beauty and benefits of almonds; and that Karen, one of your followers knew of our little corner of the world here in the central valley of Northern California. We're so fortunate and blessed to have five acres of almonds in the Ripon/Manteca area and being surrounded by all it's beauty. I especially look forward to the moment every year when my husband picks and brings me our first pink blossom as he did two weeks ago.... a sign that Spring is just around the corner. I hope someday to visit and see for myself the beauty of the France you experience on a daily basis, but for now I enjoy seeing it through your blog.
We were so lucky to see the beautiful almond trees in bloom. We were in eygaliers for a week and on our outings each day kept seeing these beautiful flowering trees. We finally asked what they were only to find out they were almond trees. It was so sweet if you to plant them for your husband. I was sad to discover they will not grow well in our part of Texas.
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