Beautiful Abutilon...

During a typically rainy morning in Cornwall, the abutilon flowers in the garden seemed to bow their wet, drooping heads with an air of despondency, as water dripped down their petals like tears, or so it felt to me on what was a day of sadness. However, more typical still, was the sun beaming out just a few hours later, shining through the papery lilac heads that resembled a cloud of delicate butterfly wings. Difficult to feel down for too long in such conditions!

This did remind me of my butterfly mobile, with winged insects made from printed paper napkins, suspended from twisted hazel branches. When the sun shines in, it catches on the crystal drops below the butterflies, sending magical glints of light across the room. In the background is the poster reproduction of an Arthur Rackham watercolour that has decorated almost every bedroom that I have ever had since teenage years... and I still love it decades on!