Inspired by
Clarens, a delightfully quaint little hamlet nestled into the hills of the eastern - Free State in South Africa. This is
square two of a series based on my favourite towns here, special places for different reasons which have touched my heart or inexplicably moved me in some way.
Our stay in
Clarens was magical, with a liberal sprinkling of Fairy Tale about it, especially since it spanned over the unique winter months there. Clarens is unlike any idea someone may hold in their minds of Africa. There, a few feet or at least a dusting of snow each winter is almost expected. Our backyard, with its Apple and Cherry Trees, was the prettiest I’d ever seen, particularly when the fruit trees bloomed.
In early Spring, while the kettle boiled water frozen overnight, I’d gaze out over our small yet picturesque backyard and marvel at the display of blossoms, daydreaming about the potential of each one…a ripe, delectable fruit. One morning shortly after this, as I stood barefoot on the icy stone floor arranging mugs on a tray for our morning coffee (hot chocolate for the boys) from the corner of my eye I noticed a change, the same yet different, but change it was.
It had snowed overnight! My heart almost stopped with the overwhelming beauty of it all. Still barefoot, not even noticing the cold ground, I stepped outside to walk between the trees, inspecting each one in turn, ascertaining whether damage had been inflicted. Unbelievably all was intact, each blossom and its leaves delicately frosted and at my feet one single Cherry Blossom in the Snow.
Now you know. :D
Although this pattern isn't so original at first glance it was a challenge for me as a novice crocheter to design a 5-petaled flower motif, round it off, and then square it too. My calculator came in handy as well as grade school math. :D
The instructions are in US TERMS.
Jen
xxx
