Living in a Box

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This little baby is being reared by my nephew. He fell out of a nest. He seems to be doing well, and we are all hoping he will survive.

How Big is Your Butt ?

It's been a quiet day today. I pottered about, not really getting stuck into anything at all. The weather was lovely apart from a very cool breeze. The breeze has stopped and it's a beautiful evening at the moment. The forecast shows rain tonight. I really hope so. We haven't had a good shower for ages, and we need it.  Baz and I are going to look at getting a water butt. I've just been looking online, and see this one at Tesco that might do the trick. The photo below is from the Tesco website. We're not sure exactly what size to go for. Does size matter ?? I'm sure it does !! I suppose the bigger the better - but we don't have much space for it. Ho hum - decisions, decisions.

I'll let you know what we come up with. I have a lot of orchids indoors (I need to show some photos), and ideally, they should be watered with rain water. And...if this summer is as hot as predicted, we are sure to need the extra water.

So...we're having a quiet evening watching telly. We'll have a full day tomorrow - the kids are all coming for lunch - so we'll make the best of the peace this evening. LOL !!

Restraint

Restraint is one of my biggest problems. Practicing it, that is. I just can't seem to control myself when it comes to anything I'm passionate about. I can't just have one box of coloured soft pastels - I have to have 10 boxes, all the colours of the rainbow. I can't just have one tube of red oil paint, I have to buy every shade of red I can find ! I can't have one or two balls of beautiful wool, I need packets of it !

I am the same with plants and seeds. I cannot pass a seed rack without piling packets of seeds in my  shopping basket. I can't pass the summer bulbs without buying them by the dozen (they are on sale after all). When I visit our garden centre, I want to grow every plant I see. The colours and scents are so enticing. I want to paint a picture in my garden, using the beautiful colours and textures.

I really have to start controlling myself. My hankie garden just will not support all the seeds and plants I have my eye on. I already have so many seedling coming through the soil. The pots are starting to multiply, and I'm looking for more on our local freecycle. Where the heck am I going to put them all ? We won't be able to move out there !! This has to stop.

Well...that's what my head says. But my heart just keeps me planting more and more. I can see I am going to have to have a plant sale out on the street ! Well...while my head keeps "tut tutting", my heart is singing. I don't know when I've had a happier spring !   

Friday in the garden

Today was supposed to be really warm - over 20C - but it certainly didn't feel it. There was a cold wind blowing ! It was a day to do the shopping, and get the house cleaned for the weekend. I really don't like to spend too much time doing household chores on the weekend.

This afternoon, I had a general tidy up in the garden - weeding, deadheading etc.  I sowed 4 courgette seeds (Endurance F1) in small pots (the kitchen windowsill is now FULL). Tomorrow, I plan to get stuck into the bed that is attached to the side of the house.  It's not in the garden at all, but it's looking a mess, so it needs to have a few hours work done on it.

Just a few photos from this afternoon.

The lavender is growing well - really sprouting now. Looks and smells lovely.

Fuschias are looking healthy.

Snapdragons are snapping. (Yes...that is the portion of fence that I am supposed to have painted green. Tomorrow !)

And I'm very pleased with this little fuschia. I thought I'd lost it altogether ! It was in the garden over winter, and I'd forgotten all about it ! It looked dead. I repotted it and talked to it regularly. I didn't give up hope...and now look !! A little bit of TLC is always rewarded (whether in the garden or in life).

I'm off to do some bloghopping while I have the chance. Hope you all have a good evening !

Portulaca

I am really pleased a friend gave me this piece of portulaca. It used to grow wild in my African garden, and I have missed it. I've broken off a bit to root in another pot too. I'll bring it indoors before winter, and look after it. Can't wait for it to flower. 

A People Day

I had a lovely day today - full of people ! I was invited to visit an elderly friend this morning. She lives in a studio flat in a sheltered housing complex nearby. It was great to be able to sit and listen. She doesn't get a lot of visitors, and I know she sometimes feels very lonely. She chatters non-stop whenever I go there. And I barely talk at all. She just needs someone to listen to her. She was a great gardener when she was younger, and still has such wonderful advice to share.

She gave me two small cuttings I'm very pleased with. One is a Schlumbergera (Christmas cactus). I haven't had one for quite a few years, so will treasure it.

The other is a piece of  Zebrina pendula (Wandering Jew).

Now...to get them to root, and we'll be away.

This afternoon I had a surprise visit from my sister-in-law (who lives nearby) with my niece, who lives in Sicily !! It was wonderful to see her. She moved there from Ireland 3 months ago - her husband is Sicilian. She brought photos of the house and garden they are renting on the outskirts of Trapani. Well..the garden is amazing !! Gosh - the fruit...the flowers...a feast for the eyes. I was green with envy ! My sister-in-law has decided she is going to Sicily to live with them. I was even more green after hearing that. But I was made to promise that I will visit them later in the year. That's something to look forward to.

I didn't get anything done in the garden at all today. Between visiting, and visits, and watching South Africa lose to Australia in the Cricket World Cup, there was only time for essential watering. Tomorrow, I plan to spend most of the day in the garden. Wonderful !

Now - I'm off to bed !! Goodnight.

Lettuce Rejoice !!

New Life. I feel like a new mother !! Not the labour & delivery part - but the warm happy afterglow !

Megan's Sunflower

This is Megan's (youngest granddaughter - 3) sunflower seedling. Well...she thinks it is, but technically it's not.

She planted the seed last week, and cannot leave the pot alone.  She has dropped it (and spilled all the contents) four times. So...she has replanted her seed four times. Timothy (11) planted one at the same time, and his peeped through the soil at the weekend...but Meg's did not. I wonder why *sigh*.  So...Meg was very upset when she saw Tim's plant, and she cried. Tim took her indoors and kept her busy for a few minutes while I found a seedling in the garden and put it in her pot. She is now a very happy little girl.

I just wonder how long this poor plant is going to last !

Chive Time

Teeny tiny chives are peeking through the soil. How exciting !!  Let's chive.

April Record

It seems that last night was the warmest April night on record, according to the lovely Claire (the weather girl) on GMTV. Temps dipped to a sultry 15C in some areas.  If this is a sign of things to come, I shall soon be looking at the tropical plants section of our local nursery !

Below are a few scans of photos of my garden in Zimbabwe. I left Zimbabwe to come to the UK at the end of 2001. The photos were taken in 2001. I really miss my garden !

Me - in front of the beautiful petrea. 

My mother and 2 of my dogs - Lily & Gus.