Is It Or Isn't It And Other IDs

A quick trip to the allotment this afternoon to drop some stuff off. The site was looking rather melancholy and was quiet. A couple of other plot holders were at work but other than that the place was deserted. Whilst there I noticed this wee beastie on a cosmos flower that is now going over. I read Ryan's post at Ryan's Garden earlier this week and wondered whether the invasion has spread to the north west. Could this be a harlequin ladybird ? I am hoping not. There are certainly numerous aphids about for ladybirds nice or nasty to feast upon. Himself took the car through a car wash a couple of days ago and was not a happy bunny to find the car covered with aphids this morning. After the curses out came the bucket and soapy water. The car has now been parked in a different spot so it will be interesting to see what tomorrow brings.





Now a couple of of plants ids. The first is a lovely day lily which I have been lucky enough to have been given a division of by a dear gardening friend. She swears that the squirrels steal her plant labels and the one that identified this plant has gone missing ~




Finally a tree growing in a Liverpool park, photographed in June this year and then September ~

Cherry on top

I dunno about you…

But THIS…this is better than a yellow cupcake with

pink frosting.

It just is.

fresh

tropical

splashed with a touch of pink

Hellooo cupcake...

Uxua Casa Hotel

Transcoso, Brasil

Yep...even better than a yellow cupcake with pink frosting...

and a Cherry on top.

~slurp~

Thanks Indian Summer for the intro!

Fall in Florida…well… fall in my camera…

You know how great it is when you find money in an old coat pocket?

A gift

Well as I try to…ahem…set up this new hard drive

I unloaded some pics from my trusty camera

That I didn’t really know were in there

and so I share…

And apparently…a certain 14 year old who is enjoying her music theory classes had my camera in her possession for awhile

experimenting with the lens

as did her friends

as they enjoyed their first homecoming dance…

Oy…say’s the mother

I happen to love the bruised knees…from climbing trees

but season’s change…

Fall casually and quietly sneaks it’s way into the usually bright glow

which is the Florida I know…

You learn to see and appreciate the subtleties of natures changes

I do anyway

It is certainly not the plunge of orange fringed harvest hues our northern neighbors are gifted with…

but is a gift all the same

But looking through the shots…

I find some gifts

…are better left in the camera

Just sayin’

Doing It in Style

O IS FOR?




OUTDOORS WEDDING!

This was the glorious setting near Rossendale in Lancashire, where our niece and new husband chose to tie the knot. Afterwards the wedding party traipsed merrily around the reservoir on this memorable July day. Luckily despite the clouds, we did not need the plastic rain ponchos which each guest had been most thoughtfully provided with. Ours are now on standby should the heavens even pour and catch me unawares at the allotment.

Over to ABC Wednesday for more on the letter O.

Meet The Family!

They are sociable, are not fussy eaters, do not play loud music at night and only speak when they are spoken to !

They came home with us after we visited the Malvern Spring Gardening Show earlier this year. Himself having not only talked me into buying a new greenhouse but also into purchasing a Can -O- Worms from Wiggly Wrigglers who were exhibiting at the show. We shared our campervan with a thousands worms for a night or two - well I am exaggerating somewhat - they were in a sealed bag in a storage box, fixed to the back of the van. There was definitely no danger of any of them worming their way into our bed.

I must admit that I had hankered after a wormery for several years and just like the greenhouse they were on sale at a special show price. They are a source of constant amusement - I disappear into the shed at least once a day to check on their well being and to talk to them. However I do not think I will have any usable compost until the spring and I do not think that there will be vast amounts in the future to bulk up my allotment beds. My thoughts were confirmed by a recent visit to the library where I read a report on wormeries in "Which ? Gardening". Although Can- O -Worms emerged as the best buy the report advised that this product will not meet all the average gardener's compost needs. I am not complaining though as I think that I am getting my moneys worth in enjoyment, as well as having another place to dispose of kitchen waste. The question of the moment is whether they will be warm and cosy enough in the shed overwinter or should I bring them inside? Himself is not enthusiastic about the latter option.

Their very first meal ~



Whilst on the subject of beneficial gardening creatures did you know that this is Bee Aware Week? I found out about this accidentally when I was on one of those magical mystery trips that the internet sometimes takes you on. Bee Aware Week is part of an ongoing campaign by the Women's Institute to raise awareness of the decline of honey bees. They are asking all WI members to spend a whole day eating only foods that have been pollinated by honeybees. You'll find an action pack about the issues and recipes and ideas for what to eat on that day here. After discovering some tasty sounding recipes, I will certainly be planning a bee friendly menu at some stage this week. There may be honey cake for afternoon tea but I am not telling the family just yet!

Ever have one of THOSE days.....?

Bear with me

Gentle readers

As I fall apart at the seams.

Yes that faint~ far off scream you hear is me...

Seems as though I may be a tad out of the loop...

as my computerly gifted husband tries to fix

my computer...which tried to dive off a bridge.

I'm sneaking his computer..which he doesn't usually like...cause, well, computers under my power like to take the jump...

The phone doesn't work

the TV is wonky

and I have lost my work planner.

At least I didn't kill the fish...

Oh...That's right...

we don't have any fish.

Carry on and have a good Sunday

Please....for me??

Pleaseantly peaceful photos from: Houzz

"Feed The Birds"

I read in my newspaper on Thursday with some concern that the dry September we have experienced many parts of the U.K., may cause problems for garden birds this winter, according to the Royal Society For The Protection of Birds.

On the plus side the dry weather has produced a bumper crop of berries which will provide the birds with a great food source. However on the negative side the hard earth has sent the worms and other delicacies (slugs and snails) deep underground, making them hard for many of our garden birds to catch. Apparently blackbirds and song thrushes are already suffering. On "Feed The Birds Day" over this weekend the RSPB is asking gardeners to to feed the birds, as well as consider getting engaged in other activities that will provide sources of food for birds. This could be creating a water feature such as a pond, planting berry producing native plants, building insect boxes and setting up bird boxes. All sound advice wherever you are on the planet. For details of "Feed The Birds" events taking place this weekend throughout the country have a peek here.

Information and frequently asked questions about feeding birds can be found here and ideas to encourage birds and wildlife into your garden can be found here. I am hoping to build an insect hotel/wildlife raft at the allotment. The foundations will soon be in situ with some muscle from himself - a couple of wooden pallets, which were wrapped round my new greenhouse when it was delivered, so watch this space.

The seventies meets bamboo meets Bollywood…Yeah Baby!

I don’t even need words.

Do I need words?

Nah…no words.

Done?

Shower off here...

Somebody ate their wheaties…

Yep.

Photos: Marie Claire mag

What's Afoot ?

N IS FOR ?



NOW!
~ is the time for my natty Crocs to go into hibernation until next spring. Having larger than average feet (size 7) and wide ones at that, I often wish that I could be shod like a horse. Shopping for shoes is no fun - dainty shoes and perilously high heels are out for me so I have spent my life in flatties. When I discovered Crocs my feet purred, but is getting too cool and damp for wearing them outdoors now. I must put them aside for the time being and seek alternative footwear :( What type of shoes are your feet most comfortable in ?

P.S. Note all those naughty weeds, self seeders and nasties in my lawn - I need to be nifty and nullify them soon.

Nip over to ABC Wednesday for more on the letter N.

A Quintessentially English Garden

Mill Dene Garden in the Cotswolds village of Blockley, in Gloucestershire was our destination one afternoon in late September. I had read about this garden more than once in gardening magazines and realising that we were staying nearby, prevailed upon himself to whizz me there to see it for myself. I promised that the afternoon tea and cake would be on me.

I liked this atmospheric and shady nook which we came across soon after entering the garden ~





A hole in the hedge can certainly open up the view ~



Oh what's going on here ? Are we about to aboard a train and if so in which direction shall we head ?



Opting for Stoke and Derby on the premise that Crewe and Manchester are almost home territory, we find ourselves not on platform 7, but in the herb garden complete with this summer house ~


I would have been happy to take it home with me. Down some steps and onto the cricket lawn with its herbaceous borders ~



with original benches from Lord's cricket ground and its very own pavilllion. Oh to be able to have an 11th century church peering down on your garden ! ~






Then it was time for tea and homemade cake for himself and glass of lemonade for me as we sat by the pond basking in some warm autumn sunshine ~







In conclusion I liked the quirkiness and individual touches that were apparent throughout the garden which was developed from scratch by its owners. Maybe late September was not the best time to visit in terms of the number of plants out in flower, but then I now have the perfect excuse for a return visit in mid summer when this garden would probably be at its best. Have not informed himself yet !