Flowers and Tea Cups

My Leopard's Bane and Bergenia are brightening up a corner of my back garden. Bergenia isn't everyone's choice of perennial but I like it because it is evergreen here and demands nothing in the way of care. It just keeps on growing and blooming.

None of the English Daisies in their regular spot survived the winter but to my surprise these, in a completely different spot, did fine. So that will now be where I'll let them spread.

Several years ago I bought a small pot of Cow Slips at a plant sale. It has taken a few years but they seem to be spreading at last.  At least I think they're called Cow Slips. Please correct me if  I'm mistaken.

GretchenJoanna and Luna Crone were wondering about my garden tea cups. I'm not too sure how to explain so hopefully these photos will help. DH cuts the 2" rounds with a hole saw but slices could also be cut off a 2" dowel. A smaller dowel is fitted into a hole in the bottom and the saucer glued to the 2" dowel. I tried gluing the cups onto the saucers but it wasn't a good idea. It's easier to clean them if you can separately rinse the cup then the saucer. I hope this helps even though I've explained it poorly. Oh yes, and the small dowel is about 6" long and should fit snugly into the pipe you hammer into the ground.

 

Thanks for visiting, 


      Granny Marigold

Flowers, Tea Cups, and Food

We had a mix of sun and cloud today. It's okay because this way the Tulips will last longer than if we get some hot days. Which we have not had any of so far.  This is the front garden.

 There was a Robin taking a vigorous  bath just before I snapped this picture. You can still see the little waves he left behind.

               I've put the tea cups back outside. Some in the front yard and these in the back.        
               The old bed ends stayed outside all winter and seem no worse for wear.

We did the grocery shopping this morning. I was attracted to all the delicious looking vegetables!
The big white one is a Daikon which tastes a lot like a radish.

                           And in my kitchen I baked cranberry scones.

And that  has been my day so far. Now it's time to think of supper.
Have an enjoyable weekend!!



Please leave a message so I know you came by...      Granny Marigold

Morning Walk

These photos are actually from yesterday's walk. We drove out of town a short way to walk somewhere other than our usual route around our little lake. 

Parks Dept has been doing some clearing in this area. I wonder what they plan on planting instead of the tall grass that was here before.

We heard lots of birds singing but only managed to spot a couple. The Warblers especially, are so flitty it's almost impossible to get a decent picture. So these pics are off the internet.

The Common Yellowthroat is easily identifiied by his black mask and Wichity-wichity-wichity song.

The Yellow-Rumped Warbler is also easy to ID because of his various yellow spots.

After having such a warm sunny day yesterday today it is cloudy but still fairly nice. I've been outside puttering about, now I'm baking and later hope to hit a garage sale that I didn't realize was happening or I would have gone before I started baking. Hope I find some treasures.


Thanks for popping by,


         Granny Marigold

Friday's Flowers

I can't ressist buying flowers even if it's probably too early. These Marigolds and Pansies ( or maybe Violas) I got about a week ago. The Marigolds are doing fine outside but the Violas are not. I put them in small pots and had them on the kitchen window sill where they were not thriving.  Today I planted them outside where I hope they'll do better.

             My Christmas Cactus has a few flowers again!

          Leopard's Bane is an old fashioned flower that faithfully blooms every Spring.

 

I kept a couple of white geraniums through the Winter. They're getting very lanky and will soon go outside.

We're having a sunny day and temperatures of 20C (68F) . I spent as much time as I could outside because showers are predicted for tomorrow.

Hope you had a lovely Friday!!


                  Granny Marigold

A Sunday Drive

The sun was shining so after our walk we took a drive in the country. We stopped to buy Daffodils at this booth on someone's yard.

This area has the right soil for Daffs and they grow in fields and even beside the road.

We stopped to take some pictures at this farm. The gazebo under the blossoming tree was only one reason I wanted to stop here.  Can you see what's behind the gazebo?

Donkeys!!  I don't know much about donkeys but these looked smaller than usual. I couldnd't help wondering if it was a donkey rescue place.

Karen might be able to give some info since this is not far from Wyndson Farm.

I had hoped to see some Spring lambs but didn't spot any lambs or even full grown sheep.

We came home and sat outside in warm sunshine. We had our warmest day so far....20C  or 68F.
Is tomorrow a normal Monday for you?   I'm such a routine orientated person that I'll be doing laundry as usual but also tidying the house up getting ready for DH's siblings ( well, those that live in BC) coming in the evening.

There's a chance of showers tomorrow.  I hope they hold off until the afternoon.

Thanks for coming by. 



           Granny Marigold

A Very Short Post

I couldn't resist posting this picture of a bunny in a Kevlar vest that was on our local police Face Book page. I thought there was a resemblance between this bunny and my Cinnamon.

                                                           Happy Easter!!

Remembering Gladys Taber

Gladys Bagg Taber was born April 12, 1899. . She spent her life writing about every-day simple things, especially her home,  Stillmeadow, her cats and dogs.   I first heard of her when she wrote a column called Butternut Wisdom in the magazine Family Circle in the 60's.  Later I was able to find 6 of her books which I treasure and I'm always on the look-out for more.  Gladys Taber died in March of 1980.

Ellabie asked recently about Scillas and if they were invasive. These pictures of my front garden show just how  they've taken over. I still like them in spite of their invasive habit and they do basically disappear once they're done.

     I don't think I've shown you the lovely bunch of Daffodils I bought on the weekend. They have a lovely scent.

We had a glorious sunshiny day today and I wore my gardening hat and did not get burnt!!
I was looking forward to seeing the full moon this evening but clouds have moved in again and I was disappointed. Now we're in for rainy days; maybe by the weekend this weather system will have moved on and we can enjoy the sun again.

I always appreciate your comments.  It's nice to know that you came by.

                             Granny Marigold

Sunday Morning Walk

Usually we walk to the park near our house and walk by the lake. Today we drove to a park a short drive away to walk there instead. The sun was shining and it was early enough so we met very few people.

This has the unlovely name of Fish Trap Park.  I'm not sure if this is considered a creek or another small lake.

This stump had some kind of fungus growing along the side. Anyone know what kind it might be?

We would have missed this Bush Tit nest if we hadn't noticed the Bush Tits working on it. They keep up their twittering little songs as they create their  strange hanging nest.

We enjoyed our walk and the rest of this rare sunny day. I'm hoping we'll have a few more in the week to come.

Thanks for visiting today,  Always love to read your comments.



        Granny Marigold

Purple

Just for fun I went around my house looking for purple things to take pictures of.
The cute little light purple bowl I bought this week at the thrift store (.50)  The Quail eggs are from the grocery store ( DH kindly "blew" them out then made himself an omelette.
I have had the yellow piece for over a year but can't decide what it is... a mug?  Also I have nothing else yellow it seems so I don't put it out much.

Then I went outside to get a pic of my Pasque Flower which amazingly knows just when to flower no matter how early or late Easter arrives. It doesn't need supporting so the rusty old wire cage is there to mark the spot since the plant will basically disappear until next Spring.

                                  A purple Hyacinth just opening.

                                  And a purple Pansy to end my purple post.
                                 I hope you are having a good week-end!

                     Thanks for visiting,


                     Granny Marigold

A few Spring Blooms

The few days of sunshine that we had brought some welcome blooms to my garden.

                                        Daffodils, of course,

                                          A small patch of Violets

             Scillas have naturalized and spread their lovely true blue flowers all over both the front and back gardens.

My faithful Bloodroot blooms every Spring.  The pure white flowers appear before the foliage begins to unfold.  After blooming the large leaves will grow to their full size  and if  I remember to keep it watered they stay nice all summer. Otherwise the plant sort of disappears ( which is why I've chosen to grow it in a pot.)

Today we are back to rain again and that's the forecast for the next 3 or 4 days. 
 BTW, I went to the thrift store today and found a wide brimmed gardening hat. Well, it's more like a Tilly hat but I'm going to use it to keep my face from getting sunburned again!!

Thanks for popping in. If you leave a comment I'll know you came by.


Granny Marigold