Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files.
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life. The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent. Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.
Like River I generally run with a theme. Yesterday was one of our first truly wintry days. We started with a crisp frost (we had a minimum of nearly minus 6 centigrade) and bright blue skies. So I went and played in the garden, putting in foxgloves, delphiniums and a poppy. Then I wandered around the back yard and admired a bush I only know as Winter Joy. Not the purple wall-flower of that name but something quite different. (And if any of you know another name for it, I will be grateful). It is a fairly ordinary bush for most of the year, but when it loses its leaves in winter it comes into blossom. Bright cheery yellow blossom. As always, clicking on the photos will embiggen them.
Shortly after that, the day clouded over. Which meant that the sunset was a delight. Never mind the silver lining, yesterday we had pinks, mauves, gold and orange instead. Lovely.
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life. The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent. Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.
Like River I generally run with a theme. Yesterday was one of our first truly wintry days. We started with a crisp frost (we had a minimum of nearly minus 6 centigrade) and bright blue skies. So I went and played in the garden, putting in foxgloves, delphiniums and a poppy. Then I wandered around the back yard and admired a bush I only know as Winter Joy. Not the purple wall-flower of that name but something quite different. (And if any of you know another name for it, I will be grateful). It is a fairly ordinary bush for most of the year, but when it loses its leaves in winter it comes into blossom. Bright cheery yellow blossom. As always, clicking on the photos will embiggen them.
Shortly after that, the day clouded over. Which meant that the sunset was a delight. Never mind the silver lining, yesterday we had pinks, mauves, gold and orange instead. Lovely.
Beautiful! That is like our magnolia...but in reverse. Flowers first and then leaves. That sunset is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteTeresa: The sunset was a treat. The gardening was good too.
DeleteThat IS an incredible sunset, and incredible photos! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteRiot Kitty: It meant that the neighbours had (again) the sight of the mad woman rushing out with her camera and standing in the middle of the road going ooh and aah.
DeleteBeautiful, beautiful, beautiful. And I think that Winter Joy is a perfectly good name.
ReplyDeleteCindi: Winter Joy is a good name, but thank you so much for tracking down that it is really a tree violet. And its perfume (which I forgot to mention is also lovely.
DeleteAnd another big thank you to Laloofah who taught me how to put a link into comments.
DeleteDo you think we could have a lesson on putting links into comments please? I don't think I know how to do it...
DeleteI love those sunset images EC!
ReplyDeleteMia McPerson: It was a lovely sight.
DeleteGlad we share our skies, dear friend :-)
ReplyDeleteAloha
Cloudia: Thank you - I am glad that you share your rainbows - and you get many, many more than I do.
Deletei hear the sky over you
ReplyDeletewhispering the same hopesongs
as the ones twinkling down at me:)
thanks for sharing the beauty
where you are,
Jennifer
Jennifer Richardson: A hopesong is a lovely way of describing the beauty of the sky - thank you for that.
DeleteOf course I have no idea what those little flowers are named, but they are lovely. As the sunset. Take a book to read at the pre-admission clinic tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteJoanne Noragon: The blogosphere didn't let me down - it is a Tree Violet. And I have learnt - I usually have a book with me, and ALWAYS when I am going to the hospital. A big one.
DeleteYour skies are prettier than ours just grey and boring thats us at the moment more rain coming.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what the flower is.
Merle.........
Merlesworld: There is no justice. I would like some more rain - but our clouds have cleared and we have another crisp morning.
DeleteGorgeous sunset!
ReplyDeleteWendy aka Quillfeather: It was, wasn't it. Dawn was nice this morning too but I was too lazy (and not dressed) to go out and greet it.
DeleteI love sunset photos - and sunrise photos. I might have to get up early tomorrow now that you've made me think about this.
ReplyDeleteKathleen Cassen Mickelson: Dawn and dusk are always a delight - and usually worth the effort.
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeleteI have only just read about the appointment and surgery for the SP. I wish you both patience, strength and love. Let's hope that all goes smoothly for once!
There was one of those shrubs at the house we were renting last winter. It always made me feel happy - such pretty, cheerful little flowers.
And finally, finally I have been able to start planting in our "garden". The diggers and graders have finished, the paths are all done, the instant lawns have been laid. It will actually be a garden one day. I have so far planted 3 trees, a camellia, and some azaleas...
Alexia: Exciting times ahead. What trees did you plant? I love camellias (and we have some that are taller than the house) and azaleas too. Our garden gobbles money and time and it is worth it.
DeleteThree of my favourites - a gingko, a dogwood, and a cercis. Do you get the impression I like autumn colours? :)
DeleteI've got quite a few more waiting to be planted, but first we need more top soil to arrive.
Alexia: That sounds wonderful. You know we want photos don't you?
DeleteThe bush looks beautiful, but I don't know it - not by the name you called it neither by any other. I like the blossoms. Such lovely sunset as well - I do love the brilliant colors in the sky.
ReplyDeleteCarola Bartz: The sky is a never ending always changing joy. I am really happy to learn that my Winter Joy is really a Violet Tree.
DeleteThere's always something about a fiery sky that stirs the soul. Lovely pics, as ever! I'm glad you're finally getting some cool temps. Makes life easier.
ReplyDeletePaper Chipmunk (aka Ellen): Cooler is bliss. And, if I do get cold (unusual) it is so much easier to warm up than to cool down.
DeleteOh those flowers are so delicate! A grand sunset too EC!
ReplyDeleteKaren: Thank you.
Delete-6 so you went and played in the garden??
ReplyDeleteYou are one tough cookie!
I've heard of winter joy but can't remember it's other name.
There may even be other plants that get called winter joy, I've heard of wallflowers being called that.
The sunset is lovely.
River: Minus six was the minimum. It was warmer than that when I went out - the sun was up, but I don't know what temperature it was. And MS has to be good for something. I rarely feel the cold. Enjoy it in fact.
DeleteRiver took the words out of my mouth - gardening at minus 6 C?!
ReplyDeleteHow cold do your winters get, at their coldest?
jenny_o: Today we started with a minus two and are heading for eleven. Sometimes we will get down to minus eight or nine, but not usually lower than that. We are lucky and usually have bright clear days, which feel warmer. Even I don't like a grey day stuck in the single digits.
DeleteYour Winter Sweet is Chimonanthus praecox, I am pretty sure, variety Grandiflorus, since it has rather large flowers and red in the centre. It comes from China and can be propagated by layering which takes two years. From seed it takes forever to start flowering and is unreliable anyway. Plants are said to take 7 years to flower but have been known to flower in 3-4 years. likes rather rich soil, well mulched and watered in summer.
ReplyDeleteI had a couple in our mountain garden but they were var. 'Lutea' and only flowered one before the fire bushfire ate them up.
Arija: Now I am in a quandary. You say Chimonanthus praecox and Cindi tells me Melicytus dentatus. I may have to go to a nursery because they both look very feasible. And similar.
DeleteEC why not put both names into Google and see if either or both come up with a picture which could perhaps help you determine what your bush is. Just a suggestion.
DeleteGosh, that is cold I suppose for you! Love those glorious skies!
ReplyDeleteladyfi: It is chilly for Oz - but beautifully fresh.
DeleteIt was a sunny clear day here today...not too cold; just a bit of a nip in the air; but then it never gets too cold here. I love our winters. The cats and I had a lazy day watching movies. ;)
ReplyDeleteLee: I like the idea of sharing a lazy day with the cats.
DeleteLate again. New York is my excuse!
ReplyDelete'You have there Chimonanthus praecox, you lucky duck! Japanese wintersweet, it's sometimes called.
The leaves are the give-away here.
dinahmow: Two votes for Japanese wintersweet and one for a Tree Violet. Off to a nursery I go...
DeleteI'm with Di! But let us know what the nursery says...
DeleteCarol: I am leaning that way myself - but will try and get to a nursery this week some time.
DeleteI just checked both plants on Google and I would plump for C. praecox going by flower and foliage (although not a lot of foliage showing on your pic). It is very beautiful and my favourite yellow of course.
ReplyDeleteThe sunsets are a delight and I am beginning to believe that folk in your eastern states have almost as beautiful sunsets as we do on the west coast except of course ours are over the ocean.
Thanks once again for a wonderful Sunday Selection.
Mimsie: I had looked - and think you are right but there are strong similarities between them (to my eyes anyway). And they are both beautiful.
DeleteBeautiful photos. Gotta love a sunset...
ReplyDeleteDorothy Krajewski: Always. And dawn too.
Deleteoooo, minus 6! That's... brisk :D
ReplyDeleteThat sunset is gorgeous! You get some wonderfully coloured skies, EC.
Oh, and early yesterday morning, on the way to the markets, we saw three balloons in the sky - I immediately thought of you :)
Vicki: I hope the markets went well. And I always smile to see balloons in the skies. Beautiful things.
DeleteSuch pretty pink flowers, and what a sunset! I always come over here to be reminded that winter and summer are both present at the same time on our lovely planet. And to be reminded of you. I hope things are going well in the EC household. Thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteDJan: The blogosphere makes the world a smaller place doesn't it? And I love knowing that someone at least gets rain...
DeleteOh man, those sunsets. We get similar ones over the lake when we're very lucky. Those are some lovely shots, my friend, and they're a pleasure to wake up to on my side of the world.
ReplyDeleteJohn Wiswell: Thank you - I am very pleased to have given you pleasure this morning.
Deletebeautiful down under, S. Xxx It is yucky in Minnesota.
ReplyDeleteMy Inner Chick: I am so sorry. Hot yucky? Humid yucky or wet yucky? We have wonderful rain this morning. Which is making me and the garden smile.
DeleteLovely plant! I've never seen anything like it. Great sunset, too!
ReplyDeleteCarol Kilgore: Thank you. Both of them make me smile - but then lots of things do. Which is lucky.
DeleteAh, wintersweet, is there any scent so lovely? Almost worth having a winter for.
ReplyDeletelynners: It is a gorgeous (and unexpected) scent isn't it?
DeleteThat sunset is spectacular!
ReplyDeleteLynn: It was truly lovely.
DeleteIt's been hot and muggy here today and so when I read you are in your Autumn it makes me think how much I enjoy that first nip in the air, though I do not want to wish my summer away. Your photos are lovely!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a great week,
Denise
An English Girl Rambles
DeniseinVA: I happily wish summer away every year. This cool, clean nip in the air is more than welcome.
Delete'embiggen' - duly noted and stolen.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful colours, the contrast between the bold yellows of the leaves and the warm hues of the skies. Vey pretty indeed.
All Consuming: I acquired embiggen myself in the blogosphere - and love it.
DeleteThose splendid photos are very much appreciated. And here in Britain, winter has also arrived. Did I get that wrong? Oops, considering I've had to turn the heating back on, I'm not so sure.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the photos and yep, I also "embiggen" them. Duly noted again, and after Michelle has stolen that word, I'm going to also. LOL
Gary :)
klahanie: Thanks Gary - I hope that your winter departs again. And the more of us embiggening things the better. Embiggening as the next big thing has charm.
DeleteAnother gorgeous sunset! It's hard to think of winter here, as I'm sweating in the muggy heat. :)
ReplyDeleteLaura Eno: You are more than welcome to keep the muggy heat. Winter is just fine.
DeleteI just love your cats at the bottom of the page!! :)
ReplyDeleteTo these photos, lovely. I love the crispness of the leaves outside the window. Look very fresh.
wordsfallfrommyeyes: The larger cat is Jazz - psycho cat from hell (but beautiful with it), while Jewel is in the rear sniffing at a daffodil.
ReplyDeleteI do love the garden. Blood, sweat, tears and peace.
I love that you call the bush Winter Joy! That is simply charming. Your photos and post gave me a wee chill, just what I need today as I set off to work on a day predicted to reach the low 90s. Ugh, ugh, and ugh.
ReplyDeleteMs. CrankyPants: Low 90s? That is truly vile.
DeleteWhatever the "real name" is for that plant, Winter Joy certainly fits it. I mean, what a wonderful gift it gives! After most of the plants around you are looking all barren and forlorn without their leaves, THAT plant graces you with a cheerful burst of color.
ReplyDeleteYour sunset pics are gorgeous, too. No matter how many sunrises and sunsets we may see in a lifetime, each one is splendid in its own way.
It's Tuesday here now, and I'm thinking about you. I hope your husband's surgery went well. Sending positive thoughts your way.
Susan: Surgery the week after next. The pre-admission clinic was promising so we will see. And yes, dawn and dusk are ALWAYS a joy.
DeleteYour cherry blossoms look lovely! As well as those beautiful sunsets! Wow, the colors are amazing. I never think about planting or preparing my gardens in the fall/winter time only because they die off so very quickly. I need your green thumb around here!!! Enjoy the beautiful season.
ReplyDeleteDeb: Thank you. Not a green thumb. Blood, sweat and tears. All worth it though.
Deletewonderful sunset, hope the skinny one is doing well.
ReplyDeleteLinda Starr: Thank you - his surgery is the week after next.
DeleteSome fantastic pictures in your selection. The sunsets are particularly colourful.
ReplyDeleteRamakant Pradhan: Welcome - and thank you.
DeleteIntriguing images to accompany another lovely post. Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteDave King: Wonderful to see you back - I hope your health continues to improve.
DeleteI have to remind myself that it is winter there while it is summer...hot...hot...summer in Texas. Enjoyed the photos. Jody, The Medicare Mom
ReplyDeleteJody Worsham: Thank you. You can keep your heat. All of it - I MUCH prefer winter.
DeleteDear EC, I see from reading the comments here that someone knew the name of the plant and that it comes from China. Isn't blogging wonderful? It's like sitting at a restaurant with friends and exchanging our days. I hope all is well. And that July 8th will bring some resolution to all the health problems of the past couple of years. Peace.
ReplyDeleteDee: I am so very grateful for the warmth and the wonder I have found here. So very grateful...
DeleteThanks for your good wishes. Hope to get the S.P. some time next week.
ReplyDeleteDave King: I hope everything goes well and that you are soon fully recovered.
DeleteNow that is a sunset!
ReplyDeleteBirdie: It was. Spectacular - and welcome.
DeleteI don't care about clouds, as long as I have a glorious sunset like that one. Many thanks. Lovely images.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
A Cuban in London: I like clouds - watch them and dream about them. And clouds bringing rain are always welcome. It is a bonus when they also give us a sunset like that.
DeleteI adore the yellow flowers that are newbies to me- your lovely pink and blue skies delight my eyes!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the beauty that surrounds you EC.
I pray that all is going well with you and SP.
be well, be happy ~:)
Pam =): Thank you. We are doing ok - working up to his next surgery on Monday week.
DeleteThat's some AWESOME sky. I love it! I used to take pictures at the sky at sunset. I'm too lazy to take pictures of sunrises. :)
ReplyDeleteAl Diaz: I like them both - but this was special.
Deletei enjoyed the flowers and all the information about them in the comments, so pretty, and beautiful sunsets too. Your neighbours are lucky to have you out there with your camera,
ReplyDeleteappreciating the beauty of nature :)
kim: Thank you. Not all of our neighbours share my obsessions. A few years ago one of them (who has sinced moved) rushed across our lawn bashing on a garbage lid to spook the cockatoos. He was successful - briefly. His loss.
DeleteI'm glad he moved, hopefully to a high rise apartment!
DeleteBeautiful, glorious sunsets...but when I see clouds I become panicked..:(
ReplyDeleteunikorna: After your recent experience I am not at all surprised that clouds fill you with panic. They would me too.
DeleteI have one of those gorgeous yellow flowering bushes too - my mum calls it a winter sweet. it smells amazing.
ReplyDeletesepi: Welcome - and thank you. It does smell wonderful doesn't it?
DeleteHi! :)
ReplyDeleteThe flowers are very delicate.
These images of sunsets are wonderful!
Kisses from Rio de Janeiro,
Sissym
Blogzoom
A Verdade é Cruel
Sissym Mascarenhas: Welcome and thank you to you too.
DeleteYour parrots would fit right in with with our Independence Day color scheme ~:>)
ReplyDeleteWishing you and SP good health and much happiness.
Pam =): Thank you. They would fit in with ANY celebration. I hope your 4th was full of family and fun.
Delete