Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday 9 November 2014

Sunday Selections #197

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.  Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.

Like River I usually run with a theme. This week?  Snippets of things which make me Smile.

In the garden.

Green Goddess Arum Lily - none of the coloured ones are anywhere near flowering yet.



Iris.


Pigface.

Foxgloves.

And then to the sky.


And the last one is for Joanne - who is also undergoing bathroom renovations.  Her photo last week reminded me that I do love our toilet roll holder.  It was given to me years ago by a friend who has since moved out of my life - and I cherish it.  And smile at it.


136 comments:

  1. Your toilet paper holder makes me smile, too!!

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  2. What a wonderful way to return to blogland and find these images that make me smile also :)

    Your toilet roll holder is a delight!

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    1. And looking back, your new lush, modern bathroom is spectacular! As were the beautiful, breathtaking sunset photos a few posts ago.

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    2. Vicki: How nice to see you. And I am very glad that you are smiling with me. The bathroom is still a joy. Each and every shower.

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  3. I like the roll holder too. Pig face was wide spread years ago but I haven't seen any for ages. Unfortunate name.

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    1. Andrew: Pigface is still sold in all the nurseries here, and at the markets. I now learn that it is also called ice plant, and ice daisy and wonder why we opted for pigface.

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  4. Pigface is such an unfortunate name for such gorgeous little flowers!

    Love the loo roll holder too :)

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    1. Wendy: Pigface is a bizarre name. Why we chose it/use it I have no idea.
      And I am very pleased that so many people smile with me at our mermaid.

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  5. that green lily is really beautiful! i've never seen one before,
    the mermaid is great

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    1. kylie: Green Goddess thrives in the bed beside our driveway - and in a quiet way is spectacular.

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  6. That sky looks amazing.

    I'm glad the loo roller makes you smile, I've never seen anything like it before! And beautiful flowers too.

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    1. LL Cool Joe: The skies are so often a delight. And I am very pleased to have so many people smiling with me today.

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  7. What an original toilet roll holder, no wonder it makes you smile. I've seen what you call pig flower referred to as a type of daisy here.

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    1. Jaquelineand...: I have learnt (today) that pigface is known as an ice daisy in New Zealand. A name I think I will adopt as well.

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  8. Your flowers are very beautiful but that toilet holder is class. Have a lovely weekend.

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    1. Margaret Adamson: Thank you - and a lovely weekend to you too.

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  9. Now that is a unique toilet roll holder!

    I've not seen pigface for ages (that sounds kind of rude, somehow!)....it used to grow in the sandy soils up north.

    I've just learned.....the leaf juice can be used as a mild astringent. Applied to the skin, it is a popular emergency treatment for jellyfish and similar stings. (Which is very handy as it grew around the foreshores). When mixed with water it can be used to treat diarrhea and stomach cramps. It can also be used as a gargle for sore throat, laryngitis, and mild bacterial infections of the mouth.It can also be used externally, much like aloe vera, for wounds, mosquito bites and sunburn. It is also used to treat skin conditions. It was a remedy for tuberculosis mixed with honey and olive oil. The fruit has been used as a laxative.

    Interesting information to know.

    Have a great week, EC. Cuddles to Jewel & Jazz....and a Hi to The Skinny One. :)

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    1. Lee: How wonderful to learn of a myriad of uses for pigface - as well as looking beautiful. Such a useful plant.
      A great week to you and the furry overlords as well.

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  10. Replies
    1. Mariellle Collins: It is spectacular isn't it? And is spreading through my garden - which pleases me.

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  11. Wonderful mermaid!
    I want to live in Australia all summer and then come back here all summer.
    Sigh.

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    1. Joanne Noragon: I would gladly give our summer a miss. Permanently. It is heating up fast now...

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  12. All were nice pics but I love the sky one! Looking for sunny rays wherever I can find them!

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    1. Bookie: I love the sky in all of its moods too. And yes, sunny rays are always a joy.

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  13. The toilet roll holder is awesome! Beyond cool!

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  14. Love the pigface..is it related to ice plant? And the mermaid toilet paper holder.

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    1. Sue in Italia/In the Land of Cancer: I learnt today that our pigface is called an ice daisy in New Zealand and google tells me that it is also known as ice plant. Not here it isn't. Which is a shame.

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  15. Wowee, number 4 was crazy, it took up the whole page, dazzling. Love 'em.

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    1. Bob Bushell: And, as we drive towards the house they blaze in the top garden. Dazzling indeed.

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  16. That is the best toilet roll holder I have seen!
    I love the red iris too, I didn't know they came in that colour, I've only ever seen white and purple (blue) ones.
    That sunkissed cloud is beautiful.

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    1. River: She is great isn't she? We have quite a lot of iris. Many are white, blue or purple but this one is a gem and I like the yellow ones too. I have seen apricot ones too, but they have been too expensive for me. Yet.

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  17. Gorgeous flowers - I LOVE Foxglove. And that toilet roll holder is adorable!

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    1. mshatch: I am a big, big foxglove fan too. And these ones are coming out more each day. More smiles.

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  18. Pigface? What a rotten name for a lovely flower...unless you find pigs attractive, I guess. :) You have such a beautiful garden. sigh I've never seen a lily that looks like a lettuce leaf. And the toilet paper holder would make me smile too!

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    1. River Fairchild: Even worse it seems to be an Orstrayian name. It is also known as an ice daisy, or ice plant - both much, much nicer names. Whatever it is called I love it.

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  19. I can kind of see why the pigface flower got that name, though everything I've learned here makes me realize it's a beautiful flower after all! I love your iris and fantastic sky, too. The toilet paper roll holder makes me smile, too! :-)

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    1. Djan: Pigface is beautiful. And comes in a range of colours too. The red one has done best in our garden but we also have pink, yellow and white pigface.

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  20. Everything here makes me smile - especially the toilet roll holder! Did your friend make it, I wonder?

    I bought some "pigface" plants (icelandic daisy, here) yesterday, and plan to plant them soon.

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    1. Alexia: Thank you for giving me another - and better - name for pigface. What colours did you get?
      My friend bought our toilet mermaid, and I think the shop has gone out of business. Sad.

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  21. I love seeing your flowers and birds which are so different from what we see on the other side of the world.

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    1. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: It is one of the wonders of the blogosphere isn't it? I love seeing the differences in our countries, our climates, our seasons and plants and animals too. And frequently drool at them.

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  22. Your pictures always make me smile. Well maybe not the bathroom problem ones. Those just made me mad for what you had to go through. But I sure do love the end results!

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    1. Teresa: Thank you. I am loving the bathroom results too. The process? Shudder.

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  23. Your photos are always so beautiful, especially the flower ones. I'd have to say the Foxgloves are my favorite. The TP holder is adorable, you couldn't help but smile looking at that.

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    1. Mason Canyon: I love foxgloves - but my favourite plant changes with the season, the mood, the wind...

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  24. Beautiful photos as usual EC. Your garden must be divine all year round. Loving that quirky toilet roll holder too. Mine is much more mundane. xxx

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    1. Kakka: The garden is not at its best in summer. We have water restrictions (most years) and I cannot spend long outside working. Things crispify. But fortunately many of them return.

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  25. The tootie roll holder is different.
    Love the green lilly.
    Merle..............

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    1. Merlesworld: Do I detect that you aren't a fan of my mermaid? And yes, the green lily is a star. And thriving. With quite a few relatives.

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  26. How lovely EC - snippets of what makes you smile.
    Such beauty in your garden. Mine is bare at present, uninspiring and I have to visit other's garden to smile :)

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    1. Rose ~ from Oz: It won't be long before our garden is much, much barer than it is at the moment. Not a summer garden - which reflects that I am not a summer gardener.

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  27. Bathroom joy indeed, and the mermaid looks gleeful too which is nice to see every day I'm sure. And blooms of riotous colour with a fabulous sky. More balm for the eyes, thank you dearie :)

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    1. All Consuming: The mermaid is gleeful. I am sure she is. And I am always happy to provide eye balm.

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  28. The cloud shot is glorious.

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    1. Delores: It was a delight. We wandered outside to look at it, and both of us said ooh and ahh.

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  29. My favourite photo was the third one, top to bottom. The composition is so unusual and your picture enhanced these details. Thanks.

    Greetings from London.

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    1. A Cuban in London: That iris glows when the sun hits it. And I love it.

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  30. Those irises are wildly beautiful! And the toilet paper holder-- I'm so jealous!! It's gorgeous. Makes me want to find something similar for our home. :D To Etsy to search...

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    1. Raquel Somatra: I thought you would enjoy our mermaid - and hope you can find (or make) something similar.

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  31. Replies
    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: There are. And we bought a few more yesterday...

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  32. Those are some pretty flowers and a gorgeous sky! I like the roll holder too...it looks simple enough for the hubs and kids to put the roll on there even (hahaha wishful thinking). ;) Have a great Sunday!

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    1. mail4rosey: I am still the toilet paper fairy around here. She isn't that simple to use it seems...

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  33. Each flower more stunning than the next. And love that TP holder!

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    1. Lynn: I do like wandering through the garden. So much to see every day.

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  34. Dear EC
    Beautiful irises - they don't like my garden, but I always admire them in other people's. Things that make us smile are what life is all about!
    Have a lovely week.
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Ellie Foster: There is not enough beauty, fun or silliness in this world. And I try and encourage it anywhere I can.

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  35. LOVE the flowers. However, I'm a sucker for cloud formations. The one you posted was beautiful. Don't know why but I'm always snapping shots of different clouds...
    Nice post!

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    1. Terry Lee-Rosing: Welcome and thank you. I spend a LOT of time watching clouds as well. And taking photos...

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  36. I love the photos of the things that make you smile, EC. You've inspired me to think about that on this grey day on the other side of the world.

    Shame about the nickname for those flowers! Although ... piglet faces are pretty cute, in my opinion, so I might just start calling them "pigletface" if I had them here :)

    Have a good week, EC and give my regards to SP and the furballs.

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    1. jenny_o: The pigface has much nicer names in other parts of the world. I may adopt them - or just revel in the beauty (whatever it is called). And a great week to you too.

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  37. What beautiful photos. They made me smile too! I am a sucker for pictures of nature. :)
    ~Jess

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    1. DMS: I am a big, big sucker for a lot of nature's bounty. Except snakes which I can only deal with from a distance.

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  38. Those things would make me smile too :)
    I hope that you always find something lovely to smile about.
    Have a great weekend!

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    1. totallycaroline: There IS always something for me to smile about, or with. Sometimes I have to look for it - but it is always there.

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  39. Interesting... I had never felt concerned about the style of my bathroom toilet roll holder, up until now... but now I feel that our one is just not good enough... It's going to annoy me now, every time I reach towards it :)

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    1. Andrew Maclaren-Scott: Toilet roll holder envy? A waste of energy. Just enjoy the functionality of yours...

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  40. AHHH, Sue,
    how unexpected at the end w/ your toilet paper. LOVELY!
    If you were closer, I'd hug you hard! xxx PS. how are the panthers?

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    1. My Inner Chick: I feel the cyber hugs - and love them. The panthers are much, much happier now there are no workmen in the house. As I am. Hugs back to you.

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  41. My arum lilies are still going, irises are finishing and foxgloves are at their best. Our thunderstorm with 5 mm sheer bliss for the garden, was over a week ago and since then our temps have scraped 40.
    I love your toilet roll holder, at long last equality for mermaids. If there are blond blue eyed ones, there must also be coloured ones. Nice to see the concept realised.

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    1. Arija: We have had no rain, but our temperatures are not as vicious as yours.
      And thank you - I hadn't thought about it before but I love that my mermaid is not blonde and blue-eyed.

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  42. I smile too and your jaunty mermaid, love your shots!

    That Iris is a tiny chapel of light - GASP! Marvelous image




    ALOHA from Honolulu
    ComfortSpiral
    =^..^= . <3 . >< } } (°>

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    1. Cloudia: That particular iris glows and blazes. And I love it - and your description as a chapel of light. Thank you.

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  43. "snippets of things which make me smile" makes me smile big:)
    I love snippets:) And your photos are so chock full of joy.
    THANK you for sharing the grin,
    Jennifer

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    1. Jennifer Richardson: Grins are always good. As is joy.

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  44. I love your toilet roll holder - so unique and wonderful! I would prefer this one to all the boring ones that you can get here.

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    1. Carola Bartz: Most of the ones available here are conventual too - but I do love this one. Quirky and fun.

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  45. That toilet roll holder made me chuckle. Quite delightful.
    I am not a fan of arum lilies but that Green Goddess is really something. Looking forward to seeing the other coloured ones when they flower.
    The pigface we call mesembryanthemum and I must find some as ours seems to have disappeared. I always loved the different collours of it.
    I doubt we in Perth could successfully grow some of the flowers you have in your garden. We just wouldn't be able to keep the water up to them as we once could. Hand watering is just not as good as sprinklers and only being able to use sprinklers twice a week for 15 mins is not enough in our hot summers.
    I just showed Phil the foxgloves and he was surprised at the creamy one as he's only ever seen the wild ones in England and they were always pink.
    Thank you for once again sharing the glories of your garden and that beautiful cloud as well.

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    1. Mimsie: Quite a lot of our garden will suffer over summer. Watering is restricted, and rain is often very limited. I can see things wilting already.
      I was fascinated to learn that the cream foxgloves were new to Phil. They are thriving here, and coming out a little more each day.

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  46. I always look forward to your Sunday Selections. Such a treat :) The Green Goddess Arum Lily and your Mermaid toilet tissue holder grabbed my attention in particular today.

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    1. DeniseinVA: Isn't the Green Goddess a delight? Subtle - and beautiful.

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  47. Always a joy to come and see your Sunday selections. My favorite is the red one! Dragon Hugs.

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    1. Al Diaz: Of course a dragon is drawn to the colour of flames. I hope your hardware problems are settling. Dragon hugs always gratefully received - and returned.

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  48. Our flowers are all gone and you are having such beautiful ones. Good reasons to smile plus the toilet paper holder:)

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    1. Grannie Annie: It is warming up fast here, and the garden is starting to wilt. It will be back. As will your blooms.

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  49. Oh, how I love foxglove!!!

    Pearl

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    1. Pearl: Me too. Old fashioned I hear, and ignore them. Fashion has no place in a garden - or not in mine anyway.

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  50. I've never seen an actual foxglove! I read all about it and how it can be used for medicinal purposes in a very small dosage... but a lot of it could kill you. If you're a herbalist, that is. They are pretty though!!!

    The mermaid toilet roll holder is cute!! :)

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    1. Furry Bottoms: Quite a lot of cottage garden plants can be used medicinally. For those with knowledge - which I don't.
      And I do love our toilet mermaid.

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  51. Okay, I laughed out loud at that last photo!

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    1. Kathleen Cassen Mickelson: Laughter never goes astray. Never, ever.

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  52. OMG those irises are lovely! Wish someone give me a bouquet. :D

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    1. SuperLux: They are great aren't they? And we do bring our flowers inside. Lots and lots and lots of flowers.

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  53. I love everything here! Especially the fiery iris and the sky :)

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    1. Carol Kilgore: I am glad - and, yes I love them too.

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  54. Two falls ago I planted a few "twice-blooming iris." Most of them didn't come up - but I actually had one that bloomed in early summer and early fall this year! Love your photos!

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    1. Susan F.: These only bloom once - but are welcome. Mind you I would like some twice bloomers. This year we have put in some twice blooming liliums I have hopes for. Big hopes.

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  55. Like always beatifull things happening here. As for the last pic I am reminded too that the Tp holder in the ensuite has fallen from the wall.
    I remenber the good old days in the country and the outside dunny , our fav B W was the local farmers monthly ... soft pages, " How are you off for Paper " say's the shopkeeper. Mum would probably say ok for now,we have just started on saddlery... Memories.

    Thank you for your call.

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    1. Vest: I remember paper. I also remember reading about the use of corn cobs - and shuddering. I am obviously very, very soft.

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  56. What an abundance of glorious flowers!

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    1. ladyfi: A temporary abundance - so I am enjoying it while I can.

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  57. Your toilet roll holder gave me my smile of the day, too. :-)
    And lovely pics! I love the irises, and the "pigface" flowers which I don't seem to have seen around where I live (Delhi, India).

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    1. yearful-of-sundays: Welcome. Delhi grows things that I can only dream of - I am glad that the mermaid smiles are world-wide though.

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  58. The last photo really makes me smile. They're all fantastic, but I really love the vibrant color of the pigface. The flower really deserves a better name. :)

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    1. M Pax: Smiles are always welcome. And I think I will now refer to pigface as ice plant...

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  59. Pigface?! What a mean name for a beautiful flower. I am, as ever, in awe of your gardening skills.

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    1. Riot Kitty: There are plants for which my thumb can only be described as brown. Other people can grow them - but not me.

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  60. Pigface is a funny name, I agree. I love the sky photo. It looks like the clouds are forming a heart-shaped cluster of clouds.

    Be well, EC.

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    1. Rawknrobyn: I did love the colours in that cloud, looming over the tree tops.
      I hope that your busy, busy life is productive - and happy.

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  61. That toilet paper roll holder is SO cool! The best part about it? It's like ours in that you can just slip the old one off and back on with one hand. No more fooling with those holder things that have to be popped into either side of something extending from the wall.

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    1. Stephanie Faris: It seems that even this toilet roll holder is sufficiently complicated that only I can operate it. The cats are excused since they don't have opposable thumbs...

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  62. We can't have too many smiles - thank you EC for adding lots more to my day :)

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    1. Kim: Never, ever too many smiles. I don't think there is any such thing.

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  63. have re-visited the photos and have to include the fiery iris among my favorites. Have never seen one that color...gorgeous

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    1. Terry Lee-Rosing: Isn't that iris special? It is always one of the last to come out, and I wait for it (with baited breath) each year.

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  64. I hope Joanne takes your idea and flies with it!
    Your irises always amazing me...Foxgloves are an unappreciated beauty here. We used to pluck the blooms, pop them on our fingers, and chase each other saying "I'll get you, my little pretty!"

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    1. Susan Kane: We did that with snapdragons. Which I haven't planted for several years because they are thirstier than I can keep up with. Sadly this year I won't be putting them in either.

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  65. That photo with the clouds is just amazing... wow.

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  66. Even the sky looks like a flower!

    Hmm, I wonder if the flowers that grow in Oz would grow here. But then again, Oz has very cold weather sometimes. And snow.

    That toilet paper holder is delightful :-) I never knew they can be different.

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    1. Guyana-Gyal: There are a LOT of different climatic conditions here. My city is hot and dry in summer and chilly in winter. Rarely snow - but always frost...
      I do love my toilet mermaid.

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