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.
Huge thanks to Cie who gave me this wonderful Sunday Selections image.
The meme was then continued by River at Drifting through life. Sadly she has now stepped aside (though she will join us some weeks), and I have accepted the mantle.
The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent. Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to me. Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
I usually run with a theme. This week it is more snippets from home. The week just gone was a very busy one, with some ugly bits (no photos) and some beautiful things too.
We finally had our solar panels installed on Thursday. It has been a long and complicated process but they are up now. We have a battery too so we should use very little energy from the grid (unless our current cloudy days continue). Any extra energy we produce once the battery is full goes back into the grid.
Installing and connecting the battery didn't go as smoothly. Supervisory head scratching was involved.
We are very glad it is done.
The garden continues to bring me joy.
The begonias and the daisies continue to flower.
I hope you find colour and joy too.
I'm so glad that you solar panels are installed. You're getting clean energy and when and in no time, it will be truly free energy.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing the parrots eating from your hand. That is so cool. They are tame but free to go where they please. They are having the best of both worlds.
The only color plants I have in my house at the moment is my poinsettia which is still in full color and my Cyclamen which I bought for Valentine.
I'm still counting days to spring. We are at day 36.
Take care and enjoy your paradise.
Hugs,
Julia
Julia: Thank you. It will take a while before it is free energy but our bills will drop dramatically and already we are contributing to reducing the use of fossil fuels. A win. The king parrots are not tame precisely, but trust us. Which is an incredible privilege. Enjoy your week. I hope that Spring turns up early for you.
DeleteProbably a good thing you weren't there when they put it up.
ReplyDeleteAlex J. Cavanaugh: One of us had to be here while it was installed - but I was glad not to be the one.
DeleteYay for solar panels! It makes me so mad when Big Polluters block and/or regulate the installation, since it takes money out of their pockets. Everyone should have solar.
ReplyDeleteLove seeing the birds perched for the free handouts. :) It's wonderful that you give them such safe haven.
I prefer your naked ladies to what my city offers: naked bike rides through town. It's a weird place...
Stay sane-ish, healthy-ish, partially rested, my awesome friend. Hugs to you and scritches to the Furry Spikemonster.
River Fairchild: Naked bike rides? In winter? Shudder. That is a sight I don't want to see. His high and spikiness got me up early again but has now retired back to bed. Just as soon as it is light he will no doubt be up again. Sane(ish) healthy(ish) and partially rested is my goal - since perfection in any of them is not a happening thing.
DeleteHi EC - like Alex ... the best thing was you were away - but they'll make a huge difference once properly up and running, very soon. Great photos to see = men at work!!
ReplyDeleteBut the garden plants, birds and general delights of feeding from the hand ... wonderful for us to see - thank you ...
Cheers and all the best for the week - Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: We are very glad to have them (finally) in place. And the garden and the birds continue to bring us joy. I hope your week is packed with it too.
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeleteI am sure the solar panels will make a big difference over time. With the way energy bills are going up, perhaps we should all think about having them installed if we can!
Lovely flora and fauna to enjoy too.
I hope you have a good week.
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: We are hoping that the solar panels make a very big difference. More and more houses in our street have them connected - which is lovely.
DeleteAll set and ready for solar panels, now it is energy wise EC.
ReplyDeleteFeeding from the hang, beautiful.
Bob Bushell: We never, ever tire of hand feeding the birds. And count ourselves lucky.
DeleteI have the perfect exposure for solar panels and would love to have them.
ReplyDeleteTheHub does not agree.
Oh what beautiful birds you have. Once again I have bird envy!
Anne in the kitchen: Himself hung out for a while - but finally came on board. Yay.
DeleteI suspect that many of your birds would fill me with envy too.
Eso supone un coste más barato de la luz. Cada vez se va viendo más, las viviendas con paneles solares.
ReplyDeleteVENTANA DE FOTO: Over time our light/power will be much cheaper, and better for the planet. We are seeing more of them too, which delights me.
DeleteSo nice that you got your solar panels installed, that will be great. Your flowers are all gorgeous and you know how much I love the beautiful birds. Enjoy the weekend! :)
ReplyDeleteMartha: Thank you. The birds are here again this morning - which is lovely.
DeleteHooray for solar panels! We've been wanting to get some ever since we moved 5 years ago, but we haven't found room in the budget for them yet. Hopefully soon...
ReplyDeleteYour garden is lovely as always!
Diane Henders: Our budget took a big hit, not least because we had to have our (old) fuse box replaced as well. I am so grateful we could find the money.
DeleteWow the workman do look knackered.
ReplyDeleteYeah head scratching is a common sight when something isn't quite working. I know that feeling all too well.
Those birds would bring me joy too.
LL Cool Joe: I gather that the tradies who had been on the roof spent about half an hour flaked out on the lawn. I can't say I blame them.
DeleteRestricted access, authorized personnel only? Did you buy the equipment or are you renting it? If that was my house I would have those lids off as soon as they left just to see the circuitry inside. Did they leave instructions and manuals?
ReplyDeleteMike: We have purchased the panels and the battery and neither of us has any intention of checking out the circuitry. Well outside our skill base.
DeleteThe solar panels will make a big difference.
ReplyDeleteThe flowers continue to give us great joy as well.
: )
Catrina: Thank you.
DeleteGood morning, EC. My landlords had solar panels installed a few years ago now. I draw my power from their set-up.
ReplyDeleteThe king parrots were cruising around here during the week. They are lovely birds.
Take good care...I hope all is well, and may the week ahead treat you kindly. Cuddles to Jazz. :)
Lee: All of your power from their set-up? That is impressive. We always like to see the King Parrots and I agree that they are lovely birds.
DeleteI hope you and the furry overlords have a wonderful week.
Good decision. The investment will soon amortise.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, like you thinking of naked ladies in the garden let my heart rise like a falcon up to the sky. ;-)
Sean Jeating: Naked Ladies as a name always makes me smile. Mind you they are prettier than any 'lady' of my acquaintance.
DeleteThat investment is a good one...As usual your glorious garden and birds make my afternoon. Wishing you a sweet night.
ReplyDeletee: We thought so too. For us and for the world.
DeleteCongratulations on getting those solar panels up and running. And thanks for the flowers and birds to brighten my day, too! :-)
ReplyDeleteDJan: Thank you - I am so glad to think that our garden can brighten people's days across the world.
DeleteHooray for solar panels. I remember getting many phone calls last year from a company wishing to sell me solar panels, after the first few I just kept hanging up on them.
ReplyDeleteRiver: We got those calls too. Lots and lots and lots of those calls. And did not go with them.
DeleteYour flowers and birds are such a tree! Thank you friend
ReplyDeleteCloudia: Thank you.
DeleteTreat
ReplyDeleteCloudia: Trees are treats in themselves.
DeleteThe solar panels are a great addition. Great job.
ReplyDeleteLove the birds and the blooms. You are surrounded by beauty, EC.
Marie Smith: Thank you. I am a beauty addict and so glad to find it close to home.
DeleteGood for you and good for mother earth.
ReplyDeleteThe flowers are lovely, as usual, and I will giggle about naked ladies, too.
Joanne Noragon: I know where the name comes from but it always makes me giggle too. My inner child loves it.
DeleteAwesome about the solar panels. I can imagine it is tough when there is a technical problem but I am glad they figured it out. Enjoy! Love the garden shots. So beautiful and I giggled at the naked lady flowers right away. ;) Fun!
ReplyDelete~Jess
DMS ~Jess: I hope there are no more technical problems and I am glad that they were able to work it out (though the sound system for the PC has suffered). Hooray for giggles.
DeleteYour solar panels look excellent, and I'm so glad the installation is finally finished and you are free of the workers. They do look very hot and tired in that photo. Your roof itself is very nice, by the way.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful flowers (I especially like those daisies) and birds. I can almost feel the claws and the light weight of the bird on my own arm. It must be a magical feeling.
I hope your week goes well, dear friend.
jenny_o: It IS a magical feeling when the birds decide to land on our hands/arm. That is himself in these photos but it is an experience I have often had and treasure.
DeleteI hope that your week is a decided improvement on ones you have endured recently.
It was quite smart of you to install those panels. Sounds like not so with the battery, though.
ReplyDeleteI always love it when my naked ladies appear in my garden. So glad to see they are doing well in yours, dear.
Bleubeard and Elizabeth: We have had a few very hot and dry summers. I am so glad that at least one of the naked ladies has survived - and hope to see more in the coming weeks.
DeleteI think the battery was also a good decision, but time will tell.
well done on getting the battery as well as panels. We have had solar panels for some years now and I'm sure my kiln fires better on sunny days when it is running more from those than the grid.
ReplyDeleteAnna: It is something I have wanted for some years now, and I am glad it has finally happened. Interesting that your kiln runs better on sunny days.
DeleteThats's a good idea to have solar pannels installed will save you quite some money !! Your flowers and the colorful birdie cheers me up ! We hzve such an awful and grey weather !
ReplyDeleteGattina: I am very glad to cheer you up.
DeleteNo parrots here--- In parts of California there are flocks that derived from escaped parrots. There was one big blue macaw that used to fly over the house we lived in near San Francisco, many years ago. I applaud your solar panels. And I thank you for your many nice words when you visit.
ReplyDeleteBill: My kind words are totally warranted by the quality of your photos.
Deleteyay for solar!
ReplyDeleteMy house is ideally placed for solar with a very long, North facing roof. I looked into getting panels but I won't qualify for finance until I'm back in work.
Working on rooves is so exposed, your installers must have been pleased to go home.
Have a good week
kylie: It is a big initial expenditure isn't it? I am sure that the workies were glad to go home - and who could blame them.
Delete"I hope you find colour and joy too."
ReplyDeleteThank you. You too!
Sandi: Thank you.
DeleteThat will reduce your bills then, the panels? How long will it take to pay them off? Were they quite expensive with the battery? Are they installed by the electric company itself, and then do you get dollars credited back when your panels supply the grid? I never knew how that all worked.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: It will reduce our bills, and will also be good for the environment. They are expensive, and will take a while before we recoup the expenditure. As well as reducing our expenditure we will get a small (very small) amount back for the power we feed back into the grid. We went with a different company to our electric company, and we should see a dramatic reduction in our next electricity bill.
DeleteThat will sure be nice, the reduction in the power bill. I have that little power battery, the jackery, that my brother gave me for Christmas. You can buy a solar panel to charge it. You can also buy a small wind/water power generator to hook to it. It can either be tossed in a running stream, to generate power, or set up as small windmill. these new items are so clever, for power generation.
DeleteStrayer: They are clever. And much greener than the alternative.
DeleteI call them Naked Ladies,too!
ReplyDeleteI envy you for those solar panels. We have been thinking of putting solar panels on our roof for several months now. However, it looks like they're changing some of the rules and instead of making it easier and more tempting for people to install solar panels it will be more difficult and less tempting. This in California that always prides itself for being so progressive and doing a lot for the environment. What a farce! I am getting more and more disenchanted by the day.
Oh those beautiful birds! They must bring you such joy and probably are a restful relief after a hard shift with Lifeline.
Carola Bartz: Snap. They keep changing the rules here and making it less attractive. I am still very glad that we went ahead.
DeleteAnd yes, the birds (all of them) bring me bucket loads of joy, and to be trusted is an incredible privilege.
Yes, I'm so happy they got their work completed too for you all, and my what a process. Thank you for bringing me my joy and color and seeing your lovely flowers and birds and their enjoyment of life and food! I'm happy you share your garden which is something in the very far away future for us here. I believe it's Monday for you already, so enjoy your week ahead.
ReplyDelete21 Wits: It is indeed Monday. Early Monday, but I have just been out taking photographs of a gentle dawn. I hope your week goes well.
DeleteThe solar panels sound like a great thing to have. Your garden always brings great joy to me. Thank you so much for sharing it. I love the Naked Ladies too and wonder if they would grow in my area of the US. I hope you have a wonderful, safe and colorful week my friend.
ReplyDeleteMason Canyon: Thank you. It might be worth checking with a nursery to see if Naked Ladies would thrive in your garden too. Here's to a safe and colourful week for us all.
DeleteHow cool to have birds eating out of your hands. They are pretty too and so are the flowers.
ReplyDeleteMy brother had solar panels installed before they sold their house and he said it was a complicated install as well.
Mary Kirkland: Hand feeding the birds never, ever gets old.
DeleteIt was complicated negotiating to get the solar panels installed - but we are glad we did.
It sounds as if your week has had a few ups and downs.
ReplyDeleteNice to get the solar panels installed though ...
Your flowers and birds are so colourful.
Out and about this past week I saw snowdrops, crocus and daffodils. This week however, we have Storm Dudley and strong winds approaching the UK so I fear some of the blooms will be spoilt.
Sending my good wishes for the new week ahead.
All the best Jan
Lowcarb team member ~Jan: Thank you. Your spring flowers must be so very welcome. I hope that Storm Dudley is gentle and doesn't bring too much damage with it.
DeleteIt's not just you, every time we have anything installed or fixed around here, there's a lot of head scratching and troubleshooting going on.
ReplyDeleteYour garden is delightful, the birds are their usual wonderfully pretty selves.
My selections are over here.
messymimi: Troubleshooting here continues. Some problems seem to have been resolved (fingers crossed). Thank you - and I thoroughly enjoyed your selections when I saw them last night.
DeleteYour garden and the birds are so lovely, EC - they lift my spirits immensely. The solar panels will surely prove a great investment.
ReplyDeleteI missed commenting yesterday - we had a visiting cyclone, called Dovi, and power was out for the whole day. People in some parts of the country are still without power, including our daughter and son-in-law, who live only 15 minutes' drive from us! Today is much calmer, thankfully.
I hope you have a good day today, and a happy week :)
Alexia: No power for the whole day shows us just how much we rely on it doesn't it? I hope that your daughter and son in law have their power back again now. Hooray for calmer days.
DeleteI love that picture of you and the bird, made me smile. I'm a member of some birdwatching groups and love how they interact with us humans.
ReplyDeleteYay on the solar panels, and when I had them installed years ago in the former paradise I lived in, I was told one didn't need sun, it's not as high a charge but still a charge.
XO
WWW
Wisewebwoman: Thank you. That is himself in these photos but we both relish the opportunity. We are noticing that the panels charge on partially cloudy days at least. Which is wonderful.
DeleteGreat photos of flowers and birds. Interesting about the Solar panels.
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: Thank you.
DeleteHow fantastic to have solar panels installed! I have a tiny one that controls my gate, and a north-facing roof that would be perfect, I think. I'm so upset with any unwanted visitors that have made their way to Canberra, I hope they haven't made things difficult for you. I read about the Book Fair, that they made 'unfair' :(
ReplyDeleteKim: The solar panels are great. The cancellation of the book fair was a huge disappointment. And a worry, since we get most of our year's funding from them. And sadly yes, himself did have a run in with two of the oxygen thieves. Police intervention was needed.
DeleteI hope he himself is okay and that the thieves were appropriately dealt with and learn to be ashamed of themselves.
DeleteKim: It was assault rather than theft. Four policemen came at a run and pulled the perpetrators away. He was shaken and stressed but is fine. It was incredibly fortunate that he was on the phone to the police when the aggression took place.
DeleteOh EC. As if there isn't enough to be stressed about without having to deal with aggressive people like that. It's sickening. Big hugs to you and your man, and big thanks to the police for being so prompt.
DeleteKim: Thank you. Long story, but it was an awful interlude.
DeleteI am enjoying my first bird feeder outside my kitchen window. I love each little bird that arrives and I told my daughter I had named them all. She thought I was ready for the funny farm. LOL
ReplyDeleteGranny Annie: We haven't named them all, but do watch for them each and every day. Our place in the funny farm has been reserved. See you there.
DeleteWe are considering getting a solar system, too. I notice you have a Generac Battery. Please let me know how it is doing. Any problems with it?
ReplyDeletegigi-hawaii: So far, so good - except that we think our battery is perhaps a little small. We will monitor that for a while and perhaps upgrade.
DeleteYay to your panels being installed, and yay to those cool and colorful flowers. Happy Valentines Day 💝 Hugs, RO
ReplyDeleteRO: Thank you. It is lovely to see you and I do hope that life is treating you well.
DeleteI actually love those candid shots of the roof, with the contrast between the verdant plants and the shining energy panels. It gives a heartwarming message, to me at least.
ReplyDeleteJohn Wiswell: Thank you. We like it too. One company suggested that we cut back the trees. They didn't get our business.
DeleteWow.. love those parrots.
ReplyDeleteGlad your solar panels were finally installed.
Hena Tayeb: We love the king parrots too. And hooray for solar.
DeleteBeautiful blooms....I wish more people would install and use solar panels. Even in rentals there I live.
ReplyDeleteDonna: Solar panels are a significant financial investment. I am so glad that we were able to do it.
DeleteNaked lilies, I wonder WHY the name? But it is in one of my favourite colour of mauve. We wanted solar panels in our house 14 years ago but it was quite complicated getting someone who knows how to install them well so it was not done. I think over here, we can practically run entirely on solar energy as it is blazing every day. The workers look relaxed on the lawn and the birds are so friendly. Our just fly away.
ReplyDeletekestrel: They are called Naked Ladies because the flower stem appears before the leaves. It was complicated getting the panels connected, but I am glad that we persevered. We won't get all of our energy from the sun, but it will make a difference.
DeleteMagnificent post ..x
ReplyDeleteaussie aNNie: Thank you.
DeleteThe sun brings forth flowers, colourful birds and now electricity too. My mother had panels installed years ago and found they saved her money - even in the cloudy English climate.
ReplyDeleteJohn "By Stargoose And Hanglands": Thank you. I hope the panels do save us money, and also that they help the environment. We are far too dependent on fossil fuels here.
DeleteIt's lovely there! We are so frozen!
ReplyDeleteJen Jilks: Welcome and thank you. I hope that your spring is on its way.
DeleteI always love your flowers and birds, and the fact that our seasons are on different times. Your spring always gives me hope in our winter, and your fall and winter help me to breathe easier in the heat of our summer.
ReplyDeleteCindi: Thank you. And snap at relishing the very different weather from the other side of the world.
DeleteUntil last Saturday all ground was covered the snow here. Thanks God, it was abit suny day today. Photos you shared look beautiful Dear E,C.! I loved Begonias and other flowers. Greetings
ReplyDeletebread&salt: Thank you. I am glad that your sunshine is returning - and we love the begonias too.
DeletePoor installers of solar panels I hope you had some cool beverages for them. Flowers and birds are so colourful and exotic - and naked ladies a funny name.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte (MotherOwl): Himself offered them drinks but they were refused. The naked ladies are so called because their flower stems and the blooms emerge from the ground before the leaves.
DeleteAh we have some flowers doing the same as well, they are called "Naked virgins" in Danish :) They are much like crocuses.
DeleteI hope you still read blogs, as I'm writing for you. I try to put up a new piece of Susan's story every day iuntil you return, and hope it helps just a bit.
Charlotte (MotherOwl): I have now (I think/I hope) caught up on your writing. As was intrigued.
DeleteI love seeing the birds! :) It's great you were able to install the panels and get a battery too. We installed a lot of solar panels on our house once we built it but we haven't bought a battery yet - hubby assures me we can consider adding it on in future, but right now all our extra power just goes to the grid.
ReplyDeleteHope your week is a good one so far :)
Away From The Blue
Mica: We are already considering an extra battery. But not yet. The birds are a constant joy.
DeleteInstalling those panels must have been a hot job!
ReplyDeleteLove seeing the colours of the flowers and birds. We're mostly still white up here, but spring is on the way!
Jemi Fraser: A very hot job. We have had a relatively mild summer, but being on the roof even in the milder temperatures would not be fun. I hope your spring is not far away.
DeleteLovely as always, especially the beautiful bird you have eating out of your hand. And a huge congratulations on those solar panels. The planet thanks you.
ReplyDeletecleemckenzie: I am really pleased to notice more and more homes with solar panels. Many of the local businesses have come on board too. Which is wonderful.
DeleteIsn't that King Parrot beautiful?
I'm so excited about the solar panels. Please keep us updated--and maybe a tutorial on how everything works....Hint. Hint. Wink. Wink.
ReplyDeleteYour birds and flowers are a piece of paradise.
Hugs
Sandra Cox: So far so good - though we need to call the company later today. The on-line connection (where we can monitor how much energy we are generating and using) has dropped out.
DeleteThe birds and the garden provide me with a LOT of solace.
We have panels, and what a great invention. Our elec. bill is $40/mo. While without one, our bill was $100.
ReplyDeleteGoodness your flowers are incredible. I am watching your birds. Corella?
Susan Kane: We hope our bills drop dramatically too - and that we can feed fossil fuel free energy back into the grid.
DeleteThe corellas are certainly about. I have just taken them out some seed - and watched them evict the pigeons from the feeders.
I hate to be unfaithful, but I'm jumping from corellas to galahs. Galahs have an elegance, and probably a better personality. Sorry. I know you are disappointed.
DeleteSusan Kane: Not a problem. There is room in my heart for them both.
DeleteYour solar panels are up? That's amazing. I love that orange and green bird. What a stunner.
ReplyDeleteKalpana: They are up, though there are problems. We are in negotiation with the installation team. And yes, the King Parrots are beautiful.
DeleteThe flowers and the white bird 🐦 guess parrot looks great. Having a solar panel is quite a fantastic experience
ReplyDeleteSteve: Thank you.
Delete'Yay!' to solar panels. :) I hope that takes a massive dent out of your utility bills. I also like the paving stones you have down.
ReplyDeleteMay your time away be well spent taking care of you and yours. xx
Bea: Thank you.
DeleteIncredible flowers❤
ReplyDeleteKinga K.: Thank you.
DeleteI just read your latest post. I wish you a speedy recovery. Much love from London.
ReplyDeleteA Cuban in London: Thank you.
DeleteLeaving you a comment here in hopes you'll see it, since you've turned off comments on your post where you announce you're taking a break. I hope for a speedy recovery for whatever is ailing you and look forward to your return. Healing ((HUGS)) You'll be missed.
ReplyDeleteSandy: I have been so very grateful for all these well wishes.
DeleteEstimada amiga, ten siempre presente que lo primero eres tu, y tu salud: así que mucho ánimo y que te recuperes pronto, que por aquí estaremos cuando decidas volver.
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo y cuídate mucho.
Manuel: Thank you very much.
DeleteHi EC - thinking of you ... sent with hugs - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary Melton-Butcher: Thank you (and for your emails too).
DeleteHave a lovely time relaxing, doing nothing (if possible), listening to music and reading books. :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy Solar Panel Days.
neena maiya (guyana gyal): Thank you so much. Some of the essentials were done. Much relaxing (also an essential) was also done.
DeleteHave an awesome time relaxing!
ReplyDeleteNas: Thank you.
Deleteomg, a wild parrot eats from your hand. Such a joy that would be to me. Enjoy your time out. See you in March!
ReplyDeleteJ C: It is a joy. A never ending joy.
DeleteTake care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you and sending lots of good wishes.
All the best Jan
Lowcarb team member ~Jan: Thank you too.
DeleteI really like that roofing, and those flowers, and bird, are truly beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI'd love it, if a bird would eat from my hand like that!
Anonymous: Hand feeding the birds NEVER gets old.
DeleteHope you can rest and care for yourself for a while (well, always actually).
ReplyDeleteAndrew MacLaren-Scott: Thank you. I struggle with self care - it feels indulgent, but is sometimes necessary (and over due).
DeleteTake care of yourself. I think of you and hope you will be better soon. I will send you lots of kisses and hugs.
ReplyDeletevery nice
ReplyDeleteorvokki: Thank you.
DeleteWish you hadn't turn off comments on your most recent post. Wanted to come by to say hi and check in on you; so have scrolled back to your older post the last couple of times I've popped in.
ReplyDeleteSandy: Thank you for your repeat visits. I am back, and you will no longer have to scroll back to comment.
DeleteI'm just dropping by, to let you know, I hope, you're doing well.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous: Thank you.
DeleteSo beautiful
ReplyDeleteRajani Rehana: I am glad you enjoyed them.
DeletePlease read my post
ReplyDelete