Sunday Selections #641

 

 

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. I have seen my neurologist but have no answers yet.  More tests and then back to see him again. The body is still behaving badly but I refuse to give in.

Many of you know that the garden is one of my passions.  It has got away from me, but the bones of the garden are still there and more and more things are coming into bloom.  So I try and do a bit in it most days.

Here are some of the delights I have found.

There are more camellias coming out each day.

Our wattle (Australia's floral emblem) is coming out too.  Parts of my city are blazing with them.

This Japanese iris was given to me by a neighbour - who died a few years ago.  I think of him each year when they flower.  They are spreading too, which is lovely.

The bees and I love the anemones - and I hope Charlotte (MotherOwl) will accept this as my nod to her colour of the month which is luminous red.

This is Chimonanthus praecox, also known as wintersweet and Japanese allspice.  It has a delightful subtle scent and knows that it is indeed still winter.

I hope you find colour and delight in the week to come.

Sunday Selections #639

 

 

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. Winter is still here, but the garden is showing signs that regardless of our calendars spring is not far away. Health issues have meant that the garden has been neglected and it has got away from me, but these emerging blooms have spurred me on to do a bit.  And a lot of work is needed.

One of our camellias is coming out and the others are heavy with bud.  If the birds leave those buds alone we will have a beautiful display later.

This tuberous begonia flowers all year round. Which is wonderful.

Tulips are emerging.

These and other Dutch iris are several feet tall and probably should have been divided.  Next year.  Hopefully they will bloom this year anyway.

The white violets in the front garden are blooming, but in the back yard the purple ones have beaten them to the punch.

One at least of our orchids has come into bud too.  Yay.

In other news Batty is rapidly becoming the six million dollar cat.  He had two visits to the vet last week with a persistent (but intermittent) cough and wheeze. Hopefully his treatment will work this time.  If not he will be going back to the specialist.  Poor, poor Batty (though we seem to be more worried than he is). I also have some scary symptoms which hopefully I will get a diagnosis/treatment plan for in the coming weeks.

I hope you find beauty and brightness in your week.

Sunday Selections #186

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. And this week it is Spring.  She isn't here yet, but she certainly has her foot in the door.

When we were wandering around the lake the week before last we came across evidence that the plantings for our Spring bulb festival, Floriade, are well under way.  The festival starts in mid September and runs for four weeks.  And we will go at least once.

The annuals are starting to flower and there are tulips, hyacinth, iris and daffodil bulbs poking through.  The netting is, I think, to prevent depreciations by birds and will be removed when the festival opens.

In our own garden there are also signs that Spring is very almost here.  A colourful reward for all the blood, sweat and tears (not to mention money) which I have poured into the garden.

Camellias, and more are coming out each day, despite the King Parrots chewing on the buds.

There are daffodils...

The wattle is starting to come out...

Lots of grevilleas (and more to come)

Violets.

The first of the hyacinths are coming out too.

And every time I wander outside there are more things in bud.  Bliss.