The bright hues of Garden Life

As the summer continues, the plants that I have been trying to grow continue their ebullient  existence. I am so thrilled at the progress they have made and that I have managed to actually maintain some plants.

For me, they continue to bring me joy at their growth each day.

These photos aren't the best but they show that I am not the plant murderer I thought I once was!

 The ONE surviving Swiss Chard plant!

 Yellow Zucchini/Courgettes

 St George Runner beans plants have flowered and there are embryo beans.

 We ate our first courgette on Sunday.

 The dwarf beans were flowering when I took that photo and when I went out and watered them at 1am, I saw beans growing!

 Chantenay carrots! I've already eaten one!

 Courgette flowers are really beautiful. If I could, I'd put them in a vase.

 Green courgettes. Still pretty small but getting there.

Raspberries. The Strawberries are doing ok too and are putting forth runners!

Things seem to have blossomed with the rain over the last couple of days although the snails have been guzzling too!

My friend gave me some butternut squash plants too but I need to plant them.

As I walked through the alleyway home, I noticed these flowers blooming amongst the messy ivy. They have obviously grown over the fence. Aren't they decorative. I'd love to know their name if anyone knows!

How does your garden grow?
xx

52 weeks of happy (1 of 52)/10 things to be thankful for

The lovely Louise at Ramblings of a roachling has joined in a lovely challenge where you list 4 things a week that make you happy. I think this is lovely and links directly to my 10 things to be thankful for.
Now, it is obligatory for me to do this when I am feeling miserable about the return to school!
I love the Pollyanna quote: ""When you look for the bad in mankind expecting to find it, you surely will."

Yes, thus, if you look for the good, you will always find it!

So here are my first of my 52:
1.  CBC:  I still struggle to believe that I found someone who wants to marry me who is so imaginative, fun, loving and unique!

2.  Walks: I cherish the ability to walk upon my own two feet and see the beauty of my surroundings- I am glad of the two lovely walks we had in Northumberland.

3.  The appreciation and joy of friends:  I was speaking to my dear friends C and J who live in the North Yorkshire moors and telling them that I was engaged - their whole-hearted sincere joy at my announcement fill my heart with joy!

4.  Holidays:  I count myself lucky, that despite the trials of teaching, that I do have these holidays to look forward to!


And to continue onto 10 for my things to be thankful for:

5. For the amazing brand-new drum I found in a charity-shop today- it was only £12 brand-new and will be brilliant for school! (Not to mention the soft furry black scarf which is currently nestled round my neck!)
6.  I am thankful for my family Doctor who I saw today- he has been my doctor for 31 years and I am going to really miss him when I have to move- he knows me well, he's kind, he's thoughtful, he's interested in me as a person and I appreciate the consistency of him being there in an age where so many things become impersonal.

7.  The fruits of my garden:  I just enjoyed a wonderful bowl of stewed apple that has been in my freezer for two years- I picked, cooked and prepared it- and it's so nice to enjoy it so far on!
8.  Vegetables:  I just cooked my first proper meal for over 2 weeks and I had the most wonderful tofu and vegetable stir-fry: I do crave vegetables! Also thankful that the veg in my fridge did not go off after 2 weeks so I could cook it!
9.  For my sister: despite the fact she is a total bossy-boots know-it-all (I hope you are reading this!;-)  ), she knows me better than anyone else and understands me!
10.  For the joy of the unknown- who knows what excitements and opportunities will meet me this term!!!!

What are you thankful for?

Everything's coming up roses.

Finally, now the weather has been sunny, the fruit in the garden has grown.
The plums are ripening and growing in abundance!
During the overhanging canopy cull, I allowed a tendril of blackberries to remain- they are ripe!
The green apples are blooming
The runner beans have almost reached the summit of their arch and white flowers fortell of the beans of summer future.
The figs grown soft and squidgy- ripe for the greedy devouring!

Even within the house, living greens are growing.  The two refugee Lanzarotian Cactuses have put forth yet more sprouts.
The aloe-vera tries to leave its pot with it's plump tentacles stretching out, like some soon to be free octopus!

Ah, the miracle of new growth!