pommepal

Happy Easter

I read an article this morning by Costa Georgiadis, the “gardening guru” of Gardening Australia. It resonated with me because we had just been doing exactly what he recommends.

This is part of the article…

 “One of the smallest and simplest things is to actually go out into your garden and just observe what is going on, and try these simple ideas”.

  • See what insects are there.
  • Take close-up photos of bits that interest you.
  • Observe the bird life

There’s so much going on in our gardens that we can miss.

These are just some of the things we do every day.

Today is Good Friday. Last night it poured with rain, 27mm. After rain is always an exciting time to look around the garden. Everything sparkles, drops of rain linger on petals and leaves and the plants and flowers seem to have an extra glow.

So come with me and enjoy natures beauty.

A double red desert rose and a beautiful soft yellow one are stars of Jack’s collection of almost 70 desert rose plants.french tarragon_4000x3000French Tarragon has flowered profusely This is a herb that I love the strong liquorice smell of, but don’t really know what to use it with. Has anyone any recipes?helicona_4000x3000This yellow Heliconia is the last of the species still in flower. They are a tropical and as it gets colder they will disappear till the weather warms up again next year.Ixora_4000x3000I think I have mentioned before that orange is one of my favourite colours and this Ixora always makes me happy.french marigold_1731x1398This French Marigold is so perfectly formed, ruffled and with the delicate line of orange outlining the petals. Shading from rust to a rich yellow centre, it calls to me to draw and paint it.paw paw leaf_4000x3000Another shape that is unique and beautiful is the rain drop encrusted paw paw leaves, they sparkle like diamonds.spider_4000x3000Of course you cannot ignore the insects, especially the spider. They are abundant this year and many times I end up with their sticky webs wrapped around my head as I push through the paths.

We were surprised and happy when the son and part of his family made an unexpected visit to park in the drive, chat and then serenade us, before giving “air hugs and kisses” before driving back to Brisbane.the family_2547x2110

I hope you are all having a very peaceful and happy time in your homes. Maybe cooking a special meal, eating hot-cross buns, maybe even doing an Easter egg hunt. Stay safe, stay home in these strange times, and stay positive.

60 comments

  1. Lovely raindrop spangled photos, Pauline. I have had tarragon in my garden for years, and I have never seen it flower. I wouldn’t mind having some flowers like that on mine! Happy Easter to you.

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  2. Oh, it is Good Friday already. It will be here too, in four hours. I do not mind missing Mass the last three weeks, but not for Good Friday and Easter. I have been doing well with all this, but Good Friday will be weird. That heliconia is rad. I so want to see what mine does this year, even if it does not bloom. It will be my first.

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          • There is no real lock down, but we are asked to not go to work if it is non-essential. Most of us are doing rather well with it. However, many are not, and it is becoming necessary to cite people who are out in groups partying at the beach and such. People are complaining about how it violates our rights, as if the have they right to endanger everyone else. It is so stoooopid. Anyway, some of the people I work with are still able to tend to important tasks, such as mowing lawns so that they do not get too far gone. It is not as if we encounter anyone out there nowadays. The problem for us is that even when we are able to return to work, there is not enough revenue to pay anyone. Most of my work is at a conference center that generates revenue from big groups of guests, and the big groups are not coming. It started before we were asked to not come to work.

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            • Our lockdown is not as strict as NZ. At the moment it is just requested not enforced, yet…. but most people seem to be doing the right thing. Strict consequences for anyone disobeying though, hefty fines. Still see gardeners coming round mowing lawns. Though I guess now people are at home they will be doing those jobs themselves..

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  4. I will never cease to be amazed at your beautiful garden and all the very exotic photos of your flowers in bloom. We do not have many of these flowers here in WA so I am enjoying seeing your garden and taking a virtual stroll. Take care and enjoy Easter.

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      • No, I am actually in the Western part of the US in Washington State. We do have lots of wild flowers here but you have some very unique and exotic flowers that we do not. Spring has finally decided to stay now and soon my daughter will be planting her vegetable garden in her many raised beds. Her husband has already tilled them for her in preparation. Take care.

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  5. I am so pleased you put that spider in, another one over the lily pond, was interesting to watch as she was repairing her web. The female is much bigger than male. I read after mating the female will eat the male, I have never seen them mate or get eaten.
    The dewdrops are wonderful so small but are capable of reflecting the whole garden and the Paw Paw leaf .is a beautiful shape to draw. Why do I think of seven when I drawing a Paw Paw leaf? .

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  6. Beautiful gardens! I haven’t used Tarragon either. But love to plant as many edible plants as possible, but am starting from scratch. Enjoy the hot cross buns. I plan to…. Happy Easter.

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  7. Happy Easter to you too! In our garden the happening hang out place is the purple salvia. We’ve had so many different butterflies and the bees love it too. There was a large praying mantis on Tuesday and a couple of little honeyeaters adore the flowers.

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  12. Lovely raindrops on flowers PP. I have never seen my Tarragon flower like that either! I grow French Tarragon (though I can’t see any sign of it coming back this year) and I use the leaves chopped with chicken breasts. Simply brown sliced chicken breasts in butter, add chopped shallots and the tarragon, season. Cook until chicken is done then stir in some soured cream – delicious with pasta or rice or in our case, cauliflower rice. How lovely of your family to visit you like that! And seeing all the bare feet made me smile. So Australian (and South African) 😍

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    • That recipe sounds delicious Jude, will definitely try that. In fact I have a chicken breast in the freezer I will defrost and I have cauliflower too that will be a good combination, thanks for the recipe. The family had just come up from the beach after a swim and surf. We often used to meet down there for picnics. Those were the days. Seems such a long time ago, but only a few weeks.

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  13. Gorgeous images, Pauline! French tarragon is the best tarragon- get some butter soft(not melted), chop tarragon, crush some garlic and incorporate tarragon and garlic into the butters. Lift the skin of a large chicken joint and push the tarragon butter under, then roast for about 40 mins….for when you don’t want to cook e whole chicken

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  15. I read those words by Costa too and have spent time out in out garden. What a lovely surprise to have the extraordinary family visit. So many people are connecting in creative ways. Happy Easter to you both.

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  16. I agree. After a rain is the perfect time to look for wonders in the garden. I once saw a collection of photographs that showed scenes reflected in the drops clinging to flowers and other plants, so now I always look into droplets even if I don’t have a camera with me. Thank you for sharing your lovely images. The effect of the droplets on the marigold is especially magical!

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  17. Wow! Beautiful photos.

    Easter is so symbolic. Eggs birth life and are consumed to preserve it. They contain vital nutrients and the occasional change or chocolate 🙂

    This will be our first holiday in isolation. Fitting that it’s Easter, right?

    Thank you for sharing! 🙂

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