Flower Patch

July 4, 2014July 4, 2014 ~ Bungalow Blogger ~ 4 Comments

How could the last post have been 11 April? That really that is a long time and I’m glad to be back.

After the works last year I was determined to have more flowers in the garden this year and to make the most of what was already there. Up at the back right was a bit of garden that Dad had as his wee veg patch and he had bravely planted some asparagus. I waited and waited for it to come and show some spiky presence for 2 years but nothing at all happened, all that did happen was lots of weeds and the little plastic label with ‘asparagus’ in Dad’s distinctive hand writing was hidden amongst them. I have kept the label but I did give up all hope of asparagus ever growing. A flower patch was my vision and here’s how it is going so far.

All the seeds are in the ground, invisibly doing their stuff.

In the spring I planted 2 daisy type plants which were super cheap from Ikea, 2 Euphorbia and lots and lots of seeds. Sweet Peas were planted at the bottom of a very rickety home made cane pyramid effort. At the time it felt like nothing would ever fill that space and that I would need to wait forever. The sweet peas took a really long time to do anything but now they are huge and starting to flower. I have picked every single flower so they look rather boring now. I’ll get a photo once more flowers are out. I think this all planted at the beginning of April, probably about the time I did my last post.

teeny tine sweet peas — teeny tiny sweet peas

Now there are loads of cornflowers of different colours and a couple of other plants that are probably weeds or may be flowers on their way – I’m wary of pulling anything up in case it is going to be a flower.

bloomin cornflowers - or nearly, I've chopped all the ones in bloom for the posy — bloomin cornflowers – or nearly, I’ve chopped all the ones in bloom for the posy

Yesterday I made my first actual posy using flowers from my flower patch, what a delight, it smelt amazing. The best part was being able to use it as a gift to a friend. The garden needs a lot of work but I am already thinking about the next little flower patch and what flowers I will grow.

The first harvest of sweet peas and cornflowers

The only produce that comes from our garden is rhubarb and apples which have been there for years. The rhubarb is amazing, just keeps on growing with no pampering at all. Did you know that farmed forced rhubarb grows so fast in the dark sheds that you can hear it! Amazing fact for the day – apparently it sounds like squeaking.

First rhubarb harvested - made a splendid crumble. — First rhubarb harvested – made a splendid crumble.

Well, that’s all for now, do have a look at my Pinterest pages – I’ve added loads, for some reason I cannot get the link to work but you can press the logo at the top right to go straight there.

Have a great weekend and big love to a special couple who got married today, you know who you are, x

A year on…

January 17, 2014January 17, 2014 ~ Bungalow Blogger ~ Leave a comment

These were given to me before Christmas, the vivid colour and whiff of perfume is so welcome at this dull time of year. — These were given to me before Christmas, the vivid colour and whiff of perfume is so welcome at this dark and dingy time of the year.

The last tiny steps of the works are still ongoing, today we had all the little bits of plaster that had blown where screws lie underneath filled in. Now the rooms look a little spotty – I’ll go round with the faithful white paint once they’re sanded. There’s tidying up outside and a couple of other bits to be done too. Slow and steady we are getting there (haven’t I said that before a few times) and compared to this time last year the house is a joy. You can refresh your memory here about how I was feeling – One Year Ago and Stuff

My thoughts are turning to the next projects to be done in the bungalow. There’s the front door to be painted Front Door Colours and the front room to be decorated Living Room Ideas, I am swithering between going dark navy on the walls and my usual white with colourful furniture. The hall needs something too, I’m looking out for just the right piece, I think that may be a long-term hunt.

The poor old garden needs lots of love and thought. After a happy hour or so faffing around out there this morning, snipping a few shrubs and snowdrop spotting made me realise that it got little attention last year. Flowers are a priority and sorting the paving when you first go out either the back door or the side door. “There’s always something” as my Mum always said. She was so right.

How can it be Friday again? This working four days is not good for my blog post rate (I’ve only done two weeks so far). It’s interesting though that I feel a lot more productive and efficient at home despite doing the day job too. Maybe there’s a different gear for work that helps at home too, so far so good. Ask me again at Easter!

Time to wish you a splendid weekend, no matter how skint you are waiting for the end of the longest ever month! xx

(or is it just me?)

5 September 2013

September 5, 2013September 5, 2013 ~ Bungalow Blogger ~ 6 Comments

My little posy is sweet and simple – the flowers are beside each other in the garden so it seemed natural to put them together in a vase. This summer has been phenomenal. We could not have asked for more, the garden is blooming and we have more apples than we know what to with. The air is changing now, particularly in the evening and the nights are drawing in, I had my fluffy socks on last night to keep the nip from my feet. The good news is we don’t have to wait so long for the solar fairy lights to come on outside, not managed to capture them well on camera yet, but I will.

Pet sounds is still making me smile, thought you’d like the view from the hall and a detail shot – I really am not pleased with the image in the previous post. The wall colour is Farrow and Ball’s Skimming Stone, it is very calm and warm for the North facing bathroom.