Just in case anyone was wondering, hibernation-mode (i.e. eating lots of chocolate while slumped in front of the telly) had set in this month (along with some ill-timed visits and events), and somethings had to give - one of which was blogging. However, I do have a few photos from various to-ings and fro-ings in the last three weeks, so I've managed to slap together this post to show a little of what we've been up to.
Saturday the 3rd: We had a little snow.
Thursday the 8th: On the way back from delivering a friend's birthday card, I noticed this pine tree with a twisted trunk.
Sunday the 11th: I found this little number, "Dance The Pain Away" by Haute & Freddy, and was going to post it but must have been short on time or got distracted.
Sunday 18/01/2026: After taking Bitey for a walk along the rather misty beach, I ventured out into the garden to see what was going on.
Eerie
A Hellebore in The Gardener's Retreat
Something that I don't know what it is (one of The Mother's purchases).
My rescued pitcher plant (Saracenia purpurea) doing well in the pond despite having been frozen.
A hebe
After a month or so of threatening to flower, this rose didn't quite manage to open before succumbing to the cold.
Despite appearances, Bitey managed to pick his way through these snowdrops without trampling any.
I was going to have a blog catch-up that afternoon, but I saw Mr Tonking's post about The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T and got waylaid down a rabbit hole searching for something similar in my own blog, but couldn't find it (I might have been thinking of this). I ended up reading our Jack and the Cobeanstalk over-the-Cusp panto instead (because it contained the word 'fingers' which is [one of the terms] I was searching with) then my nieces turned up and didn't leave me with any time to finish this post or look at anyone else's.
Today, Saturday 24th January: Aside from a little bit of garden tidying and a Bitey walk, the only other thing of mention is this post!
(At last)
You live! Inter-galactic gods be praised for allowing your return to Blogmania!
ReplyDeleteAbout your mother's plant...looks like Abelia. It also comes in a darker-leaf version; makes an easy(ish) hedge.
I think you may be right about the plant, Dinah. I searched 'Abelia' and it looks very much like Abelia × grandiflora 'Kaleidoscope'. I might go out and see if there's a label tucked away somewhere later.
DeleteOh, and speaking of inter-galactic gods, I did watch Thor: The Dark World last night. I would drop to my knees before Chris Hemsworth Thor!
Wouldn't we all? His Mjolnir would be quite a handful, I imagine. Jx
DeleteWell, I'm imagining two handsful!
DeleteOh dear...all these enticing links! Yes, I also "went to the panto" and was somewhat surprised to find I'd been cast!!
ReplyDeleteIt's good to see you again!
Well, I thought I'd share the distractions around - I didn't want to be the only one wasting time!
DeleteAnd it's good to be back, thank you, Dinah! Next on my list is tackling my emails - prepare yourself for some very late replies!
From winter to Spring (almost) in one week! Fab photos.
ReplyDeleteNB The mother's mystery flowering shrub may possibly be a somewhat confused, out-of-season Deutzia, but I'd need to see some more pics of the flowers to be sure exactly what it is...
All that and Haute & Freddy, too!! Jx
Not pictured are all the daffs coming up - no flowers yet though, of course.
DeleteI looked up Deutzia, but I think Dinah's right with her Abelia suggestion. We'll know for sure when (if?) those flowers open.
Love Haute & Freddy! Very, very many thanks for discovering them, Jon. x
Abelia always reminds me of "municipal planting" - the sort of thing the council plonks in as a hedge around a playground or public lav. Like Euonymus.
DeleteThe flowers are scented, apparently, although I've never smelt it... Jx
I'll give it a sniff when those buds open. Which I certainly wouldn't do if it was planted in the vicinity of a public lav!
DeleteWelcome back I have missed you Mr De.
ReplyDeleteYou can never have to much of Haute & Freddy or snow drops
Is the Hellebore Orientalis or Niger.
Your twisted pine is probably the biggest Bonsai in the world.
and it looks like Bitey is on tiptoes
Thank you, Madam A. It's lovely to be back!
DeleteWhen he's not chasing something or outraged at a squirrel in a tree or a deer crossing the bank behind the garden, Bitey can be quite dainty in his paw-planting. Fortunately.
WhenI go out to smell the flowers of the Abelia/Deutzia, I'll have a poke around for the Hellebore's label (I have a feeling it's lolling around there somewhere).
I was out in the garden doing a bit of tidying up just now and remembered to look for the Hellebore label. Luckily it was sticking out of the ground right next to the flowers. Apparently it's a Hosta Sieboldiana "Elegans"... ;)
DeleteI've missed you and your posts, but I can hardly tsk-tsk anyone for getting stuck in the real-world issues that need attending too! These are lovely pictures! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOnce my photos are backed up I will be presenting a new interactive challenge on Nature-led today or tomorrow at the latest.
There seems to be a lot of real world issues that need seeing to these days, Melanie. When time allows, blogging is a great release!
DeleteOoh, a new Nature-led challenge! Consider me there! (well, I will be in a bit once I finish off these replies)
Barney just stomps over everything, he’s totally oblivious to flowers beneath his paws.
ReplyDeleteI have also been dragged into the real world - it was my own fault as I offered my time - how stupid am I?!!! And my eyesight issues. New glasses because my eyesight is improving!! I know, crazy.
Sx
Well, there's three blog posts, right there, in one enigmatic and mysterious comment:
Delete- Barney, obvs
- "Dragged into the real world"? Where had you been? Was Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness involved?
- Your eyesight's improved with age? What a boon! Mine's going to hell in a handbag.
I look forward to the resurrection of "Wonky Words" forthwith... Jx
You have (or had, now) time to offer, Ms Scarlet?!!??! How did you come about this miraculous spare time??
DeleteAnd improving eyesight, too?!
Like Jon, I am also looking forward to your next blog post!