A handsome visitor to our garden

Every year about this time, Chinese Ring neck pheasants are released into the pasture way down in front of our home, for the hunters. A few of these birds finally find their way up the hill, through another property, and into the shelter of our acreage. I always hope that the birds will stick around for a while to escape the hunters, but eventually they all go away.

This handsome fellow has discovered all the seed on the ground under the bird feeding station and has been hanging around for a week or so. Perhaps knowing he has an easy meal waiting for him every morning, he will stay for a while.

I was standing inside looking out of the window at him under the feeder for quite a while before he looked up and saw me.

Then away he went, a very nervous fellow indeed, and who can blame him, when there are hunters out there wanting to shoot him and have him for their dinner.

TLC pays off

On December 29th 2009 I wrote about this orchid I got from a friend. It was going to be thrown in the trash but I brought it home instead. I told my friend I would see if I could get to grow, and I have been rewarded for my perseverance. As you can see, there are two very healthy flower stems sprouting from the main stem and the side stem. I have learned this is a Phalaenopsis, or moth orchid, and I think I remember it having white flowers.
The plant is sitting on top of some pretty pieces of polished glass, in a dish which has sides high enough to enable me to keep it filled with water, up to just below the bottom of the flower pot, so the plant is in a constant atmosphere of humidity.
Every day I mist the plant with water, and have a regular feeding program using orchid fertilizer. I must say I am very pleased to see the orchid doing so well and I am looking forward to blooms in the near future.

A lesson learned

So, where did I go wrong? The poor wee Rubine Brussels sprouts are only the size of small marbles.
I did a little research on growing them, and it may be that they needed more manure/compost. I am still learning how much food, water and sun veggies require for a bumper crop.
Does anyone have some advise/secrets on growing Brussels sprouts?

The first day of Spring is not until the 20th of March.

but today I discovered lovely green shoots emerging from the cold, damp soil.

I think these are Snowdrops.

I will have to keep a close eye on the weather and cover the Sedum if frost is in the forecast. I am surprised to see these shoots so early, but we have had a fairly mild winter this year.

Mother Nature at her best

What a beautiful way to greet Thursday morning.

I can rely on

a couple of things happening in January.

I can rely on my Helebores to start blooming.

There are also the rabbits who come for their morning scoop of cracked corn and a couple of slices of stale bread.

Happy New year

The morning after I hope you are not feeling as bad as he looks.

So, go celebrate, be careful, have a designated driver, or take a taxi.

Thank you to all my readers, family, friends, blogger friends, and all you folk who just stop by to take a look. You are all appreciated.

I wish for you all, an outstanding New Year

This ' N' that

Last Christmas I bought a beautiful red Amaryllis which sat on our kitchen table, showing off it's flowers for weeks on end. After it finished flowering I still gave it a little water until the leaves died back, then I let it rest for a while. When I returned from my vacation, I started watering and feeding the plant again, and now it is rewarding me by growing new leaves, and I am hoping for flowers too.

The orchid on the right, was going to be thrown in the trash by a friend. I offered to take it off her hands to see if I can get it to flower.I went out and bought some orchid food and have done some research on the care of orchids. With lots of TLC I think I can get this one to flower.

The poinsettia Was a Christmas present to myself. I lean towards buying plants which are a little different, so that is why I chose the poinsettia with the lovely variegated foliage.

From our home to yours

My new kiwi gardener/blogger friends

During my visit to New Zealand in November, I got to meet some blogger friends. Dinzie, from The Weekly Grind, and his lovely Mc D. They came and picked me up in Lower Hutt where I was staying, and we drove to the Wellington Botanical gardens. We started up at the top of the gardens where the cable car stops, and took in the fabulous view, then Dinzie left McD and I to walk down through the fabulous gardens, while he drove the car back down to park the car next to the beautiful rose gardens. McD and I enjoyed walking back down the trail, stopping now and again to look at the various plants, trees and shrubs before arriving at the rose gardens.
I was delighted to see up close, a Tui which was feeding on the nectar of the flowers of a flax plant. It was not bothered at all as I crept closer and closer, to get that perfect picture. Dinzie told me that since new Zealand has been eradicating the possums, the native bird population is increasing. I am very happy to know that the native birds are making a comeback.



Dinzie and MCD, Thank you very much for taking me to see the lovely Botanical gardens,and for the tasty Chinese dinner and conversation we shared. It truly is wonderful to make new friends, especially since you are Kiwis, bloggers and gardeners.

Bring on the Spring

While in New Zealand I did a little shopping in the garden section of a large department store. I was delighted to find some resin, native birds to decorate my garden here in the States.
A few days after my shopping spree, I went to stay with my brothers on their boat, and they took me shopping at a mall, where I just had to take them to the department store to show them what I had bought. I was asked why I hadn't bought the Kiwi, I replied that I did not have room in my suitcase. Both brothers looked at each other and said, "Christmas present" I told them that the Kiwi would be way too large and expensive to mail, but I got the "no worries mate"
Sunday I received an email from Graeme, saying a package had been sent, and would be here in about a week. Yesterday, I sure was surprised, when the mail delivery person, drove up to our front door, and honked the horn of her car, letting us know she had something too large for the mailbox. I thought it was something MrC. had ordered for his business, but it was the large box from New Zealand.

Not only did I get the Kiwi, there was some chocolate and Turkish Delight in the box.

The chocolate with the yellow band is Manuka Honey and almonds, Richfields Manuka Honey & Almond 70% Dark Chocolate is high in natural antioxidant's for great health benefits and is an excellent health chocolate candy bar alternative. This luxurious intense taste of rich dark chocolate is sure to help get your energy levels up when your feeling a bit flat and looking for a quick “pick me up” to get you through the day. The other Classic dark.
The Turkish Delight from Loukoumi Artisan confectioners. are Manuka Honey & Rainforest Lemon, and Feijoa Delight,

The three birds I had already purchased are, a Pukeko, a Tui, and a Kea.
The garden I have planned, will be more on the shady side so my new treasures will not be faded by the sun. I think I may have to buy a cold hardy tree fern for the garden, so the birds will feel at home.

Not enough snow

to build a snowman,

but too much to be in the garden. I officially hang up my gardening gloves, light the fire, find a book to read, and enjoy my day off.

When ground is crunchy

underfoot, there will be no gardening today.

This morning we have our second frost of the season, and it is more severe than the first. I have hung up my garden tools and now wait for spring.

Sam has nothing to do with gardening

The sole purpose of my visit to New Zealand was not to view all the gorgeous gardens,but to visit my daughter, other family members, and friends.

Sam is a three year old Bichon Frise who's job is to visit his Friends at Amaryllis House, a home for sufferers of Huntington's Disease, in Lower Hutt, New Zealand. Sam and his Mum belong to a group called Canine Friends Pet therapy.

You are asking how do I know this sweet little dog. I met him as he visited Amaryllis house when I was staying there with my daughter Tina. Yes, my darling daughter is a Huntington's sufferer. The main purpose of my visit to New Zealand was to celebrate Tina's 40th birthday and I was delighted to see the looks on the faces of the residents when Sam gave them a smooch.
Quote from Sam's story in the Canine Friends Pet therapy news letter: These people are mostly pretty sick but love touching my very soft fur and they also like a good kiss. I know officially I shouldn't kiss them, but they sometimes get tears in their eyes when I smooch them, so I think that means it's OK. Some patients cannot speak much but they manage "goodbye Sam' when I go and that is nice for Mum and me.

To read more on Sam's story, click on the link above, then on news letters in the left side bar. Sam's story is Winter 09, page four. You will also see Tina and Sam, and her friend Ally who were featured in the story

I had heard of canine therapy but never seen it in action before. I was so taken by the looks on the faces of the residents as the touched Sam (the people who were able touch him) and the ones who could not, expressed their emotions with their eyes. I can tell you I had tears in my eyes as I observed their reaction to Sam's gentle way.

Thank you Sam and your Mum for bringing so my joy to the residents of Amaryllis house, I know my Tina loves to hold you when you visit, as she is an animal lover, having worked at at an animal shelter years ago when she was well.

Oh so lovely

During my visit to Lower Hutt New Zealand, I spent an hour walking some of the streets around the area where I was staying. This particular home and stunning garden begged to be photographed.

What a riot of lovely color and beautiful flowers. I was rather hoping the gardener would come outside, so I could have a wee chat with them.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I AM SO THANKFUL FOR MANY THINGS.

For my freedom bought with sacrifice by others.
For the man who loves me, and is my best friend.
For all the love and laughter in my life.
For my family.
For good friends
For a job I actually like.
For the sunshine today, after days of fog.
For the beauty on this earth.
Looking out the window, I can see two rabbits, snuggled up against each other at the base of a tree, trying to keep warm. I am thankful for all the wonderful creatures we have on this earth.
For all my blogger friends.
For all the other things too numerous to mention.

Happy Thanksgiving to all and blessings on your day.

Sorry

I will not be able to blog until I get back home. I have been busy with family and have not taken any garden pictures yet.
Keewee

Leaving on a jet plane..........

This morning at 11am, I am beginning my journey to New Zealand so blogging will be light for a while. As I am staying in a city I have never visited before I don't know what I will encounter. I hope to take pictures of some of the Kiwi gardens. Kiwis, well many of them, are very garden proud and like to have the gardens leading up to their homes looking nice.
I can't promise I will post a lot of pictures when I am down there, but will catch up when I return home.
I had better go and get myself dressed to go and get a swine flu vaccination. Not exactly what I had in mind to start my vacation, but being in a plane, that is three different planes before arriving at my destination, and with re circulating air in them, you never know what germs are floating around you. Better to be safe than sorry.
see you all when I get back.

Countdown

I am getting the hang of using this tiny keyboard on the notebook, and having to sit very close so I can see what is on the seven and a half inch screen.

I wonder how large the Rubine Brussels Sprouts will be when I return from New Zealand. I want to cook them with shallots and pancetta.

There are still a few tomatoes on a couple of plants, but they are pretty much tasteless now. Perhaps there will be a day without rain before I leave on vacation, so I can pull the plants out and clean up the bed.
Just six days before jetting out of here.

Testing, testing

Next Wednesday I am leaving for a vacation in New Zealand and I plan on taking this little notebook with me. I am having to learn a slightly different way of dealing with any photos I want to post. With the help of my very PC knowledgeable sweetheart, I will have it all committed to memory in no time flat.

The garden is looking rather shabby right now, but the mushrooms are somewhat interesting. I have noticed about three different kind of mushrooms ranging in color and size from a brightish gold color to dark brown, and from two inches across to about eight inches across.
Well I managed to get the first post done using this teeny tiny notebook PC with some help, the next one I will attempt on my own.