Flowers

Thursday Thoughts – End of Summer

/ Leya / 24 kommentarer

So, it’s the end of a wonderful summer – but also a frightening summer with far too high temperatures.

The little port at the other side of the water, is glowing in the morning sun. It’s September, and temperatures should be falling. Should be…but are not. We swim every day in the warm sea.

I pick up Milo and we walk along the summer houses by the water. The neighbours let their flowers invade the walk, and I love those high, handsome bells.

As we head for the meadows and the canal, one of the big herons sweeps over our heads. It is the last visit to our summer house this year, and I always feel sad to say goodbye to this beloved place. A piece of freedom – a haven of peacefulness it is. And when the summer tourists have left, everything is quiet, and Mother Nature can take it back and have it all to herself.

The car is packed, and we drive back home again. The first thing to do is to water all the plants and flowers. Hardly any rain fell here this summer, and some plants didn’t survive. We don’t have our own well – so – there are choices to be made. Which plants or flowers do I absolutely want to live? Which ones must I let go?

It’s easier indoors, where I can close the blinds and and save all the plants from the scorching sun.

I try not to think about that ominous heat – only to love the beautiful summer we had. But, something is very wrong with the climate. And – with many other things in this world. Still, I am grateful for a wonderful summer with family and friends. They are my hope. I hope you had a lovely summer too. Or the season you are in.

Thursday Thoughts – Late Summer Garden

/ Leya / 32 kommentarer

September is the first Autumn month, and a long warm Summer is drawing to its close. We’ve had a glorious time – a bit too hot for me, but bright, cooler mornings and evenings.

We have spent extra much time at our summer house with children and grandchildren. Precious days to remember as cold and darkness is arriving.

We haven’t had any rain for two months, so my garden is dry and most flowers are gone. These are some that still were here a couple of weeks ago, but most of them have now given in.

I have been waiting for the lovely hummingbird hawkmoth – and yesterday it arrived! No pictures though – but I hope to see it again another day this week. Have a great day!

Thursday Thoughts – Madeira Gardens

/ Leya / 17 kommentarer

Another lovely walk was through the Gardens of Quinta do Palheiro Ferreiro. A property belonging to the Blandy family.

They boast some of the most valuable and rare exotic plants on the island. Starting in 1885, the Blandy family has developed the gardens to a today’s Mecca for botanic lovers.

They are renowned among other things for the splendid Camellia selection – but unfortunately we arrived after that intense bloom. On the other hand – there was so much else to see. Here is a short gallery:

The garden is situated with a beautiful view over Funchal, and luckily we had it all to ourselves for an hour or two. I’ll give the plant names a try: First out – a Gladiolous, in a fabulous combo of colours, Gazania, then some slipper flowers (yellow and red), a crassula (Buddha’s Temple?) and some beautifully cut and trimmed hedges.

Next are bluish and pink flowers in Watsonia, Brunfelsia and I guess a Risp. The last picture shows a Japanese Pagoda tree.

This was a relaxing and interesting visit to one of Madeira’s most renowned gardens. I recommend a visit if you go to Madeira!

Lens-Artists Challenge #360 – Found at the Fair/ Market

/ Leya / 104 kommentarer

You’re only here for a short visit. Don’t hurry, don’t worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way.

– Walter Hagen

We have all been to a market or fair at least once when we were children. Some of these are still fun to visit as grown-ups, even if we don’t buy anything. It is the joy of an abundance of fruit and vegetables, flowers, people…And often everything for sale is elaborately exposed.

Here are some of my summer memories from such events. Enjoy the season and the smiles, and then – I’d love to see some of your memories too! They can be from any fair, Farmers’ market, Christmas market, or maybe a carnival? From your own country or from abroad – feel free to choose whatever you have in store!

Life is a lot like jazz… it’s best when you improvise.

– George Gershwin

Ystad Jazz festival last week – Good music, lovely people and beautiful, creative art! (And ice cream of course…) Jazz maybe attracts mostly grown-ups and elderly people, but they do bring their children and grandchildren too. (And dogs) Hoping they will get hooked on the feeling?

Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale.

– Hans Christian Andersen

Every year there is jousting at Hovdala castle – our nearest castle just 10 kilometers away. I used to go when one of my students was in the competitions. Fun for all ages. Knights, horses, castles and fair ladies!

To me, flowers are happiness.

– Stefano Gabbana

Finally, Madeira – the lovely land of flowers. When we visited for a week in June, we came upon several different fairs and markets. They have quite a few over the year. One of them had a sustainability theme. At the harbour they had put up big hearts for life and painted recued PET bottles as a ceiling.

A big Thank you to John for another turn of learning last week! I truly enjoyed seeing examples and tips. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with this week! Next week we will have another chance of ”Looking Back”, with Sofia at the helm. Be sure to visit her beautiful site for more!

Until then – stay calm, be careful and loving.