If you'd like to read the posts - Kathryn has had to split it into two because I went on a bit (....not like me at all eh?!), then you can follow the link here to get to the first post. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed investigating and writing it!
Back to more mundane things now. I thought I'd share some photos of the wildlife in our garden as they're all being as busy as, well, bees really!
Busy on the Campanula..........
Busy amongst the raspberries.............
along with an ant or two!
and busy on the azaleas
Aragog the spider didn't die in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows .......... he's alive and well and living in my greenhouse!
- and a big beggar he is too! *shudders*
Also residing happily in a tomato plant in the greenhouse is Thomas the Toad.
Ceefer the ferocious guard cat in amongst my salad bed!
A ladybird-type insect on an unknown and unscented rose (note to self - get your eyes tested!)
Tadpoles and newts in the pond in the front garden - alright, alright - so it's an excuse to show off the gorgeous iris, but the pond really IS teeming with taddies and newts!
Does blackfly on the globe artichokes count?
Evidence of slugs and snails on my hostas
The hostas are enormous - and I suspect the slugs and snails are too!
But my favourite of all the wildlife in the garden is Last-Born on her way to the 6th form prom last night!
No more wildlife, just a few flowers to finish off with :)
White azaleas
The old rose bush by the front door - it has a beautiful scent, but I have no idea which rose it is.
'Heritage' -a climbing rose bought for me for my recent birthday
Red azaleas
26 comments:
uh oh! the link does not go anywhere!
No problem with the link - very inspiring post!
I love your photos - bugs and all - but you're right...the prettiest creature/flower in the garden is your daughter on her way to the prom.
I think I liked the picture of your last born best of all, such pretty red hair ! Great post, they grow up before we finish taking a deep breath, Gina
Hi Liz,
I'm an ex-teacher and have created a website to support school gardening projects here
http://theschoolvegetablepatch.schools.officelive.com/default.aspx
Hope popping the link here is OK. I still have no examples of school gardens to feature and would love to feature yours if you think it's appropriate - my email link is from the website
It didn't translte the URL properly so I'll pop it in two parts or you can use the link from the sidebar of my blog
http://theschoolvegetablepatch.
schools.officelive.com/default.aspx
Hi Liz,
Rambling, you? Dunt kno wat yur on abaaht.
Nice to see so much wildlife in your garden, I know I like to hark on about the insects but honestly in my mind, a garden just isn’t a garden if there are no Bees or Hoverflies. You can’t ever have too many!
Looks like you might have the same monster Campanula as I do – is yours also attempting world domination?
I saw a huge spider yesterday… I moved a compost bag and there it was… urgh. And even more strangely I actually attempted to touch it! Omg, I must’ve been high on all those opium poppies I’m growing.
Loving your Toad, how cool is that?! Ha ha, he looks very comfortable just there and is no doubt enjoying eating your slugs and snails for you.
Wondrous garden critters! That hosta leaf is really something--you could make a cast of it to be a bird bath! Beautiful daughter all dressed up for one of those memorable times.
Dear Nutty Gnome, those are lovely pictures - and you must have been very patient to take the photographs of the bees! (We have a wasp nest here - prefer to take no picture of them). The roses look pretty - and your daughter even more! Britta
It is always a fun visit here. Your photos are great... the bees are almost as busy as you are! ;-) Your daughter is beautiful, esp. tucked amidst the rose photos. Enjoy July.
In Ceefer's defense, lettuce needs guarding as it has been known to bolt. (Sorry, I'll get me coat.) I love all the blooming and insecty things in your garden, esp. the spider. Oh, and your daughter looks spiffy, too, lol. I'm looking forward to reading your guest post.
I loved your post! That is just so awesome. I used to think about trying to get something started like that at my oldest daughter's elementary school, but the principal made it difficult for the girl scouts to plant a Hydrangea. I'm hoping by the time my little one is there, there will be a much more open minded principal. BTW What does the governor of a school do? Is it like a principal?
Your garden flowers and creatures are looking great, well maybe not the spider as much. Lucky you to have tadpoles and newts!
Your daughter looks very pretty dressed up for her dance. It won't be long before my oldest will be going to school dances.
Sorry, got caught up in my spider phobia, shiver, and got side tracked. What a honking big one he is. I know that he is good for catching insects, but somehow...
Nightmares for me tonight.
Jen
Hi Mrs Robinson - sorry the link didn't work for you. I'll check it out.
Hi Pondside - I'm glad you liked the guest post. I'm so proud of the boys (and staff's) achievements and I hope they like what I've written about them!
This is Last-Born's 2nd prom, but the first at her present school - she had to change schools as ours doesn't have a 6th form (?senior high? 16-18yrs education). I thought she looked gorgeous even though this prom wasn't as formal as last years :)
Hi Gina - and welcome to my blog! Last-Born is naturallly brown haired, but the red certainly suits her vivacious personality better!
Hi, Liz! Thanks again for writing up the post. It's really quite remarkable what you've done over there and I suspect many people will be inspired to try same! Second half of post up in a few days.
Your beautiful daughter looks amazing! Love her stockings! Kathryn xoxo
Hi GLA - wow, I'd be delighted for you to feature my school in your website. I'll email you shortly :D
Ey-up Liz, gud ter see yer! There's so much wildlife in our garden, but I'm not quick enough on the button yet to capture it on camera! We've got space for a beehive and I'm slowly working on converting Himself......!
Yep, my campanula is also going for world domination ...today the rockery, tomorrow the world!
I HATE spiders - I jumped about a foot up and back when I first spotted him! Thomas the toad has lived in the greenhouse for about 3 years now, but this is the first time he's been a toad in the hole!
Hi Cameron - I like your idea of making a cast from the hosta leaf! What do you suggest I use?
Hi Brita - I think I was just lucky because we have so many bees in the garden....although I am quite proud of the one where it's hovering above the campanula!
Hi Shady - good to see you. You're one to talk about always being busy! :D
Hi Monica - loved it!!!
Hi Catherine - thank you. Keep trying to get gardening into your daughter's school, it's so worth it on very many levels. The second part of my guest post is about the Infants school (4-6year olds) and their school garden projects - you'll be blown away by what they've got going on!
As for what Governors do? Well! In Britain every school has to have a governing body to oversee the strategic running of the school, make financial decisions, hire and fire, have an overview on curriculum matters, attainment and achieving targets for exam results etc,be involved in special educational needs, health & safety issues, etc, etc. The day to day running of the school is left up to the Head, but we make the decisions on eveything else! The Governing body has to have a combination of parents, staff, community and Local Authority Governors - all of whom are volunteers! I was a parent governor for 8 years until Last-Born left. I'm now a Community Governor - I'm doing the same thing, just under a different title! I have responsiblity for the Head and Deputy Head's Performance Management, I'm the lead Governor in SEN and Learning Support and Vice-Chair of the Health, Safety, Site & Premises committee. There's other stuff as well, but that gives you a brief over view of what's involved - hope it's helped?!
Yuwen Yu Wen said ...
"Maturity is the ability to adapt to life in the vague".
We have plenty of vague here! Thank you for your thoughtful comment :)
and Yan-Wen Yan-Wen said ...
"Happiness is not everything, people have a responsibility"
This is very true. Thank you.
Hi Jen - take deep breaths and focus on something nice instead, then there'll be no nightmares!! I know what you mean though - I HATE spiders despite them catching insects :P
Hi Katherine - thank you. It was my pleasure and privilege to write it for you and I would love it to make a difference in another school :) xx
Sorry Kathryn, I spelt your name wrong again ....it is now indelibly etched on my brain (I hope!) and I won't do it again!!
Many, many apologies! :(
Hi Liz!
Loved your post with Kathryn.
Oh my, Aragog is scary, Thomas is cute, and what a lovely photo of your daughter all dressed up for the prom.
Your garden looks lovely.
Warm regards,
Philip
:)
Hi Philip - I'm so glad you liked the guest post ...it's a scary responsibility, but I'm very glad I did it so that everyone can see what a great job the school is doing!
Last-Born is definitely the prettiest thing in the garden! :P
These two comments translate as:
Wang Ming Ren said ...
Long drive straight toward the planet's people, the inverse falter on the road in the gorge who achieve their goals more easily. .................................................. ..........
8 July 2010 05:07
Masatoshi Fen Kai Chen Xu said ...
A tongue with two people, is to observe the times the reason to speak.
Thank you to both of you for your thought provoking comments - and for visiting my blog :)
RalphBrau - you are so right.... and I have plenty of weeds in my garden! :P
Hi liz
I clicked through and had a look, the link worked just fine.
Amazing really, there was never a project like that when I was at school.
Aside, you must have fabulous wealth. Trashing a ford escort in a tank must of cost a few quid. I'm with Masatoshi Fen Kai Chen Xu on this one!?**?
Mother Nature reminds us of the blessings all around us and within us. Just to inhale and exhale fresh air, to be alive now, is a blessing.
Hi Rob - it is a great project and I've since employed Jake to do some grunt work in our garden as he wants to set up a business. He's good!
Ha ha - wish we did have fabulous wealth! My best friend organised about 30 friends to all club together for my tank driving day. I think it cost about £250, but it was well worth it! :D
Hi Liara, nice to see you again. You are so right - being alive now is such a blessing!
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