Spiraea japonica

A late rose and some bits of spiraea make this wonderful combination. The first decent picture I have produced in ages. Quite cheered me up.

Spirea japonica shirobana

What glory and cheerfulness my garden gives me, even late in the season.

Caustic

I found a bit of optics in the kitchen that delighted me this week.






Wave the mouse and you'll find two more.

A caustic or caustic network is the pattern that light throws after reflecting off curved surfaces. these three white porcelain bowls throw a perfect heart each time you shine a light on it or place them in the sun. I'm sure you have all seen it at one time or another at the bottom of a teacup.

In the garden there was the miraculous find of a gerbera flower that ought never to have been there: Last year I threw out a pot plant of gerbera that had been ailing in the kitchen. It had white fly and what not else. I threw it in the middle of the kitchen garden, planning to deal with it later in the day. Forgot and didn't find it agai until today, still in its pot, producing real flowers. And all that after a harsh winter in a climate that you wouldn't think supported such exotic plants. Hurrah. It looks clean, so I'll take it back in the house to enjoy at close quarters.

Linked to Friday Finds
Link below.

Mid-Autumn

If June 21st represents Mid-Summer, then surely September 21st ought to be considered Mid-Autumn.

The top image is the French Impressionist rose called "Sisley", the second image is today's offering with shrubs colouring and berries lending a hand to cheer us up in the garden. A rather dramatic difference. We'd better brace ourselves for a complete toning down of colour, but this will be conpensated by a clearer expression of line. Once the trees are bare, the outlines of the branches give such interesting shapes, which still please the eye, even in the absence of colour. But before that....

......we still have oodles of the most beautiful red flowers all over the place.

Gerberas

Gerberas to me are the epitome of a flower. They may seem bold and brassy when you see their gaudy colours, but look what happens if you take down the tints.

Golden bug

Some bugs are really pretty. This one is feasting or resting on the small flower of a wild geranium, called Geranium molle or Dove's-foot Crane's-bill. And below something to feast your eyes on:

A painted rose by the french grower Delbar. This one is called 'Cezanne' and I picked these only last week. They are stil gorgeous thanks to the wonderful weather we've been having.

Posted by Girl Friday and
linked to Nick at Friday Flowers

also linked to Kim at Friday Finds

Figs

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The figs are just going over now. This variety is called Brown Turkey. We made kilos and kilos of jam this year. The flowers are a variety of Hibiscus called syriacus 'Hamabo', a smallish tree a.k.a. Rose of Sharon. The pretty handwoven rug is a new find. It looks old I found it at a local sale table. I think it might be a persian kelim, which is a flat weave in natural died wool. Posted by Girl Friday and linked to Nick at Friday Flowers also linked to Kim at Friday Finds