Long Mizzle Garden

 Hello m' Chateau escapees, What's wrong with a glitter-ball-skeletal-lampshade topped with a Giant Flying Tuna, as a Christmas decoration, I ask you ???  When the kids mocked me and asked for a 'proper Christmas Tree', I started to worry. I mean, what is up with these kids today?  Next they'll be asking to go to Disneyland, not content mud sliding on tea trays down one of the local spoil tips.    Then I thought, 'right, you little blighters, you want 'Christmassy', I'll give you 'Christmassy'... with a dark Winter Solstice twist '.   Inspired by Beate , and channeling my own inner 'Escape to the Chateau',  I donned my red beret, grabbed my secateurs, pulled on my wellies, and went out into the garden to forage for foliage. Returning indoors, I kept on my red beret, just for effect really (our 1970s house is centrally heated).  The gathered foliage:  Phontinia, Bay, Camellia and Rhododendron (the later two with flower buds). Our y...

 Hello m' ginger snaps,  It may look like I'm moving house, with all the boxes and tissue wrap...but I'm not! The local weather man warned us storm Arwen would bash the UK's South West coast, and it duly arrived on time on Friday night. This was my resulting Saturday morning 'to do' list - Re-oraganise chintzy bone china cups and saucers Go through wardrobe - dig out favourite 'Scandi Noir' jumpers (fill bags for the charity shop - a girl only needs so many winter jumpers) Look through the Alpine Garden Society's seed list - make a 'wish list' Drink lots of tea, using one of said chintzy cups, whilst trying to look moody in Scandi Noir jumper of the day. Below are cups and saucers from Royal Albert Bone China (1977) Provincial Flowers series.  They illustrate - Left:  'Mountain Avens' (Dryas Octopetala), arctic alpine flower Right:  'Lady's Slipper (Cyprpedium reginae), said to be the rarest orchid in Britain.  *I can report t...

  Hello, m’ snowy jollies,   With the January lock down effect, it sometimes feels like life is on PAUSE in addition to FREEZE. When I start thinking about my weekly Long Mizzle correspondence, I find myself saying, “I haven’t got a single thing to gossip about!” But then I sift through my photo journal and realize, actually, nature marches on regardless and we have been garden busy in our own little way. Just today I squeaked in delight upon finding one simple, tiny snow drop. These bulbs came mixed in a pot of sedum that a neighbour gave me and I wasn't sure what they were. This is the same kindly neighbour that regularly pushes packets of seeds with hand scribbled notes through my letter box.  I can't remember what I planted in these pots, meaning more lovely surprises on the way...   One thing we have especially enjoyed this week is working on projects to encourage more wildlife into the garden. The kids got some construction kits for Christmas, so we picked a ...