Each year I’m captivated as I watch the seeds germinate.
Rocket seed
It truly is a miraculous process. Watching how each dried seed cracks open, develops a green head and a root, enthralls me. The more I think about it the more it all astonishes me. I think the use of the word awesome is entirely appropriate.
Broad bean germinating.
Shallot sprouting
How they all want to live and grow, just like us!
Euphorbia growth
Curly willow buds
This marigold somehow survived the winter and is flowering again, I can’t recall that ever happening before, although our winter has been milder than usual, despite being endlessly windy and wet.
I just love the new leaves on this climbing rose. I bought her about fifteen years ago and no longer recall her name. She does have a beautiful large, red bloom though.
Sweet rocket blooming early.
In other news, I’ve been about and about with friends and hubs and have noticed how empty many restaurants and pubs are, and how the supermarket shelves seem to lack basic items, noticeably handwash, toilet paper, tinned goods and all things pasta.
I was on a train recently, heading into Liverpool to see the girls and a woman boarded and sat next to me. She was was sniffling away without a tissue and suddenly released the mother of all sneezes, everyone in the carriage jumped and suddenly had eyes on her, rolling eyes at that!
We live in strange times of late, and, I fear they are about to get stranger!
The Whatever the Weather Girls braved the worst day of the year and ate at the Red Fox on the Wirral. I had the vegan haggis, mainly compiled of lentils, wrapped in cabbage. Given I’ve never eaten haggis, and love lentils…I was surprised how much I hated it, but the gals claimed it was an excellent haggis substitute.
And Finally…
Our Kitchen has always lacked a focal point. Given we spend a lot of time in there I was quite chuffed when I spotted an electric fire with a really realistic flame while shopping for compost……I don’t DO shopping for anything other than gardening supplies and food, and hubs usually does the food shop, everything else is online.
It’s not a great picture, but honestly, the flame effect is fantastic, all down to water vapour….technology eh!
The pups seem to like it. As I type they settle on chairs, the minute I finish writing this blog they’ll all be sitting around me. How cozy it will be to just watch those faux flames.
Isn’t it lovely to see the garden coming back to life again! I’ve had marigolds in flower throughout the winter (bizarrely!) but I’m enjoying all the new life from cowslips, tulips – even the forget me nots are in flower here, lovely while they last. Well done for getting out with your friends, I have a feeling that memory is going to have to last for a while. Hoping that you and your family stay safe, this virus is rather worrying. xxx
It’s always a thrill to see life returning! The marigolds are certainly having a good year! Yes….those days are now gone! Thanks Caro, take good care of yourself and stay safe.xxx
Regular hagis sounds repulsive as it is, I’m not sure vegan hagis would be an improvement. Things are strange here as well with schools and offices closed and planes half empty. Let’s hope we all get through this without much harm done. I’ve been holding off with my seed starting because I don’t want the plants to be ready to transplant while it’s still cold.
I can honestly say vegan haggis is gross! I have my fingers and toes crossed we all get though this. Take care and stay safe.xxx
The new fire looks cozy — and the dogs appear to like it too! My cats all seem to like the fireplace (we have gas fire logs).
I do like the look of your euphorbia. Putting it on my list of plants to research! This. This is what relaxes me — looking at friends’ gardeny, growing, budding photos. Love to you, my friend.
Oh cats just love a warm place to curl up. Buddy seems to be the biggest fan, he can’t get enough heat. Oh yes, thank god for gardens, I couldn’t imagine life without mine. Love and hugs.xxx
Yes, these certainly are strange times …
I do like your new fire.
Take Care
All the best Jan
Thanks Jan. We are really enjoying that fir, such a focal point and ideal to warm the kitchen instead of putting the heating on. Take good care of yourself and yours.xxx
Happy to see you enjoying all the new life around your garden. I especially love to see the marigold and sweet rocket flowers.
The food you had looks so yummy it makes me feel hungry now.
The virus has people around the world feel fear and tension though here at my place, I don’t quite feel it actually.
Love to see that picture of your pups enjoying the electric fire!
Finally, do take care and happy spring!
Thanks Jade, Spring is such a wonderful season! I hope you stay safe, take good care of you.xxx
“Lentil haggis” sounds like a contradition in terms. I don’t mind lentils, but I prefer them in more traditional Indian dishes — at least, I think I would.
I love your new fire! I haven’t the room for such a thing, and truly, it only would be good during winter, I think, but resorted to the artificial youtube fire from time to time. On a really large screen, it’s amazing how realistic the ambiance is, complete with the sounds of a crackling fire. Your dogs certainly look as though they’re appreciating it, and why wouldn’t they?
While I’m certainly taking our new virus seriously, I must admit I find the hysteria in some quarters over the top, and the silly tendency of some of our politicians to deny any problem is just as bad. So, I’ll wash my hands, go to work, get my sleep, and avoid crowds — especially since I’m in a high risk category!
Ahem. “…I’ve resorted to the artificial youtube fire…”
I wouldn’t have opted for the vegan haggis, it was the only main on the menu. I prefer lentils in Indian dishes too and of course, soup! What I like about this fire is that you can have the flames on without the heat which costs very little. I like the flames on screen too, they do warm the place up. The coverage of the virus is extreme for sure, calm news clips would do fine! Yes, a balance is what’s needed, and being sensible. Thanks Linda.xxx
As we’re not going out much seed sowing and watching the germination process is keeping us occupied. It’s fascinating to see new life although some don’t make it, flop over and then it’s necessary to sow more seed. I agree that you need a focal point in a room and the new fire is an excellent choice. The dogs appreciate it too and the scene looks very cosy. Not sure about the lentil ‘haggis’ the important thing was to have a great night out with friends. Take care Dina xxL
I could watch seeds germinate forever. They seem to have come up very fast this year, I’ll need to sort the veggie patch out over the next few weeks. The dogs are enjoying the fire, Buddy treats it like our logburner, gazing deep into it’s depths. Thanks Linda.xxx
I think more are doing supermarket shops online too. We gone this for some time but lately getting a delivery slot has become more problematic.
Yes, apparently supermarkets are advising customers to order four or five days before items are needed. Maybe that’s the way to go given our supermarkets are packed right now. xxx
I was fascinated to hear you didn’t like the Vegan Haggis and why. I am told that like with other types of haggis, there are considered to be good and very good ones. I can’t give you chapter and verse on them as I can’t risk eating lentils. I have to look them in the eye, so-to-speak.
There is a certain moderation in external socialising, more so in some areas than others from what I see. Not all of it down to viruses, though, they will have some effect. Your sneezing woman really was very selfish!
Your signs of sprouting spring are great.
The centre-piece fire looks very effective….water vapour? Does that mean you have to add the wet stuff to the heating unit? As you say, technology is fascinating.
I think the vegan and maybe meat haggis may be an acquired taste. I don’t think I’d dare sneeze on public transport, I carry a bagful of tissues everywhere now. The sneezing woman actually thought it was funny! Yes, the fire has a water bottle, easy and simple to use. The water vapour is heated and lamps underneath illuminate the vapour, so realistic! Thanks Menhir.xxx
Love the fire, it’s gorgeous… I see who wins the races to the comfy spots, lol. Do you guys end up sitting on cushions on the floor!
Strange times indeed, leading to strange behaviour.
Thanks AnneMarie. Lol….we have to squeeze in between the dogs, I usually sit in the middle of the sofa with Sam and Annie either side and Buddy on my knee. Yes, strange times indeed!xxx
the annual showing of seedlings and buds is indeed a miracle one that I fear many people miss! And yes we are living in strange and interesting times…and I agree with you I believe that they will become more so as the days and months move on.
Even here in London things are much quieter. I had lunch at the Chelsea Arts Club last Monday (a place I love) it was business as usual but getting there and back, trains and buses were very quiet. Maybe on a positive note this business will get people out of their cars…and walking more in the fresh air. We can only hope.
Love your new fire and to me it looks very real 🙂 XXXXX
Thanks Janet. I’ve noticed trains and buses being less populated too. We live off a busy road and of late there has been a lot less traffic. People are staying home more and more. There is a lot less pollution now, especially as so many factories have closed in China, at least that gives the earth and us a chance to breathe! xxx
You are right that seeds germinating is a wondrous thing, every year it amazes me. I am not sowing any seeds just yet, it is a bit early for me here, that is a job for April.
There is nothing like flames for feeling cosy.
Thanks Sustainablemum, although wet and windy, it mild here.most of my seeds are up now, even the tomatoes. Just waiting on the peppers and courgettes. Oh yes, I agree re flames being cosy.xxx
Great photos of the seeds germinating! This post reminds me that I need to get my seeds started soon.
Thanks Sheryl, good luck with the seed sowing.xxx
I love your new fire it makes the room look very warm… hard to know what to do about sneezes in public places… & we are booked to go to the UK in April/May .. and would be doing quite a bit of train travel ….we were hoping things would improve by that time .. but it doesn’t look that way. Hope your weather is improving and all new plants germinate.
It’s such a worrying time for everyone who has a holiday booked. Several of my friends and family are pondering on whether to chance it or not. Things will probably get worse before they get better. Still grey and windy around here, but getting the odd glimpse of a blue sky is lovely.xxx
Dear, we are actually going through a very difficult time… embarrassing, as well.
Whenever you have to cough (and I have chronic bronchitis, it is often!) I almost choke to avoid coughing.
People dodge you, walking as far as possible from you… today at the supermarket (on Saturday then!) it was semi-deserted. Here, however, you will find everything on the shelves, there are no looting of some primary goods… rather I believe that a lot of unsold goods will be destroyed.
Lombardy (northern Italy) has closed the borders with Switzerland. Many of the 70,000 cross-border commuters also work in our hospitals and nursing homes.
We (forcibly) isolated my 86 year old mom. I do the shopping for her… and leave it in front of her house. I greet her from the car, to avoid physical contact.
It seems to be living in a dystopian film. I wrote about such things ten years ago in my last book… Christ, I wouldn’t have thought it could become real.
And the worst is yet to happen.
Dina, everything is going in the opposite direction, but we must make ourselves strong and look forward positively.
I’d like to watch blooming seeds… for now, I don’t feel like gardening. I concentrate on work since a couple of panicked colleagues don’t come to work anymore, the others have to try to do everything possible.
And when it rains, I save frogs and toads from being crushed by cars. Those, continue, without slowing down… like every year.
Hugs and kisses :-)claudine
Oh goodness, how I feel for you trying not to cough! There are some scary things going on now, I never thought I’d see such times but it was inevitable to some extent with such a huge mobile population. Fingers crossed it all works out for everyone, especially your poor mum, she must hate being isolated. Oh….those poor frogs. Bless you.xxx
Oh, my! It does look like real flames, and how very cozy the 4-leggeds look!
Your veggie meal looks very appealing; I’m sorry to hear it wasn’t all that great, but I bet you had fun with your friends, anyway. I don’t know that I’d try anything like haggis, veggie or otherwise, so I give you credit for that. 🙂
I cannot believe your dame’s rockets are blooming and your roses are leafing up! Just wow. We’ve not had much of a winter, but you’re months ahead of us, still.
Love and blessings to your sweet seedlings. I completely agree: life is awesome, every bit of it.
Mind the sneezers!
Love from me to you.
It’s astonishing how real the water vapour flames look, the things that come out these days!!! I wouldn’t have gone for the haggis, sadly it was the only vegan main but I’m glad I tried it. The weather is so odd worldwide isn’t it? I can’t imagine your place without months of snow! Here it’s been wet and really windy, I am no fan of those icy winds blowing though you. You watch out for sneezers too! Love and hugs to one and all.xxx
That is really a lovely fire – well done on spotting that! I agree with you – nature is awesome, the way new life comes back time and again. I reckon God is very clever!
Indeed! I always enjoy seeing the seeds come up, truly miraculous. We are pleased with the fire, just what we needed.xxx
It always amazes me as well to see seeds germinate and grow. Lovely pictures, I especially like the pot marigold. The fire certainly looks warm and cozy. xx
Thanks Flighty. I was surprised to see that marigold survive the winter. I must keep seeds from it, maybe it’s tougher than most. Hubs and I are thrilled with the fire.xxx
I think it’s fascinating watching beans germinate, I think their size makes it easier to see exactly what happens and it’s like a little miracle. A fire is a great focal point in a room, and even if the flames aren’t real, they do give a sense of cosiness.
Oh yes, the bigger the seed the better the show. Broad beans are such lovely big seedlings. All of mine are up now. I love the new fire, so cosy.xxx
I have finally got around to sowing my seeds so look forward to (hopefully!) watching them germinate. R always insists on a vegan haggis on Burns’ Night and I hate it too. Love your new fire – that’s quite the impulse buy! :0) Your room looks very cosy and I love the dogs, each on their own chair! xx
I’m glad it’s not just me hating the vegan haggis! Enjoy watching those seeds grow! Thanks Veggiemummy.xxx