Herbs and soft fruit in the raised walls have been cut back,
the grasses around the pond have been given a much needed haircut,
and the last of the tomatoes have now been picked in the hope they may ripen.
My succulent plants in an old broken chiminea are clumping nicely, I do enjoy looking at them close-up.
I’ve tidied the hidden overflow area that was created by the new fence. Tall, deep planters are now prepared for climbing beans next spring and I’ve turned an old unit into a raised bed. I took the glass door off one side and planted that with onions and I’m keeping the other side as a cold frame as I’ve left the door glass door on. Hopefully I’ll get two or three years worth out of it.
I’m loving the late blooming begonias, eternally flowering fuchsia and the fiery flaming acer.
For Halloween, I invited daughter and Littl’urchin round to make scarecrows in their own image. Littl’urchin got bored very quickly whereas daughter was absolutely in her element!
I’ve had to stop feeding the birds, as the scattered seeds encourage rats and mice and I’m totally done with them. I do pity the small birds in the cold weather, so I bought this window feeder. It wasn’t expensive and is working a treat. To date I’ve had wrens, tits galore and robins. It’s lovely getting to see them up close.
The weather has been pretty grim for weeks. Endless rain, hail and winds have turned the paved gardens into slippy ice rinks as the leaves are falling in droves. The water was almost level with the kitchen door at one point. Yet more rain is forecast daily for the next few weeks, so…
to me, that means hearty food season has arrived. It’s all vegan Shepherd’s pie, stews and soups. I’m certainly putting my home-grown potatoes, green beans, carrots, onion and garlic to good use.
I’ve been doing lots of out of hours checks on bonding bunnies, it’s always good to get a bunny fix.
And Finally…
Daughter’s cats are absolutely trashing her house!
Until next time, stay safe guys.xxx
You have been busy. I love the repurposed unit and the scarecrows are great.
Thanks Sue.xxx
A most enjoyable read and lovely pictures.
It’s certainly all looking and sounding good for this time of year.
The window bird feeder is such a good idea.
I think that we’re all fed up with the continuing damp and dull weather. xx
Oh yes,the weather is certainly grim!ThanksFlighty.xxx
I love the scarecrows, how creative. And how satisfying, creating lovely warming meals from your own produce. I love the idea of the window bird feeder, I shall look out for one of those. I don’t think I could cope with homewrecking kittens, that’s scary. I hope you and your family are all well Dina.
Thanks Chloris, all is well here, hoping all is good with you and yours too. The bird feeder is just perfect for the smaller birds, great for keeping pigeons etc out too. I don’t think daughter is coping with the destruction either!xxx
I do like the scarecrows, they’ve been done/made very well.
That’s a sweet picture of Littl’urchin.
Halloween was a bit of a wash out this year, the weather has been terrible hasn’t it.
I do like your begonias, fuchsia and acer, such lovely colours.
Good looking comfort food too.
Stay dry, stay warm, and stay well.
All the best Jan
Thanks Jan. The last month has been a washout here, it’s rarely dry so difficult to get anything done in the garden.xxx
What a fantastic use of an old unit – ingenious! Your winter warming food looks absolutely delicious; it’s making me very hungry! Love the window bird feeder and the scarecrows, and your daughter’s kitty made me laugh – I assume the curtain is looped out of the way of little paws! :O) Here’s to more sunshine and less rain! xx
Thanks Veggiemummy. The cats have managed to pull the pole off the wall, it needs cementing back in. I second the call for more sunshine, or even a few dry days!xxx
I had to look up ‘soft fruits.’ Now I know: we call them ‘berries.’ I was surprised by your begonia; I don’t think I’ve ever seen one with flowers like that. It’s gorgeous. I did laugh at the cat. I often think about my Dixie Rose and her oddities. She never jumped up on anything, always refused human food, and didn’t scratch except occasionally on her scratching post. Even when birds showed up outside her window, she’d only sit on a chair and watch. Truly odd.
Isn’t it interesting how seasonal some foods are? Pot roasts, shepherd’s pie, and such truly are winter foods, while large and varied salads are just the ticket in summer. Some of it’s not wanting to heat up the kitchen, and some is availability of certain ingredients, but when the cold weather arrives, there’s always that urge toward a stew pot.
Thanks Linda. The begonia flowered late this year but prolifically! Dixie Rose was certainly a one off! Yes, winter is the season for hearty food. I do enjoy salads in the summer.xxx
Haha, cats will be cats! Those window feeders are brilliant, we used to have one, it’s so good being able to see the birds so close as they feed. Oh, those scarecrows are fantastic, what a fun activity and they both did so well. Your granddaughter is growing so fast. I love your acer, they really do provide some wonderful colour at this time of year. I’m with you on the comfort food, it’s funny how our eating habits change with the weather.
Thanks Jo. Funnily enough, daughter has her Christmas tree up and the cats have ignored it to date. I can’t believe Littl’urchin will be five in February! I do love comfort food at this time of the year.xxx
Gardening activities are never ending, but the rewards are great when you get the benefit of produce you can turn into delicious meals. I enjoyed seeing your lovely granddaughter with the scarecrows made when she and your daughter came to visit you. The kitties are doing what kitties do and I’m sure there are good moments too with them. I’m glad to see work at the rescue is still happening. Take care dear blog friend. XX
Thanks Linda. Garden work has ground to a halt here, it’s impossible to get anything done in the rain. Yes, daughter enjoys her cats despite the mishaps. Hugs.xxx
Oh, my, you are a whirling dervish in all those garden spaces, and such a gifted gardener! Despite that less than ideal weather this year, your plants nit only thrive, but you score with exotic plants and creative planters! You should have a gardening show on YouTube!
And I love those scarecrows! What fun! Litt’l Urchin is really growing up, isn’t she?! What a beauty. It must be grand having your Lovebugs so near.
If I were your neighbor, I’d be sure to “accidentally” drop by at mealtime. Yum! Do those treats look delicious!
Always, always love your posts. They feed my eyes, heart, and spirit, full to the brim. Thank you, dear one! XO
Thanks Kitty.Oh, you did make me smile re having a gardening show, I am a total novice and just wing things, but thank you! I am truly shocked at how time has flown, Littl’urchin will be five in February, where did that go? Yes, it’s great having the girls so close. If only you were my neighbour….sighs. Love and hugs to all.xxx
Why am I not surprised one of those house-trashing cats is a ginger? Mine is of the same ilk….
I like the idea of having an overflow area for not-as-tidy stacks of pots and other detritus. Hope your cold frames will survive all that rain! I’m amazed by all that’s still blooming with your torrents. That begonia is a looker to be sure. Seeing your fuchsias always makes me want to try them again.
What a smart idea for a window bird feeder. Is that eucalyptus in your succulent bouquet? I love all the colors and textures in that combination. Definitely worth a close-up. All your raised beds look so nicely done. Glad you have them for your herbs and fruits.
Thanks Anne. Leo is a home wrecker for sure whereas Luna is a ninja poucher and biter. Yes, that is a eucalyptus growing with the succulents. It died last winter but has made a come-back, much to my surprise. It is good having an area that is unseen, I grew all sorts there this summer, also a great place to store pot plants and cuttings.xxx