A lovely "Play in the Dirt" Sunday.
Spent the morning relaxing with The Sunday Edition, the Tucker-Cat, and a mug of coffee on the patio. The Hummingbirds buzzing my feeder and Bullfrogs across a nearby pond harrumphing their hopeful calls for undying devotion...or at least a quick bit.
Yesterday's soaking showers made the ground perfect for weeding and (now that the irises have finished) some thinning. Found Tucker's secret hiding place in the bargain. Solidly in the middle of my stand of irises he has hollowed out a round "cat nest" for himself, and seemed rather put off that I have discovered it.
Tidied the borders, roses and trimmed the boxwoods (no extravagant topiary here...just keeping them more or less spherical and a manageable size). At least low enough to view my roses over.
Soaking rains and warm suns have done wonders for the roses and herbs.
Soon to snip some fresh Rosemary and make a herbed mini-loaf to go with broth and salad. Still kind of atoning for Memorial Day Weekend's excesses.
(Virtually) poked around the Pubs and Gardens of Britain, yesterday.
Although (personally) I do not care for beer (ale or stout) I love Pub Grub...including the wonderful morning fry-ups and afternoon Chip Butties.
And more than the Pub Grub...the atmosphere...are the Pub Names. Some of which will make you laugh out loud, and must have a wonderful story behind them.
The interior reminding me a great deal of numerous Boston Pubs in The States, which I have seen.
And almost EVERYTHING available on tap. My late husband, Bill, would have LOVED a Pub Crawl, here, I'm thinking!
If you do like Ales, you're going to LOVE this link
http://www.alesbymail.co.uk/
Where you can sample authentic British Ales, shipped right to your door.
My true love, of course, were the amazing gardens!
A few of them are even combined with local Pubs for a "His and Her" perfect Holiday.
Have Afternoon Tea served in their midst!
From Topiary, Knot and Cottage Gardens to The Not-To-Be-Missed-Experience of The David Austin Rose Gardens.
And to make your (virtual) trip complete you can both send for The David Austin 2016 Catalogue
http://www.davidaustinroses.com/american/Cat.asp
and purchase one or more of the David Austin Roses.
As a Gardener, of course, I must! The only catch is deciding which one to buy!
Finally settling on this:
The James Galway Rose. Huge blooms. Heavy Old English Rose Fragrance. Disease Resistant and a Climber! Who could ask for more?
http://www.heirloomroses.com/roses/david-austin-english-roses.html
My very favourite are only sold (currently) in cut bouquets of 10 to 25 and start at $100. plus shipping charges.
They are named Keira roses. Waiting for the day they have these available in bush form for the general public. A HUGE Old-English Cabbage Style Rose. When these are still closed the outer petals have a streaky greenish tinge like paper roses...as they open they start very pink and slowly fade to light pink and slight tinges of peach. They are outstanding.
Can you almost SMELL the old rose scent?
So off to bake bread and tidy the house...and maybe even bring some of my own roses in for the table this afternoon!
More anon..