waiting for my sunflowers...

Getting green again!

YUM!

Can't cope, won't cope - we have moved away from the noise and the dirt and found a little piece of zen in a big city of crazy! Lucky. I am back in the garden, hubby is watching his tomatoes, and Elbi is happy rolling on the rug! Time for a deep breath...no more avoiding main roads and hiding on the back streets! Now, we are already there! Suddenly, the city is do-able again!! YOKATTA!

I wasted no time planting those sunflower seeds....!

Even the spider plant is happy!
Cuttings galore for many more plants!

This year's hibiscus! Fingers crossed she survives!

Sunflowers!

Even with a rainy season here, I shall not be beaten!

And to think I was SO excited when the seeds sprouted......

But, now that the flowers are out....YAY!

Monday

Pre-typhoon, cloudy Tuesday morning

Pre-typhoon, rainy Tuesday afternoon

Wednesday morning in post typhoon sunshine!

Thursday!

The pots of sunflowers are growing well (large & small seeds) and my sunflower patch....well, I shall have to wait and see. Yesterday, they were fine...

Pre-Typhoon

Post-typhoon

But, today, not so! These little critters were on there today chomping away....

Caterpillars

Can you see the kemushi peeking out??

And, last week, I caught the old kemushi having a go at a leaf...It's a wonder these have survived at all! The garden is so enclosed that it's a delight for woodlice, ants, mozzies and so on...eeek!

.....A few days later and I think the typhoons have passed!

The sunflowers at the front are blooming nicely and the ones at the back are actually bending and stretching towards the sun! Let's hope they flower as that was where last year's sun(non)flower was.....

My neighbour wasn't convinced about planting seeds in pots.....!!!

Oh, how I love the sunflower!!!!!

Flowers!

Last year, I couldn't believe the joy of 'The flower'.

Living in the countryside for the first time, I have never seen so many flowers out and about. I was so amazed that I wanted to preserve them, so I tried to dry them. This worked for a while, but it is so time consuming and this year, time is even more precious, so we are keeping them fresh!

The first poppies have appeared around the lake and I was cheeky enough to steal one. However, even weeds are helping to make the house look so much prettier!!

チャーミーレイ　

poppy by the lake

poppy by the lake

 This one has a long way to go before it looks like anything I have seen at the flower shop. But, we have two flowers on these lovely plants (charmirei) that I almost ruined last year. I had planted them outside, but my neighbour gave my strict instructions to re-pot and move indoors! Good job I listened to her!!

Sunflower-CRAZY!!!

The sunflower seeds have gone crazy! Let's hope they continue to grow and actually flower this year!!

Decorating the house!!

flowers galore!

And recycling bottles!

Sunflower 2012

So, last summer, I managed to watch my sunflowers grow and grow but not flower. (See this picture - The flower-less Sunflower)

I am determined to not let it happen again.

I bought a couple of packets of small seeds from the wacky shop up the road, then, remembering that I have hoards of seeds for Mimi, our hamster, I took her dinner and planted it!

It rained all day yesterday so I haven't been looking after the plants so much, but I took a peek today and was soooo excited to see that some of the seeds have sprouted or are in the middle of actually sprouting!! I think I a excited as a child would or should be! But, it's my first time at starting from scratch, so I am allowed.

Sprouting & sprouted.

There is another pot too, so hopefully this summer, we will be living in a jungle once again!

Harsh Winter

It's certainly a lot colder in the countryside and we have learnt the hard way that you need to be prepared and brace yourself.

Next year, despite my paranoias, I want a kerosene heater. We bought some electric radiators this year, but, with the fan heaters, there is a lot of electricity being eaten up and we cannot use all together without it all blowing the fuse. So, for the past few months, we have literally been gathered, huddled and wrapped up in the living room staying warm and minimising any visits to rooms not heated.

Still, now we are finally reaching the end of March and we have rays of sunshine! We also have lots of Spring showers, but I would rather forget about that!

 

 I have been able to get back out in the garden, which, to me, is like a new feng shui release.On the bank holiday, I planted some spinach seeds that I found on sale in a quaint, cute local store (I shall have to upload some pictures as no words can describe its uniqueness), as well as some pansies.

Up on the balcony, we have a big cactus surviving happily and this plant, bought last year, and its magically starting its own cycle again. Apparently, it is a plant native to Japan and is seen wild in Gunma prefecture.

 

Today, I threw some sunflower seeds in some planters to see what would happen. I just want to see green and colour, even if there is nothing much. I also got talking to the neighbour again (she is my expert on matters of the garden). She ever so kindly gave me a cutting of this blossoming tree. She called it Obai, although, i can't seem to find a translation for it, so shall just enjoy its cute beauty as it flourishes.

Thank heavens for sunshine.

Flowers outdoors

My sunflower is sooo tall, but still no flower in September!!

Wild flower addiction!

Looks great in an egg container!

Don't know what they are, but the are pretty!

one pink petal 

wild flowers