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This morning Shelly and Ron visited with more presents for Jackie. We sat talking on the patio before conducting the obligatory garden tour.
The poplar, of which I featured a close-up yesterday, made a pleasing back drop to our conversation.
Also yesterday I photographed Just Joey before he had come into his full splendour, which he had done today.
Quite nearby, Flower Power, finally released from the being the Big Beast’s convenience, is demonstrating its vigour for the first time.
Shelly bent to experience the full fragrance of stripy Rosa Gallica,
sharing it’s bed with the glowing Laura Ford;
and, later, looked aloft to admire the budding Wedding Day smothering the Agriframes Arch.
Finally, Jackie proudly showed her sister that the spindly little allium she had last year transplanted from beneath a prised-up brick in the path had, emulating Hans Christian Andersen’s Ugly Duckling, developed into a beautiful swan-necked crane.
After a routine tidying session, we took a trip to Molly’s Den. Jackie has hankered for a couple of stone window boxes with which to replace the plastic ones that sat on the stone wall at the front of the house, except when they were blown down. She suggested that would be what she would like for her birthday. We began at that antiques emporium.
These two stood immediately inside the doorway. Obviously we bought them.
But, really! Two stone troughs for a birthday present! That had only ever been subterfuge on my part. While the Head Gardener went looking to make sure they were no better ones among the many other displays, I searched for something that would be a bit more of a surprise.
This vast, hangar-like, warehouse is separated into cubicles and smaller display cabinets linked by gangways like this one.
There’s not much you can’t find here; retro and vintage clothing;
furniture and furnishings;
garden tools and kitchenalia;
baskets and kettles;
bridal accoutrements;
and a rocking chair.
Now, in situ, underneath the wisteria arbour, isn’t that a more suitable present?
Needless to say, it was essential that the window boxes be potted up post haste.
This evening we joined Becky and Ian at the Crown Inn at Everton for a birthday dinner. The food, the service, and the ambience were all excellent. I enjoyed well-filled steak and kidney pudding, crisp chips, and perfectly cooked fine slivers of broccoli and carrots wrapped in a tender cabbage leaf, followed by unbelievably light and moist bread and butter pudding in creme anglaise. I drank a pint of Doom Bar followed by a glass of Delcoeur vin de l;Herault. Should any of the other three feel inclined to report on their meal, I invite them to do so in a comment.
Jackie was given a joint present from Becky, Ian, Mat, and Tess, in the form of a quite magnificent owl. I will photograph this bird when it has been placed in the garden.
So gorgeous! I can’t pick a favorite
Many thanks, Lynn. That’s how I like it 🙂
yes!
It sounds as though the birthday girl had a wonderful day, Derrick. That chair was made for Jackie! I hope she enjoys it for many birthdays to come. Beautiful photos!
Very many thanks, Jill
Oh my goodness I so want to visit that shop! What glorious fun – and what a lovely rocking chair! Well done Derrick, I’m sure you just elevated yourself to partner of the year!! All Jackie is lacking in that photo is a nice cool white wine and a pre dinner nibble…… The window boxes look very sturdy, and way more classy than the plastic types of course. Lets hope they withstand old man Windy when he comes roaring past. Happy Birthday wishes again for Jackie – you can never have too many 🙂 xo
Very many thanks, Pauline. I am honoured X
Window boxes and a rocking chair – best birthday ever!
Happy Birth Day to the Head Gardener. Long may she reign! 😀
Thanks Widdershins.
Many thanks, Widders
I just had the chook’n!
but what did you have with that…
🙂 I can see your face now. Thanks a lot, Becky.
Looks like you had a good day shopping Derrick, I am a big rocker, so I love the rocking chair. 🙂
🙂 Nice one, Terry. Thanks a lot
This whole post reads like a delightful treasure hunt, Derrick. And Jackie looks very pleased with her gifts – especially the chair! Well done. Happy birthday, Jackie!
Many thanks, Cynthia. A nice description linking it all together.
A happy story of a wonderful gal and your caring and garden. Quite the imaginative eye you display with the crane plant, as ever. Good stuff at that shop ( I’d enjoy a wander there) but…wait a minute….kitchenalia?… an interesting conjoining of paraphernalia + kitchen = a new word! Fun gift of the good looking rocker. All around a lovely day via Derrick Knight. I’m going to start calling this blog “A Peek Around Derrick’s Neighborhood.”
Great comment, Cynthia. Many thanks
It looks like a wonderful birthday–and Jackie looks quite comfortable and content in that rocking chair!
Many thanks, Merril
Jackie rocks!
I put money on this comment, Bruce. You didn’t let me down. 🙂
Let’s hope it was a lot of money and you’re in a sharing mood!!! (P.S. My b’day is in December)
When exactly 🙂
On the Feast of St Nicholas!
Wow!. I already have 19th, 20th, 23rd (twice) and 30th covered.
St Nick is the 6th! Everyone in my house has their birthday on that day! There are only 2 of us but we share the same date but not the same year.
CHIPS WITH A STEAK & KIDNEY PUDDING!!!!!!! You have to be kidding me! Sacrilege of the first order! Go to jail, directly to jail & don’t bother coming out!
The bread and butter pud sounds delightful.
My sentiments exactly Brian! Chips with gravy, shouldn’t ever happen!!!!
Coarse it should
I couldn’t agree more – chips with gravy=yum! And I live in the antipodes where we do things in a classy fashion…
🙂
Chips with Steak & Kidney is the sacrilege chips
with gravy is in a photo finish though
and tomato sauce/ketchup is just as bad!
You missed this one, Brian: https://derrickjknight.com/2014/10/25/chips-and-gravy/
Although I support the right of people to eat food in their own way, unfettered by the dictates of fashion or other forms of comestible-based coercion, I can’t help thinking that chips without gravy are like apple pie without cheese, and apple pie without cheese, as my grandfather used to say, is like a kiss without a squeeze.
Hysterical, Quercus. 🙂 🙂
🙂
Post haste…really. I am glad to see the flowers striking their best poses for Jackie. Did the chair carry a guarantee of a number of hours of leisure to sit in it? 🙂
I’m so pleased that wasn’t wasted, Mary. I can hear the groan from here. At least one hour a day. Thank you.
Yes, the rocking chair rocks, and so do the window boxes. Beautiful, beautiful.
Many thanks, Uma
Happy Birthday, Jackie! Cheers!
Thank you Donna.
And thanks from me, Donna
ah me echoes of mum and dad and birthday/Christmas presents. Looking lovely as ever – the garden is good too…
Very many thanks, Geoff
It looks a very interesting place to wander round.
It is, John. Thanks
Now you’re also growing swans in your garden? 😉 Hans Christian Anderson would’ve loved that. What brilliant smiles Jackie wore; seated on her rocking Queen-of-the-Garden throne! Such a sweet and perfect present from the blogosphere’s favorite Knight.
Over here, DIY tv shows and their hosts are all the rage! Molly’s Den would be sold out in a week !! It appears to have a web site, but shipping cost?
No doubt prohibitive, GP. Thanks very much
I’m going to be obsessed all day with the idea of bread and butter pudding with stirred custard! The birthday outing sounds like a great success–nice gifts–chair and planters, both!
Many thanks, Kerry
Looks like a lovely day all around. Happy birthday to Jackie! ??
Many thanks, Julie
Wowsah! What a nice birthday. Again, happy, happy!
Very many thanks, Laurie
Oooh, that rocking chair is fabulous! Happy belated to birthday Jackie.
Many thanks from us both, Persia
A Happy Birthday to Jackie! What a lovely birthday outing and dinner!
I enjoyed the tour through the Old Post House and the gardens.
Thanks very much, from us both, Lavinia
I enjoyed the beautiful roses, especially loved the rocking chair with Jackie relaxing in it! Happy belated birthday, dear Jackie. May it be one of the Best years of your Life! ?
Thanks from us both, Robin. Jackie said; ‘Aaaawwwhh. That’s nice’.
I love the roses.
Thanks very much, Arlene
what a beautiful gift, many days rocking and enjoying the beautiful sights <3 happy birthday <3
Many thanks, Kim X
The rocking chair is a wonderful gift Derrick. Many happy returns to Jackie … and your perennial garden ?
Many thanks from us both, Val
Jackie and the rocking chair look like a perfect pairing – just like chips and gravy.
Happy belated Birthday, Jackie.
Thanks very much, Quercus. There should be a song about that.
🙂
Lovely photography as usual. That rocking chair has definitely found its owner, a beautiful picture!
Very many thanks, Geetha
Most welcome Derrick 🙂