I wandered around the garden in today’s early morning light.
Alongside the magnolia Vulcan stand the first of our rhododendrons in full bloom.
The small diurnal yellow and orange poppies that crop up everywhere have woken up;
forget-me-nots also thrust through soil and gravel at will;
even more ubiquitous are honesty,
and bluebells.
Iberis, aubretia, dicentra, hellebores, daffodils, and primulas are thriving, although perhaps the ant has nibbled the last of these.
Rusty Duck keeps an eye on some of the primulas and the lamiums.
Hairy pulmonaria breathes in the sunshine.
Florence sculpture has a good view of the yellow Japanese maple.
The Shady Path catches the sun.
Camellia petals carpet the soil.
Greenhouse geranium cuttings will soon be planted out.
Elizabeth and Jacqueline came for coffee and stayed for lunch for which
Jackie mixed the coleslaw, after which, she regretted that she hadn’t left it for the superbly competent Louis who
mixed the salad and its dressing. It was only after he had crushed peppers using a couple of dishes that he realised we had a pepper mill. Each ingredient to the dressing was carefully added with a little tasting.
Seven of us sat down to the meal. I am not in my place because I was behind the camera.
My two sisters left to visit our mother this afternoon. The rest of us dined this evening on roast duck; roast potatoes; yellow and orange carrots; cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli; sage and onion stuffing, bread sauce, and tasty gravy. Louis drank Corona, I drank Dragon Hills Pinot Noir 2017, and the others drank Portuguese Rosé.
Louis? Who is this superb young man who clearly shows such chef-like abilities in the kitchen? Have I missed something in an earlier post? Happy Easter to you all! xoxo
Becky will answer the question, Pauline. Very many thanks, and Happy Easter to you all, too. XXX
Hilarious! 😀
We brought Louis with us. He is the 16 year old son of my friend. He actually chose to spend his Easter holiday with us. Apparently we are “hilarious.”
Now that is high praise from a 16 year old!
Wow, Becky. I cannot think of higher praise than to have young people enjoy your company. Bravo, you.
🙂
How wonderful!
It was rather, Leslie. Thanks very much
Beautiful garden shots, and especially lovely kitchen shots. Bravo for Louis. Sounds like that man knows his way around a kitchen.
He certainly does. Thanks a lot, Jodie
All looking pretty splendid
Thanks a lot, Geoff
Such a profusion of spring flowers, Derrick. Your young chef sounds like quite a treasure in the kitchen.
He is, Sylvia. Thanks very much
I think Louis should have his own cooking show. Gorgeous photos, Derrick. I also took some up close shots of our rhododendrons today.
Thanks very much, Jill
I love the Easter egg trrr on the table! What a lovely family gathering, Derrick!
Thanks very much, Lavinia
The garden is looking beautiful Derrick. The meals looked delicious, what an enjoyable day
Thank you very much, Sue
Louis has a real talent! Beautiful garden and scrumptious meal.
He does, Cindy. Thanks very much
A full garden and a full house.
Yep! Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
Your garden looks so beautiful, Derrick. And everyone seems full of delight inside–two lovely meals!
Many thanks, Merril
The denizens of your garden have risen to their natural splendour. Sweet family times! It’s wonderful to watch the young blossom into experts of intricate methods of domesticity.
Very many thanks, Uma
Looks like you had a wonderful day with family and your gardens look fabulous!
Thanks very much, Gary
Ah, fabulous, I have been waiting for your spring garden! Yes, such a blessing–and family, too. Pictures bring me right there… thank you.
Thank you very much, Cynthia
What a lovely tour or your garden full of delights! And that savory dinner makes my mouth water;
Thanks very much, JoAnna
God bless all your family!! Happy Easter Derrick!!!!!!!!!!
And to you, Efi. Many thanks
🤗💗👌
you have in the family a young cook in the making and who knows, future chef?
He wants to keep it for pleasure only, Yoshimi. Many thanks.
Who needs summer with spring flowers like that?
Thanks very much, John
Wandering AND wondering in the garden makes for a beautiful day! 🙂
Your flowers and greenery are so beautiful! 🙂
How wonderful of Louis! (I made sure my boys knew how to cook and now they cook for their own families quite often.)
I love the egg centerpiece decorating the table!
Happy Easter to all of your family, Derrick! 🙂 And I am praying for your Mum to have a wonderful holiday!
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn. Your comments are really appreciated. Mum is doing well. Happy Easter reciprocated X
I enjoyed the flowers, but that Easter-egg Tree brought back fond memories of my mother. Thank you, Derrick.
I do like to trigger memories, GP. Thanks very much
“Hairy pulmonaria breathes in the sunshine.” – Oh that’s goooood. 😉
I do love your lamium ground cover, such a delightful contrast.
That home made pork pie (and the Easter decorations) looks magnificent! 🙂
May you all enjoy time spent as a family this Easter break. 🙂
Thank you very much, Bob. So pleased you liked the breathing pulmonary. 🙂 Easter good wishes reciprocated
The flowers are so beautiful!
Thank you, inspiration
I also appreciated the breathing pulmonaria, Derrick. A beautiful spring garden!
Thanks very much, Clare
I love Louis’ attention to detail. 🙂 … apart from the peppers moment that is. 🙂
Thanks very much, Widders
If only I had the space for rhododendron! Or a magnolia… Beautiful flowers, as always, Derrick.
Thanks very much, Helen. Before we had this garden Jackie would not grow those plants either
She must be very pleased then!
Yes
The Dusty Miller with the pink tulips look so good together! Tara and I just learned that the pale yellow primula grows wild in Ireland. Does it grow wild where you are as well? All I have in my garden are the ostentatious magenta, royal blue, and sunflower yellow primroses that are clearly domesticated.
It is a special priviledge to be invited into your home to meet your family and to meet Louis as well.
That primula does grow wild here. Very many thanks, Crystal
Beautiful images.
Thanks very much, Rupali
The garden looks beautiful, and I like your Easter decorations. You are a cool bunch if a 16 years old prefers to stay with you, and even cook for you 🙂
It is amazing that he likes it, isn’t it, Inese? Thanks very much
Yes, it is amazing.
Louis is quite serious in the kitchen! What a charmer!! I would spend a lot of time wandering in my garden, too, f it was as beautiful as yours! I especially like the Hairy pulmonaria. What a great shot of that fascinating flower! <3 Happy Easter, Derrick! <3
Thanks very much, Jan X
Yay, Louis!
🙂 Thanks very much, Laurie
I, too, have wonderful memories of egg trees. By the time Easter was past, the entire family refused to eat eggs! Mom made decorations for half our town. That was a lot of empty egg shells!
Ours are plastic, Gael. 🙂 Many thanks
I keep admiring the splendor of your garden, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick
Louis would be an asset in any kitchen. 👏🏻 Lunch looks like quite a feast. 😍
Thanks very much for going back to this one, Sylvia
I’m glad that I did.
🙂