Preparing For Departure

Having been picked up by Shelly, Jackie left today just after noon for three days away with her sisters.

In her efforts to ensure I would be well catered for, the Culinary Queen packed the fridge with cooked meals and salad lunch materials. The plate on the fourth shelf down contains the lunch I enjoyed after the ladies had left.

A Post It note was stuck on my computer screen in case I needed help in informing the world what I had eaten for my dinner.

Concentrating on containers and the patio area, we were both on watering duties this morning. I irrigated the front garden this afternoon.

Later on I repaired to the Rose Garden with a book.

The rich peachy pink of Mama Mia

towers above a sweep of lavender,

among which I watched flit a butterfly I cannot identify. (In his comment below, TanGental has confirmed that it is a Hedge Brown)

Creme de la Creme

and Special Anniversary are comparatively new blooms;

Hawkshead fuchsia swings towards a spent Winchester Cathedral.

Crisp peach coloured Just Joey has put in an appearance.

Petunias and cosmos are planted in the urn behind

Love Knot, which remains prolific.

Elsewhere, day lilies proliferate.

Petunias and geraniums thrive on the earlier watering, from which Erigeron and lobelias collect the drips.

As the yellow bottle brush plants fade, the red ones are beginning to bloom.

Petunias, geraniums, and others along the Kitchen Path to the greenhouse are looking refreshed enough.

Here we have views from the Gazebo in each direction along its eponymous path.

This evening I dined on Jackie’s succulent beef braised in red wine with mushrooms and peppers; creamy mashed potatoes and tender spring greens.

100 comments

  1. I love that you can ‘repair to the rose garden with a book’ – though I doubt with so much to admire and observe you would get much reading done! I generally just retire to bed with a book – it’s not got the same ring has it.

  2. I’m smiling at Jackie leaving you a reminder to tell us what you had for dinner. ? I’m taking a break from reading (The Brontes by Juliet Barker) at the moment. I’m sitting outside too … it’s a lovely warm night.
    The photos are glorious, especially the ones of Love Knot and Creme De la Crème.
    Have a lovely few days. ?

  3. What a lovely place to read today, Derrick.
    I’ve been watching the Yankee/Red Sox game on right now at London Stadium – my Red Sox better get on the ball!! (literally!!) 🙂

  4. That Creme de la Creme rose is gorgeous. I swear I caught a whiff of fragrance while looking at your garden photos. You haven’t invented post-n-sniff while our backs were turned, have you?

  5. Careful with the salad! I don’t know for sure, but there must be a point where too much salad becomes an overdose.

    Julia just made a salad with grilled tuna. It was very healthy but I’m worried I may have ingested a fatal level of virtue.

    1. Sorry for this late reply, Albert. I did actually respond, but it seems to have got lost. I explained that drinking with a meal is a social event for me and I rarely open a bottle alone

    1. Thanks a lot, Geoff. I almost settled on Hedge Brown, but the illustration in my book had only one white dot in the black ring on the wing. Your link confirms it.

  6. The roses are stunning, but I love your kitchen path/garden. It looks like you will dine well while Jackie is away. I hope she has a wonderful time with her sisters.

  7. Wishing Jackie a fun fun FUN time! 🙂
    She left you well-stocked so you to be well-fed…and I know you’ll be a good well-behaved bachelor while she is away! 😉 😀
    The butterfly among the lavender photo made me smile and sigh! 🙂
    HUGS!!! 🙂

  8. So many wonderful photographs and such an admirable display in your garden (and fridge!) 😉

    Your Lavender is out in your Summer and mine is just coming out in our Winter – I wonder if that tells us anything??

    Hope Jackie has a wonderful time!

    Is the pub in walking distance?? 😉 🙂

  9. Thank you for another tour of your lovely garden. The fridge might be well stocked but I’m guessing you’re counting down the days until Jackie returns.

  10. You are well catered for in all aspects of life mate, a caring contented belly, and the visual enjoyment of the colourful display of natures works of art.

  11. How nice to have prepared meals left for you in the fridge. That’s such a loving gesture. Your garden is gorgeous. How are you holding up with the excessive heat?

  12. Creme de la creme – that is a beautiful photo of a beautiful rose.

    I hope Jackie has a wonderful visit with her sisters. I love that she left that note with the dinner names for your blog. It’s certainly a family effort.

  13. What a well organised fridge. The culinary queen certainly takes good care of you. Including post its to remind you of what you have eaten! Nothing of course can rival your garden in the summer.

  14. I hope Jackie has a good time with her sisters. Looks like you’ve been enjoying her hard work both indoors and out!

  15. Undoubtedly you are well taken care of in the nutrition department by the Culinary Queen, Derrick; very impressive. In keep enjoying the photos of your splendid roses!

Leave a Reply