This morning, before dawn’s light had penetrated neighbouring trees, I photographed
the wakening garden from above.
Aurora first fingered the wisteria;
the crab apple
and the Amanogawa blossoms.
Aaron of A.P. Maintenance gave the shed two coats of paint,
then drank a mug of tea while, at a suitable distance, I admired his work and we came to the conclusion that we should have a crack at running the country together.
Afterwards I made him prints of this set of photographs and those of “Where’s Aaron?”.
This evening we enjoyed pre-dinner drinks on the decking and watched tiny airborne hoverflies floating around
red and gold Japanese maples;
flecked laurel leaves;
Brown Turkey ficus fingers;
and deep magenta rhododendrons – all kissed by the evening sun which
pencilled patterns around the Copper Beech bole,
and imparted a gentle glow to Florence’s sculpted cheek.
Our subsequent meal consisted of Jackie’s perfect pork paprika, cayenne and three chillis speciality, with which I drank more of the Bordeaux, her Peroni having been consumed on the decking.
Did Aaron color-coordinate his jacket and the paint for the shed? If he’d put on blue in the morning, would you have had a blue shed? Or did he know the shed’s color, and chose his attire accordingly?
I made exactly that observation, Linda. Great minds….. In fact he never knows what he will be asked to do until he arrives – he is that versatile. Thank you very much.
Isn’t that funny! I thought the exact same thing.
🙂
I was going to say that too! He matched the shed.
🙂
Utterly delightful! And green is a good color for the shed.
Yes- I thought so too!
As did I!
🙂
Ladies of taste, as we already knew. 🙂
Thank you very much, Laurie
Perhaps you two should run the country. You would have it organized, tidied up, anything broken had reliable hands to fix it, prompt and dependable service and two pleasant smiles !!
The problem is……
https://pacificparatrooper.files.wordpress.com/2020/04/voting-public-1.jpg
Spot on, GP!
Thanks to you, too, Liz.
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Thanks very much, GP. That is such a chilling picture.
Might not be a bad idea to have the two of you in charge…… worst comes to the worst, Aaron could always tidy up the country’s tatty bits and you could photograph him doing it. The ability to undertake team work is a must in good leaders 🙂 I always enjoy your views from the top windows. The garden looks so serene and tidy and well planned and inviting <3
Thank you very much, Pauline. We would take advice from your P.M. X
Love the green. same colour as my shed. You have great taste Derrick!
Many thanks, Andrew. So do you 🙂
I’ll vote for you!
🙂 Thanks very much, Susan
I agree. Good color choice for the shed.
Thanks very much, Judy.
Of all the lovely photographs today my favourites are the backlit leaves.
Thanks very much, Anne
Such glorious flowers, shrubs and trees! The shed’s now looking very handsome with its new coat of paint.
Thank you very much, Sheree.
You’re so lucky to have Aaron. I could certainly do with someone with his skills. Handymen are so hard to find here.
We are, indeed
Wow, that hoverfly shot is impressive when you biggify it. And can I hire Aaron for a bit? I’ve got some painting on the garage……
Thank you very much, Maj. Lockdown might be a problem in getting him over to you. 🙂
I’d vote for you two to run THE WORLD….as long as Jackie is your top advisor! 🙂
Aaron is dressed in camouflage! HA! 😀 He’s such a great worker! I’m glad he can still work and be safe these days.
The hoverfly photo is amazing! 🙂 And I really love the close ups of Florence! 🙂
HUGS to you and Jackie!
HUGS for Aaron!
Thank you so much from us all, Carolyn X
Beautiful as usual.
Hello Aaron!
Aaron did a great job on the shed. It looks wonderful. Like Pauline, I always enjoy the photos from the second floor. It gives a whole different perspective. I’m glad you are all staying well. Same here – so far, so good!
I’m glad you are staying well, too, Jodie. Thanks very much.
xoxo
I could live in that shed. A radio and a flask of coffee. The photos are wonderful.
You could indeed, Gary. No lighting though. Thanks very much.
The perfect color choice! I loved the “Where’s Aaron” post. That was fun. Gorgeous photos, Derrick. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you very much, Jill.
The garden is looking fabulous. My rhododendrons aren’t out yet. The shed colour is perfect and blends in well.
Thanks very much, Sue. We are pleased with the colour, too.
Your garden is spectacular!! It must be so lovely to see it out your window every day.
Thank you so much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick! It’s wonderful to see the results of the Head Gardener’s work. It’s obvious she has a talent and a passion for it.
It was good to get a different angle on you lovely garden. I might vote for you two to run the country but I would have to known where you stand on cycling infrastructure provision in towns and cities first
All public transport would be free and efficient, with motors banned, leaving towns and cities to those who use their own power. Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal.
I enjoyed these photos from the bookends of your day, Derrick and Jackie!
Aaron is a very hard worker, and is dedicated to his tasks. All three of you would do a fine job of running the country. 🙂
Thank you so much, Lavinia. “Bookends” I like.
Cunning tactics by Aaron to wear a top the same colour as the paint 💚🌏
Glad you noticed, Ivor. 🙂 And I like your coordinated heart.
OK Derrick, a couple of points: is that the pink shed? Please tell me it isn’t. and secondly, although I am fearful of the answer to point #1 the crab apple is today’s all time favourite.
Thanks a lot, John. No, that is a comparatively new shed which had not been painted before. The pink shed, after your observation, will remain untouched until it finally falls down.
You could paint it with a clear flat varnish to preserve it. I’m glad it’s still there. Every decent garden needs a good shed like that.
🙂
I would vote for you two.
🙂 Many thanks, Sylvie
🙂
Absolutely stunning, Derrick. And your photos introduced me to a first for me. Want to guess? This is the first left handed painter I’ve seen. Were you even aware of it? Of all the beauty in your yard, I focus on a left handed painter. Oh, well! Have a great week, Derrick.
I had noticed the left hand – for the first time. He is left-handed but can use either when it suits. Thanks very much, Steve.
Actually I got that wrong – he is left-handed, but he is also able to use his right. 🙂
He is left handed, he told me that makes two of us!
What? A left handed blogger? 😂
I very much enjoyed the view from above and Florence’s gentle face. Good job Aaron!
Thank you very much, JoAnna. I’ll let him know.
🙂
Your shed looks good.
Thanks a lot, Mrs W
Your welcome
I really like your blog so I have nominated you for the Liebster Award. I hope that you will accept the award and that you enjoy answering the questions. You can find the award here https://debbyseo.wordpress.com/2020/04/20/liebster-award/ With love, Debby Winter
Thank you very much, Debby. Actually you didn’t include me in the list, but that is OK because I spend so much time on my blog, responding to comments, and reading and responding to those of others that I really can’t manage the award requirements. I am, of course, honoured.
You’re on it now I fixed it. Thanks for taking the time to have a look and reply to my comment, it means the world to me 💕
🙂
Green seems to be the colour for sheds at the moment. I still haven’t decided what colour to paint mine but Aaron did a good job for you!
Thank you very much, Helen
Hmm….thought I commented this post…but, it has been a wild busy day…so I will now…
So glad Aaron can work and be safe, too. He is such a good worker. He is camouflaged! 😉
Love the close-ups of Florence’s face! 🙂
I would vote for you and Aaron to run the world…as long as Jackie is your top advisor! 😉
HUGS!!! 🙂
You did, indeed. Thanks again, Carolyn XX
A super delicious dinner with a beautiful view from the deck 😉🌸
Thank you very much, Ribana
You’re garden really is beautiful.
I always like to see the pictures of things growing there.
Thanks very much, Rabirius
One of the best times to be up, especially outdoors.
Thanks very much, Libre
The colors of your spring garden are fantastic. And Aaron did a great paint job on the shed. After you get your government established there, maybe you could come over here and straighten us out, too. 🙂
🙂 Thanks very much, Cheryl
Lovely photos, and I like the color of the shed
Thank you very much, More.
You’re quite welcome
Brilliant photos!Miss your posts so much!I have been so overwhelmed with some publushing projects that I have neglected some of your wonderful posts!Christ is risen!Give my warm regards to Jackie!Really thinking about you two!!!
Thank you very much from us both, Sofia.
So glad I tuned in today. The flowers, the work in the garden, all of it, reminding me that life continues. Thank you, Derrick!
Thank you very much, Gael. I’m pleased, too.
Splendid photos Derrick, my soul is so longing for some spring blossoms…
May you soon be blessed, Julie. Thank you very much
I think you’d likely be a good team running the country.
Thanks very much, Lisa. 🙂
Thanks a lot, Debby
You guys work hard.
Aaron seems to have done a great job! I love Wisteria. Am so jealous of you as I would love to have those hanging in my balcony.
Thank you very much, Geetha
I concur: you and Aaron should run the country, Derrick. Might you consider running our country as well, while you are at it?
We would love to, Dolly 🙂 Thanks very much.