More Garden Assistance

Early this morning we shopped at Ferndene Farm Shop for three more 60 litre bags of compost and another tray of bedding plants.

This afternoon we were treated to a most welcome visit from Danni and Ella.

Our great niece made straight for her box of mice that hide under the TV, after which she dragged Jackie into the library where

the toy box lives.

She found a paper bag with which to go shopping. Her Mum was the willing shopkeeper.

The story that came next required an equal amount of rapt attention from mother and daughter.

There was time for a few bubbles to be blown before the contents of the tube found their way to the floor.

Because of lockdown at Easter we were overstocked with eggs which could not be distributed. Ella was the happy recipient of a chocolate Bunny which she was generous in sharing.

After a while, our great niece was happy to wander in the garden.

She offered assistance in sweeping paths and watering plants.

Danni joined her at times.

Individual members of the above gallery bear their own titles – Compassion rose; day lily; pink rose; Welsh poppies beside an owl log; a red climbing rose with a blue clematis; yellow rose, Summer Time; pink Festive Jewel; Gloriana, For Your Eyes Only and Summer season sculpture; and Florence’s basket of bacopa.

When it was time to return home, Ella refused to say goodbye because she didn’t want to leave.

Later, Danni e-mailed me her photograph of me watching Pets2 with Ella on Netflix. I don’t appear terribly impressed, and Ella’s interest soon waned.

This evening we dined on Hordle Chinese Take Away’s excellent fare, with which Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank Cotes de Gascogne Merlot Tannat 2019.

91 comments

  1. That’s so cute. She probably figured that if she didn’t say goodbye, she wouldn’t have to leave!

  2. Ella seems to have had the best time — a good play with the mice and the toys, a story with mum, a run through the garden, and some helping time in the garden too! What more could a cute little girl want except to not have to leave?!

  3. How time flies. Ella is no longer a baby. Gardens are the perfect place to wander. I see she takes her phone to the garden. Now to show her how to take photos. 🙂

  4. Toy boxes – a treasure trove for every new generation to enjoy; how wonderful!
    I’ve observed that there is definitely something in the mix of ‘bubbles’ that makes it magnetically attracted to the floor.
    Ella is such an interested, lively little lass – great that she’s developing her gardening skills as well as her recycling / bin collection interest, earlier in Lockdown; a busy bee, and a total star! 🙂

  5. Beautiful Ella! 🙂
    This post and it’s photos read like a wonderful picture book! The book could be titled…Ella’s Busy Fun Day…Adventures with Ella…Ella the Entertainer…Here Comes Ella…Ella the Smiling Helper…or The Bestest Day Ever… 🙂
    I’m so glad she got a chocolate bunny! 😉 😀
    (((HUGS))) 🙂

  6. Everything ooks beautiful, Derrick and Jackie! That was a wonderful day with Ella and Danni. I can see where Ella will be helping Jackie in the garden before long! 🙂

  7. I still enjoy blowing bubbles. Ella is such a well rounded child: playing, shopping, sharing her chocolate, reading, helping in the garden…. I can understand her not wanting to leave. Maybe she can sleep over sometime when she’s older.

  8. Children are true time machines. It is through them we can revisit our younger selves in the past. Ella has had quite a picnic with her adult friends. She is going to love plants and gardens forever now!

  9. Ella is a beautiful child, and she seems to become more beautiful as time passes. Those curls are such fun. Remember the old rhyme? “There was a little girl who had a little curl, right in the middle of her forehead. When she was good, she was very, very good, but when she was bad, she was horrid!”

    I can’t imagine Ella being horrid, although I’m sure she has her times!

  10. You are so lucky to have such enthusiastic and willing helpers Derrick … a thoroughly enjoyable coolection of photos today ..

  11. What an absolutely heartwarming post. I do enjoy Ella’s visits to you, and it’s pretty obvious that Ella does too.
    Those warm memories will stay with her for ever.

    As a young child I adored visiting my great aunt and uncle. They never had children, but fussed about us with toys to play with, and even small gifts on every visit. All these years later and I still think about Aunty Nell and Uncle Edgar.

    I love that you also have a toy basket and books just as I do for my grandchildren. ?

    1. Thanks very much, Sue. That box contained a Christmas hamper from good friends who have both died – it keeps their memories alive, too. Yes, I think she will always remember. Even the long Covid-induced gaps between visits haven’t affected her knowledge of us.

  12. A beautiful world of your’s Derrick. Ella is adorable and the image where she is blowing bubbles is great to frame.

  13. Such a delightful post, Derrick. I can’t even begin to pick a favorite photo–though I really loved the series with the book and how rapt Danni’s expression is. It looks like a wonderful day for all.

  14. The minute I see those auburn curls popping up on the header I begin to smile. I thought for a moment, that the two of you were watching the rugby sevens, and neither none too pleased with the state of play …

  15. Ella is a beautiful bloom of a child. Prettiest flower in the garden (and your garden is full of beauty!). Ella has such focus on her face – a portrait of concentration. Who can blame her for not wanting to go home? <3

  16. I remember the days when my daughter wouldn’t say bye bye to Granny and Granddad. It must be lovely to have new little ones in your life and that you can see them properly again.

    Your sitting room looks lovely, by the way. I’m glad Ella seemed to find sweeping paths more interesting than Netflix.

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