Hanging On For Christmas

This afternoon, before another encouraging Chiropractic session with Eloise, I wandered around the garden in the sunshine.

This winter flowering cherry was to be expected, but the Welsh poppies were a surprise. I thought it best to leave a few seedheads.

Numerous bidens and Roxanne geraniums seem to be continuing for ever.

Light shone through leaves such as viburnum plicatum, Japanese maple,

and Cordyline Australis;

throwing shadows on the Brick Path, Florence sculpture, and the trunk of the copper beech tree.

Holly berries, hebes and viburnum shared the season.

Roses Festive Jewel, Kent, Doris Tysterman, and Super Elfin are hanging on for Christmas.

This evening we all dined on tasty baked gammon; piquant cauliflower and broccoli cheese, tender green beans and mangetouts; and what I grew up knowing as macaroni cheese which I gather is now Mac and cheese, with which I finished the Fitou and Jackie drank Diet Pepsi.

74 comments

    1. They are helping – I am more able to look to the right or up and pain is better at night. Thanks very much, Dolly

  1. Wow, those flowers are really hanging on, I hope they make it to Christmas! Lovely photos, Derrick. It is called Mac and Cheese here, so good! It’s funny how we speak the same language yet pronounce and write them differently. Many of us here are from the UK. ????????????????

  2. Your title is lovely!
    Such beautiful flowers still posing and smiling for you!
    I love seeing the sun kiss Florence, the trees, the leaves, the flowers, the Brick Path! On any day, but especially a cold December day, it’s wonderful to see the sun!
    Glad to hear about your chiropractic help! 🙂
    I am always interested in the names of the flowers/plants…their history…how/why they are named as they are! When you share the names, I enjoy researching them. 🙂
    Doris Tysterman is a beauty! 🙂
    (((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

  3. Our roses gave up a few weeks ago and a friend in the midlands showed his final single rose hanging on in the frost the other day. The death toll is moving down your way, Derrick. 🙂

  4. Brings to mind that hauntingly lovely piece by Michael Praetorius, “Es ist ein Ros ensprungen”…. Nothing says Christmas more than this song.

    A spotless Rose is blowing, sprung from a tender root,
    Of ancient seers’ foreshowing of Jesse promised fruit;
    Its fairest bud unfolds to light Amid the cold, cold winter;
    and in the dark midnight.

    The Rose which I am singing, whereof Isaiah said,
    Is from its sweet root springing in Mary, purest Maid;
    For, through our God’s great love and might,
    The blessed Babe she bare us in a cold, cold winter’s night.

    This Flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air, Dispels with glorious splendour the darkness everywhere;
    True Man, yet very God, From sin and death
    He saves us, and lightens every load.

    O Jesus, by being born out of this vale of tears,
    Let Thy help guide us to the hall of joy In your father’s kingdom,
    As we praise You eternally;
    O God, give us that.

    https://youtu.be/7RjAXOcTebI?si=dx7qBdxEwfc1putu

  5. I had such a worry, Derrick. WP decided to kick you off my email list or something. I just went searching for you and was relieved to find you.
    And you are truly blessed with these blooms still!

  6. I am basking in the glow of all these winter flowers blooming away in your garden, Derrick and Jackie. They are beautiful!

    I am glad to hear the chiropractic sessions are going well, Derrick.

  7. I’m finally catching up on reading blogs. I don’t know how life got so crazy but lately there doesn’t seem to be much retirement in retirement. All of your rain seems to have led to a myriad of beautiful flowers in your garden. Thanks for sharing them.

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