PEAR TREE LOG

pear tree log: I started this blog to keep my younger son, Jonny, in touch with life in Lincolnshire, while he spent a year working in China. That year turned into five! Now he is home and training to become a physics teacher. This is simply a patchwork quilt of some of the things I enjoy - life in rural Lincolnshire, our animals, friends, architecture, books, the gardens, and things of passing interest.



Sunday 23 June 2013

Jonny & Ming Ming, this is for you...

Not long to go now!   
We are really looking forward to having you back here for a while.
Meanwhile, here are a few scenes from home...


A girl on a mission!
This little girl has grown since you last saw her.     
She loves the animals and really enjoys feeding the hens.   
Even Sparky enjoys her attention,
for a short time.

The gardens are blooming.


Lupins and peonies are my favourites at the moment.


...and don't you love these 'cat-tail' lupins?
Sparky is never one to miss a photo opportunity.



My honeysuckle hedge is about to burst into bloom,
the scent will be heavenly.
The men around this place keep trying to decimate it.
I may have lost a couple of battles,
but not this one.
I have planted a few more.


The steps to nowhere have been slightly revealed.
That area has had a lot of work done on it,
as you will see.


Francesca is definitely mummy's girl.
Which is only fair, given that Harry has always
been a daddy's boy.


I have lots more to show you, but I want to keep a few surprises for when you get here.

The vegetable garden is really starting to get going now,
despite the usual dreary summer weather.
The polytunnel is already productive.

Joanne, of Cup on the Bus has a magnificent lettuce-fountain in her garden.
I loved the idea, so here is my mini version!
The Head Gardener had commandeered many of my large tubs and pots,
so I had to make do.
My version is not grand, but it is very productive.
I really like it.
Thank you, Joanne!


Bennie takes a break...
on the newly planted onions.
Her job is to scare the pigeons
which have been feasting on the greens.


The Head Gardener joins me in sending his love.
xx


23 comments:

  1. Wonderful family photos, Elaine. Everything looks so cool and green....while I melt in near 100 degree temperatures. Lovely new header photo...

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    1. Hello Meggie, Our English summers are rarely hot - we celebrate if we get the odd day in the 80's! I hope you have found some relief from the heat. I'm getting a tad excited about Jonny and Ming Ming's visit - can you tell? ;-)

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  2. How nicely your summer progresses! The lettuce tower is wonderful; my sister did it to foil the slugs, and to date only one slug has been encountered. And, it's so much easier to pick the leaves from this level.
    The stair remains a fascination. I wonder if it was put in to facilitate the climb up a hill. We'll wait and see.

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    1. Hello Joanne, The lettuce tower is looking better than ever now - visually beautiful and also practical. It seems to be a constant battle out there what with moles, slugs, snails, pigeons and so on - but not on the tower! Those two little steps lead into the deep, dark undergrowth. No rhyme or reason for them - but then that is part of their charm.

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  3. The cats are working hard I see! I remember the post about Miss Francesca's christening...boy, has she grown (beautifully!).
    Jane x

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    1. Hello Jane, We do work them pretty hard. Francesca is a girl who is naturally drawn to all animals, she has no fear of them so we have to watch pretty closely and head her off at the pass sometimes. Her mother caught her trying to catch the school goldfish the other day...

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  4. Wonderful message post to your Jonny . . . happy I could see it too! Two photos stand out, Fransesca tramping along in her Wellies and the "steps to nowhere!" I loved this . . . Honeysuckle Hedge . . . oh my, don't let any one touch it!

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    1. Hello Lynne, I love that photograph of Francesca - she really does tramp along. Wellies are so necessary around here, we have plenty of mud and stinging nettles waiting to catch the unwary. What remains of the Honeysuckle hedge is improving by the day - there is already a hint of the perfume around it. The bees will love it.

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  5. You garden is just so lush and inviting. I love Lupines too and hope to grow them again when we move; the soil is too acidic here with all the evergreens. I know these photos will be well received by Jonny and Ming Ming. XOXO

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    1. Hello Susan, The steps to Nowhere are in a cool and shady part of the garden - as to the rest, we've had quite a lot of rain recently. Summer may arrive at the end of the week (apparently) but I won't hold my breath! I'm trying to make sure this place is all shipshape and Bristol fashion before they arrive, because there won't be much time for gardening then.xx

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  6. The photo of Francesca in her wellies seems to depict the determined personality you told me about perfectly! Have a wonderful time with Jonny and Ming Ming when they arrive.

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    1. Hello Scarlet, You are absolutely right! I was thrilled when I saw that photograph - it really captures Francesca's personality. It was one of those lucky shots, I will treasure it forever. I think we both have some exciting family events coming up - enjoy that wedding...and don't forget to take plenty of photographs for us all to enjoy.x

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  7. Great family photos! I love the way that cats will get into any picture - given half a chance! Jx

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    1. Hello Jan, Bennie and Toby Too try, but their efforts pale into insignificance compared to Sparky's. She just seems to have an instinct for when the camera is about.

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  8. How that Little One's grown. A beautiful picture of her. Love all your pictures - fantastic header.

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    1. Hello Molly, I am lucky because I get to see her almost every day, so I don't always fully appreciate just how much she has grown. Every now and then a photograph like that halts me in my tracks! She doesn't toddle, she strides around the place like a little farmer's wife as she tries to track down the cats and the hens.

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  9. Love the photos. All are so professional looking (including the cattail lupin).

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    1. Hello Janet, I am forever grateful for digital cameras - and to Jonathan for lending me his cameras to play with!

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  10. It is all a work of art... including Francesca!

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    1. Hello Mitch, She is a living doll. She doesn't say much, but boy is she an able communicator!

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  11. Lovely photos. The one of George bears a strong resemblance to actor Patrick Stewart!

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    1. Hello Ms Sparrow, Funnily enough, I have always thought that George's late father bore quite a resemblance to him! Obviously I find it difficult to be objective with George's face - but perhaps you are seeing in him what I saw in his father. Either way I am sure George will be chuffed to bits - we both like Patrick Stewart!

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  12. The photo's all look great, relaxing and timeless
    x

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