Friday, February 29, 2008

Drop in anytime

Sadly visitors month has come to an end, and my last post is dedicated to all those creatures that come bearing gifts.



The birds, the mice, the moles -
the cats that eat the birds, the mice and the moles
that leave the seeds behind that plant themselves.
Some I leave and some I don't,
but thanks for each and every contribution ~ they're all appreciated however small.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

A good yarn


Not so long ago Jesse from Jesseblog featured this beautiful picture from here that instantly made me think of a great big hairy catterpillar.


Here's why.



But I'm not sure my guys are as cuddly.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Dead Cute

I have had to say a final farewell to my camera. "It would be uneconomical to repair" I was dryly informed. So this link sent to me by SkinnyLaMinx came just at the right time. Imagine your common garden variety slug visitor (of which I have many) looked like this, from tokyocube.


We'd be in a right old spot of bother. I'd have to give up my all consuming extermination campaign and go for peace, lurve and a sluggery.

Friday, February 22, 2008

The Uninvited Guest

The Cape Doctor needs no invitation and comes and goes as it pleases - with abandon.


All my plants are wearing brown skirts this month

I recently met an Englishman who resides here for part of the year, and he made an enlightening statement.
"One doesn't garden in January in Cape Town." He is right but this year he should include February.
Why? you might ask. Well,
because it's Cape Town (we're surrounded two oceans - double the helping of salt & sun)
it's February behaving badly (like January the windiest month)
and it's pointless because it all gets undone.

I've been feeling guilty and frustrated about all the undone jobs but everytime I stick my nose out I get a free exfoliation. So I'm settling for a good watering regularly and lets see what's left at the end of this month.
May the wind be always at your back.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Making my day


This week has been a bad week for my blog. Real life and the virtual world are competing for space.

So Denise at Freshly Found Thank You for presenting me the You Make My Day award. The feeling is entirely mutual.

Whenever I visit my 'happy' sites, the world's a better, brighter and richer place to be in and I walk away renewed. Most of my favourites like Freshly Found, SkinnyLaMinx and Jezzeblog are high on lots of lists and have been awarded already. But here is some magic to be found:

Pannifer's Food and Such only one of three blogs by Alan Mailloux and Barb McMahon. He's a chef and she's a writer. I love the way she writes and that it's about food is a bonus.

Cake and Milk Paperie by Angeline Tsao who designs the most beautiful whimsical stationary and I've been following quietly for ages.

Sixandahalfstitches whose approach and photography I just love and again have been following on the quiet.

Musings of a Garden Historian from the other side of the world, whose quite observations and great knowledge I really appreciate. And I'm facinated by the difference in climate and the way it influences everything we do from what we plant to the way we feel about our seasons.

Print & Pattern if you ever wonder why I go on about nature as a creative inspiration you'll see lots of examples of it and other patterns here. A veritable visual feast!

The rules are:
1. Write a post with links to 5 blogs that make your day.
2. Acknowledge the post of the award giver.
3. Tell the award winners that they've won by commenting on their blogs.

Friday, February 15, 2008

Thursday, February 14, 2008

All Rights Reserved

Here is one visitor that has no redeeming features in my book.



  • All Mole Crickets unwelcome
  • If you're mother was a Mole Cricket you're unwelcome
  • If you're father fraternised with a Mole Cricket you're unwelcome
  • If you resemble a Mole Cricket you're unwelcome
  • If you're long distant cousin resembles a Mole Cricket you're unwelcome
  • If you live in a Mole Cricket hole you're unwelcome
  • If you know a Mole Cricket you're unwelcome
  • If you smell of Mole Cricket you're unwelcome
  • If you wear Mole Cricket brown you've got bad taste, and you're unwelcome
  • Even if you're a dead Mole cricket you still give me the kreeps so take your aura elsewhere!

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Thrillers

Some visitors make me happy every time I see them, because, I know the body count is going to go up.


Quiet, Aristocratic, Assasins. I wouldn't want to meet one in bug-alley on a dark night.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Spotlight on

A bit like a Robbie Williams some bugs look better in the lime light, and center stage is actually quite forgiving. I know this guy is bad news but he's positioned himself so beautifully that I'll forgive him this bud.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Gooseberry Bug.

Some of my visitors have architectural ambitions above their stations in life.




I think the Estate Agent Ad said something like this...

Free Sectional Title:
  • Open plan, Indoor/Outdoor living.
  • Feel a part of nature!
  • Plot, no plan, customise as you like.

Monday, February 4, 2008

Welcome to my parlour

I have decided to dedicate February to the visitors of my garden.

FatCat (alias Louise ~ yes, from 'Thelma & Louise' but unfortunately Thelma her sister is with us no longer)


I love all things feline and FatCat is the grand old lady of my domain. She peruses the garden and it's goings-on from a quiet dignified distance. Nothing is rushed, and if anything noteworthy is taking place she will let me know by sitting near the said event facing it like an arrow but with a lot more class. After all pointing is unforgivably rude.