Oh for the flowers.

It is wonderful to be sharing here this week. It is wonderful to know I am missed. 

Life has been busy, if not overwhelming. Work is busy, home life is busy, with kids and all the other things that happen, like swimming lessons, haircuts, helping number one son.

Mother hen has gone to the cup, and it has been empty pretty well. Without much of a chance to replenish, I have been making an effort to be selfish and do things for me. Take time out for the things I need, to make me feel like me again.

I coached my first school group at gymnastics. It was a small town school so a whole school group under 15 kids, was a good way to cut my teeth. I was nervous as hell, but it went well! Always the way, stressing for nothing. I also had a kindy group of 26 this week, which seemed hectic but turned out all good. That many four and five year olds is like organising a heard of cats! 

Amongst all the things, the garden keeps on giving me gems, something to cut through the coldness of winter. I planted anemone corms a couple of months ago, and now they are giving me most beautiful flowers and colour.

It's coming around that time when winter wares out it's welcome. The cold antarctic wind can bugger off now. Moral is low, we all need a dose of sunshine and some defrosting northern winds.

I went out yesterday to capture the plover babies that roam around our cul-de-sac. The most gorgeous fluffy little things, that huddle in warmth under their mothers. I didn't see them out, but was reminded that spring is moments away, with two wattle birds courting in the gums trees above me.

Foggy mornings usually bring the sunny winter days, two more weeks and I look forward to the sun coming into it's own and basking in it's warmth. I look forward to the garden in all it's glory. 

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November garden

The weather has warmed up here. We're having a mini heat wave and it is wonderful.

The garden is at it's best at this time of year and I went out this morning to capture some of it to share.

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November garden

It's  hasn't warmed up a hell of lot down South in south Australia. Not like the past years. We are lucky to be getting any temperatures up in to the 20s. 

The flowers are emerging slower than previous years. We're getting there.

All my kids've been born in November. The last two, the girls, while we've been in this house, in 2009 and 2011. 

I've made gardens in every house I've lived in since I was twenty years old. I remember even digging a bed along my mothers driveway and planting Petunias to brighten it up.

My favourite garden memory here has been, when I have come home from hospital with each baby girl, and driving down the driveway to an explosion of roses. The seem to have all come out to welcome our new babies home. Just magical. Those were hot Novembers, with the temps well into the high thirties. 

These white flowers are from a brassica. I think it's a bok choy plant or something like that. I always pick a flower or two to eat, as I walk past. They are edible and I love the taste.

I haven't tasted the flowers from the broad bean plant, I do like the flower though. Plus from the flower a broad bean grows. We all like eating those, straight from the bush.

Charles de Gaulle rose

Cistus 'rock rose'

I love the smell of these mini carnations. Divine.

This is the Harry Wheatcroft rose. I have a soft spot for this one. It's one of the first roses I planted when we built this house. I never thought of myself as a gardener who talks to her plants. But every year when I see this rose flower for the first time in Spring, I always say "Hello Harry!"

Just Joey rose

Statice makes a fantastic dried flower. It lasts for ever in the vase inside too.

Another fantastic fragrant flower. Sweet peas will never fail to send your sense of smell into overdrive. 

Joining Denyse for #lifethisweek

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