It is pink

It hasn't bloomed in years.

It was forgotten, in a corner.

To my surprise a flower spike appeared a couple of weeks ago.  

I was hoping that it would be pink.

Nothing, absolutely nothing, is growing outside. 

Thank goodness for my greenhouse.

My orange tree is blooming in my greenhouse.  

The Kumquat tree has been bearing fruit since last summer. 

How do you eat Kumquats?

Do you pop them into your mouth whole?  

Or do you eat only the sweet rind? 

I love seeing the faces when my little friends eat a Kumquat for the first time.  

Happy Surprises to you, 

Gina 

What is going on around here?

The word is out!

When we built our house 23 years ago,

the pond was here but not a single bird was in sight.

We thought that possibly something was wrong with the water.

After a few years wild ducks and wild geese would stop by when every other pond was frozen. 

Our pond is spring fed.  

For years the birds did not bring their young. 

So what is different this year?  

Did it take 23 years for the birds to feel save with us?  

What is wrong with this picture?  

There are too many parents. 

Salpiglossis and Iceland Poppies grow in my garden. 

Now is the time to bring poppies into the house. 
Be sure to singe their stems first.  
They will last a week in water.   

And inside the house,  a Cymbidium  orchid is getting a bath. 

Happy Sunday to you and yours,

Gina  

Winter Break

 Where else but in sunny California

Where the Lemon Grove is in bloom all year round.

Where the oranges are sweeter than anywhere else.

Where the flowers grow in wild profusion.

And where the trees emit a heady perfume of blossom and fruit.

All lovingly tended by our friends J & B.

At La Casa el Grande, in Rancho Santa Fe.

And my favorite shop is right around the corner.

Trader Joe's, where orchids can be had for a song.

I brought many home.

Even a small lemon tree. Laden with tiny lemons. 

Now in my dining room.

Thank you J & B for letting me pick to my hearts'  content.

Gina 

Of Mice and Men and my Cymbidium Orchids

This time of year my Cymbidium Orchids start blooming ... just when I need them

The first year my orchid had 3 flower spikes

The following year my Cymbidium had 6 spikes

In the summer I park my orchids outside, behind the garage, in partial shade.   I leave them outside until the first light frost in late September/early October.  (A light frost will set flower spikes) 

Last year, just about this time of year, 16 glorious flower spikes appeared all at once

 And this year I have pots of Paperwhites blooming,  MICE ATE THE ROOTS OF MY CYMBIDIUM ORCHIDS

Gina

Today I'm joining  http://fishtailcottage.blogspot.com/
Today, I'm also joining  http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/