Eaten

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an eaten pear
is oft forgotten
core is tossed
and left for rotten
but my pear
I swear to thee
thou art forever
art to me

- Aggie Aglaia
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Namesake

So let me introduce myself. I’m a friend of Tabbie’s.
My name is Aggie, and pretty much whatever Tabbie likes, I like.
Two peas in a pod you might say, but not identical peas.
I’m here for now at Tabbie’s request to keep this blog up and running.
You’ll see my spin on things, but in many ways this place will stay the same.
I frequently consult with Tabbie, without whose input I’d be completely lost.
I can’t promise there won’t be more changes in the future,
nor can I promise this blog will go on forever, but for now the garden grows.
It’s nice to be here in a garden amongst other friends of Tabbie’s.

Getting to the “Namesake” part of this post, many of you know that Tabbie particularly loves flowers which are yellow and flowers which are fragrant.
I’d swear nirvana is achieved when the two qualities combine
like they do in this great plant from Tabbie’s fantastic collection.
It’s called the Chinese Perfume Plant.
Having never been around when it was in bloom,
I’d always wondered why it’s called a perfume plant.
Two weeks ago I got the chance to smell it, and like an addicted butterfly,
I’ve returned again and again to enjoy the ineffable sweetness
which floats from the tiny yellow blossoms adorning this plant.
The scientific name for this species is Aglaia odorata.
I can’t tell you how glad I am my name’s not Aggie Odorata!

– Aggie Aglaia

Feelin’ Pretty

This House Is Not Mine

…but if I were a Windsor, it might serve as a nice little Spring Cottage for me.

A man’s home may seem to be his castle on the outside;
inside, it is more often his nursery
~ Clare Boothe Luce
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Some of my neighbors have the most amazing houses.
Some are massive. Some are quaint. Some are inviting.
All of them are unique, and I’ve decided to showcase them here.
This is the fifth house in this series.
(House 1,   House 2,   House 3,   House 4)
– Stay tuned for more –
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I photographed this house and its grounds by starting in the back
and working my way around it counterclockwise.
Large sizes are only a click away.

Nor need we power or splendour, wide hall or lordly dome;
the good, the true, the tender, these form the wealth of home.
~ Sarah J. Hale

Lumberjack

I stumbled upon a bird logroller in the swamp this afternoon.

(video is best viewed in small size)

This Isn’t My House

…nor am I expecting Hänsel and Gretel to stop by for dinner.

Some of my neighbors have the most interesting houses.
Some are massive. Some are beautiful. Some are quaint.
All of them are special, and I’ve decided to showcase them here.
This is the third house in this series. (House 1,   House 2)
– Stay tuned for more –

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Hänsel come quickly,
you will not believe this sight unless you see it with your own eyes!
~ Gretel
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This Is Not My House

…but then again, I’m not a Tudor.

Some of my neighbors have the most interesting houses,
and I’ve decided to showcase a few of these homes “just because”
…this is the second in this series. The first house can be seen here.
Stay tuned for more.

Grace thou thy House, and let not that grace thee.
~ Benjamin Franklin

Korean Spice Viburnum

To be overcome by the fragrance of flowers is a delectable form of defeat.
~ Beverley Nichols

Viburnum carlesii, the Korean Spice Viburnum is in full bloom now, and the fragrance is mind-boggling. One could easily hyperventilate by burying one’s nose in the clusters of blossoms to breathe in the rich sweet perfume.
It almost takes a twelve step program to stop!