Two SoSing weeks on the trot, I must be on track for a gold star on the The Prop’s chart of Shame and Glory. The cold and crisp has been replaced by the damp and dreary and, although I have had countless flights of imagination, I haven’t done any actual gardening. Still, these things can’t be rushed. Shall we tootle on?
First, we have a Buzz Lightyear ball that was in the garden when we arrived and doesn’t belong to nextdoor. Now it is ours. Apparently, “Possession is nine tenths of the law”, is that actually true? Anyway, it acts as an ice breaker on our water reservoir and has proved very useful over the last couple of weeks.
Next, a scabious, yet to be planted out, that is having a mini flowering flurry. Scabby little flowers, which is appropriate for a scabious, I suppose. Still, it always good to see a flower at this time of year, adds to the delicious anticipation of spring.
This tatty bookshelf is going to become my plant shelf. All I’ve got to do is go to the shop, choose some paint, buy some paint, find the brushes and sandpaper and turps and suchlike, prepare the item, paint the item. See you next year.
The hydrangea cutting from Ilfracombe is producing some fine looking shoots from the bottom of the plant. This makes me very happy. Big chunky shoots, what would be better?
Not content with two bird feeders we have now have three. I am very pleased to report that our avian count has increased this week, with a lone blue tit and a glossy starling visiting the feeders. The sparrow mob and inadequate robin are still in town. Great tele.
Finally, as the great Prop would say if he thought about it, “always finish with a pretty one”. Leaves a sweet taste. Here is a darling little cyclamen, flowering its socks off.
All done for another week. Take care and stay safe, my friends.
Off The Edge Gardening 
To have two have = 3, says he from pole position (7). That should keep you thinking for a bit. An addition to your plant shelf acquisition list… some smaller plants? And aren’t you lucky with an increase in bird count bang on schedule for the Big Garden Birdwatch weekend.
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Yes, I did think about the bird count, are you going to do it? I definitely can’t compete with The Birdman of South Wales.
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Uh, nope. This is the weekend when all the locals go on holiday and I get a chance to clean the feeders. Don’t know why; it just is and has been for a few years.
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When I saw the thumbnails this week, I thought it was for marble game, but no, it’s a Toy Story ball !
I hope there won’t be a cold snap on this pretty hydrangea bud… Fingers crossed.
Pretty white cyclamen: is it a cyclamen week? !
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Ha, yes, it is cyclamen week. I love it when we all have the same or similar plants. Fingers crossed for the buds!
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I hadn’t planned to post this week, but you are an inspiration. I’m off to collect some snowdrops, and it I can prize myself away from those, will sit down with some of your fairy dust which you scatter so generously around, and find some inspiration deep down.
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Oh, bless you, I’ll keep an eye out for your post. My snowdrops are quite ready yet. Not that there are many!
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Oh how lucky for you to have a Buzz Lightyear in our garden.
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Aren’t I just!
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I meant ‘your’ garden, not trying to claim it as my territory!
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😂
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The new use for the bookcase is a clever idea and yay for the hydrangea. I usually find all the regular birds disappear during the big weekend birdwatch. They do it deliberately.
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Thank you, just have to get it done. Or I might leave it rustic and let is gradually decay and call it a metaphor. And yes, you are possibly right about the birds. 🙂
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Good luck with the plant shelf, I’m sure you can do it. My Hydrangea died when I moved it last year. But another one is on my wish list.
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The hydrangea cutting looks very promising. I love the look of large leaves in bud formation. The bookcase plant bench is an excellent idea. Do the birds seem to enjoy the apples you put out? Now I’m thinking of trying some in our suet cages.
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Early days on the apple. I think I saw some having a nibble but hard to say as it could have been fat ball. Give it go!
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The book case would make a great Auricula theatre. Fabulous cyclamen.
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Trying to think what a auricula theater would be?? You’re inspiring me to try some Cyclamen, so pretty. My greyhounds eat apples, they would love it..
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I’m always intrigued to see what us Sixes will find to feature during these quiet Winter months – but I would never have guessed that Buzz would appear. From your photo the bookshelf appears just fine as it is (for now anyway).
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I will take your passing of the bookshelf. Didn’t take much persuasion 😁
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What great promise of spring in your garden, with the budding hydrangea, scabious and cyclamen! I’m looking forward to seeing what you do with your bookcase!
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The promise certainly hopes in these dark months!
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See you next year 😂 yes these ideas seem great but then the execution of them takes some effort! It IS a great idea though and I love furniture being put to imaginative use in the garden. Clever use of the fat ball and apple combo, they will be healthier birds for it.
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I’m going to stop chucking food at them now. I think they’ve got a varied enough menu. Mind you, I have heard mealworms are very popular …… 😁
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