The strawberries are almost done. My daughters came over and we had strawberry sundaes. I added sugar to whole, fresh strawberries and cooked them down over medium low heat until the mixture became thick and syrupy. After it cooled, we spooned it over strawberry ice cream and topped it off with freshly whipped cream. My pregnant daughter added bananas and chocolate sauce to hers.
My 2 year old red currant bush has set out some nice berries that I’ve been harvesting and freezing. It will probably yield only a few cups of berries in total this year. They will taste good combined with raspberries in a crisp or crumble.
I like blue lace cap hydrangeas. They send out runners, like the Annabelle hydrangea. In early Spring, the runners can be easily dug up with the roots and soon you have a whole new bush. A few years ago, I started with 2 bushes and now I have 6. I planted some of them in with the blueberries and lavender. I had read that all the blue flowering plants camouflage the blueberries from the birds. I’m not sure it has proven to be very effective but it’s a pretty combination.
Flora had her bath. Since she spends most of her days roaming around with me in the gardens, she’ll look dirty in no time. I figured I’d take a picture of her while she’s nice and clean. Have a good weekend everyone!
My favourite hydrangeas too
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Easy and reliable bloomers! Love the color
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Flora looks lovely,I expect she feels good to
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She feels great! Thanks:)
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The season for strawberries is a long way away here so I am salivating at your descriptions. 🙂 Your garden looks productive and the green chair looks very tempting. A great shot.
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Thanks , Mary! Good strawberry season this year. It will be interesting to read about Winter in Sydney
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Back into my orchard today; definitely. I couldn’t get out of bed this morning, again. My back is still bothering me.
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That was a long trip home!! I imagine it will take more than a few days to get back to normal. More sleep and rest!!! Sending healing thoughts and much appreciation that you shared your traveling experience
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Thank you, Cynthia. I enjoyed my holiday a lot more because I had my readers on the blog.
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Actually we don’t have much of a winter. The Gardening Australia clip was filmed in mid winter. Night time temperatures are 7ºC – 9ºC and maximums between 17 – 20ºC
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That sounds like the right kind of winter to me:)
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Flora is such a cutie, I can see why she would need regular baths though with such a white coat. The strawberry syrup sounds delicious. x
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Thanks, Sharon. She’s already dirty again!
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Fruit harvesting time is wonderful for tasty desserts – the strawberries look delicious.
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It is! Blueberries soon… If the birds don’t get them all
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ah yes! we have to ‘share’ with the birds 😉
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What a beautiful garden…and the strawberries are just YUMMY 🙂 Pawkisses 🙂 ❤
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Thank you!
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ahw, sweet Flora!! And jumjum, thanks for strawberry sauce recipe. When I was pregnant, I had a very sweet tooth too..and I got very sweet boys ;0) Have great weekend! Johanna
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Oh yes! Your boys seem very sweet indeed! The photo of your baby and his dog when he was little… Sweetest thing ever! Have a wonderful weekend, Johanna
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Lace-caps are great: anything that gives new plants so readily (without being invasive) is always welcome! The garden looks magnificent…I love that shot across the pond. Beautiful 🙂
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Thanks , Matt. I agree. Lace caps aren’t invasive at all and are reliable bloomers. Many hydrangeas here in zone 5 are hit or miss in the flower department.
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Oh yum! Everything looks so good–especially adorable Flora 🙂
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Thanks!! Flora is such a sweet little thing:)
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My strawberries have been gone for a whilem but my blackberrty bush is covered with nearly ripe berries (and lots of screening) and I’m really looking forward to my first taste. Flora is adorable. I’ll bet she’s great company in the garden.
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Blackberries are my favorite too! I hope you’ve gotten to eat a few since your last post. Flora is great company. She doesn’t have to be leashed, she’s happy just trailing around with me. I’m so lucky to have this little buddy by my side.
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Flora, how cute!!
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She is so cute! I’m just crazy about her
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I especially love the blue hydrangeas they are so beautiful, have some in the garden and nearly in flower.
Your garden is looking super Cynthia!
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