Unusual flowers

In the Jephson Gardens in Leamington last week there were some Morning Glory flowers growing that were distinctly different to any that I had seen before.

Some had rather delicate stripes, while others were a deeper purple color rather than the more usual blue..

A little Sunday morning PS to this post - a beautiful blue Morning Glory that is blooming this morning in Mum's garden..

And now I am looking at the shape of this flower which is much less rounded and wondering whether the other flowers were something different or whether the rounding occurs as the day warms up and the flower starts to wilt.

And finally, a common or garden but closely related Convulvulus, not as pretty as the little tiny stripy ones that you see on the coast path sometimes.

At the farm

This picture gives an idea of the dull, grey and damp weather today, but we had a lovely day all the same, catching up with Maggie and all the family.

Kate took me with her for a drive around the fields to check cows and sheep - all looking good.

Wedding Lilies

It was Mum and Dad's wedding anniversary on Saturday and we had sent them these white lilies which have the name 'My Wedding'.  

The flower, whilst definitely a lily (the scent is almost overwhelming), does not have the normal lily shape but rather is opening from the centre with a series of narrow petals curved around each other.

I looked them up to understand why they looked so different.  They are a new variety of double oriental lily which have no stamens and hence are marketed as being particularly suitable for bridal bouquets and wedding arrangements and displays.

Dahlia Display

Earlier in the year, Mum bought a number of small dahlia plants and tubers for Lauren to bring on in her garden.  

Mostly they are dwarf plants with rather interesting flowers, petal shapes and colours..

This more traditional 'pompom' shaped flower is one that Lauren grew from seed last year.

Out to lunch

Today began with a morning visit from Theo who was wide awake and raring to go.

We had a walk to the shops and then at lunchtime headed to 'The Leopard' for lunch with Andrea and Steve who had driven up the Fosseway for a visit.

We found a quiet corner and Theo was soon enjoying the attentions of these experienced grandparents.

All in all a lovely visit!

Back at the ranch..

Although I am in the UK, David is still at home and hence in charge of the bird feeders.  

No mean feat..  Especially as we seem to have a creature coming along at night - presumably somewhat larger than a bird - intent on pulling apart the humming bird feeder.   It has happened twice this week and the second time one of the little plastic flowers has disappeared.

David's wildlife camera captured this little deer family in the back of the garden the other evening with three fawns.

Making Memories

Theo was full of beans this morning, sitting in his bouncy chair with his Sophie giraffe toy and book.  

He had a special appointment later on..

At Mothercare, a company was visiting who specialize in taking casts of tiny hands and feet and displaying them.   Theo was booked in to have one hand and one foot measured and cast as a keepsake.

We were intrigued to see how it was going to be done. If anything, the solid lump of goo that he was required to put his hand in was somewhat messier looking than I expected!  It is in fact the same stuff that is used to take dental imprints!

It was wrapped right around and then it was necessary to wait for the product to dry and solidify.

Next a foot..

Same process and he pretty much took this in his stride even though he looks a little stern.

Quite happy when it was all done..

Now just a few weeks to wait for the casts to be made and framed!