Blooming this year

Inside, we have Rowndy my most faithful friend, which I've let down a little during winter due to morning sickness, but it bloomed ungrudingly anyway. Can't ask for more! :D






Outdoor, the tulips are inviting butterflies and bees like I've hoped. Gee I never knew that they are such lasting flowers. At the eastern wing, I have a surplus planted for vase decor so the florists won't be seeing me for quite a while.









Catch my new addition of Lavender shrubs from the bird's eye view!




We chose a Japanese Maple and a Benthemidia Florida from the council, gifted to us this March, and bro D helped with the planting before he left for Singapore.　Benthemidia Florida has such beautiful flowers!




And the Japanese snowbell is blooming soon in June.





Now everyone is doing fine except my fav Hydrangeas. CRY! I'm utterly ashamed cos Hydrangeas ARE hardy plants so something must be wrong with my handling!




On a lighter note I'm definitely feeling spirited now compared weeks ago, when the hospital matter sorta shook me bad... But a miracle is happening, I've transferred to this excellent hospital that meets my every single need!! Now you oughta know things are rock rigid in Japan, like it's impossible to recall the plane taken off, but YES, I am hopping onto the flight of hope, by the grace of my mighty God.


It's like seeing a rainbow after a rain of desperation. :) I'm sure I'll be empowered for what may come. For God is in control.

But Autumn is beautiful

Autumn is locking into place, as we wake up with each colder morning. Am dehydrating fast like the crispy leaves, hear me crunch. Ouch.


But Autumn is beautiful.





Feed on : scrumptious apples, creamy pumpkins, and tummies-warming hot pots.

Put on : barret, flattering coat. Leggings in booties and I'm ready to go.





Look on : maturing hues in red, brown and gold, while the chill is still marginally bearable.


Look my way lady, don't be shy.



I'm th

Just thankful for the colors that sustain a dangerously prosaic mind, even if it's by strands. Seasons are harder to live with, but too pretty to get on without.

.
Gotta go. These hands are screaming for cream.

Summer + Sunflowers

.
Summer in Japan has lingered longer than should this year, burning amok and causing quite a depressing harvest. Bear's friend who owns an apple plantation shakes head at the subnormal dip of temperature, for it's not helping the apples glow red and bright.






So, for farmers who decided better to nourish their fields with Sunflowers than to do a regular plot, I'm really happy for them; and for another reason : This Summer is sure bursting with Sunflowers.





For weeks we've been surrounded by beds of them, dominating from field to field in loud yellow. This sweltering season is definitely more bearable with these darlings around. =)















And here's Bear, who've just 'rescued' a trampled sunflower to an upright stance ~ Definitely one of the kindest guys I've known my life... His gentle soul a blessing to have beside.





Praying... that Lord our God of abundant grace and mercy, will always shine His face upon us like the glorious Sunflowers... Amen.

The Lord bless you

and keep you;

the Lord make his face shine upon you

and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn his face toward you

and give you peace.

Numbers 6 : 24-26

Blessed weekend!

Grapey first!

.






As it descends from snow to rain, days are getting more comfortable with humidity returning, though my plants get a lot trickier with the transition. You bet I'm keeping a keen eye on the fellas.


Orchids tell their health intelligently with their leaves, and they sure stir me easily with the slightest sign of distress. Bear thinks that my hobby is imposing a toil on me, well that's just him. I confess : sometimes, I do feel my confidence fading... but whenever I'm resoluted to start something, there's a faint chance of pulling out or leaving things there.


At fair times, people embrace this 'steadfast' nature. When we fail to see eye to eye, I'll be labelled a 'mule'.


But it's just all so me.


This is Grapey then.







And now.

Helpless on their sole own nonetheless, I think they're a bunch of marvelous lives. Every single bud demonstrates a dedication in its own way...

It has never been a partial partnership, the blooms say it all. =)

I've induced an early bloom on Grapey by the 'branch-method' - when flowers have passed the bloom, the branch is cut from bla bla bla bla bla... I'll spare you from the details. Maybe I'm ready to work in an orchard for Orchids. =)

Friday scribbled

This is the view from the hallway, at daybreak followed by a snowy night. The trees sit in nicely for a landscape effect, courtesy of our neighbours behind. It's literally a moving picture when it snows in styles ~ diagonally, straight, lightly, heavy.

We're looking forward to the expression of fresh Spring.

Many may have already known, Orchids are extremely vulnerable to cold temperature, and my precious are struggling again this winter.

I'm crossing fingers that they'll make it to Spring since they're already heavy with buds. 頑張れ。。。


...........

I've made Bear a new pouch for his drinking bottle, with a most befitting motif cross-stitched. Shh... he doesn't know it yet. =)

........

Last Christmas, I'm blessed with gifts from Helena in UK , who produces exquisite handmade cards. Her parcel was full of goodies, with her handmade cards enclosed. It's a difficult choice but I shall send one of her cards to a friend who needs attention now, she simply loves cats.

About Helena again, she's the maker of Dilly, the gween wagon dat luvs pink, I'll run to her site whenever I need a dose of humor. Guess what? I've received an award from Dilly! Fnar!!!

Awards are fun, friendly and by no means serious, but I shall be sensitive to some who may not like them.

So I'm passing to these fabulous five:


BP - Her scribbles encourage.

SAHM - She scribbles, shares and tickles.

梅子さん - I'm holding on to the language thanks to her scribbles.

J.H. - She scribbles, she snaps.

Maggie & Mitch - They frolic while the mom scribbles.



Now the rules,

Upload the picture on blog, pass it on, and don't forget that it originates from here.


This is one Friday, scrambled and scribbled. ;)

I've got a mail...

A mail requested for my opinion on some forum and it started with,


' Dear author of 'What's in store for a God-Blessed Box...' '


DAH... I'm totally embarrassed, for I've forgotten clean that I own a blog! And wait a minute, having a blog makes me an 'author'? =P

Anyway, the never-have-been-blog-savvy me offered no comments, but I thank it for the tight slap that my blog is staling.


I have news, and trivas too. ;P


1. Bear has received result for his annual health screen, and he's beary healthy!! I claim no credit, as we owe everything to God who has blessed us with good health, and every other good things we least deserve. Simply said, we're simply blessed. All thanks to our heavenly Father above. =)





2. Lil bro serving in the army, is back home in a piece after a month of intensive overseas training. =D I was praying that all typhoos would shun Taiwan and come Japan instead. =P My sweet hunk is assigned to combat, so everything's naturally tough but he has never complained. Army has made the boy a big man now.

Kudos to all Singapore's boys who serve and protect our country!

3. Japan has enjoyed a good long holiday amidst the comfortable autumn, and still enjoying local produce of huge plump juicy grapes ( 巨峰 ). If you think you like grapes, wait till you've tried Jap's. It' so good, it's insatiable!

Some vegetables are dirt cheap these days, a carrot comes with 4 free. If nutritionists are right about ' you are what you eat ', come see me look like grapes and carrot in a week.

4. Tsk. What's up with the blog radio again. =( Gotta start searching for a new radio. Grr...
.

5. I've received another mail from a reader. The font of the blog is feedbacked ' too small '. Do you think so?
.

6. I'm having a new love...






I shout ' GORGEOUS!!'. Nod your head this instant. Fully-bloomed at last, 3 weeks after acquisition ( one bud outstanding actually ), and I can't wait to show off my new love. =P



............



7. My instincts have named it 'Grapey'. Its blooms look like bunches of mouth-watering grapes, you agree with me? Yeah? Horrid Bear calls me ' predictable '. Grrr...

Right, I'm done for this week's, and I'm reaching for a bunch of grapes now. I said 'grapes', not 'Grapey', you heard me. =P

Ciao!

Hot holiday

It's 130% Summer here, I tell you! (@@)


I must have sounded disrespectful with a somewhat ' rainy and cool Summer ' in the previous post, and now Lord Heat is punishing me! =P


Ok... see this little ornament on the right, with 2 goldfishes? ( Yes, think goldfish, inspired by olden Japanese game, 金魚すくい ) Simply looovvveee such decorations the Japs prepare for their lifestyle throughout the year. They're cheap, cute, very Jappy and the profit of this purchase goes to some welfare organization. =)

And I'm conferring it to my prized pot, Rowndy. For its blooms have sustained for more than 2 months. ;)


............

We're in the midst of the Obon holiday actually, hopefully the heat subsides a little when we're having fun outside. Another fine aspect about living in Japan : lotsa holidays! ;)

It's officially Summer

From yesterday!




Just how do I know? Here in Japan, 　when ’梅雨明け’ ( tsuyu ake : end of monsoon season ) is announced over the weather forecast, that's when Summer is officially here!

And if you're thinking I'll be smiling at this familiar season, summer in Japan is too unfriendly to mention. A sudden shot of 10 degrees and beyond takes place right after monsoon. The island is uniformly roasted at 36 to 40 degrees daily, turning inhabitants into strippers alike. =P

Ok, I exaggerated. But we're definitely seeing more thighs exposed on the streets. I luv shorts to pieces during this season. =D

*****

Much weeks have been spent on serious matters lately... Bear needed a spin while I needed a break bad. So off we spun to seek some floral peace at the Lavender field over the weekend.

A perfect getaway though we might be slightly late for the season. Tender breeze wafted a loving scent in the air even before we could see the field.

This is what's so special about Lavender, always inviting. Happiness is when I see this beautiful flower dance in the wind, as it shares a gentle scent.

And this is what's so special about God's creation, always awesome. Joy is when I know God creates such beauty with His marvelous hands, and offering it free.

The regulars were at the field too. ;)

...........

So glad that we went. This week is boosted with a good bolt of energy. =)