Wednesday 8 October 2008

The Last Picture Show...

It has been a while since I ventured out of doors.. or more specifically .. out of the back door into the garden. Catching a glimpse of blue through the window and hearing the weather man telling us good news of sun to all parts and warm temperatures.. I thought it was high time I took a look to see what had been happening in my garden whilst my back has been turned for the last few weeks.
A lot .. by the look of things..I discovered an extensive construction site had sprung up and new developments had strung themselves across the pathways and plants.. preventing me from wandering too far without being lassoed by the threads of these magnificent webs..I am not overly fond of eight legged beasties (actually that is a gross understatement.. I am a typical arachnophobic and will put on a wonderful cabaret if so much as a spider touches me or even looks at me) ...so I gave them a wide berth and concentrated on looking for any remaining colour in the fading flower beds. I was not disappointed.. there are still some vibrant splashes of colour to be found and some fairly heroic efforts from some plants given that the night temperatures are beginning to nose-dive..These nasturtiums for instance are always reliably cheerful late in to the Autumn .. and probably one of my favourites for their ability to be unruly and clamber where they will with no respect for trespassing on the neighbours land.. They are such amazing value too.. I buy a packet every year and literally throw them around randomly.. and they never fail to put on a good show.. often coming back the next year to repeat the performance..This Cosmos plant has also soldiered on .. despite the deluge of summer...It continues to shout out with it's beautifully designed flowers and feathery foliage.
I love the acid green of this jasmine that reminds me of a Phoenix... rising out of the gloom of a dark corner in the garden.. lighting up the wall behind and providing some camouflage for the little bee house.. I wonder if anything has taken up residence for the winter tucked up snugly in it's pre-fab home.

The Penstemons that I planted this time last year have thrived and now fill the border. This one reminds me of rasberries and cream..
It is good to know that colour thrives outside whilst I am incarcerated in the gloom of my 'Bat Cave' ..as I have started to call our kitchen.. I spend far too much time whiling away the hours in this room making and producing products for the Cowboys & Custard emporium..
There is a another world just outside the back door.. a world of colour and life that thrives.. I must remember to visit it more often!

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness, how big must those spiders be??? I must admit though those webs are quite gorgeous and what great photos!!
I hate spiders with a passion and I always seem to be the one that walks into a spider web after at least 2 people have walked through before me, I cop it!! I hate the feeling of having bits of web all over you and the thought the spider might be there too. Their webs are pretty though!
Kiss Noises Linda Lilly Cottage

Anonymous said...

It's the time of year for spiders isn't it, I had to dodge a family living in my washing line this morning...not my favorite creatures either!! Your photo's are lovely and how fresh your garden looks...smashing! Make sure you have another break in the garden later in the day and break away from the kitchen and your very pretty work.

Enjoy your day.

Lucy x

Simone said...

I love the fact that cobwebs look so delicate and yet are remarkably strong. Don't forget to have more breaks and get out into the back garden! It can really lift your spirits and be a source of inspiration. Nature marches on.

This Vintage Life... said...

What incredible pictures of the spiders webs! It never ceases to amaze me how such a feat of engineering can be constructed so quickly. Have you ever watched them build one? Oh no, probably not if you hate them! I'm not a creepy crawlie lover but I don't mind spiders as they are good at keeping the other bugs in check.
It's lovely to still see some colour at this time of year isn't it? I've got roses and sweet peas still flowering and the same penstemon as you. I'm sure after your break in the garden, you're raring to get back to the bat cave!
Deb xx
(I tried to answer your message Michele but it was returned to me)

Anonymous said...

Well it's good to see that you get time off from "the bat cave" for good behaviour!

Ragged Roses said...

Morning Catwoman! How's life now the sun shines, isn't it wonderful!!!!! Actually judging by your photos I shall now call you Spiderwoman, what beautiful webs. The squirrels are loving this weather in our garden and judging by the disappearance of one of our cats last night, they must be thinking it's Spring!
Mx

Anonymous said...

You must have sent your rain my way. After weeks of sun, it began pouring at 5am this morning.So glad I took my outdoor photos yesterday. What beautiful flowers. Mine are gone and I needed another dose, especially the nasturtiums.
Wendy

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Michelle, you write so beautifully. I love the image that popped in my head of you doing a cabaret!! I am sitting here laughing!!! Nothing beats a good morning chuckle with my second cup of Joe!

Your garden is amazing and that web is a work of art. I wonder how long it takes to build one like that?

Have a lovely day!!

hugs,
Becky

Unknown said...

Those spiders webs are amazing! Well done you for capturing all that hard work.

It's a glorious day in Devon too!

Lucyxx

A time to dance said...

What wonderful pictures, we have similar taste in plants, in fact I ventured out when I got home from work last week and thought the same as you about the colours and shapes - but I was not as eloquent or poetic as you - especially not when I have had a day with the frogs in boxes
love H

Things Hand Made said...

Its nice to raise your head form work and find beauty. Its refreshing

Sal said...

I do a similar cabaret if a wasp is anywhere near me!!
We should do a double act ;-)

The photos of the webs are amazing... as is nature itself.

BTW I have a foxglove just in bloom!!!
;-)

Teena Vallerine said...

Oh how I love that the Viola's have all turned away from the camera like a bunch of shy schoolgirls! What a wonderful picture! t.x

Emma Herian said...

Wow, stunning webs! Isn't nature fantastic.
I love the last few flowers holding on, I cut thousands of nasturtians for my friends wedding, they looked like golden jewels.
Hope you are back down to earth Mrs Warhol! Can't wait to see it!
X
Emx

Heather said...

what a beautiful garden! THose webs are magnificent!~

A Bun Can Dance said...

The spider web photos are wonderful and so evocative too. Thank you for this visit to your garden, I can smell the Autumn there.

Garden Girl said...

amazing photos Ms C. Please warn me next time you are planning a spider house extravaganza though. I have goosebumps now! How can it be that something so beautiful can be created by something that scares the bejeezus out of me?!x

Alchamillamolly said...

Loved the cobwebs andthanks for visiting I am hanging onto the books as we are still considering coming to the 'do' in which case I would bring them to you. The middle bit of the printers tray isnt on because the photo disappeared from the blog last night and when I tried to add it it wouldnt let me after three attempts I went to bed!!

Willow said...

I am definitely growing nasturtians next year, after seeing your lovely photos!!
Willow x

Redwoodhouse said...

what fantastic photo's your garden must still be beautiful mine has colour but needs a lot of attention, its ok once you start, its just the starting.
Jan

Sea Angels said...

Morning Michele, yes the world outside the back door, is fantastic, and so very beautiful, as are your photographs. I also love the webs, as I adore spiders....I hate flys ugh...so I see spiders as my rescuers and encourage them at every turn. Have a lovely week, and get in the garden as often as you can.
Hugs Lynn xx

Dana and Daisy said...

Such busy architects you have in your garden! We have some at the cabin who build great cities overnight.

Last visit to the cabin, a flying wasp let loose from inside the chimney and flew with great speed, right down the neck of my blouse. So I completely understand your cabaret analogy! I was a bit of an opera singing speed stripper myself! lol!

xx

kristina said...

Those webs are gorgeous! Makes me realize what I'm missing, as I haven't managed much out and about in the past week either... K x

Anonymous said...

Those are the most amazing spider webs I've ever seen! Really fantastic. No wonder your garden is so beautiful.

Anonymous said...

(Sorry about that anonymous...I hit the button by mistake. :)
Those are the most amazing spider webs I've ever seen! Really fantastic. No wonder your garden is so beautiful.
Dawn

Anonymous said...

those spider webs are amazing!! And beautiful I might add. Today as I was walking to my car I walked thru a web that I didn't see, running across the sidewalk. I was throwing my hands around and shaking my head and hair like crazy. Ugh!

Sunday Girl said...

Amazing spider webs!!! Are they truly real? I've never seen webs so big.