Look at those roots!

My lovely geranium plant was fading fast at the end of November so I decided to try and salvage as much of it as I could before it finally departed to the great  windowsill in the sky!  I took a couple of cuttings and plonked them in a jug of water.  There they remained at the kitchen window almost completely ignored.  I really didn't hold out much hope, especially at this time of year.

Imagine my surprise when I noticed that some of them had really sprouted roots!  I've now transferred them to a pot with some compost in it.  Hopefully they will take, and become as fabulous as their parent plant.  Perhaps the others will eventually grow roots too.

Does this wee success qualify Shortbread & Ginger to be considered as a gardening blog?!? (Ha ha, Just joking!!!)

Love, Liz

Bulbs in Pretty Vintage Bowls

Do you remember last year I put some bulbs in pretty vintage teacups?  Well, this year I decided to use some of my vintage bowls instead.

I bought a pot of Tète á Tète bulbs from Tesco, they only cost £1, and then I split them up and transferred them into pretty bowls.  I did need a little extra compost to fill the bowls.

And there we have it!  A very pretty (and cheap) way to display spring bulbs - easy peasy!  Would make a lovely little gift too.

Love, Liz

Vintage Spring

Vintage china and some little flowering bulbs.

 

 

What could be nicer on such a lovely sunny day full of the promise of spring.

 

Ah ............... just my cup of tea!

 

Love, Liz

Sunset and Roses

Sunset and roses .......... shouldn't that be moonlight and roses?

Well, that was the name of a song from many, many years ago - but today I want to show you this gorgeous plate which I found in a local charity shop.  It is by Paragon and is called Sunset.

I just had to get some yellow roses.

I wasn't sure about this plate at first, but I find that I like it more and more each day.

I've been quite lucky with my finds recently, which usually means that I'm in for a few lean weeks!  Do you find that it is either a famine or a feast as far as great finds are concerned?

Have a great weekend.

Love, Liz

Tulips and Plates

It's been a long time since I found any really pretty plates, but this weekend was a lucky one! 

First of all I found these gorgeous Alfred Meakin pretties.  Love the colours and the deco design.

Then I found these - no maker's mark, but pretty just the same.

Great colours in the tulips to brighten up the day.  I have notices that here in Scotland the mornings are getting lighter and I didn't have to put my lights on till after four o'clock yesterday afternoon!   Yeah!!!!!!  Signs of spring :-)

Hope you are having a lovely weekend.

For more lovely treasures come on over to Sophie's Flea Market Finds.

Love, Liz

Wax Flower Plant

I've had this houseplant for a few years now.  It sits on top of my dresser and each year produces the most beautiful flowers.

I know it as a "wax flower plant", but its real name is hoya.

Its flowers are amazingly like wax flowers - I wish you could see them close up and notice their texture.  Even the little pink bits in the middle (can you tell I know a lot about plants?) have a sheen to them that makes them look and feel like beads!

Love, Liz

Birds and Flowers

Sometimes you just get lucky!  This cheeky chap let me get closer and closer when I was taking some photographs.  I was amazed that he didn't fly off as soon as he heard me, he even turned so that I could get a profile shot!

Went down to the local garden centre yesterday - some of the flowers are just beautiful!  This one looked and felt like black velvet, don't know what it is - forgot to look at the label!

Love the bright colours too.  Remember to click on the photos to see more detail.

Hydrangeas are my favourites - so pretty and delicate.

Loved watching the bees enjoy the lavender.

There had been a short shower of rain, and it looked like diamonds on the leaves!

Hope you enjoyed the photos.

Love Liz

Strange Creatures!

Standing at the sink, doing the dishes I was aware that I was being watched!

This is actually a bud on my orchid plant, but I think it looks like a snake or lizard head!  It even looks like it has eyes - very strange!

Its great having my family here, even if it is only for a few days.  I will catch up with blogging very soon!  We went for a drive up to Loch Lomond on Monday evening and just about got eaten alive by these pesky little beggars - midges!

Still, can't have everything - the scenery was lovely, but this was my only photo!

Never mind - next time!

Love, Liz

Flower Power

Here are some flower photographs I’ve taken. 

They were taken at different times of year, but I felt in a floral mood today and wanted to share them.

Love, Liz

Rain, rain, rain!

Today has been a typical Greenock day – weatherwise.

First of all it snowed, then there was heavy rain, then the sun came out!  Now its raining again!

I decided to take some flower photos to cheer myself up.  I just love to have flowers in the house.

Here in Greenock we talk about the weather a lot – probably because it is so changeable.

But – while I am moaning about rain, I guess people in Perth, Australia would love it right now.

Love, Liz