Busy day

Yesterday was a very busy day especially in the morning and at 15degC = 59degF a rainy dreary winter's day, I started the washing, commenced making two banana loaves, visitors came, then the plumber.  My father phoned me from the hospital to have a chat. Then more visitors came from South Africa, the first visitors left as sister in law came, and I managed to talk and make my loaves, make a cup of tea all before they left at 1.30pm.  Then immediately I headed to the hospital to visit my dad. There are several car park associated with the hospital and the rate is $1.50 per hour AUD.

So today the renovations are complete, so the cleanup of the house will begin in my spare time.

The daisy growing in the front area of the garden. Photo taken at the weekend.

Zygo Cacti at home.

These wonderful plants have a botanical name that is difficult to pronounce: Schlumbergera. They are epiphytes (plants which depend on others for support, but not nutrition) from the jungles of southeast Brazil, a humid area with high rainfall. In past years, zygocactus were mostly seen with bright cerise pink flowers. However through the efforts of local as well as American and Japanese breeders, a stunning range of flower colours and shapes can be bought.

These photos are of two of my cacti that are in bloom at the moment. These cacti are known also as Christmas Cacti, but here in Australia they bloom towards our winter time, May/June. Can be grown outside in a sheltered area in Southern Australia or cool frosty area, these of mine were grown as an indoor plant.

I practiced my photography skills.

View in the morning!

Wonderful to wake up with the sun shining in the bedroom window, and looking out to the Agapanthus blooming, then looking down to the water lilies in the fish pond.  

The smell of fresh warm air is a delight.

So this is the view from our bedroom window.

Flowers for Christmas!

A warm day forecast for tomorrow at 37deg C so expect I won't be doing a great deal.

The roses are blooming well as are the lilies. The photo I have below is a common Lilium, they seem to multiply and not die out as other varieties of the Lilium do.

My late mother used to have beautiful Liliums and because they bloomed around Christmas time we called them 'The Christmas Lily'. I do have a photo of them somewhere, but for now a photo of the common one.