THREE . . .

THREE is the number for this entry.  I have been working in the garden and looking around to find out what else has to be done.  The answers are there are plenty.  However, I was so impressed with these plants that are looking great together, most of them are the combination of THREE plants or THREE of the same kind.

It was not the plan to have the plants look this way, but now when the garden is almost well established, everything looks lovely, it pleases me.
Three layers of shrubs, the colours blend beautifully, from the bottom is Japanese maple, then nandina domestic or sacred bamboo shrub and the very top is the smoke bush which is in buds.  The flowers are a mash of delicate petals and greyish colour, gorgeous.

From seaside daisy, Just Joy rose to conifer topiary. Today these plants look even better after Rayner trimmed the topiary.  It is almost planted arrangement, so lovely.

The right picture is tree layers in a pot, from the bottom is mondo grass then two layers of pily lily topiary.  I think it works well, and it looks different.

More plants to show you, they are three potted bamboos. Thanks to the Worlands who gave this plant years ago.  Now they are potted for easy caring and for preventing spreading.  Looking back, this plant- bamboo has a lovely story. It was a gift from a friend, and since then it has been with us and moving around where ever we went. Now, it is settled with us forever.

THREE Bumble Bees, another story relating to THREE.  These three plastic bumble bees are cute and pretty.  I got more than three, there were ten.  THREE were for dressing up one of my potted orchids and the rest I kept in a safe place.

Look at the picture, don't you think they look cute?

A month later, I needed the rest of the bumble bees; unfortunately, I could not find them.  They have gone, vanished.  We looked for them everywhere but no result.  I remember vividly where I kept them, I could see with my own eyes as they were in the computer room.  But when I opened the bag, they were not the bumble bees but something else.  Since then we have been looking for them, even today.  The morning greeting becomes, 'looking for bumblebees", yes before doing other things that what I do, looking for the bumblebees.  Rayner said this is so ridiculous that such a big bag simply vanished to thin air.  I remember the story about the 'lid of a worm farm'.  The loss of the heavy lid of this worm farm could not be explained said, Roland.  It could not be blown by the wind, and they looked for it everywhere, and they could not find it.  He said jokingly it may be stolen by people from other planet-extraterrestrials, but I don't believe in such a thing.

Now the bumble bees, No, I could not find them in the house, but we did find them at KMart. We got seven to take home.  The yellow potted orchid needs more than three bumble bees.

An excellent story to tell I thought, does it ever happen to you, losing things without any trace.  Often I think that I have to let it go, but the thought of finding them is still there.  Any time I remember, I start to look . . ..

Yes, I do have the new bumblebees, but the thought about the others still echoing in my mind.  Would you believe the plastic bumble bees almost drive one crazy?

THREE for healthy cooking.  We don't need a lot of ingredients to have a delicious meal, sometimes the most straightforward cooking technique gives the best result and flavour.  What I did with salmon fillets were simply pan fry about 3 minutes as we like it nicely done but not overcooked, and spices were only mixed fresh herbs.  It's garnished with couscous, add the cooked herbs also fresh herbs and seasoned very lightly with salt.  

Serve hot for easy and enjoyable eating as a sauce was not there, but the crispy skin enhanced the flavour.

The best size to serve salmon is 130 to 140 gram per person, small and sufficient for healthy eating.

It is an excellent treat in terms of cooking because it takes only less than ten minutes altogether.

THREE for a treat. On a day that we might want to have a treat, something small, but sweet to go with our coffee.  This delicate cake has three layers, it is a coffee cake square with coffee icing and meringue.

Last but not least is the Three and Three flowers arrangement that is so perfect for the entrance of the house.

Three Euphorbia and Three Calla Lilly-white with a shade of green.  Beautiful!

Thanks, Jen, for the flowers.

No recipe is shared today, enjoy all the pictures, the short story of the bumblebees and ideas of tasty treats.

Thanks For Visiting, I shall be happy if you write comments.

Until Next Post

Susy

Two Zero One Three, Roses and Roses

Snapshots of Roses
Bye, bye, orchids and hello roses.  The amazing orchids have gone, and now is the time to welcome the roses, it is their season.  Beautiful and colourful roses are growing in our backyard, and now they are in full bloom.  My hard work and dedication to the garden has paid off.   I love to share these snapshots with you all.  Enjoy!

The Roses

From a mini rose, rose bushes to standard roses.

Rich Red Roses are adorning the white wall at present.

It is a shame that the roses do not stay long and the petals are bruised because of the strong wind and heavy rain, but I am glad that I could pick some for the house not only for the family to enjoy, but also I could protect the roses from ruin.


October Roses (From A Rose Lover's.  BOOK of DAYS)
The Fragrance of Roses: Other flower offer perfume, some in more lavish abundance, yet no other moves the heart more profoundly than that of the rose.
There is not just one rose fragrance, but many; and here are assembled a collection whose scent offers as much variety to the nose as their colours give to the eye.
- Mahina 81, a beautiful but uncommon large-flowered rose from France. (colour: peach)
-The sweet briar (Rosa eglanteria) can make a pest of itself in Australia, but there are few scents as delicious as that of its young leaves, wafted on the evening air. (colour: hot pink)
-Arthur Bell, one of the most sweetly scented of yellow roses . . . (colour: bright yellow)
-Heritage has the perfect old garden rose form, as well as being beautifully coloured and powerfully fragrant. (colour: between cream and peach)
-Diamond Jubilee, varies much in colour with the season, but the delicious fragrance is constant, as is the health and vigour of the bush.  It grows well everywhere. (colour: beautiful yellow)
-Allspice won high awards in America, the Judges praising its fragrance, but it smells soft and sweet rather than spicy. (colour: pale creamy yellow)
- Blessing and Irish raised rose of compact habit and abundant flowering.  It likes a cold climate and is suitable for cutting. (colour: dusky orange)
(Sorry there are no pictures/photos for those samples of fragrance roses)



October and November are the best months to visit the rose garden, well if you do, have a good time, smell the roses and enjoy.


Rose Cake
In my kitchen, I have been baking mini Rose Cakes.  The cake is based on middle eastern flavour, but as always I add a little twist which makes the cake deliciously different. I may be able to share the recipe next time.  Stay Tuned.

Added 23-10-2013

Sugared Rose Petals

Wash fresh rose petals and dry them.  Brush the petals with egg white, roll them on castor sugar.

Place the sugared petals on a tray which is lined with baking paper and place it on a dry place, away from humidity.

It takes a few hours or even a day to dry, transfer on an airtight container.  Take as needed for the cake decoration.




Thanks For Visiting
Until Next Post
Susy

Red Roses

My beautiful red roses are in bloom.  This year must be a good year for roses, all the other roses in the garden are looking healthy, and they have a lot of buds too. The family will get together soon, and I am sure they will enjoy the garden, I hope the red roses are still at their best.

The Red Roses

Yesterday I picked some roses and was thinking of mother, eleven years ago she passed away.  I remember her with fondness.  I know that her favourite colour was lilac, not red, I did pick my blue moon roses for her, and I am sure she would be very pleased.

Thirteen Red Roses

It is lovely to have fresh cut flowers for the house, I made the flower arrangement of the red roses combined with white snowballs.  It worked well, but I needed more roses, to fill up the basket; indeed, it looked so beautiful.

Red Roses with Snowballs

Some of the roses are open, they will look even better when all roses are open, the family will enjoy this flower basket for at least a week.  Flowers make a house better and beautiful, flowers make a home.  The scent of the red roses is delicate, love it.

The very first red rose to open, it was on the seventh of October.  It's large, and the colour is a vibrant red.

I am sure we will have more fresh cut roses for the house, just like in the previous years.

In Australia, the weather can be very harsh at times, which make the roses wilted and dry quickly.  The beautiful bloom doesn't last long.

Indeed I admired the beautiful roses that I saw in Switzerland, so fresh and alive,  the weather was so bright, clean and fresh.  So perfect for roses, or any flowers for that matter.

We have to make the best for what we got, protect the beautiful roses if we could, otherwise just enjoy and be thankful.  I am blessed with my garden and pleased with the beautiful red roses.

The red roses are fully open
Photo today: 15-10-2013

Beautiful picture from Rayner's camera
Photo today: 15-10-2013

Thanks For Stopping By
Until Next Post
Susy

To My Dear Mother

Today is the eleventh year of my mother's passing.  She was so beautiful, kind, loving, generous to all of us children.

I remember her wisdom, her love for her family, friends and neighbours.

She encouraged us to do well, to help others if you can and be generous, truthful with yourself and always give people the best.

Her teaching is echoing in my heart always. I am learning to do my very best I have been trying to be a good listener as far as I could remember.

She was a very hard worker and a high achiever. She wanted to give the best education to the children, and so she did.  I am grateful.

My three daughters are beautiful, and they continue the tradition of being hard workers as their grandmother.

Melanie is very dedicated to her family, so does Jane, and Susan thrives in any challenges and is happy to work hard too.  I am sure my mother would be happy and proud if you knew them.
Her favourite colour was lilac, purple or in between, she looked so pretty on her batik costume with a lilac brocade kebaya.

Today for her remembrance day,  I prepared 'Nasi Gurih' with the trimming, but of course, I put a little twist.

It is not so traditional Javanese a style, but the flavour is close enough.  I am sure the mother would approve.
Delicious food to be shared, enjoyed with others was always mother's motto.  That was what we did today.

She was loving and beautiful, and we loved you.
Thinking of you with fondness.

THANK    YOU.  

The Nasi Gurih - Dressing up Nasi Gurih

Recipe for Nasi Gurih and the trimming is coming soon.  Stay Tuned.


Thanks for Visiting
Susy