Weekend Flowers and Farmer Market

The rain we have had this winter has been very good to us. After 6 years of drought and 3 years of water restrictions we are happy to see the rain return. To me I think the water restrictions were good for everyone. It gave us the reality that we can't take water for granted. Our family was used to saving water having lived in North Africa and the Middle East for 10 years. With the rain the ground gets a very good soaking and in return, our flowers are blooming. These plants were from the last couple of years, but this Spring they are looking extra beautiful thanks to the rain.  

The gazanias are in abundance. They are great used as ground cover. We also have the orange varieties out in the back garden. 

This geranium  bush was also from the previous year. It just keeps giving us lovely flowers for most of the year. 

This fuchsia was in a pot for a couple of years and all of a sudden the leaves turned yellow and started to drop off. We decided to put it in the ground and it came right again giving us gorgeous flowers ever since. 

Our very first yellow rose this Spring. It's so healthy and beautiful. I love roses, but I don't like cutting them. I just like them to be on the bush as long as they last. 

Nasturtiums are so beautiful, specially the kind with bright red centers. I like them because they flower in the winter to give the garden  some colour. Did you know that you can add nasturtium leaves to your salad? Try it sometime. 

This morning Jacky,  Dot and I went to a farmer's market at Collingwood Children's Fram, Abbotsford. Dot kindly offered to drive us there. It was my first time to this market I was so impressed with the varieties of farm fresh and organic seasonal produce. There are fruit, vegetables, seedlings, flowers, herbs and juices. Home made bread, cheese and what I really like, olives. There are samples to try before you buy. It was a pleasant surprise to see how friendly the store holders were. You can ask questions about their produce and you don't feel that they are hurrying you up to serve the next customer. I even found natural dyed hand spun wool. While I was sampling I came across a fruit cordial Frou-Frou. It was so refreshing and delicious. I had Granny Smith apple and Ginger, umm I still can taste it in my mouth. They had a variety of flavours, but I only bought Granny Smith and Ginger because I really love it. 

It's such a beautiful morning and I think spring is really here. Soon we can do outdoor stuff like swimming, walking, picnics and sitting on our deck for a cup of tea. Hope you are enjoying your weekend whatever you are doing.