Saturday 22 March 2008

Kew and A



Unfortunately not from my garden, but instead from the lovely Waitrose, where I think we spent enough to feed a family of 6 for at least a fortnight. Now I remember why we never go there more than a couple of times a year. (ish).

These, however, have been planted by my own fair hands and will soon be transplanted to the allotment. Peas, sweetpeas and more peas. They tasted so lovely and sweet last year, and some of them even made it home! Not much beats standing in the sunshine shelling peas and eating them straight.


These aren't from my garden either, but instead from Kew Gardens where we braved the wind and rain on Good Friday (and sun, snow, hail and lightning storms on the way home- bizarre)






I have been tagged by the List Writer to answer the following questions..

Why I started my blog ....
It seemed like the ideal thing to start doing after meeting The List Writer on a writing course and then later hearing that she had a blog. I agreed with her that it was a way of writing SOMETHING (anything) and building up my confidence, which in theory is supposed to help me get on with finishing my novel. Quite scary to know that people all over the place could be reading (and potentially interested) in what i have to say.

How I came up with the name of my blog ...
I didn't actually gave it much thought at all (that may be obvious) but I do have a bad habit of saying 'lovely' a lot. I guess I wanted to write about things I like and love, and subjects of interest to me.

Do my friends and family know about my blog? What do they think of it?
Yes, my Mum and Dad and brother and sister in law all know about it and read it, as does my husband. I think my Grandad has been known to stop by as well. I haven't told any of my friends about it apart from The List Writer as I don't think they would get it really. I quite like the fact that this is something they don't know about anyway. My colleagues would fall to the ground howling with laughter if they knew.

I think my family like it, from the positive comments I have had anyway.

How do I write my posts ...
I do give most posts some consideration, but am guilty of basing random posts on whatever half decent photos I may have taken within the last day or two. I think photos and pictures do tend to make the post- plus, I love seeing other peoples photos.

Ever had a troll or had to delete unkind comments ...
No, but I have had the odd kooky comment from Japanese orchid sellers. Bizarre but true.

Do I check my stats? Do I care who/how many read my blog? Do I try to increase traffic?
I have no idea how to check my stats as am a complete imbecile with all things techy. I can't even do a link properly. I definitely care who reads my blog though, and appreciate people taking time out of their day to do so. I get a thrill every time I check my inbox and see a new comment, it always makes my day. Lovely (!)

What I like and dislike about blogging...
I love checking my inbox and seeing new comments (may have mentioned that...) and have really enjoyed meeting people from all over the world who share my passions and interests. These are friends I will never meet (unless I get onto 'This is Your Life' one day)but still feel comfortable enough to share secrets with. Friends that are full of advice (which is usually right) and friends that religiously check in to see if a new post has gone up. Thats dedication.
Dislikes? Not thinking of interesting enough subjects and sometimes just sitting here thinking 'now what?' I think that's called writers block....
So there you go- yet more of an insight into the madness. Speaking of which, I am off to do jury service later this week, and quite frankly am dreading it. Any words of wisdom? Has anyone else done it? Has anyone any great advice on how to get out of it?!
If I didn't have a job based on commission I would be incredibly excited about the whole experience, but truth be told my job is hard enough at the moment, without potentially taking up to two or more weeks off. I'm quite nervous that it will be a horrid case, something upsetting, as opposed to some graffiti artist or shop lifter. We shall see.


Hope you all had a lovely easter, with lots of love from myself and Myrtle...

I just don't think she will ever be eaten, she is a creature of beauty!






24 comments:

Unknown said...

I'd forgotten about your jury service but did ask my mum about it for you and will send a seperate email...
Hope you had a lovely Easter xxx

Gina said...

Myrtle is adorable and organic!
The gardens looks beautiful and those daffodils are gorgeous!
Do you grow snow peas? That's the only type I've grown and they are really easy to grow, just need a good fence like support {with mesh infill} ..very nice in stir-fries and salads :O)

Wendster said...

What unusual weather! Wow! Thanks for posting those photos, though, I enjoyed them immensely.

I have just added you to my blog roll.

Wendy in Southern California

Ragged Roses said...

Hi Anna, please don't eat Myrtle! I saw her in the shops and knew if I bought her my daughters would never bring themselves to touch her! Good luck with the jury service and thanks for sharing your blogging secrets with us
Kimx

The List Writer said...

Is Myrtle still uneaten??

dragonfly said...

Hi! The seedlings are looking good!
I did jury service a few years ago - it was a doddle...ended in a mistrial after 3 days and was thrown out of court!

Summer by the sea said...

Two days after easter and still uneaten chocolate in the house?! - I enjoyed your photos and you have just reminded me that planting some sweet peas was on my 'to do' list this week - I sadly don't have a garden though, so mine will be in pots, growing up a cane wigwam - Natalie x

No one is you ...& that's your power said...

Hi loved reading your tag info. I got my hubby to post your giveaway prize! and it should be with you day after tommorow . I wrote my address on back as forgot to put it in the parcel and I had wrapped it. Hope you have eaten the moo cow !
X Dominique

Wendster said...

p.s. Forgot to tell you my jury tip:
(Allow me to preface it by acknowledging that this is WRONG and I NEVER do this ... wink wink) The chances that you will be picked are slim ... and if you ARE picked, try your hardest to think of a reason why you would have some form of prejudice against the case. Like, you have had personal experience with that type of person and don't think you could give them a fair trial.
They'll kick you off for that every time.
I served several years back and enjoyed it. It was a woman who had had an artificial knee installed and had brought a malpractice suit against the doctor. We found him not guitly. She resisted doing her rehab exercises and continued to eat poorly (fast food, etc.). We would have charged HER with malpractice. Lol. Oddly enough, someone in the jury gave me seeds for Sweet PEAS. (Just heard you mentioning PEAS in this post).
If I had space, I would grow sugar snap peas. They are SO good.

mollycupcakes said...

Good luck with the jury service, I've never had to do it, so can't offer any advice. Sorry sweetie I just hope it's an ok case not something nasty. Fingers crossed.
It was lovely to hear all abotu why you started your blog.
And the photos of your baby seeds and beautiful flowers at Kew are just lovely. wow it must be catching I keep saying lovely on here lol
We had a couple of nice days over Easter and some very odd weather too.
Have a good week.
Hugs.
Catherine x

Janette said...

hi,

glad to catch up after such a long time as have had soooo many problems with our internet router, anyway enough of me. YOur photos look fab and sweet peas are so beautiful but every year we try to grow them and every year I've failed miserably in keeping them alive. Never mind maybe this year will be different. As for jury service, my husband was called last year and advises that you get a good book to read. There was loads of waiting around, he got called for one case which was thrown out of court after two days and the rest of the time he spent in the waiting room being driven slowly mad by daytime tv...

good luck
x

Ally Jay said...

Myrtle definitely can't be eaten

tess said...

your seedlings look so lovely, and it was fun to read all about your blog, I've been tagged to do the same, must get on with it...
maybe you could eat myrtle in the dark, then you couldn't see her big eyes, I bet she will taste great!

Country Cottage Chic said...

Thanks for posting the lovely photos & it was fun reading a bit more about you too.

dottycookie said...

Good luck with the jury service!

I had to stop shopping in Waitrose (it's our nearest supermarket by many miles) as it was bankrupting us!

Lovely photos!

Carol said...

I had thought of planting sweet peas on my allotment...I will now!
The daffodils are so so beautiful -don't they make you feel happy...
I do love the odd trip to Waitrose though!
Carol x

Apryl said...

lovely photos and really intresting readding your meme answers... I must admit to having a slight addiction to the word "lovely" I mean so say so many other things but the word lovely just pops out of my mouth or gets typed.. but it has such a well "lovely" meaning.

thank you for stpooing by my blog!

cd&m said...

Just wondered if Mrytle has survived?

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

Hello Anna
This is a very interesting tag... It satisfies my curious nature.. some might call it nosey!!
Your blog is always such a pleasure to visit as your passion for plants and gardening is close to my heart.
How about writing a gardening book???

Michelexx

Wendster said...

p.p.s. I just planted sweet peas, did I tell you? In my planters on the patio. At one am I can't remember if I told you this already.
I am longing for a new post from you on your blog when you get the time.

Wendy

April said...

You have been tagged. Hope you do not mind. Pop over and see. It is the first time for me so I wanted to take part this time.

Thanks

April xx

Tracy said...

Myrtle is a cutie! An your daffodils, Kew photos and seedlings are all so LOVELY! ;o) Fun to read your list about your blog! Hope all goes will with the jury service, and that you won't be stuck with it for days on end! Happy Days, my friend ((HUGS))

No one is you ...& that's your power said...

Hi many thanks for the thank you note, and I was glad you liked the little pressie too. I have one of them and it is on my boiler!

take care x Dominique

Classics and Country said...

I love your Daffodils. What a great photo, I can even smell them. Hehe