Reunited and it felt so good

 A view to die for!

 I discovered that Eliane and I share a love for gardening.

My heart stopped suddenly when I saw these stunning sealing wax palms, just imagine four clusters of them. They were all growing effortlessly while I have been trying to coax a little spindly one at home in Barbados.
 

Imagine eating everyday with this view for company!
 

Heliconias of varying shades and species dot the landscape around the house.





Eliane and Eric are keen permaculturists. She mentioned that it was Eric who planted the wide selection of fruit trees on their property. The fruit above was interesting and I would love to know the name of it. SOS Eric, please help me!

These torch gingers had me mesmerised.

Bamboo orchids growing as if they were meant to be there.






My friend Eliane and I met just over thirty five years ago while she was a student at the Sorbonne in Paris. We have kept in touch over the years seeing each other from time to time in Paris, Martinique and Barbados.

The years passed and we both became preoccupied with our careers and taking care of our families. We hadn't seen each other for over twenty years. Fifteen years ago I had the pleasure of hosting two of her children at my home for two weeks.

Time passed quickly and when I told her that I will be visiting Martinique after an absence of nearly twenty years, she invited me to stay with her. I spent five wonderful days with her at her home with her son. She shares this fabulous home with her husband Eric (who was away at the time of my visit) and her three beautiful children. Their unique home nestled into a hillside, is what many of us will only dream about. It was breathtakingly beautiful with views to die for. It was so good seeing her again. Eliane et Eric merci beaucoup pour une vacance de rêve, a prochaine fois.

Bisous!

                                                        more to come...

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day February 2012

Bougainvilla nursery

  

 

 local orchid that grows wild in trees

 

this species of shaving brush tree (Bombax) is new to me 

 Vanda orchid

 Another local tree orchid, I have some like these and they have never bloomed for me. I wonder what must I be doing wrong?

 Angel's trumpet (Brugmansia) is hallucinogenic

 Hello and a warm welcome to garden bloggers' bloom day where gardeners from around the globe post what is blooming in their garden. For some it is chilly and for us it is hot and dry with some brisk trade winds. Many of the blooms shown here are from  the  open garden program held by our local Horticultural Society. Bloom day is the brainchild of Carol at May dreams gardens. To see more of what is blooming around the world take a short walk over to Carol's.

Happy Valentines and Happy Blooms day.

the blooming morning after

frangipani (plumeria) floating flowers and candles table centerpiece

Heliconia wagneriana one of my favorites

heliconia rostrata another favorite

Yesterday Saturday, my home and gardens was the venue for a social evening. This was for clients of my sister's business. There was a frenzy of cleaning and tidying up of the garden and the house with the help of my weekend garden helper. My house helper was not available to come and assist me so I had to forget my still painful shoulder and get to work. It started at 4 pm and finished around 8 pm. I was working putting the finishing touches to the patio and gazebo. When the first of several guests arrived and I was still in my grubby gardening clothes cutting flowers. The guests were enthralled by the garden and some asked me for personal guided tours which I had to decline. My mother and hubby assisted with the tours while I was doing my thing. Meanwhile my sister had gone to collect some extra chairs and ice for the cooler. She finally arrived ( seemed like a very long time) when almost everyone had gotten there. It was hectic in the kitchen my mum and I frying the samosas, fish fingers and preparing the snacks and drinks for around 40 people. I finally got ready around five and returned as a member of the family all washed and dressed. Well the guest loved it and wanted to come back for another social, some plan to come and visit during the day and buy a few plants. When it got dark I lit several of the garden torches scattered around the grounds. They just loved it. The next time I do something like this I will have paid help in the kitchen. Well my sister washed and cleaned up the kitchen for me for which I am most grateful. Whew what a day it was!!