Challenge from Nadezda

Hi, everyone!

I've got a challenge from Nadezda to answer some questions.
Nadezda has  an amazing blog, especially her photos are fabulous!   You'll definetely like it:)

There are 10 questions as follows;

1. Do you garden? If you don't, what's your hobby? 

 

Of couse, "YES"

 

Here are my garden photos of last Spring, to be more precise, it's a small balcony.

 

 

Honestly, I wanted a garden with soil, but the land is very expensive around Tokyo, our budget  wouldn't allow us.
 
At first when I moved here 8 years ago , I just put pots on the concrete floor, but I didn't like the view from our living room.

So, I launched an effort to make a natural garden as if it has soil:)

I covered the concrete floor with tiles which I painted...or...
made a fake flower bed with bricks also painted by myself so that it looks old...


Put the fake water faucet and planted lavender around it. I made the doughnut shaped
container with a wire to plant lavender.

 

 

 

And I paved the straight-line floor parts with walnut-shells.

It's a tiny garden, but I'm now satisfied with the scenery from the window:)

 

        

2. Your favorite plant?

 

Hmm...

 

It's the most challenging question of all....

I love every plant in my garden but my favorite is...

 

 Hydrangea 'Annabelle'

3. Where have you travelled?  

 

Oh, I noticed that I haven't gone on a trip for past few years because of our sons' serial entrance exams  ... But  this year, both of our sons are going to enter senior schools, so, I'd like to travel countries where YOU, the readers of my blog, live! 

 

4. Which one has been your best trip?   

  

Hmm...

I't's also challenging...

Maybe Australia...or...

I love my own country, Japan, so my best trip is to Kamakura,a short trip though.

 

 

This photo was taken at Hokoku-ji in Kamakura, called "Bamboo Temple" which is famous for its bamboo garden.

5. Your horoscope?       

        

Libra:)

 

6. Your favorite artist?                 

Seiji Fujishiro, a Japanese artist for shadow pictures.

7. What kind of music do you like?

 

Bossa Nova, Reggae, Rock, Jazz 

 

           

8. Your favorite food?

 

I like Japanese, Italian, Chinese and Greek lately.

 

 

Passtisio,  Greek dish

 

 

and...

 

 

Tzatziki, Greek salad

 

 

I was taught both recipes by my friend, Olympia ! We know each other through this blogging!!!

 

9. Do you have any pets? 

 

Unfortunately,"NO."  I want a dog someday.         



That's all about it!  Thak you for nominating me, Nadezda!  It was fun:)





                         

 

Succulents in a Shell

 

 

 

Hello everyone,

 

 

At this time of year, I have to take care of my roses...

pruning... replacing the soil in many pots...

Of couse, I know that...I have to...

But I'm reluctant to do yardwork outside due to this cold weather.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, the lazy gardener decided to spend time planting succulents indoors:)

 

The pot I used was a shell-shaped one.

 

 

 

 

I love those white thin leaves with dots. They're like butterflies, don't they?

 

It's always fun to choose succulents thinking about colors and textures:)

 

 

But it took only 30 minutes to plant them.

So...

It's about time I go out in the garden and prune roses...

 

Hmm...

 

The wind is picking up...

Hmmm

I decided not to...
 

I'll definitely do it tomorrow...:)

I think I said the same phrase yesterday, too...hahaha...

 

 

 

 

 

Tin container

Hello, my friends!
Today, I want to show you my hand-made plant decoration.

As you see, this container is an empty tin of tomato left outside for several months to be rusted. Then, I glued the newspaper torn to the side of it.


My son said "Why do you decorate our room with such a dirty tin?" Whenever I decorate antique taste ornaments, he always asks the same question like this. And I answered each time, "I prefer shabby taste." He can't understand me, but I don't care!

 

 

 

I planted Pilea 'Glauca Greizy.

I love its combination of greyish leaves and red stems:)

 

 

And I put the handle made of a fine wire and hang it on the frame I made before.

 

 

When spring comes, I want to put it outside in our garden:)

 

 We had our first snow around here yesterday.

I'm waiting for spring while I love the winter scenery!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special Gift

 

 

 

I had a special gift the other day.

Hide, one of my friends, gave me this hand-made wire frame as a Christmas present.


It arrived at the end of December, past Christmas but still in time for  festive season
stretching to the New Year.

 

 

 

It was wrapped in lovely paper baring roses or animals and came with a card:)






This frame is well made.
Especially these fine wire parts are all designed by himself!

He painted it again and again with white and light blue. 
The red and blue marbles can be attached.

He said he made it inspired by snow crystal.

Yes, certainly!!
I love it!!!

 

 

 

This tiny wire bascket is also his work. Of course, he came up with its design, too.

 I have no idea how Hide made it. It's amazing!!!

 

 

And he also gave the stained-glass "K", my initial.

I like it:)

 

Thank you Hide. You made this holiday season extra special for me:)




 

Happy New Year!

 

 

 

Wishing you a Happy New Year 2013 !

 

 

 

 

This  is my most favorite container in 2012.

 

 

The bulbs with blue flowers are "Puschkinia"

 

 

Look forward to seeing the bloom in a few months again:)