From Eden to Paradise and gossips and back.

I must admit I avoid working in the garden on a Sunday, other than pulling up the odd weed or two, because I observe it as a day of rest, but I do go out there and spend time lounging about and planning all the things I'm going to do in the following week's gardening!

You've got some gorgeous plants Katarina, I love your roses, any ideas what's causing the perforated leaves? I've not seen anything quite like that before, though I do have trouble with leaf cutter bees most years.

Your dog is cute!

Thank you, Louisa, I will upload a photo for you now - lavenders which are 7 year old and how to keep them young and blooming for years.
Well, you know, I had been physician at the municipal hospital for 16 years and because I was single, I was permanently on duties during Christmas and weekends. So far, if patients come to me and I would say them I observed Sunday to be the day of the rest, I think I would be still in prison, lol. Well, life is not so easy and interpretations of Bible, too.
I am glad you like my roses. Altogether with peonies they are my favourite flowers.

What beautiful plants, Katarina.

Many years ago I heard a very good story about Sunday observance. A certain minister was in the habit of visiting a wealthy member of his congregation for Sunday lunch. One Sunday, he preached a fiery sermon about Sunday observance, and declaimed what a scandal it was that some people did not refrain from work. Later that day, when he called for his customary lunch, his host congratulated him on a fine sermon saying he had very much taken it to heart. Consequently, he had disimissed all his servants for the day and could only offer the minister some bread and a glass of water. The minister never called again.

So a) I think it is a luxury to be able to relax all Sunday and b) I consider gardening to be a relaxing activity, even if it is hard work. Christ himself was berated for breaking the Sabbath - He had little time for rules for rules' sake, I think.

Anyway - let's live and let live!

Melchisedec@what a nice Sunday sermon from you :-))
I like it and the story, too. Thank you very much.
I respect those, who honour Sunday. And there are days when I do it, too. But I do not see anything bad, if people do their hobbies during Sunday instead of going to church. My grandmother, who was repository of wisdom, always said to me, that it is bigger sin to visit church on Sunday and then do troubles to other people next week, then to work or eat on holidays.

Your flowers are wonderful and really as good as a dose of medicine. Thank you very much for the pictures.I try to keep Sunday as a rest day but am not obsessive about a little necessary weeding now and then. I did go to church today. I did like Melchi's story of the minister going out to lunch!
Katarina, I think you will like the story of a man who was working in his garden when an old chap leaned over the gate and said "You and the Lord have made a lovely garden". "Well yes", said the gardener, "But you should have seen it when the Lord had it to himself..."

Lol, nice. But I believe, that even without gardener it will be beautiful and - definitely more balanced.

Very nice Kat, love the red on the peony they look gorgeous :-)

Thank you, Slad ;-)

Lovely show of blooms Kat, what a treat to be able to look out at the river.....

Thank you. Yes, it is, I just often do not have chance and/or time to do it.To sit down and just look at it.

Just noticed you comment about elderflowers and the flu virus. By a coincidence i was reading only yesterday that pharmacists are actually working on a synthetic version. There was a recipe in the book for making a syrup that would keep until the flu season, so when my elderflowers come out I might have a go. If anybody wants a copy let me know.

Hi, Steragram, I am interested in that recipe.
Although edelflower is healthy in flu season, it was not shown that it kills flu virus, especially new mutants. It was shown to be effective against EBV infection. EBV is Epstein Barr virus, responsible for infectious mononucleosis, causing damage of liver and inducing cancer in some people, especially cancer of the lymphatic system (lymphoma). I don´t know, if it is enough nwise to make sythetic version, as with synthetic versions are usually lost additive effects of other substances, which are in this flowr and mostly its berries. Long time ago I have got sever EBV infection with serious health problems and I found this information, but at that time it was winter, so no natural source at hand. My brother sent to me from America capsules, which contain extract from edelflower and berries. It has really very good effect.
And as I am fond of history, do you know, that in old eastern tradition it was this bush, from which wood was made the cross for Jesus. It is said, that since that time this bush is undestroyable.
Please, send me that recipe. I do lemonades from flowers and they can be consumed after year, if you keep them in dark and cold place.

Here is the recipe. I am waiting for the berries in order to try it! I think if you are like me you will have to halve the quantities!

Pick 2 kilos berries (!!) on a dry sunny day. Wash, drain and strip from the stalks. Put in a pan and just cover with water, bring to the boil and simmer until soft (about half an hour)Strain through a sieve (the seeds are harmless but taste bitter). for every 600ml of liquid add 450g sugar, the juice of a lemon and 10 cloves. Return to the heat and add a 2cm piece of fresh ginger and simmer until the sugar has dissolved. Boil hard for 10 mins and remove the ginger and cloves. Store in the freezer in plastic bottles of freezer bags, or freeze in ice cube trays.

Dilute 2 cubes in hot water for a hot toddy, or you can pour the syrup over ice cream.

This is from Heathcliffe Bird, quoted in the Hedgerow handbook by Adele Nozedar ISBN 978 0 224 08671 4

Two fabulous names!!!