Lonely spot of colour, originally uploaded by malyousif.

My lawn is looking like the Serengeti in winter, burnt. That makes the garden a bit dull, especially that most plants didn’t start flowering again. Like me, they’re desperately waiting for the Spring again.

Yet, the birds we feed (parakeets, mynahs, sparrows, bulbuls, pigeons, doves, etc.) spread the seed which sometimes seem to be purposefully placed to add some interest and colour where it is most needed!

Have a wonderful day my friends.

Reclaiming the pool deck, originally uploaded by malyousif.

The far side of the pool deck, by the changing and pump rooms, was neglected since we moved in really. I used that area exclusively to BBQs but when we’re not firing that thing up, the area remained rather dull and uninviting. I look at it every single meal time (you can’t miss it! it’s just opposite the kitchen and breakfast nook) I promise myself that I’ve got to do something with it but never get around to do it.

This morning, finally, I decided to install the hanging baskets bracks, put up the baskets and also remove the pile of wood I’d saved from a fallen tree. Those branches were cut in lengths of 40, 45, 50 and 60cms and created a patch of them lying next to each other demarkating the areas between the dry river bed by the frangipani and the oriental patch (with Mr. Buddha) it looked rather nice. But when I was done I was surprised to note the amount of space those logs were taking!

Anyway, I got that area cleaned up and just moved back and had a look at the "new" wall. I wasn’t satisfied. I thought I still needed some stuff there to bring out the whole area. Looking around, I saw that I had quite a number of pots on Arif’s (my son) basketball court which I had commandeered to be my nursery, so I started just moving pots and trying out different arrangements until I arrived at what you see in this picture. I think the balance now is really quite nice and am rather pleased with my efforts!

Have a wonderful Friday my friends.

unidentified internal plant, originally uploaded by malyousif.

I bought this lovely plant from the Sultan Garden Centre in Khobar a couple of days ago. The very helpful employee there unfortunately mislabeled it and I am at a loss as to what it actually is called.

If you do know what it is do be a dear and let me know!

Calendula, originally uploaded by malyousif.

The Calendulas have started to flower around the “English Border”. They’re the first to bloom and of course it is a thrill to witness this considering I planted and cared for them from seed through to this.

There are many more flowers to come up in that part of the garden and am looking forward to enjoy their company over the next few weeks.

Have a wonderful Friday my friends.

The petunia border, originally uploaded by malyousif.

They’re coming into their own now, just a few weeks since I planted them, and it will only get better before the season is over.

Have a wonderful and peaceful Friday my friends.