Okay, so I know may of you will have been harvesting buckets of veggies from your gardens already - but (apart from a few not very exciting potatoes last week) these are MY "first fruits" (veggies) from the new veg garden - and I am thrilled with them. They are mange tout peas - no shelling required, you steam and EAT THE LOT!!!
They actually don't even need steaming - newly picked, they are just delicious tossed in oil into a salad - or, er - if you are greedy, (like me) - eaten straight off the plant. Nothing quite like picking your own!
More action down at the pond today as well - the dragonflies are emerging in quick succession. Here is another one drying its wings, with exoskeleton behind it - in this photo, you can actually see the tiny hole - about 5 mm across, on the back of the thorax, (just above the lower abdomen) through which the adult dragonfly has emerged.
It's a miracle.
I just found your blog the other day and LOVE it, I've been back a few times catching up through your archives and admiring your lovely garden, so thought it was only polite to say hello. :-)
Your mange tout look wonderful, they're one of my favourites (they call them snow peas here). Absolutely fascinating picture of the dragonfly too.
Nice to 'meet' you.
Caitlin
Posted by: Caitlin | Sunday, July 06, 2008 at 04:00
It looked to me like the one dragon fly was holding the wings so that the other dragon fly could slip into them. Beautiful photos - can't imagine how you could sit still long enough to catch that.
Posted by: Ardi | Monday, July 07, 2008 at 05:12
Hello Roz
I've been reading your blog/site faithfully since, oh I don't know, 2004 or 05? But I don't comment often and I thought I'd let you know that I was out here reading :D
Beautiful pictures. I can't seem to grow sweet peas because I can't get them in the ground early enough to avoid the heat!
Sylvia
Posted by: Sylvia | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 17:06
I just wanted to thank you for your delightful blog, with the shots of your garden. I don't get enough time to work in my yard, and it's scandalously neglected, but coming here and seeing yours give me hope, and splendid ideas on what to do about mine!
Posted by: Kate | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 20:52
Umm, mange tout are delightful to eat and so easy to prepare - but always very expensive over here. I must try growing some myself.
Fabulous dragonfly photos Roz - we have a lot at the pond nearby however I rarely see one in my garden. This year the butterflies are few also - perhaps the crazy weather pattern has upset the balance of Nature, always a frightening thought!
Posted by: Mary | Thursday, July 10, 2008 at 15:43
Lovely looking Chinese sugar peas. Like you, I tend to pick them and eat them while in the garden. If I have extras, they are delish in salads.
Posted by: Terra | Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 23:46
Wow, that dragonfly photo was amazing. I am always drawn to dragonflies but had never seen a picture like that even though I knew how they came out of the creek that way. Wonderful photo
Posted by: Rain | Monday, July 28, 2008 at 20:44
I LOVE these dragonfly photos. You are so talented! Thanks for sharing, I just came across your blog today and love your photos. I'll definitely be bookmarking it so I can come back and look again and again.
Posted by: Leah | Friday, August 01, 2008 at 20:08
Hi, Roz, just checking in. I love the dragonflies. I may do something with that theme in jewelry. Will send pics if I do! Do you have squirrels in your garden? They have been eating my squash before it gets anywhere near big enough to pick...grrr!
Posted by: Eunice | Wednesday, August 20, 2008 at 22:10
Dear Roz, We miss you!!! :-)
Posted by: Brigitte | Friday, August 22, 2008 at 13:46