Dragonfly In My Garden

I was out in the garden early in the morning when I saw my orchids starting to bloom. I went back inside the house to get my camera. It's been a while since I last took pictures of my flowers.

My heart leaped when I noticed this dragonfly on the bud. 

It stayed still and, oh, I so enjoyed the moment capturing it from different angles.

 This little winged thing just made my day!

Nelumbo Nucifera: LOTUS

Lotus is often mistaken as waterlily or the other way around. I, too, made the same mistake calling the waterlily in my garden as lotus. Though both kinds of flowers grow in water garden, they are entirely different plants.

The seed head in the middle is distinct to lotus flowers. It's one thing I look for to be sure it's lotus and not waterlily. It surely stands out and you wouldn't miss it.

The lotus seeds are edible and the seed head, when dried, is popularly used in flower arrangements.

Lotus is an important plant in Thailand which is a predominantly Buddhist country.According to legend, Buddha was born with the ability to walk and lotus flowers bloomed everywhere he stepped.

Aside from its religious importance, lotus is also a useful plant. The buds are sold everywhere to be used as offerings to Buddhist altars. The flowers, seeds, and roots are all edible, and the petals are often used as garnishing. A lotus leaf, which can grow as big as 60cm in diameter, is used as a wrap for food.

This week, I made some changes in my garden. I already have a spot for my future lotus plant. I can't wait to behold a lotus blooming in my own garden.

Exotic Orchids

Thailand is known for it's beautiful orchids. Here's sharing some of the photos I took during an Orchid Exhibit.









I have some orchids blooming in my garden these days but I thought I would wait until all buds are open. Also, my garden doesn't do well these days because of flooding. I hope I could go back to my normal gardening routine soon!

My Rose of Sharon is Blooming But.....

I finally have my first bloom! After months of waiting, my Rose of Sharon is now flowering but we are expecting a flash flood as the major river in our city is overflowing and heavy rain is expected. We have secured the house and I only hope that the flood would not be as bad as expected so my garden will be safe.

I would like to ask for your prayer for my host country, Thailand. Many of the provinces are now submerged in water and major roads are impassable. This weekend, the capital city, Bangkok, where I live, is expected to be hit hard by flash flood.

Although, I care for my garden but I care more for the millions of families that are affected.

Thank you for you prayers.

Rose On Fire

She stood alone in my garden.
She looked like a candlelight as a bud one night.

She's tiny yet fiery.
I can't just ignore her.
She seems to call my attention each time I pass by her.

"Won't you come to my garden? I want my roses to see you."

Richard Brinsley sheridan

Flowers For The Day

We drove past a plants shop one day and my husband parked the car for a minute so I could take photos of these beautiful flowers.
I have my real garden that I tend everyday and I also have a garden at heart. In my heart's garden, I don't have to own the flowers. I only need my camera to get to enjoy them anytime I want. In doing so, I pay tribute to the Creator. I believe He likes it every time we pause to appreciate what He has made.

My Favorite Bench At The Prayer Garden

I've sat on this bench for many hours begging God to change my situation. I did not get the answer I expected  but He changed my heart. He showed me the other side of where I was and I had a better perspective of things.

My situation did not improve but my heart did.

On this cozy bench adorned with white flowers, a miracle happened to me.

My Parents' Garden

My father is a serious gardener.As soon as the cock crows, he is already in his garden. 

My Pa in his garden at sunrise when I last visited them in my homecountry. 

Durian, chestnuts, avocado, marang, rambutan, lychee, pomelo, etc. He's got them all in his garden and  they always bear fruits in season. More photos of his garden here.

My Ma is into flowers. She likes her house surrounded with blooms. Below is the collage of photos I took when I visited my parents.

I'm glad I am a gardener like them.

Something White From My Garden

The fragrant Jasmine in the night...

the beauty of Hibiscus in the morning light.... 

the hanging plaque that commands the gardener to rejoice with her blooms in sight...

they all blur when the gardener saw a promise of life --

in the birdhouse something glowed in white!

Inserted Note: Many have asked about the green fruit in the collage. It's called sugar apple (Atis). More info here.

Passiflora: The New Star in My Garden

I was so thrilled when my husband bought me this new addition to my collection. I fell in love with passiflora the first time I saw it in a park, and I never thought I would have one in my own garden.

There's a small dead tree by the fence near my vegetable garden, so I let my new vine crawl on it.I believe it will not be long when it covers the whole tree and provides shade for the gardener.

I cultivate my garden, and my garden cultivates me. 

Robert Brault