Baldur

OH JOYOUS DAY!
I just went outside, my black iris has opened

Robindcr8l

That's right, Baldur. Now that you say that I seem to remember my dad doing that with coleus every fall when I was a small child. I had forgotten. My dad died when I was only 12, so I was quite young, but I remember just loving those colorful leaves and him having several plants "rooting" for each spring. You've sold me!

Robindcr8l

And congratulations on your iris opening! you must have posted that at the same time I was posting mine.

Baldur

'All Baldur, All the Time'
I just found a link to some photographs of the Sydney Light Festival. It's amazing to see what lighting can do. The Opera House all lit up in blue swirls reminded me at once of ThinkDraw.

Baldur

http://www.pixcetera.com/pixcetera/sydney-light-festival/58742?icid=main|htmlws-main|dl5|l ink7|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pixcetera.com%2Fpixcetera%2Fsydney-light-festival%2F58742

Baldur

It's officially called the 'Smart Lights Sydney Festival'.
A way to brighten up bleak midwinter.

lynnspotter

That is beautiful B! I'll have to show it to my sound & lighting husband!

Login

Spectacular displays! My favourite is the the one with bands of light around a mature tree.

Baldur

'All Baldur, All the Time'
I wish I could fly to Sydney to see the Festival, it seems quite extraordinary.

Baldur

They mentioned in the write up an event called 'Firewater'.
In Providence there is a summerlong event (which is a protected trademark) called Waterfire. It was devised by a local artist as a mixed media event to bring people into the city after dark.
There are many metal braziers installed at intervals right in the rivers which flow through the city. These are piled with firewood and set ablaze and maintained by crews of volunteers in gondolas. Along the banks of the river upon the many plazas and walkways there is live music and assorted performance artists. Vendors sell food, it is a very pleasant atmosphere.
It is busy enough that people feel safe being out in the city at night, but not so crowded as to be annoying.
Onwarm summer evenings it is quite magickal.
Funding comes from local or corporate sponsors, but the presence of this event boosts the local economy.

Baldur

I should have mentioned that the fires are lit ONLY after dark, the flames reflecting on the black water are quite beautiful, the whole thing is awe inspiring and somewhat surreal.

Baldur

There is no admission charge by the way, as the event encompasses a good part of the downtown area.
It's a great inexpensive way to have a night out with the family.

Baldur

Originally this was conceived as a 'one time' thing, but the public loved it.
Over the past few summers it expanded and has become an important summer tradition.

Baldur

Well Baldur needs to get a few things accomplished in the garden before the rains begin again.
Baldur signing off.

Baldur

Well it is raining, it looks like no more gardening today.
It's amazing how many turnips have sprouted this week.
I'll be inundated with them this autumn.

Baldur

Robert had filled our windowboxes with red salvia and assorted dwarf zinnias he had purchased at the garden center.
On the day that some of us were discussing nasturtiums I was inspired to tuck a few dwarf cherry rose nasties in among Robert's plants.
As of this morning they are pretty much all sprouted.

Dragon

My mom has a wonderful Turnip Puff recipe. It turn's out really light and fluffy and almost sweet. I never really thought much of turnips one way or the other before I tryed it, but it made me a turnip lover!

Baldur

I think they make a great choice for windowboxes because they will flow over the edge giving a more naturalistic look.
The dwarf variety is fine for the size of the boxes that we have.

Dragon

-turn's + turns
-y +i

Baldur

I've encounter sweet potato puffs which must be quite similar.
Bitter and strong tasting vegetables have always been a favorite of mine.
The dandelions in my garden have prized status, they are not just a weed any more.