Ochre Walls and Blue Shuttered Windows on my Mind

My balcony's been on my mind and once something's on my mind, it's like a bug that refuses to go away. With all the construction work going on right opposite our building, there's always some residue of rubble or cement that greets me when I step out. It's coated all over the grill, the floor, the walls, and even my plants till I give them a good wash morning and evening.

It's very, very, very annoying but I can't do much except wait for the work to complete before I can go ahead and paint my balcony a lovely, deep shade of ochre. Since there's absolutely no point cribbing and feeling sad about things beyond my control decided it was time to make the best of limited resources. Woke up today morning before the sun did and decked the dusty grills with some bottles that I've been hoarding.

Now all I need to do is fill these bottles with a couple of money plants that trail and entwine across the grill and that should add some cheer. Meanwhile, I dream of ochre walls and blue shuttered windows...maybe it's the call of the meditteranean. Oh well, someday.

Addicted

A peek at the new batch of plants delivered by gamlaa.com. Fingers crossed they survive the harsh summer. Love them already!

Flop DIY Projects

Got quite a stash of bottles last night so decided to put it to good use in some DIY project. My first thought was to hang the bottles from the balcony grill but after reading umpteen instructions online realized that cutting off the base of the bottles was a little too complicated for a beginner like me so chickened out. Then tried hanging  them from ropes secured at the top, but after entwining them with the clothesline shaped like a tangled basket, still didn't feel secure so dropped that idea. Next, tried putting them in old handbags and hanging them on the railing but felt it may snap so gave that up too.

Guess it was just not my day. Gave up the creative buzz in my head and went back to simpler methods. Oh well, there's always a next time.

Also, while browsing through a few pages for DIY, chanced upon this site gamlaa.com. Was pretty kicked about it because finally I get to order plants online and though they do not have herbs and other organic saplings yet, saves me the trouble of lugging indoor, outdoor, and some flowering plants. There were around 9 pots that I had retired for the summer but now that home delivery's available, got online and placed my first order. Now waiting for the beauties to arrive. Fingers crossed. :)

Serendipitous Sundays

Waking up on a Sunday morning to my plants is the most joyous activity right now in my life. Other days, its the hustle bustle of life where I am rushing through one chore to another but Sunday mornings are sacred.

So was shuttling back and forth tending to my plants, listening to melodious old songs wafting out in the background on Vh1 when something stopped me in my tracks. Happened to glance out of the dining room window and saw the sky change color in a matter of a few seconds from a dull grey to a bright orange. Was spellbound. My first instinct was to hunt for a camera but then decided to savour this moment in solitude instead of uploading just another sunrise pic to this already crowded digital world.

The beauty of the sunrise seemed to have eclipsed all other tasks so I sat back and watched the sun, in peace with the world for a few minutes till the doorbell rang and the maid woke me up from my utopian reverie. :)

So back to my rambles about my plants. The latest plant that I am fixated on is coriander (dhania). I've been reading several blogs on how to grow dhania and decided to try growing them at home. So here's a peek at the weekly progress of one of the dhania plants.

Still in the germination stage but hope by next week there is more progress. If all goes well it's going to take another 10-15 days before I can begin using my own home-grown produce and then I can get more ambitious in the gardening arena and venture to other produce too. :)

I Am Crushed

I don't know why it took me this length of time to finally post something today. There have been loads of ideas, thoughts, madness floating around in my head but guess it will take some time to sort out my rambles and note it down. It's all become a blur inside but will hopefully post my numerous ramblings more often.

For now, what's keeping me super busy before and after work is my new obsession, my latest crush, the current love of my life. Since I do not own a space outside to do my own gardening and live in an apartment in one of our cramped, polluted Indian cities, I've been trying my hand at a little gardening in my tiny balcony.

Guess the older I grow, my thoughts seem to turn more to those idyllic childhood days living in the midst of nature where greenery was abundant. Winters meant a variety of flowers that chai memsahebs would painstakingly plant in front of their bungalows. Chrysanthemums, dahlias, phlox, pansies, zinnias, poppies, etc etc and of course your own home grown organic vegetables in the backyard. I remember the flower shows in February an annual event where everyone would compete with their best in all categories be it for the best bungalow with the best flower garden and vegetable garden, or for the flowers, non-flowering plants, vegetables, or even home grown produce. I would painstakingly prepare flower arrangements a week in advance to prepare for the children's section. Those days there were no smart phones, technology around so guess this was our way of entertainment and keeping ourselves busy. :)I remember my Dad spending hours in the garden tending to his prized garlic or papaya trees and Mom all excited about the strawberries and the flowers. Though I admit I am not yet a great gardener like my parents, I do try my best and guess will get there and hopefully I can afford a tiny garden someday. :) However, I do often wonder why I didn't inherit my parents fabulous gardening genes. :) For now, will post a few pics of my flowering plants that blossom now and then in my tiny, sunny balcony.

It was fascinating watching the progression of this hibiscus bud to a full grown flower over a period of 3 days and I did bore Ange and Serena for a while with daily posts till Angeli suggested that maybe I should start a joba blog. :D

I am also a little worried about going on vacation next month in case the maid or the watchman forgets to water them and have been looking at those automatic plant watering systems on Amazon and other sites though I am hopeful and sure they will be fine. Guess I've become a little protective and sometimes think to myself that now I know what it's like to have kids. These plants are like my kids and am going to miss them. I know this is not a good example and those who've been expecting us to produce kids the last few years will not be happy reading this comment, but well that's the closest I will ever get to having motherly feelings and I am perfectly fine with it, say what you may. :P Now I'd better scoot before my thoughts start flowing here faster than my ability to process them. ;)