Wednesday, September 1, 2010

My father's house in late summer



The showiest blooms in my father's garden right now are the lotuses on the left side of the pond. I've posted lots of photos of his garden and property (click on the label "my father's garden" to see more), but not from this vantage point. Below, you see the duck/goose area on the right under the willow tree. Most of the photos I take of the pond and the mass of water lilies in the summer are taken from the other side of the pond, where the grassy area is. The house is to the right of the photo.



Lotus seedpod below. My parents sometimes save the individual seeds (or "nuts") in the pod for eating. The empty pod itself can also be stewed and eaten.



Some of the geese. Sadly, the Chinese goose on the far left lost his mate to a predator.




Speaking of mates, these two interesting specimens showed up one day. They hung around for a couple days and then took off.




In the vegetable garden... Chinese wax gourd, aka winter melon. This is often eaten in soups. It's a large melon - similar in size to a typical watermelon.


Here's a long shot of the vegetable garden. Several rows/beds are being prepared for fall planting.



With a whack of the pole, hundreds of ripe Italian plums rain down for picking. I brought home two very large bags full of plums and canned some and cooked the rest down into an Asian plum sauce (which I will never make again - delicious, but an all-day affair).

Did you see the size of the garden? This is a garden for 2 people! Currently, LOTS of food preservation is going on. Below, some habanero peppers being dehydrated.


Hope you enjoyed this end of summer visit!!

21 comments:

  1. I can't believe those first two pics are of someone's garden. They look like botanic garden or a nicely designed park.

    Thanks for sharing the pics.

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  2. Hi Wendy, I love the weeping willows by the pond. And what a bountiful veggie garden. Wow. [My fingers are crossed that Earl goes out to sea before hitting your neck of the woods.]

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  3. Wendy: You left a comment to one of my old China trip posts, which I just saw yesterday. You mentioned that now you understand that willow trees, and lotus pond in your farther's garden might be the way he use to create something close to his heart, and something that can connect him to China. Now I am seeing the pictures, and absolutely agree with what you thought! Your farther is such a talented gardener, and really created a fabulous place that looks so dear to me. Please tell your farther next time you visit, that I am in love with his garden!!! LOL

    If someday, I can own a garden as large as your parents', a small version of lotus pond is a must, and the willow trees! I just can not believe this is a garden for two people! Your parents are really hard-working people, and I am sure they also enjoy it.

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  4. Beautiful garden and good pictures :-D Thanks!

    My sister loves to eat those fresh lotus seeds (not me he he...). I didn't know that the empty pods can be eaten. In fact, I don't remember my family ever eaten it.

    Btw, look like your parents have everything right at their doorstep... from vege to fruits to ducks... cool! Supermarket can close down ha ha...

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  5. That place is gorgeous. I'm curious where it is.

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  6. Hi Wendy!Intereting post enjoy reading it.

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  7. thats really a Heaven dear! a person spending his/her summer at that place will be a lucky one! you are a jewel than!take care!

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  8. Hi, Wendy! I DID enjoy the tour! Wow. Love dear Dad's gorgeous pond and water lilies to boot. Very cool. This place is just wonderful. Happy long weekend to you...

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  9. Hi Wendy! Beautiful pics! I love the pics of the pods. So purty!!

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  10. His veggie garden is enviable.
    My Dad is the man who inspired me to garden.
    It seems as though you are in the same boat.

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  11. I look forward to these visits to your father's wonderful garden. They never disappoint.

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  12. Wow, now that is a veggie garden. Your dad's place is wonderful, I love the pond and especially the weeping willows. I had no idea you could eat the lotus pods, very interesting.

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  13. You are indeed blessed, Wendy, to not only still have parents near but to share in their beautiful garden/life. Your life is rich!

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  14. WOW, your Dad's garden is like a huge public park!! How does he maintain such a huge garden and yet the whole place looks in proper order and neat? He amazes me! I would love to have such a big garden with a big pond of lotus plants, willow trees bordering the pond, Chinese gazebo, a big vegetable beds and visiting migratory birds! That is so fun to have but I would also need 3 gardeners to help me maintain the whole place...ha ha ha!

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  15. What an interesting white lotus by the weeping willows. They look so stunningly graceful.
    Thanks for sharing your summer experience.

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  16. There is something about drooping willows and lotus ponds that makes the scene so divine. I like to eat the lotus seeds fresh from the pods too. We use the lotus roots for stir fry with water chestnuts and green peas and we also boil herbal soups with them. The leaves are used to make glutinouus rice dumplings.

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  17. Hi Wendy! I love that we both shared photos of water lotuses on the same date! Your dad's garden continues to amaze and WOW me! Hope you and your girls had a wonderful summer! Thanks for popping by! ;)
    Lynn

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  18. Thanks everyone for visiting and commenting! My father puts in so much work in this property it's crazy. He's recently retired but used to get up at the crack of dawn, work outside, go to work, come back and work again till dark. He recently had a health scare - went to the emergency room and spent then night in the hospital. He was discharged with a clean bill of health the next day. When I got there the next day, he was sweating, sun beating down, lugging watering cans up and down the hill. He's very stubborn and you can't talk any sense into him!

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  19. Wendy, I always love seeing photos of your father's garden. It's so inspirational - wish I was close enough to visit in person! Thanks for taking the time to share.

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  20. Hi Wendy,
    I see others have said it, but your dad's place looks like a well taken care of park. That vegetable garden looks awesome! I'm sorry the goose lost its mate.

    Thanks for your comment on my wildlife post. Someone had said to put some leaves over the critter the neighbor kids brought over, but when I went out to check on it the other day, it was gone. I don't know if the kids decided to take it back, or if a bird found it.

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  21. Your father's garden is simply amazing. I wonder how he manages it.

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