City Girl Turning Country

You may be as surprised as I am how much I enjoy country life. Just spent a week in the city and couldn't wait to get back. Take a look what greeted me:Zucchini are everywhere! To keep things in balance and not get sick of it, these flowers are perfect for a batter dip and deep frying.

Wax beans are hiding under those roaming vines.

Look at this ground cover :) Cucumbers, of course.

Yes, some flowers too for aesthetic pleasure.

Corn and gladiolas around the red currant bushes (remember those?)
Melon on the left and a new planting of corn on the right. (This is Silver Queen and the seeds came with me from my visit on the Cape. Hoping they will turn out as tasty as I remember.)

...and here is looking at the garden from the entrance. All the rain during the month is keeping things looking as fresh as if it were May. The white spot is a water container we pump water into from the stream behind those trees. It comes in handy when there is not enough rain and you have to water plants to keep them alive. Oh, and see the rocks on the mountain side peeking through the trees? I LOVE BEING HERE!

If It's Wednesday, It Must be Doors

This elaborately carved structure with a 'roof' is what is known as a Transylvanian Gate. This gate is also located in Bajna. It is the former residence of a well known potter that had been turned into a guest house and camp for children by the Friends of Bajna.

Flat or Frizzy

You knew it was natural but I bet you never knew mineral water grew out of the soil in a bottle!!
Well, relax - it does not, not even in Hungary. What you are seeing is my attempt at rooting roses. Those gardeners in the know I spoke to tell me that after the bloom is gone from the rose,
(as you can see that sad stump in the middle of all the buds) one can cut them, stick it in soil and cover it over with a plastic pop bottle (bottom cut out, naturally) and it should take root. It sounded mysteriously awesome enough for me to try it and under those plastic bottles are my cuttings.

Mother's uncle, the Judge, had a famous rose garden. They were all trees and only the Judge was permitted into that garden. Upon visiting him, the visits would always conclude with him taking his scissors, having us wait in front of the gate and he would reappear with a bouquet of colorful, fragrant roses. It is so exciting to try and make this work - will keep you posted.

St. Stephen's Basilica

It appears that I'm continuing in an off-beat fashion as this photo is taken from a pedestrian street (many of those in Budapest now) where I judged the view stunning and unexpectedly grand.