SUNDAY SOLITUDE.........

The kids are off doing their own thing and it is just hubby and myself with a delightfully cool morning. I got out early to water, hubby put in a heap of bulbs in for me (old fashioned ones I remember from my childhood like jonquils, daffoldils, freesias etc) and another 2 dozen tomato seedlings, some carrots, leeks, shallots and some chinese cabbage.

I also purchased quite a few herbs last week, lemon balm, sage, pennyroyal, chocolate mint, standard mint, verbena, to name just a few, so we got those in too. Whilst in the garden centre I found an interesting herb called Brahmi, a memory & recall herb.

In May 1996 the Royal Society of British Science published a paper on nitric oxide, calling it the marvel of the decade. The article explained that the nitric oxide in brahmi has an extremely positive effect on learning and memory recall, as well as on blood circulation and the function of the liver, lungs and kidneys.

Research is also being done on the use of nitric oxide to treat stroke and Alzheimer’s sufferers. In 1998 the Nobel Prize for medicine was awarded to three pharmacologists for their discovery that nitric oxide, in its natural form, has powerful potential as a messenger molecule in the body.

A recent scientific study showed that brahmi has potent antioxidant properties, which is, no doubt, why it was also revered in India for strengthening the immune system, improving vitality and performance and promoting longevity.

The task of antioxidants in the body is to mop up free radical molecules. A free radical is an unstable chemical fragment, which can cause havoc by damaging DNA, corroding cell membranes and destroying cells.
Needless to say, with my memory....I purchased 2 of them! LOL

The pond is really taking off, we have so many wee critters other than frogs visiting, including a crane from the local river. Of course with a pond full of minnows what more could it want, almost dinner on a plate! The geckos love all the rocks to hide amongst and the dragonflies are breeding like crazy on the pond iris which have, as you can see, grown prolifically.

The chillies have all fruited, I still have last years crop in the pantry, so this lot I will pick as they ripen and give to staff. I use them both for drying and crushing to a powder and for oils (just place the dried chillies into oil and leave for a good 6 months).

The giant sunflowers (thanks NAT) appear to grow at an amazing rate, it wasn't that long ago that I put them in. I will make sure I get some of the seed from them before the parrots do!

I spent the remainder of the morning spring cleaning the patio and re-arranging it, adding 2 gorgeous gardenias each side of the door and a magnificent bird nest fern by the sliding door.

Now I am off to do the usual domestic engineering we all so love (yes, tongue in cheek ladies lol). Tommorow I have a day off, I plan to spend it making Lemon Butter, delicious!

Hope your weekend is a good one!