Christmas birds

I did enjoy my Christmas pheasant.

I watched him through the window as he strolled about in the winter sun and then joined his friends to feast on the sugar beet left behind after the field was harvested a couple of weeks ago.

The sparrows helped themselves to their usual snack of peanuts.

This little chap visits the garden most days, but seeing him on Christmas Day is always a bit special.

And my Christmas dinner? A very tasty cashew and mushroom roast with all the trimmings.

A present to give

It’s that time of year again, when you’re desperately trying to think what to buy for those ‘difficult’ friends and relatives. You know, the ones who’ve already got drawers full of socks they never wear, those who still haven’t used the perfume you sent three years ago, the people who say you really shouldn’t waste your money on them but who will take umbrage if you don’t …

Here’s an idea for a gift that will make the recipient feel good about themselves, won’t cost you a fortune in postage, and can be given again – and again.

Some rainbows are too big

So there I was, exploring Aladdin’s cave (otherwise known as my favourite art shop) and thinking that When I am Rich I’ll be able to buy the best quality paints, pastels, inks and pencils in every available colour and shade.

All those purples, violets, mauves and magentas!

    
         Yellows!
              Reds!
                  Browns!
                        Blues!

But if I had all those colours what would I do with them?

I’d probably spend the whole day admiring them while I tried to decide which one to use first.

I think I’ll stick with my little paintbox for now.

It’s got all the colours I need for teasels and trees. 

   

Growing inspiration

One of the many pleasures of my recent trip toScotland was gathering some new ideas for the garden I plan to create when I am Rich.

I love the colour scheme of this barrel,

 and these tumbling  

 nasturtiums,

 

and I really want

these trees!   

A clever way to give new life to an old boat.

  

And no garden would be complete without one of these,

and some of this,

and a smiley crocodile!

 

I think I’ll have to add a few more acres ... 

Brainwave

What makes me feel Rich? Waking up in the morning with a simple answer to a problem I’ve been struggling to solve for days. You can’t put a price on genius!

Meet the help

When I am Rich, I might not have the time – or energy – to keep my lovely garden looking its best every day. I’ll need to employ some people to mow the lawns, trim the hedges, tidy the flower beds, sweep the paths and do all those other routine but essential jobs.

But training and supervising all those people will take me nearly as long as doing the work myself, so I’ll also need to hire a head gardener to take charge when I’m not around. (Of course I’ll still be the head, head gardener.)

So my garden will look wonderful, but then I’ll have to deal with all the paperwork involved with employing people. I think I’m going to need a bookkeeper, an accountant, a personnel manager and a health and safety officer to make sure nobody infringes the latest regulations … How much time and money is all that going to take?

Sometimes, a tiny garden seems the sensible option.

And here’s my one and only helper, quietly cleaning up all those difficult to get at nooks and crannies in return for a few tasty creepy crawlies.

 

Picnic perfection

When I am Rich, I’ll be able to invite my friends to a really posh picnic. Beneath a blue, summer sky we’ll travel in a convoy of open horse-drawn carriages to some idyllic beauty spot where my staff (under the skilled direction of the butler and chef) will have prepared the most delicious selection of food and drink.

It will be a feast for all the senses: pristine white tablecloths, fine porcelain and silver cutlery, arrangements of scented roses and orange blossom, champagne served in crystal goblets, dainty sandwiches, homemade lemonade, colourful salads, a small orchestra accompanied by blackbirds and skylarks, lots of pies and cakes, several types of tea, strawberries and cream, trifle, good conversation, laughter, fun and games …

and not a single drop of rain, a wasp or stinging nettle in sight!

But until then I’m happy to make do with

 

some simple food,

a free picnic table

 and a view like this.