Old Gnarly Radishes, South African Flowers and American Tableware

Are these old radishes frightening? They were left in my garden over the winter and are gigantic.

The above photo of Leucospermum from my garden was taken the day I picked them. The next photo shows the blooms about 10 days after picking.

Above are leucospermum flowers from my two garden bushes. They need sun and rather dry conditions and are from South Africa. The flowers last a long time, several weeks, in a bouquet.

It is sad to me to see entire industries disappear from the USA. Factories provide good jobs and help our economy be strong. Many countries face this same situation as manufacturing is dominated by communist China. The above beautiful tableware is made by the only remaining USA tableware manufacturer. I like to support them and bought a set of stainless steel highest quality silverware for my table. I chose the Annapolis design, they offer many designs. If you are interested visit www.libertytabletop.com I am not connected with them but I am praising them. Here is the link: Liberty Tabletop
 

Shakespeare's Gardens and My Two African Market Baskets

 

Do you have an African market basket? I think they are beautiful in form and in function. The one with my gardening books in it I bought from my neighbor. He immigrated to the USA from Ghana and is married to my neighbor. He imported about 30 baskets from Ghana to sell at a yard sale. The red basket is from Togo and I bought it at World Market and it holds papers for recycling.

I have a special basket made in Africa that holds some of my garden picture books. "Shakespeare's Gardens" is a favorite book. The first photo shows the gardens and the birthplace and childhood home of Shakespeare. Decades ago my hubby and I toured Stratford-upon-Avon, saw a play in the old theater and visited a few homes related to The Bard. Shakespeare lived and worked there for most of his 52 years. The book is written by Jackie Bennett with photographs by Andrew Lawson.

In reading this book I was stunned and saddened to learn that Shakespeare's grand and final home "New Place" was torn down in 1759 because the current owner couldn't stand the sight seers and because of some sort of legal squabble. All that remains is the handsome gardens. Towns people were outraged when New Place was demolished and hounded the man out of town. That is a harsh loss to the world of literature and gardens and admirers of Shakespeare. Shakespeare wrote 20 plays during his time as owner of New Place.