It’s been beautiful Spring weather here lately. Mr 4 and I ventured outside to pick loads of lavender that has popped out all over the place. We also set about untying and pulling the petals off the dried lavender that has been hanging all this time.
Mr 4 and I compared two very different flowers: a dried lavender flower, and a fresh one. We talked about the differences in colour, texture and smell. He had a ball hanging out in the old shop, having a nice old poke around.
First we sorted through our big wicker basket chock-ful of flowers. Mr 4 and I had to turn them all around so that each bud was facing the same way, then tie them in bunches and lastly, hang them up to dry. I told him about how the air circulates all through the leaves, petals and stems, helping to dry out the flowers so we can preserve them for later use.
It certainly kept him very busy! ‘This is hard work, Mum!’ he kept telling me.
But there was more to do… It was then time to un-tie the dried lavender that Missy 9 had helped me with, and crumble the petals away from the stalks to be stored.
You should have smelt that shop! Oh my…
We’ve also been having some adorable visitors that have been keeping the children amused…
Meet Little Frog. If you remember me telling you briefly about our flooding situation, then I don’t need to explain to you why the carpet has been ripped out and you’re staring at the concrete floor of our currently defunct playroom. It seems Little Frog has made himself right at home amid all the damp.
And have you met Big Toad?
This picture really doesn’t do this beautiful creature justice. Blame it on the neurotic woman behind the camera! This overblown toad was found outside whilst I was outside at the bins. I rushed inside to find a container and a cloth to put over the top.
Big Toad was much heavier than I anticipated, and lurched all around in this temporary home. I was not game to take more than a bird’s eye shot. But I will say this toad is much, much bigger than it looks in this photo. Its tummy was so chubby, it nearly didn’t fit into my container! We all enjoyed looking at its colourful stripes and it’s bubbly neck. Then, of course I let it go. I think it was a very pregnant girl frog…
I don’t think I’ve ever seen as many toads as I have since moving here. And certainly none so colourful! Does anyone know what type of toad it is?
That looks fantastic
Have you got a plan for what you are going to use them for later?
When I started Uni mum organised for a bunch of roses to be delivered to my room at the boarding house the first week of term. I’d enjoy the fresh flowers, then hang them upsidedown from the curtain rod to try once the started to wilt. My room always smelled like roses, lovely natural perfume
Marita, I do have a couple of ideas, but you’ll have to wait and see;) It should be fun! OMG, your room away at uni must’ve smelt divine!
Hear Mum Roar´s last post ..Lavender
I think you will find your adorable toad is actually a frog … and yes she is probably full to the gunnels with eggs, looking for a spot to lay them.
http://www.ozanimals.com/Frog/Salmon-striped-Frog/Limnodynastes/salmini.html
Oh dear, Dani! I’m teaching my children the wrong things! lol. That does look like the same frog, so I will have to let my kids know. Just wait for Mr 4 to yell, ‘Mummy made a mistake again!!’ haha. I might go look for tadpoles out the back where I left her:)
Hear Mum Roar´s last post ..Lavender
Aww! I think little frog is just adorable!
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Violet, I think so too! The kids get obsessed with these little guys.
Hear Mum Roar´s last post ..Lavender
I’m just imagining how fabulous that lavender must smell!
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It really does smell lovely, Mama Zen:)
Hear Mum Roar´s last post ..Lavender
Thank you for sharing your part of the world with me. As for the toad, hey, your frogs and toad look a little different then they do in the USA. Sorry about all your rain. We could sure use some of it.
I love they way you are teaching your children about nature. So many parents get busy these days and forget about those little things that are very important. What kind of bush is the lavender?
Debbie
Hi, Debbie:) That’s the great thing about blogging, isn’t it? You get to see in the backyards of people the world over! The rain is starting to dry off, I’m just very thankful we have an excellent insurance company. It is nice to be able to teach the kids about nature more. We moved from the city in January, and were pretty busy, so it’s lovely to be lucky enough to move to the country and just slow it all down. I have no idea what kind of lavender bush it is, but am dying to know.
Hear Mum Roar´s last post ..Lavender
I grew up on a farm. And it is a wonderful place to raise children. They can learn so much about nature and just being in the wide open place. If you ever find out about the lavender bush let me know. Maybe we would have them over here too. I can always hope. Hope is good.
Have a good weekend.
Debbie
Debbie, that would’ve been amazing growing up on a farm! This isn’t a farm, but lots of farms are around here. I will definitely post about it once I learn what type of lavender it is:)
Hear Mum Roar´s last post ..Lavender
The lavender must smell amazingly wonderful!
Frogs and toads are so much fun. I bet the kids were very excited to see them.
Mrs Mayhem, yeah, the kids adored the froggies:)
Hear Mum Roar´s last post ..Lavender