Blue and Yellow — the Colours of Ukraine
Crocuses and celandines
Entirely coincidentally, these crocuses of amazing blue and celandines of sunshine yellow were the first two lots of flowers I photographed this week before Russia invaded Ukraine.
I didn’t know the colours of Ukraine’s flag before. I think we all do now.
These are fabulous — I have previously taken photos of the clematis flowers that precede this stage of this plant. It’s this stage that explains why the common name often used is ‘old man’s beard’ — it is these silky structures that aid in the dispersal of the seeds.
The entire garden fence of the house at the bottom of this road is covered in this fluffiness.
These berberis flowers are such a fabulous flame-colour! There are many of these shrubs around the neighbourhood, but I think this is the one with the most vibrant colour.
This twiggy branch is covered in new buds of hawthorn, also known as May-tree — Spring is definitely springing now. Hawthorn is more commonly seen in hedgerows in the countryside, but I have several in pots outside the front of my house because the shrubs are nicely thorny, and I’m hoping they will discourage people from getting too close to my windows.
I have also promised a neighbour any sloes that are produced so she can infuse them in gin or vodka.
The national flower of Ukraine is the sunflower.
I’ve been wanting to learn more about sunflowers and have found they are also the flower of Kansas!
Helen Keller said, “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows. It’s what the sunflowers do.”
24th February was ‘National Chili Day’ — I love chili!
I remember when I found my favourite recipe — it’s called, ‘Chuck’s Chili Con Carne’ and then the first ingredient is one pound of ground chuck … I was very puzzled about that — is this cannibalism, I wondered? (amongst other things)
But anyway, I persevered with it and always use this recipe now except I don’t use ground chuck — I use minced lamb instead, and red kidney beans instead of the other beans. (Unless I’m making vegetarian, in which case I use sweet potato.)
I also eat it with Greek yoghurt and grated cheese — what a brilliant idea that is — much better than the rice the British usually eat it with.
Yum!!!
PupperJack says the people of Ukraine, and their pets, need all the positive vibes and help they can get.
Something someone told us about this week seems like a good idea — it’s a way of checking your charity of choice is genuine:
Another thing I was told is that it is often better to donate cash than items that have to be delivered.
We wish you all a wonderful week!
Dennett started the Photo-a-Day Challenge to help combat the pandemic blues. I’m delighted that she is continuing to do so despite Medium’s sabotage of our picture liberties.
Other practitioners who share their week with us:
Erika Burkhalter, Eileen Vorbach Collins, Anne Bonfert, Sasha Meyer, Tracy Aston, Lisa Bolin, Juan O. Aguilera, David Wade Chambers, Susan Alison, June Nguyen, Mia Verita, LensAfield, Barbara Radisavljevic, Diana Lotti, Barb Dalton, Kim Zuch, K. Barrett, Penny Grubb, Ellie Jacobson,
(If your name should, or should not, be on this list, please let me know.)
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