#decadent daylilies

[harpsicalbiobug]

why is there buckthorn. this is colorado.

[frostfires-blog]

Sousou no Frieren Hanakotoba Analysis

┏ · ──────── ·𖥸· ──────── · ┓

-> 1) Blue-Moon Weed [蒼月草│Sō gessō]

The Blue-Moon Weed (Sō gesso │ 蒼月草) is a blue, fictitious flower in the universe of Sousou no Frieren endemic to Himmel's hometown. The flower can be described as having blue anthers, yellow filaments as well as five petals that range from deeper blue at the tips to lighter blue in the centre. Although the Blue-Moon Weed is fictional, it appears to be inspired by real-life plants—namely Baby Blue Eyes and the Asiatic Daylily.

During episode 2, Frieren cleans a statue of Himmel the hero, afterwards a local herbalist proposes planting some flowers around the statue to brighten the area. This causes Frieren to recall how Himmel once told her his favourite flowers were Blue-Moon Weeds. This motivates her to search for these flowers over the next six months, despite these plants not being sighted for decades. After much frustration on Fern's part, the two eventually discover a small meadow of Blue-Moon Weed flowers atop an abandoned watchtower. This allows Frieren to use her spell to decorate the area around the statue with these flowers.  During this incident, we learn that Frieren’s penchant for collecting odd spells partly stems from Himmel expressing his appreciation for them—particularly the flower bed-making spell which is currently her favourite. Although Frieren couldn’t grant Himmel’s desire to show her Blue-Moon Weed flowers before his death, she was still somewhat able to fulfil this desire by finding the flowers and planting them around his statue as a tribute. Her willingness to devote half a year towards finding the flower showcases her remarkable dedication and nuanced sentimentality.

-> 1,2) Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila sp.)

The most apparent inspiration for the Blue-Moon Weed is likely Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila sp.). Although the leaves of the Blue-Moon Weed have an elongated shape, the shape and method of attachment differ from those of Nemophila—the shape and colour of the flowers are very similar to Nemophila. Baby Blue Eyes flowers are known as Rurikarakusa (ルリカラクサ) in Japan. In hanakotoba, Nemophila symbolises success everywhere, daintiness and forgiveness. In Western floriography, they represent victory, tenderness, sensitivity, harmony and trust. These symbolic connotations are closely linked with Himmel’s personality and accomplishments. Nemophila also represent the transient nature of beauty and life, encouraging us to treasure every moment and appreciate simplicity—which is a core theme in the series and is a lesson that Frieren is slowly learning throughout her journey.

The scientific name for Baby Blue Eyes, Nemophila, is derived from Greek and roughly translates to "loves small woodlands". This is derived from Nemophila's tendency to grow around the margins of woodlands. In a way, this is reminiscent of Himmel and Frieren's first encounter in the forest when the former became lost. After pointing him in the right direction, Frieren casts the flower bed-making spell leaving a lasting impact on Himmel. Specifically, it is hinted that Himmel sought Frieren out to be the party's magician since that event was the first time he perceived magic as being beautiful.

-> 1,2) Asiatic Dayflower (Commelina communis)

Another possible inspiration for the Blue-Moon Weed is the Asiatic Dayflower (Commelina communis). In Japan, this plant is known as tsuyukusa (露草) meaning "dew grass“. However, in ancient times it was called tsukikusa (月草) meaning “moon grass” which is similar to the name of Blue-Moon Weed. Although the two plants both possess blue-coloured flowers and similar leaf shapes; how the leaves attach to the stem differs, as does the shape of the flowers. In hanakotoba, the Asiatic Dayflower symbolises nostalgic relationships, secret love, transience and changes of heart in love. In Western floriography, they symbolise harmony, growth, prosperity and abundance. These symbolic associations—particularly those of nostalgic relationships, growth and changes of the heart in love—resonate heavily with Frieren’s relationship with Himmel. While the flower’s symbolism of secret love and transience resonates with Himmel’s feelings towards Frieren.

-> 2) Mirrored Lotus [鏡蓮華│Kagami renge]

The Mirror Lotus (Kagami renge │鏡蓮華) is a fictitious flower in the universe of Sousou no Frieren. However, its name suggests it is based on a real lotus (Nelumbo nucifera). Furthermore, the shape of the flower on Fern's bracelet is quite similar to that of a real lotus, which lends credence to this notion. In episode 14, it is noted that the silver bracelet Stark bought Fern for her birthday features a Mirror Lotus design. As Frieren studies the bracelet, she realises it has the same design as a ring she received from Himmel in the past. Sein then reveals that the Mirror Lotus symbolises eternal love.

Although Fern, Stark, and Frieren were unaware of the flower's symbolism, Himmel's interest in flowers suggests he recognised the meaning behind the ring he bought for Frieren—despite her assumption otherwise. As Frieren recalls receiving the ring, we see that after she selected it randomly Himmel was struck into silence and stared at it with a pensive expression. He then knelt before Frieren and placed it on the fourth finger of her left hand. This event, resembling a marriage proposal, reinforces the impression that he understood the significance of the flower. Furthermore, Himmel never married anyone else, alluding to the fact that Himmel must have pledged his eternal affection to Frieren through this ring. The significance of Himmel gifting Frieren a ring that symbolises "eternal love," as well as the multiple sculptures he had constructed around the world serve as a reminder of his existence. They serve as proof that his love for her transcends time and continues to accompany her on her journey.

Although Fern’s bracelet Fern and Frieren’s ring both have a mirrored lotus motif, the designs of the flowers differ in shape. The mirror lotus flower on Frieren’s ring is in bud state while the flower Fern's bracelet is in full bloom. This distinction references the difference between the two pairs’ relationships. While it is inferred that Himmel knew about the flower’s meaning, Frieren wasn't aware and only discovered it after his death. Himmel's romantic feelings for Frieren are still unknown to her, corresponding to the flower's bud shape on the ring, as their relationship remains frozen, unable to fully blossom due to the distance between them caused by their differing lifespans and Frieren's unintentional obliviousness. However, Fern and Stark discover the flower's significance together almost immediately after buying the bracelet. Although Fern, like Stark, was unaware of the mirror lotus' symbolism when she accepted the bracelet, she continued to wear it after learning about it and was enraged by Stark's proposal that she replace it with another design. If Fern hadn't had any romantic feelings for Stark, she would have been reluctant to wear the bracelet after this revelation. This, in conjunction with the flower's full bloom design on her bracelet, suggests that the pair will become mutually conscious of each other's romantic feelings and eventually end up together.

-> 2,1) Sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)

In Japan, lotuses are called ren (蓮) or hasu (はす) and symbolise eloquence, sacredness, detached love as well as a pure heart in hanakotoba. Its symbolism of a pure heart is derived from how the lotus blooms into a noble and pure flower despite rising from muddy water. This symbolic connotation resonates with Himmel’s character, particularly his remarkable accomplishments despite his humble background. Lotuses are also globally associated with purity, rebirth, transformation and enlightenment. The lotus’s symbolic representation of enlightenment and transformation resonates with Frieren’s journey to learn and understand humans better to alleviate her regret of not getting to know Himmel better. In Asia, two lotus flowers blossoming from a single stem represent a desire for harmony and a shared heart. While in Western floriography, lotuses represent grace and estranged love. This sharp contrast between the lotus’ romantic symbolism in Asia and the West correlates with the difference in dynamic between the series’ main two pairings and their narrative conclusions. Additionally, despite Himmel’s feelings remaining unknown to Frieren, due to her leaving after their 10-year journey (i.e. estranged love), she shows a desire to understand him (i.e. a desire for a shared heart) after his death.

┗ · ──────── ·𖥸· ──────── · ┛

╰➤ Other anime & donghua hanakotoba posts

[A/N: It'll probably be a while until I make another one of these posts—but if anyone has any requests feel free to send them. Also, lmk what other kinds of posts I should do in the meantime? Lastly, if you liked this post, check out my other hanakotoba analysis posts✿]

[spunknbite]

South Downs, revisited

The garden faces south.

Wisteria and lavender. Borders of delphinium. Brilliant violet asters, peonies and shock-white hydrangeas. Hostas that could use splitting come spring. Hollyhocks thriving, standing ten feet easy. Lady’s Mantle, climbing roses, snap dragons. Yarrow, a lot of yarrow.

Grow you a garden. Start from seed, from the beginning, the inception. Dirt under fingernails, cracked terracotta pots, noon sun high. Watch stalks rise and flowers bloom, creation, something new and whole and yours.

There’s lattice-work arches too. A little neglected, water-warped wood imprinted with decades of climbing tendrils tattooing the grain. The clematis has fallen back, overstretched and thinning at the apex, but still the stains of its vines remain on the wood, revealing past summers. The patio stones that dot the perimeter are smoothed almost slippery from years of use and rain. Initials are carved in the trunk of the overgrown birch that shadows the back gate. SM + RB dug deep in testament, a fine layer of moss creeping at the edges.

Loved, this garden was loved by its former caretakers. Could be loved again, certainly.

There’s room enough to spread out. Add some colour — daylilies, cosmos, bellflowers. Coax some ivy up the brick. Mint as ground cover, along with flowering thyme, lily of the valley, phlox. 

He could build an awning off the back wall, offer some more cover. Move the hostas – they’d be happier under the protection. Plant some astilbes, coral bells, some begonias in the summer. Add a few lounges, a place for an angel to read while it storms. 

Maybe an apple tree, if he’s feeling bold.

-----

“I quite miss the country,” Aziraphale says one afternoon. A sip of tea, the familiar clink of cup on saucer. “It’s been centuries.”

“Tadfield?”

“Centuries since I’ve holidayed properly. The occasional day trip hardly counts.”

“You can’t leave this shop.”

“Not permanently, maybe just to get some air. See the sky again.” Saucer meets desk. A smile his way, blue eyes alight,

“And I will make thee beds of Roses  And a thousand fragrant posies,  A cap of flowers, and a kirtle  Embroidered all with leaves of Myrtle”

“For Satan’s sake, you’re invoking Marlowe of all people?”

“And why shouldn’t I? Just because he’s been a smidge overshadowed by —”

“You know he was an atheist, angel?”

“Even a broken clock is right twice a day.”

“And that broken clock can write poetry too?”

“Quite.”

The bell above the shop door rings, and Aziraphale is off. 

-----

The third bedroom is just a nook really; it peaks out of a dormer window overlooking the back garden. It has built-in shelves along one wall, inset and bordered with the sort of colonial crown moulding that Crowley imagines only Aziraphale would truly appreciate. Grandmotherly; shelves seemingly meant to house sun-faded doilies and ceramic cats.

But it could be a library. Granted, a small one, but there was space enough for a collection of the essentials with room to spare under the window for a desk. An angel must keep up with his correspondence, after all. 

Dear angel, he’d written once, centuries ago. Then scribbled it out.

Dear angel, he’d written again, not long after. Then burned it.

Dear angel, he’d written again and again and again. Wasted paper made pulp made paper again, never sent.

-----

He buys the damned cottage. 

Dumb idea. Impulsive, really. Like a lot of what he did, what he still does — gets a notion in his demonic skull and just charges on, unencumbered by reflection. As if he trusts some higher power is looking out for him, has his back – the absurdity of it. Once upon a time before the beginning of the world, he’d sauntered vaguely downward without really considering all the consequences, the ramifications of it all; hadn’t weighed and measured, worked out the celestial maths. No, he made a choice and paid for it without knowing the price.

(he would have kept sauntering on anyway, knowing where it would ultimately lead — earth and humans and their wonderful cars and Aziraphale and and and — but he hadn’t known then, couldn’t have known, just what shape his damnation would take, and that was rather the point; he was a careless idiot)

Here too, on earth. We can run away together — Alpha Centauri. Get an idea, a cocked up, stupid thought and go all in on it. 

The Bentley, raging down London streets. A sharp, nearly blind corner. Is there oncoming traffic? Could he stop if he wanted to? Who’s even in control, has he ever been? Has he gone from one master to another to another?

You go too fast for me, Crowley.

So he buys the damned cottage, because what else can he do?

-----

Aziraphale gets in the elevator and Crowley gets in the Bentley. He doesn’t know where he’s going, but it’s not South Downs.

Also on ao3 for anyone interested.

[daylilies123]

Why Buy Our Daylilies and Irises Online?

If you are looking for daylilies then you should check out the daylilies collection at Decadent Daylilies. It is a secure and safe way of shopping daylilies. There are no restrictions on minimum orders to our retail mail order customers. We have fresh and quality daylilies available in our nursery. Check out our collection and place your order. 

[barnesandco]

Little Hands (IV)

Series Masterlist

Communication is key.

This is an entry for @star-spangled-bingo 2021. Word count: 2248. Square filled: “Sung to Sleep”

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Warnings: More Hydra Evilness, More Sad Child, Parental Anxieties. Brief mentions of war, sickness, death, grief. 

A/N: I know 2.2k words isn’t objectively a lot but boy did this feel like it. I hope every word is worth it and that you enjoy! Lmk what you think!!! Also I won’t even lie, the idea of Steve’s kids is 100% from one of my favorite comfort fics, family means no one gets left behind or forgotten, by the genius, the wonderful cosmicocean. IT’S SO SOFT. Pls read it.

You’re stunned when Bucky tells you what’s going on. The idea that his daughter (?) was made in a lab like some kind of experiment, and that the man who led said experiment now wants her back like she is his property, his weapon, is too horrid to consider for very long. Weaponizing an innocent child. Hydra.

Bucky gave you the broad strokes of the investigation – currently running on little more than educated guesses based on the meagre intel they have – and has let you know that he has had to recuse himself from the case, due to his… personal connection. That leaves him somewhere he finds awkward, to say the least.

It's evident in the way the corners of his lips turn down, how he is constantly rubbing the pads of his fingers against the coarse scratch of denim, while he watches Ana watch Zoya, Steve’s 17-year-old daughter, working on a tablet. Zoya tucks a strand of hair behind her hijab, then continues to draw up a storyboard, narrating the events to the younger girl. Steve had apparently forgotten the lunch his kids had made him at home, so Zoya had brought it in, and decided to stay the day.

Ana’s quiet, attentive for the most part, listening with her full capabilities, but her eyes flit away from the screen every now and then to look at you and Bucky, as if to reassure herself that you’re still there.

Besides that, there aren’t all that many distractions present for an already precocious child. Most of the team has dispersed for the investigation, with the exception of Peter, who is sat at a table in the corner making intentionally fruitless efforts at teaching Morgan chess, while she giggles and tries to stack the pieces like Jenga blocks instead.

However, Bucky’s restlessness is infectious, and you think he needs to get it under check before it grows any further. That’s why you stand, saying, “Could we go for a little walk, Bucky?”

He nods, man of few words that he is, and leads the way. You’re sure he knows that you formulated it like a request for his benefit, but he doesn’t mention it. It’s just as well – that he knows you like that, and knows when to accept the proverbial hand being offered.

Bucky takes you to a corner of the roof that you’d mistake for a community garden if you didn’t know any better. The Avengers seem to have green thumbs, or at least, a significant portion of them do. They’re good with plants, and possessive about them, too. Autumn ferns grow outside the circle they seem to have been planted in – with a sign shouting Wanda! – to invade the territory of a vegetable garden labelled Bruce (accompanied by a Hulkish, green thumbs up presumably not drawn by the man himself).  

Meticulously maintained daylilies and columbines, in vivid reds and vibrant purples, litter the edges of the path that has been carved through this little paradise, and the birdhouses between them stake the claim of the owner more effectively than a neon sign screaming Sam Wilson. Bucky’s told you about his abilities, how they veer into the decidedly supernatural but Sam insists are only the residue of a childhood with homing pigeons.

Nothing here looks like Bucky’s, though. He seems to be taking it in, perhaps thinking about his own little paradise back in the city, and how he’s chosen to keep it distant from that of his teammates. That worries you. He worries you.

And this, the situation with Anastasia, becoming a father, it’s terrifying. Hell, if it scares you this much, how is he feeling? You ask him as much.

“Bucky, are you okay?”

He laughs, softly, disbelievingly, no malice in his scoff, only fear. Only the sound of a voice saturated with consternation and total, complete anxiety. “Would you be?” He asks back.

“That’s why I’m asking.”

Bucky evades the questions, turning first one way on the path, and then the other, approaching the edge clear of shrubbery and blooms alike, resting his palms on the top of the wall.

“I can’t be a father.”

The solemnity in his tone allows no room for negotiations, but then, neither do the facts. “You are,” you reply, somewhat hesitantly, because the technicalities of how Ana came to be are still a little blurry to you. She’s far from a normal child, and not quite a clone, either. She is of Bucky, though. His, in any way that counts.

“That little girl was created in a Hydra lab as a super soldier to serve the cause,” he says, shaking his head vigorously as the cause repulses him even more than it does you. “And who knows what else she was put through before SHIELD fell and Orlov got her out, and it’s my fault.”

“You didn’t—”

“I didn’t ask for it to happen but it wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t happened. They used me to make a super soldier from scratch, and now I’m supposed to raise her? It’s not that simple. I’m not Steve. I can’t…”

Being honest, you feel you’re pretty far out of your depth here. But you’ve promised him your help, and you’ll do your best.

“You don’t have to. There are other options.” You’re sure you’re overstepping. Perhaps this gentle companionship has not yet reached the point where you can give advice on parenting. But if you don’t, who will? Steve, whose answers don’t enter the gray territory Bucky’s mind is residing in right now, who parents like he was born for it?

Steve chose fatherhood. Bucky has been nailed to it like it’s a new cross to bear, heavier than all the previous ones put together.

His gaze roams the grounds that stretch as far as you can see. You’re both far away from home right now, far outside your comfort zones.

“I’m sorry for dragging you into my mess, sweetheart. It’s not right. You have things to do, and I shouldn’t have—”

“Bucky, I’ve been staring at the same four sentences of dialogue for the past month. I literally could not have been happier to get out of the house. Even if I do wish it was under better circumstances,” you say fervently. You’re here because he needs you. Because Ana needs you. It’s nice to be needed.

“That’s one way to put it,” he smiles, and you’re glad to see it.

“Not to mention, it’s not your fault. It’s not anyone’s fault except whoever your team is looking for,” you insist. “And Ana’s a sweet girl. A little quiet, but Baba says I was, too.”

This, Bucky thinks about. You wonder if he was a quiet child, too. “What’s he like?”

“Hmm?” The reverie snaps like a rubber band.

“Your father?” Bucky asks, shyly, his eyes meeting yours, letting you know exactly why he’s asking.

You look up at the clouds, think back to Boston, to time shared between the library and the park. A childhood with books, lunch breaks under a desk in an office at MIT, stealing his glasses and running away with them, rubbing at his stubbly beard like he was a housecat. Inside jokes with your father and rolled eyes with your mother. Laughter and tears, laughter with tears.

After a long while, trying and failing to summarize your father, you say, “A jokester. The most sarcastic person I know. But still kind of neurotic, to be honest. The kind of parent that makes you show up at the airport a full four hours before your flight.” It’s grossly insufficient. For a writer, you’re not very good with words. You suppose it’s not the words that are the problem; it’s the lifetime they have to encompass. “What about yours?”

Bucky sighs. “Soldier. He’s one thing I don’t feel bad for not remembering because it wasn’t Hydra that wiped those memories. He just died when I was really small. Survived the Great War only to be killed by TB a few years later at home.”

“I’m sorry.” You avert your eyes. Grief feels private, even decades later, even in the smallest doses.

He shakes his head, smiles fondly, up at the sky, too, like you did. Only, he’s smiling at it, like he’s thinking of someone beyond the clouds. “Don’t be. Was a long time ago.”

“That doesn’t mean it isn’t allowed to hurt anymore.”

“You sound like my therapist.”

“I sound like my therapist.”

At this, the two of you look at each other and burst into laughter. It feels forbidden, as though the severity of the situation condemns joy. That isn’t fair, you think. The situation is that of a child, and nobody needs laughter more than kids do. Food for the soul.

When the echo of your exhilarations falls, Bucky grows serious once more. “They have them for kids, now, too, right?” He asks, referring to therapists. “Do you think Anastasia should see one? She’s not exactly… normal, you know?”

“Maybe.” It’s a difficult question, but a good indicator of how Bucky is growing to feel about Ana. “You’d make a good dad, if you wanted to be one, Bucky,” you say, and mean it. It’s plain as day that he cares about her.

“I can’t even remember my own.”

“Parental instincts are intuitive, not genetic,” you tell him.

“You been reading handbooks?” He teases.

“You’d be surprised by how much you learn from the rabbit holes you fall down while researching books,” you deadpan.

“Can any of that research get the nightmares out of my head? I think it might scare a kid.”

The self-deprecation hurts, but your response is honest, heartfelt. “She likes you already.”

“She won’t if she thinks I’ve run away,” he answers, straightening up. He might be trying to evade the conversation, but you’ll let him, for now. He’s gotten some fresh air, had some time to clear his thoughts, or sort them, at least. And so you return, to the little girl who has a tighter grip on both of you than you even realize.

------

Ana grows unsettled as night darkens the sky. It could be the ruckus she isn’t quite used to. It could be the toy fire truck Tony has been altering with his utensils to increase its noise output, much to Morgan’s amusement. It could be the actual parrot perched on Sam’s shoulder.

Whatever the cause, she hasn’t succumbed to it enough to make a seat out of the fridge again. She’s sitting in her seat, between Bucky and yourself, eating the hummus Bruce and Wanda have made. Nat discusses sniper scopes with Clint, Peter tries to get away with eating the side of vegetables on Jordan’s plate without Steve noticing, and Bucky eats silently, eyes almost constantly on Anastasia, who takes it all in while her knee bounces up and down with an ever-increasing speed, much like her father’s.

You excuse yourselves soon after dessert, after Morgan has fallen asleep against Jordan’s arm on the couch, and Steve and Tony’s friendly debate is starting to develop the edge it tends to when they’ve been bantering for too long.

Bucky sets up on the sectional in his room, and leaves the ridiculously large double bed to you and Anastasia. It’s been a strange, strange day, and one can only hope that tomorrow brings some ease, a balm for the prickly, fiery ache that has settled over the man you care so much about.

------

When you wake, it’s because of singing. For half a moment, you think you’re in a dream, but as your eyes adjust to the blanket of dark, you see the shadow on the sofa nearby. Only, it’s bigger than just Bucky. Anastasia is sitting on his lap, her head cushioned against his chest. Scrambling for your glasses, and turning on the lamp on the bedside table, you notice that there are trails of drying tears on her little cheeks, and she’s still shaking with the aftershocks of whatever scare she must’ve had during the night.

Not for the first time, you curse your deep sleep that meant you didn’t wake with Ana, but watch in wonder as Bucky sings.

Hush, little baby, don't say a word Papa's going to buy you a mockingbird

And if that mockingbird won't sing Papa's going to buy you a diamond ring

Ana’s eyes begin to close, but she fights the sleep. Bucky doesn’t let her. He lies down, easing her down beside himself, singing all the while.

And if that diamond ring turns brass Papa's going to buy you a looking glass

And if that looking glass gets broke Papa's going to buy you a billy goat

His voice fills the room, low though it may be, and he curls himself around Ana.

And if that billy goat won't pull Papa's going to buy you a cart and bull

And if that cart and bull turn over Papa's going to buy you a dog named Rover

She succumbs to the lull of his tone, his song, his promises, sighs a little sigh, lets the last, little hiccup leave her body.

And if that dog named Rover won't bark Papa's going to buy you a horse and cart

And if that horse and cart fall down You'll still be the sweetest little baby in town

Bucky lifts his hand from where it was stroking the hair at her temple, and lays his arm over his daughter. They’re safe, for now. Together.

[wordstrings]

@worsethanpixels replied to this post:

i wanna seee garden pics tho

Ohhh, you asked, and now you shall get the spam.

Part of this whole adventure has been an educational journey as I forcibly teach myself about plant species that are native to my area. I've discovered like 96% of typical gardening just grabs whatever pretty plant from wherever on the globe, with little to no consideration for if it's actually a good idea to introduce it to the local ecosystem. A pollinator could come searching through the lush gardens in my neighborhood and only find a distressingly tiny number of plants it has spent millions of years relying on.

So I've picked up the crusade to, over time, replace all the non-native plants in my garden with native ones. Not only is this good for wildlife, those plants will require basically zero care and maintenance. They're built for the worst conditions here, and no poor soil or summer dry spell will daunt them.

But anyway! Aside from the plants themselves, my favorite feature of my landscape is this stone retaining wall along the front of my property. It's got amazing character and grows the best mossy patches.

Above one portion of that wall is my front walk. I spent a long, sweaty time the other week sorting and arranging the rocks to edge the gravel path. Eventually I want to get big flagstone slabs to pave this walkway, but for now, the reddish stones complement the brick and the stone wall nicely.

There's not a whole lot flowering here right now – the non-native daylilies are just starting, but most everything else either kicked its payload a month ago or was too small and new to get a chance to establish and bloom this year.

This part here went from one of the most hopeless corners to one of the more interesting after I added Some Garden-y Stuff instead of spending a small fortune on plants to fill it out. There's a colorful little bee house for solitary nesting bees, a bird bath with a fountain, stepping stones inherited from my mom's house, an aged concrete container that's been successfully growing sedum with zero help for at least a decade (it's been completely untouched at the back corner of the house ever since I moved in – I'm kind of afraid that I might have wrecked its perfect balance by moving it here, but we'll see what happens), a little owl statue, and a magic glowing orb (which is a glass light shade I picked up at a thrift store years ago and filled up with solar-powered fairy lights).

One other little effort I'm proud of is all the labels I made for everything. Not only does this help me remember and memorize what everything is, it just makes things look that much more neat and orderly.

This is the beebalm-and-coneflower section, tucked between the lilies that have been here for ages and will eventually be replaced. Beebalm is supposedly excellent for attracting hummingbirds, but this area isn't visible from within the house, so I don't know if any have visited yet.

More coneflowers here, plus a bright orange pop of butterfly weed, which is surprising me by turning out to be one of my favorites. I was not expecting that. But look! A bee!

Bee!!!

Seriously, honeybees have been so rare to spot here lately, so this is very exciting for me. I have half a mind to check the local regulations to see if I could host a hive on my property.

So yeah, all of that is part of the contest judging. We'll see if they give a poop about it or not!

And now, my tomatoes.

They are barely in control, and there are so many green tomatoes in here. So many. They'll probably ripen all at once and I won't be able to use them fast enough. (Pro tip: however tall you think your tomato cages need to be, get taller ones. No, taller. A little taller still.)

Thanks for asking about my little side-hobby!

[buckybarnesbingo]

Titles Game

Tonight I'm Going Back to My Old Ways - suggested by @steverogersnotebook

@somesortofitalianroast - Bucky didn’t usually go for straight guys. Not since Brock in college, anyway. But tonight, all he could see was the blond across the bar. He was laughing with his friends, and he was gorgeous. Muscles for days, a body Bucky wanted to climb like a tree, and a wonderful smile that was a combination of Hallmark wholesome and downright dirty that shouldn’t have worked, but did. The piercing blue eyes just sealed the deal: Bucky was going to get him in his bed. (there would definitely be a tag in there about how they need to communicate and how Steve's not straight)

@wolfnprey - Bucky had settled down after he started a family. Everything told him he didn't deserve happiness, but he was beyond listening. Until some old ghosts showed up. Literal ghosts, and they were hellbent on making sure Bucky's life was upended. He'd buried the necronamicon in the basement ten years ago, but now he was digging it up with the help of his old partner. If only Steve was forgiving.

@steverogersnotebook - (Early recovering Bucky) finds it hard to come to terms with the modern Brooklyn, seeks out night clubs and smokes like a chimney in an effort to feel the way he remembers feeling.

@ribbonsflyingoutthewindow - Their relationship had been strained in a way that Bucky was pretty sure couple's therapy couldn't fix. Not that he had tried. He wasn't about to unload all of his trauma concerning not being his old self anymore on some poor middle-aged Brooklynite mother of three even if she did have a degree that supposedly helped. There was no way she was prepared to help a brainwashed assassin with a fault list from Coney Island to hell and back again. So instead he'd unloaded all of that on Natasha. As a best friend, she was legally obligated to listen to him anyway. And besides, she was cheaper; she could be bought with a whine and a wine. However, talking to Natasha also meant he got the cold, hard truth that his relationship was suffering not because he'd forgotten who he was and became a brainwashed assassin for decades, but because he'd forgotten who Steve was and hadn't spent a lot of time figuring it out again. So per his therapist's (Natasha's, whatever) advice, Bucky's getting back to his roots and rebecoming the man who knew everything about Steve Rogers and hoping that maybe somewhere along the line, he can figure out what it was that made the two of them work so perfectly together.

More under the cut!

Down the rabbit hole - suggested by @liquidlightz

@phoenixgryphon - MCU Nat going down the rabbit hole that is pre Cap2 TWS information

@steverogersnotebook - An edgy Alice AU where bucky meets the OUAT version of the mad hatter.

@somesortofitalianroast - Bucky wasn’t sure how, but he was constantly seeing the same figure out of the corner of his eye. A tall, muscular blonde, who seemed as though he wasn’t quite there, which was why Bucky was sure he was imagining the man, or confusing multiple tall muscular blonds. They weren’t as uncommon as one would think, and Bucky was so tired, so he decided not to worry about the blond. Until the day he literally fell down a rabbit hole - in Brooklyn, of all places - and ended up in another version of New York.

@wolfnprey -  Stripper AU. Nat drags Bucky to Down the Rabbit Hole for a particular stripper named Alice who is a beefy blond with bright blue eyes.

@bookdragon13 - Or alternatively: Steve goes to Storybrooke during his quest to find Bucky and meets Jefferson. Steve immediately goes “Bucky?” And Jefferson, in his sassy way, says “who the hell is Bucky?” But proceeds to use his hat to help Steve find his Bucky, if only to meet his lookalike Whether or not this becomes angsty, I’m not sure

@psychiccatpanda - Bucky In the 21st Century:  After spending too much time on the internet trying to figure out what some of the things he’d been hearing about really were, Bucky wishes he’d trusted Tony when he said, “Snowflake, there’s whole swaths of the interwebs you don’t want to know.  Trust me, please?”  Now, six and a half hours later, he knew that there was Avengers fan fiction (and what that consisted of) and Avengers cosplay porn.  He wasn’t sure what to do with this information.  But maybe he just needed to do some more research. After a snack.

@liquidlightz - Alpine was very protective.  Bucky loved gardening and he'd planted many different flowers, but there was a fat rabbit that kept popping by and eating all the best tulips, daylilies, you name it.  Bucky was hesitant to harm the creature, but Alpine was having no more of it.  She chased said rabbit down its hole and Bucky had to dig her back out.

@ribbonsflyingoutthewindow - Bucky’s family owned a farm so he'd had a plethora of pets his entire life, but when he'd moved to the big city, Bucky had stuffed Top Hat the white rabbit in her carrier and told her they were headed for the adventure of a lifetime, no looking back. And truth be told, sometimes New York was lonely. But the other truth was he didn't miss Indiana at all. He loved New York, but he'd never regretted his move more than the day he came home to discover Top Hat not in her enclosure. He had to go door to door on the entire floor and maybe the floor above and below his. Everyone had to help find his missing long-eared, fluffy-tailed best friend. Cue everyone in Bucky's apartment complex searching the entire building for one white rabbit trying to pull her own disappearing act. And cue Bucky searching for a rabbit, but finding maybe a little more along the way.

You pull hope from defeat in the night - suggested by @somesortofitalianroast

@steverogersnotebook - After a terrible loss on a mission, Bucky and [strained relationship/preferred pairing] are nearly wiped out themselves. One has to get out and get help for the other before it's too late for them too. In dragging the injured party to safety, promises made in supplication reignite hope for a resolution.

@somesortofitalianroast - (pre-serum!steve/Winter Soldier!Bucky) After exhausting missions, there’s nothing Steve likes better than hooking up with a guy at a bar, preferably one who would believe him when he said he wouldn’t break. Tonight, he chose the guy carefully, a big, beefy brunet with thighs for days and something about him that made him look gentle. One night turned into another. And another. And another…. Who said hookups couldn’t lead to love?

@bookdragon13 - Just when Bucky was feeling his lowest, walking around Brooklyn at night, he hears a faint meowing. Bucky finds the white kitten and takes it to the local vet. Afterwards, he couldn’t just leave the white fur ball behind, adopting her and giving her the name Alpine. With Alpine around, Bucky couldn’t help but start feeling like he could climb out of the hole he’d dug himself in. He can’t help but laugh at Alpine’s antics and when he’s having a bad day, she cuddles with Bucky as he rubs his fingers through her fur

@liquidlightz - Bucky had written off more cheques than his body could cash, yet again.  Losing badly at poker and getting beaten down for failing to pay up.  This night was turning out better than the last, as he found himself in the hands of a gorgeous Doctor with gentle hands who seemed to enjoy his attempts at flirting through bloodied teeth.  Things might be looking up, he was going to go all in and take another chance tonight.

@wolfarrowepz - (Winterhawk, hockey AU)The Avengers were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs.... less than a third of the team had been with them when they won the championship 3 years ago. Now all Bucky wants to do is go home and sulk and ice his knee in peace. Clint has decided he needs to come to dinner with the team to show all the rookies and new guys to show them that losing isn't the end of the world. Fuck it all if Bucky will do whatever Clint asks. Bucky he liked him since they joined the team together as rookies. Clint is 100% oblivious to every move Bucky makes but if Clint asks him to do something he will. Clint on the other hand is convinced Bucky isn't into him. Cue pining and the inevitable "of course I Like you, you dope!" moment.

With Steel and Silver Burning Heart - suggested by @ibelieveinturtles

@steverogersnotebook - Dragon trainer AU, Steve goes to slay the dragon, Bucky's the dragon trainer. They meet, they clash, they enemies to friends to lovers.

@phoenixgryphon - big beefy bucky the blacksmith.  who builds broadswords to bring in the bills

@somesortofitalianroast - (Regency!AU) James Barnes was well aware that he was the Marquis of Buchannan in name only. With no money left in the estates coiffers and three younger sisters - the oldest a mere year before her official debut - to support, he was desperate. Desperate enough to approach the new Duke of Brooklyn - a known rake with a history of getting in duels - with an offer: he supplies the cash for Rebecca’s debutante and in return, he gets James. But what happens when the purely financial relationship is no longer purely financial?

@liquidlightz - Bucky was not amused when the blade pierced his heart.  Fuck, that hurt! "You asshole", he berated his not-looking-so-hot-now date on the other end of that dagger, "I thought we were having a good time." Bucky had to thank his lucky stars, and not his wits, that this hunter was a moron and that blade was cheap metal and not silver.  He should, maybe, start being a little more discerning in his hookups.

@bookdragon13 - As a Knight of the Realm, Bucky was sworn to protect the royal family. He didn’t mean to fall in love with the Princess in the process. Neither did Bucky realize he was a jealous man, until he saw another knight, Brock, try to kiss the Princess, with her unwilling. Bucky immediately called Brock out, challenging him to a duel. When Brock was wounded, Bucky threatened that if Brock tried anything with Her Royal Highness again, he wouldn’t be so lenient.

[twelverose]

you’ve gone too long without a smile (2/2)

He didn’t have an answer. Because it would mean forgoing the idea of fate and chance. Leading them both to believe there is something more. Maybe within them- that they could change a past that has already had its chance. It's a chance to take hold of the present. Morph them- morph her. And carve out everything to come.

So he just held her. All he knew is they had tomorrow.

Rating: Teen (Heavy themes)

Pairing: Ten/Rose 

WC: 2.1K

TW: themes based around grief, drinking

Read Chapter One Here, Read on Ao3

A/N: it took too many months to post part to but it’s HERE

Song: Daylily by Movements

___________________________

I sit and watch for the few lights for the green side

Lose myself sink into your sunlight

Breathe in the breeze like a sweet sigh keep me tongue tied

If this last forever I'll be just fine, oh I'll be just fine

You are the rustling of leaves

And you are that honey suckle breeze

You are the sunlight, shine on to me

Shine on to me, shine on to me

__________________________

She was doing better. Beginning to smile a little more. Her eyes even began to twinkle again.

Maybe it was the Tardis looking out for her, or maybe it was that his piloting got a little less impulsive. No longer punching buttons and slamming levers, learning to slow down his dance for her. Letting her stay in one space long enough to catch up. Not too long for her to become stuck.

But there hadn’t been many visits to earth. Especially in her time. Neither of them mentioned it. It settled in the air of the console room, afraid of what was outside the doors. Hoping it wasn't something that would spiral down to adjacent memories. He learned that their coping mechanisms had dwindled to one. Risking their lives. Saving worlds. Running hand in hand. Fighting bad guys. Standing for what’s worthy.

He could feel her heart beating sometimes. Well, most of the time. But he was reminded of what it meant. When they were dashing back to their ship. Breathless. On the brink of falling.

Which would happen sometimes. They’d crash through the doors and she’d collapse into the jumpseat. He wouldn’t notice the tears until he had put them in the vortex.

The first time it happened, they were struggling to sprint through the sand. Trying to get back to the Tardis. They were a few yards ahead of the heavy brutes, but the Doctor wasn't aiming to have another lucky breakaway.

It was one of those situations where they showed up at the wrong place, wrong time and broke a law before they could even get a word out. Leaving them to wiggle out of harms way before they lost a finger.

Rose wasn't happy with him. It was also one of those times where they ended up in the wrong century. He missed the year he was hoping for by five decades.

He twirled around the console. Hoping he could take her mind away from being frustrated with him by babbling. Instead, she found the topic he least expected.

"I wish I could call her."

And then she broke down. The small smile fading while the tears gathered. He was quick to move to her side.

“Why-” she swallowed the question when she swallowed her tears.

“Why what, Rose?”

She shook her head, “Out of all these things we do right, why couldn’t we do it right then?”

He didn’t have an answer. Because it would mean forgoing the idea of fate and chance. Leading them both to believe there is something more. Maybe within them- that they could change a past that has already had its chance. It's a chance to take hold of the present. Morph them- morph her. And carve out everything to come.

So he held her. All he knew is they had tomorrow.

&&

It took time. He sure as hell knew that. So tomorrows came and went.

They landed on Theron 70FV. In the middle of some conflict or war. He could never keep up with the Theronians. They were always at odds with someone. Typically themselves.

The Doctor knew it was a fruitless effort, but he let Rose try. Because she needed to make an impact on someone. He didn’t interfere like he normally would, swoop in when things were dire. Partially because he wanted to see if her decisions would change. But mostly because he didn’t have to.

He should have expected Rose to act the way she did.

She paid no mind to the noises going on outside of the warehouse they found full of refugees. Mothers and children and injured. There was no grand scheme to stop the war, it was a tiny, delicate scheme to fight a fight the wary had no energy for. A fight that Rose didn't notice, she saw people in need. People that have been cast away because they weren't as big as the problem at hand. People who needed her.

So they went out and found the supplies everyone needed. The food, the comforts, the medicines. Rose argued and bartered and the Doctor stored what he could in his pockets, making a sack out of a blanket to hold everything. Before eventually trading whatever was in his pockets for a bag that was trans-dimensional.

She kept going. Trudging through villages torn apart by conflict and towns that looked brand new. She wasn’t going back until she had everything on her list checked off. Until she had everything that her people needed.

It took a little more than a week. He had to force her to stop and rest and sleep. Sometimes people would offer a spare room. Other times they found dark corners. It didn’t matter where they were though. They slept rough. Even with Rose pressed against his chest and wrapped in his coat, double heartbeat lulling her to sleep, she never relaxed. He felt her anxious twitches and mumbles while she dreamed. When she woke up, it was onto the next thing on her list.

Sometimes, while they waited on the goods, she allowed herself a breath. He watched her phase out into the thoughts she shoved away. The way she overworked herself drove in the exhaustion. It took over for a moment.

Lost in a world driven by her stubborn, broken heart.

There was a night where she hit that wall. Hard. Falling into his arms but not falling asleep. He almost expected her to cry. Not that it was a bad thing. It was just what she had done every other time this happened. Overwhelmed by all that she was doing with such a loud brain- Who wouldn’t collapse?

They had been invited into a house that night. The tenants called her a martyr. She renounced the title, she was doing what she was put here for.

And the Doctor laughed at that. Because maybe that’s true. With their sentient ship who put them where they needed to be, it was possible. Yet there was a lingering feeling that the Tardis put them here because Rose needed it. Just as much as these people needed Rose.

After dinner, they were led to the guest room. What happened next was like slow-motion.

As the door closed, she turned around to face him and leaned towards for a hug. Which he gave. She was Rose and he was the Doctor and that’s what they did. She collapsed into him like she had when they were on New Earth. And for the first time in four days he felt her muscles relax.

He carried her to the bathroom and sat her down. Taking a towel and wiping away the dirt that had gathered on her face over the past few days. And he laughed. Her eyes came back from wherever she was at with a curious glint.

“If it were me leading the crusade, you would have complained about the dust and dirt days ago. You’ve never been one for the lack of showers.” He explained.

She grinned slightly, looking up through hooded eyelids as he went to set the towel back on the sink.

“Is that what you think I am? A crusade?”

He smiled, “Oh, Rose Tyler. I think you’re brilliant.”

She didn't say much more. He was okay with that.

He helped her out of her jacket and jeans into bed. Listening carefully while scrubbing the dirt off of them. For a small huff or even his name- neither ever came.

He returned from the ensuite to see her laying on top of the duvet, starting at the ceiling with an expression he couldn't quite describe on her face.

He laid next to her. For a moment, the entire world had gone still. Like the moment before someone lets out the breath that says it all.

Her movements remained slow. Curling into him with care. Letting sore muscles relax one by one. Her hand rediscovering the lean muscles of his stomach with detail.

It made his hearts swell. To be in such a moment of peace. Even if it was for a few hours. It was another step. As much as he loved the Rose who smiled and joked and kept running. He knew that she needed a second to just process. To go back into her mind and rummage through thoughts she had shoved to the side.

Some may consider it self-destructive to keep going the way she did. But he couldn’t say a thing. Every moment was worth it. No matter how dark.

She was healing. He was here for whatever route they would take.

&&

They went back to Earth for the first time in months. It wasn’t long for everyone on Earth. A week, tops.

They met Jo at the flat, to pick up the things the Doctor left behind. Rose's relative didn't mention the fact that most of the things they were there for were already gone. Instead, they sat in the cramped living room and laughed. Then cried. Mourning a woman yet to die.

After the melancholy happiness of the afternoon, Rose received a text. One that led them to arguing over if he needed to dress down or not. Rose won.

On their way to the club, she talked about all the times her and her mates got into trouble. Pointing out the chippy they would run to if they heard Jackie was on her way. The alternative routes back to the estates. Tugging him down for a kiss at on the at the crossroads before the club.

She was giddy. Bouncing on her toes. Ready to tell stories and chat with friends she hadn't gotten to properly talk to in years.

They were tucked away in the corner. A small table had been set up for the friends. He had yet to meet any of them outside of Shireen. But they took onto him with ease. Derailing his monologue with a quip at Rose. He kept a eye on her as the conversation bounced around. Stories of running away from their teachers in France, how Mickey asked her out for the first time, and the time Jackie nearly knocked a boy's tooth out. He didn't need to do it. But the subtle changes in her expression and her unconstrained laughter kept him captivated. It was something he didn't realize he missed.

Occasionally someone would come by and ask if the rumors about her were true. Most of which, weren't. Then asking if the Doctor was the man that took her away from the estates.

Tonight seemed to be the night that everyone in Rose’s “normal” life was meeting the Doctor. He didn’t mind. Just keeping a hold of her hand and squeezing it three times when she grew tense.

During the first pint, he found himself raising a toast. Because of something someone said about her.

"To Jackie." He winked.

Rose rolled her eyes in return but joined him, "Best mum in the universe."

As the evening grew on, the stories and laughter distracted them from the fact that it was getting busier. The Doctor hadn't noticed how loud the music was until Shireen left with another one of Rose’s mates to go get refills and they were alone. They were in their own little bubble. Like they had been before.

“Are you okay?” He mumbled into her ear.

She didn't answer right away and he wondered if she even heard him. She was staring off into nowhere. Then the song changed. And Rose perked up and pressed a kiss against his cheek before pulling him out of his chair. She led them out to the center of the room where a crowd he didn’t notice before had formed.

Then they were dancing.

No strategic or planned dance like the first time. Around the console room with only Jack to watch. It was mindless. In the middle of a crowd of people. They were too focused on each other to notice people tripping over their feet. Or their friends calling their names. They didn't care if people were watching.

He was happy that she convinced him to dress down to his henley. Laughing as he twirled her and her hands fell against his chest when someone tripped her.

The lights in the dark room couldn't compare to the ones that sparkled as one of her favorite songs came on.

The tongue-in-tooth smile followed by the come-and-get-me grin told him they were far from where they were the last time they were on Earth.

He was sure that his tomorrows would never stop coming if she kept on smiling like that.

[queer-starling]

Flower ask: also all of them. you get to suffer with me >:3€

oh darlin’ we’re in it now huh

Alisons: Sexuality?

homogay

Amaranth: Pronouns/Gender?

she/they | all gender will be shot on sight

Amaryllis: Birthday?

sept 23rd

Anemone: Favorite flower?

monkshood

Angelonia: Favorite t.v. show?

stranger things or ghost adventures

Arum-Lily: What’s the farthest you’d go for a stranger?

like? distance? a couple miles probably

Aster: What’s one of your favorite quotes?

“We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little lifeIs rounded with a sleep.” William Shakespeare, The Tempest

Aubrieta: Favorite drink?

wild cherry capri sun

Baby’s Breath: Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?

ima change that to ‘kiss the last person u thought abt kissing’ bc YES

Balsam Fir: Have you ever been in love?

*jenna marbles voice* hell yeah!!

Baneberries: Favorite song?

waiting for the end - linkin park 

Basket of Gold: Describe your family.

chaos

Beebalm: Do you have a best friend? Who is it?

i have too many to list !!! brandi, kasey, you, liz, ivy, nick , just to name a few!!

Begonia: Favorite color?

blue uwu

Bellflower: Favorite animal?

foxes !! and opossums

Bergenia: Are you a morning or night person?

night time babey

Black-Eyed Susan: If you could be any animal for a day, what would it be?

either a fox or an opossum or a raven, i think

Bloodroots: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

i wanted to be a vet !!!

Bluemink: What are your thoughts on children?

theyre ok as long as theyre not screaming and/or mine

Blazing Stars: What are you afraid of? Is there a reason why?

i don’t liike vomit bc. nastey (trauma i think) and i don’t like old ppl well. i dunno why? they’re just so old and fragile and helpless and sometimes they’re really mean and idk i think it’s like something to do w death or something LMAO idk. also i just hate the idea of becoming old and having to rely on other people ?? hhh

Borage: Give a random fact about your childhood.

i was bullied a lot

Bugleherb: How would you spend your last day on Earth?  

realistically? probably playing dead by daylight with my girlfriend ADFSGRHYUTR

Buttercup: Relationship Status?

happily taken 

Camelia: If you could visit anywhere, where would you want to go?

ireland, scotland, alaska, greece

Candytufts: When do you feel most loved?

whenever my friends or family tells me they love me but esp when u text me goodmorning or when we say our goodnights sorry im gay haha

Canna: Do you have any tattoos?  

i have. uuuuhh 6

Canterbury Bells: Do you have any piercings?  

no!!! i want some tho :(

California Poppy: Height?  

i think im like. 5′5 or something? give or take an inch ?

Cardinal Flower: Do you believe in ghosts?

oh absolutely. my house is haunted as we speak

Carnation: What are you currently wearing?  

bmth hoodie and pajama pants w foxes all over them. i just woke up lol

Catnip: Have you ever slept with a nightlight?

yeah i always keep one on in the bathroom

Chives: Who was the last person you hugged?  

my sister bc she came home from college yesterday

Chrysanthemum: Who’s the last person you kissed?

ask me in like. a little over a month from now ;)

Cock’s Comb: Favorite font?

FONT??? the animal crossing font

Columbine: Are you tired?

oh absolutely

Common Boneset: What are you looking forward to?

thanksgiving, christmas, seeing my gf, magfest

Coneflower: Dream job?

idk if it’s a job but i just wanna own like. a ranch that takes in all sorts of animals and takes care of them

Crane’s-Bill: Introvert or extrovert?

introvert 

Crocus: Have you ever been in love?

ooooh yeah

Crown Imperial: What’s the farthest you would go for someone you care about?

i mean. depends on what they want/need. distance wise? i’d travel the known universe for u  

Cyclamen: Did you have a favorite stuffed animal as a child? What was it?

he was a plaid teddy bear his name was Stanley!!!! i miss him :( but now i have Little Moon God as my favourite stuffed animal 

Daffodil: What’s your zodiac sign?

Libro

Dahlia: Have you done anything worth remembering?

Working in Yellowstone is something I’ll never forget

Daisy: What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment?

well. hmm. i was gonna say flying to yellowstone but maybe driving to north carolina by myself bc driving long distances alone to places i haven’t been before gives me hella anxiety (i’m better now)

Daylily: What would you do if your parents didn’t like your partner(s)? 

i don’t pay rent in this house to listen to their opinions lmao. 

Dendrobium: Who is the last person that you said “I love you” to?

you, i think, when we said goodnight last night!!! EDIT: you this morning!!

False Goat’s Beard: What is something you are good at?

being bad at dead by daylight

Foxgloves: What’s something you’re bad at?

dead by daylight

Freesia: What are three good things that have happened in the past month?

(little over a month now but uhhh) GOT A UH ......GIRL.....FRIEND ...... GOT TO VISIT GIRLFRIEND ........ and got the windshield finally replaced in my car 

Garden Cosmos: How was your day today?

i dont know! so far ive laid in bed now im at my computer answering this. not too bad. my shift is only 4 hours today. 

Gardenia: Are you happy with where you’re at in your life?

for the most part, i’m pretty content, yeah

Gladiolus: What is something you hope to do in the next year or two?

MOVE OUT 

Glory-of-the-Snow: What are ten things that make you happy/you’re grateful to have in your life?

my friends, my mom, my sisters, my girlfriend, my bastard dog

Heliotropium: What helps you calm down when you feel stressed?

metal   

Hellebore: How do you show affection?

what does this mean. physically, i’m very affectionate, i just. don’t show it alot bc anxiety/i overthink. that and i constantly tell ppl i love them and what they mean to me 

Hoary Stock: What are you proudest of?

whoever is reading this

Hollyhock: Describe your ideal day.

wake up next 2 a cute girl. take way too long to get up. go climb mountain w cute girl. vibe on mountain w cute girl. go to waffle house 2gether. gome home and vibe. play video games or watch a movies/tv w cute girl.  

Hyacinth: What do you like to do in your free time?  

i like to make art or play bideo jame

Hydrangea: How long have you known your best friend? How did you meet them?

oh gosh i dunno. the ones i’ve known the longest are kasey and brandi, and i’ve known them both around/over a decade i think. we met in middle/highschool!

Irises: Who can you talk to about (almost) everything?

you, ivy, liz

Laceleaf: How many friends do you have?

so many 

Lantanas: What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?

idk man but i remember when you said u had a crush on me and then i posted a selfie and u were like ‘OH NO SHE’S CUTE” and like ??? idk i think that was definitely the first compliment to ever shock me LMAO 

Larkspur: What do you think of yourself?

6.9/10

Lavender: What’s your favorite thing about yourself?

my tattoos

Leather Flower: What’s your least favorite thing about yourself? 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGGViLwHEUk

Lilac: What’s something you liked to do as a child?

i liked to play zombies ate my neighbors on the sega genesis !!!!

Lily: Who was your best friend when you were a kid?

eliza !!!! we lost touch a few years after i moved away :(

Lily of the Incas: What is something you still feel guilty for?

ima be real everything makes me feel guilty

Lily of the Nile: What is something you feel guilty for that you shouldn’t feel guilty about?  

aaaaaa the whole abi/moon incident 

Lupine: What does your name mean? Why is that your name?

my name is fox. it means i like foxes

Marigold: Where did you grow up? Tell us about it.

northern virginia babey !!!! that place fucking sucks!!! but everyone who lives up there thinks they’re hot shit. 

Morning Glory: What was your bedroom like growing up?

i had a bunkbed and i think the walls were pink 

Mugworts: What was it like for you as a teenager? Did you enjoy your teenage years?  

😬 i’m just gonna say i’m much happier now and i’m coping with life and shit a lot better  

Norwegian Angelica: Tell us about your mom.

she’s sweet and funny and i love her so much!! she always does the Most for everyone, sometimes to the point where she isn’t concerned abt herself and i see where i get it from. but yeah my mom is great, my dad doesn’t deserve her 

Onions: Tell about your dad.  

source of a lot of trauma and why i have so many issues regarding men. i don’t wanna talk about him anymore LOL he doesn’t deserve the attention

Orchid: Tell about your grandparents.

my dad’s mom is becoming senile and i think she’s racist and queerphobic. my mom’s parents disowned her a few years ago so we don’t talk to them anymore 

Pansy: What was your most memorable birthday? What made it be so memorable?

i dunno. i don’t try to remember my birthdays. whenever i can go to busch gardens for my birthday i usually have a lot of fun there. 

Peony: What was your first job?

if you don’t wanna count working w my mom as a florist, target was my first job back in 2016. i found my name tag the other day , actually

Petunia: If you’re in a relationship, how did you meet your partner(s)? If you’re not in a relationship, how did you meet your crush/how do you hope to meet your future partner(s), if you want any?

WELL, i know you followed me on here first. and then twitter?? but we didn’t really start talking until stranger things 3 came out (thank u stranger things) PHYSICALLY, we didn’t meet until fursonacon (haha. i remember when u texted me that u got to the hotel and i came down to help n i saw u unloading yr car and it was then that my brain was like OH NOOOOOOOO and my heart was like OH YEEEEAAAAAAAH) 

Pincushion: How do you deal with pain?

physical, mental, or emotional? i play a video game or listen to loud music

Pink: Where is home?[

somewhere in appalachia i can feel it in my stupid soul 

Plantain Lilies: If you could go back in time, what is one thing you would stop/change? 

idk man i’m pretty content w where i’m at now so 

Prairie Gentian: Who is someone you look up to? Describe them.

chester bennington 

Primrose: Describe your ideal life.

i have a waife and we have many great pets and we live in a log cabin in the mountains or in a nice victorian in a small town or something IDK but we’re happy and that’s all that matters 

Rhodendron: What is something you used to believe in as a child?

God

Ricinus: Who’s the most important in your life?

my mom, me best friends, my girlfriend

Rose: What’s your favorite sound?

my girlfriend’s laugh because it’s THE cutest shit and then when she giggles??? oh my heart 

Rosemallows: What’s your favorite memory?

oct 23rd, 2005, we brought Fat Boy Zack home !!!!

Sage: What’s your least favorite memory?

July 22nd, 2016. i was 2200 miles away

Snapdragon: At this moment, what do you want?  

to be holding my girlfriend >:(

St. John’s Wort: Is it easy or difficult for you to express how you feel about things?

hhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Sunflower: What is something you don’t want to imagine life without?

those i hold dear

Sweet Pea: How much sleep did you get last night?

enough, i guess? 

Tickseed: What’s your main reason to get up every morning?

my girlfriend

Touch-Me-Not: How do you feel about your current job?

it’s fucking BORING and TOO EASY and they don’t pay me ENOUGH but i can get away with so much shit there so ima still go, ima still go 

Transvaal Daisy: What’s your favorite item of clothing?

all of the flannels currently in my possession

Tropical White Morning Glory: Describe your aesthetic.  

mountains, woods, forests, cabins, autumn, cryptic, occult, victorian, edwardian

Tulip: What would be the best present to get you?

if someone gets me a gift i’m legally required to execute them

Vervain: What’s stressing you out most right now?

this 40hr workweek i got coming up 

Wisteria: How many books have you read in the past few months? What were they called?

i have not read in So Long

Wolf’s Bane: Where do you want to be in life this time next year?

Moved out away from here lol, we’ll see

Yarrow: Do you know what vore is?

:/

Zinnia: Give a random fact about yourself.

i’m a furry

that was SO LONG im sorry i also put you through that but THANK YOU ENJOY READING ILU

[furycrimsxn]

Flowers

     it was a vexation to garden beside his mother in his youth. barely 10 years of age, still impressionable and vulnerable, cassian’s mother thought by weaving in the ways of cultivation she could show her son what patience truly meant at a young age - a adroitness he would weaponize for the rest of his centuries to come. 

     to this day, cassian wasn’t sure when he continued to garden on his own. he remembers visiting his mother’s flowerbeds after her death when nobody was looking, breathing in the aromas and running an ever so gentle thumb over the leaves in their stems, registering the second skin of bristles they grew for their own protection like a skin of his own. these flowers were his escape from reality when cassian was unable to run from his endeavors, his mistakes anymore. he would never tell a soul but he could close his eyes and imagine his mother in the air; enveloping him with imaginary arms. 

     before the vision takes solid form, it is gone with a pinch in the bridge of his nose. over the decades, cassian took over his mother’s garden as his own. daylilies, lavenders, amaryllies, begonias, carnations, gardenias, the list goes on and on. the secret cassian holds in his garden, however, are those equally as subtle. bloodroots, foxgloves, larkspur, morning glorys, oleander, wolf’s bane. while it is no secret that cassian underoot enjoys torture and death in the most patent carnage, in his political position - the secret of secret itself, has won more battles than any. 

     with the crown hanging in the balance and a throne itching for rebellion, the power of a green thumb is one so heavily under-appreciated, only the ones equally as discreet would ever notice a thing. the only question is, would somebody notice the aftermath after? or be quick enough to catch the before.

[feelin-woozy]

ALL OF THE FLOWERS! 🌸

Alisons: Sexuality?

Queer

Amaranth: Pronouns/Gender?

He/They, nb

Baby’s Breath: Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?

Eeeh, no but I probably still will lmao

Balsam Fir: Have you ever been in love?

Yes

Baneberries: Favorite song?

uhh, lately Berkshire Cunt

Basket of Gold: Describe your family.

Typical nuclear family

Beebalm: Do you have a best friend? Who is it?

@majuulian and my boy Alex but Im nut gunna link his tumblr bc idk if he wants that lmao

Begonia: Favorite color?

Azure and reds

Bellflower: Favorite animal?

Cats

Bergenia: Are you a morning or night person?

Night person

Black-Eyed Susan: If you could be any animal for a day, what would it be?

Cat

Bloodroots: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I don’t really remember

Bluemink: What are your thoughts on children?

They’re cute but probably not for me

Blazing Stars: What are you afraid of? Is there a reason why?

Disappointing my parents

Borage: Give a random fact about your childhood.

I used to hide under tables a lot as a kid

Bugleherb: How would you spend your last day on Earth?  

Getting drunk and listening to good music, hopefully surrounded by good company

Buttercup: Relationship Status?

Single

Camelia: If you could visit anywhere, where would you want to go?

Germany

Candytufts: When do you feel most loved?

Have you ever had someone watch you absently with a small smile as you do something?

Canna: Do you have any tattoos?  

Three

Canterbury Bells: Do you have any piercings?  

Eight

California Poppy: Height?  

5′8

Cardinal Flower: Do you believe in ghosts?

I don’t not believe in them

Carnation: What are you currently wearing?  

Shorts

Catnip: Have you ever slept with a nightlight?

Yes

Chives: Who was the last person you hugged?  

I think Alayna??

Chrysanthemum: Who’s the last person you kissed?

My ex

Cock’s Comb: Favorite font?

Anything cursive

Columbine: Are you tired?

Very

Common Boneset: What are you looking forward to?

Uhh,,, I get to see Pup soon and I’m pretty stoked for that

Coneflower: Dream job?

Psychnurse

Crane’s-Bill: Introvert or extrovert?

Introvert

Crocus: Have you ever been in love?

Yes

Crown Imperial: What’s the farthest you would go for someone you care about?

As long as I’m not doing something that hurts myself physically and or mentally then pretty far

Cyclamen: Did you have a favorite stuffed animal as a child? What was it?

Big doggo

Daffodil: What’s your zodiac sign?

Virgo

Dahlia: Have you done anything worth remembering?

Absolutely, but I don’t really want to talk abt my shenanigans online for the masses

Daisy: What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment?

My vests lmao

Daylily: What would you do if your parents didn’t like your partner(s)?  

They haven’t liked a few of them but hey, hasn’t stopped me lmao. It also depends on WHY they don’t like them though

Dendrobium: Who is the last person that you said “I love you” to?

Josh i think??

Gardenia: Are you happy with where you’re at in your life?

Not particularly

Gladiolus: What is something you hope to do in the next year or two?

Have my shit together

Glory-of-the-Snow: What are ten things that make you happy/you’re grateful to have in your life?

My friends, family, music, cats, 

Heliotropium: What helps you calm down when you feel stressed?  

Weed

Hellebore: How do you show affection?

Light bullying

Hoary Stock: What are you proudest of?

My vests

Hollyhock: Describe your ideal day.

Uhh, just chilling with friends maybe having a few drinks and laughing till your sides hurt

Hyacinth: What do you like to do in your free time?  

I play video games and listen to podcasts

Hydrangea: How long have you known your best friend? How did you meet them?

I’ve known my buddy Erika for like a decade and a half, we met in school.

Irises: Who can you talk to about (almost) everything?

Josh

Laceleaf: How many friends do you have?

Like 10 maybe

Lantanas: What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?

You remind me of David Bowie

Larkspur: What do you think of yourself?

I’m kinda a piece of shit lmao

Lavender: What’s your favorite thing about yourself?

My aesthetic

Leather Flower: What’s your least favorite thing about yourself?  

I’m lazy

Lilac: What’s something you liked to do as a child?

Watch my mum play world of warcraft

Lily: Who was your best friend when you were a kid?

Erika

Lily of the Incas: What is something you still feel guilty for?

Nothing I care 2 share

Lily of the Nile: What is something you feel guilty for that you shouldn’t feel guilty about?  

A lot of things lmfao

Lupine: What does your name mean? Why is that your name?

Victory of the people, because that’s what my mum picked out

Marigold: Where did you grow up? Tell us about it.

I grew up in Vancouver, I had a really typical childhood and I’m not sure what else to say of it. Just very basic.

Morning Glory: What was your bedroom like growing up?

Wall to wall in posters

Mugworts: What was it like for you as a teenager? Did you enjoy your teenage years?  

I don’t remember much of it lmao. I was a very very angry teenager and I was sad all the time. I was just a very volatile person and not really the kinda person you want in your life lmao.

Norwegian Angelica: Tell us about your mom.

She’s my bestfriend!!! I love her so much and would literally kill someone for her

Onions: Tell about your dad.  

He’s kinda an asshole but I really love him and value his opinions on things lmao.

Orchid: Tell about your grandparents.

My grandparents are,, complicated lmao. They’re fine all things considered though. My maternal grandma is the bomb.

Pansy: What was your most memorable birthday? What made it be so memorable?

I saw Brand New one year on my birthday, that was really great.

Peony: What was your first job?

Kentucky fried shithole

Petunia: If you’re in a relationship, how did you meet your partner(s)? If you’re not in a relationship, how did you meet your crush/how do you hope to meet your future partner(s), if you want any?

Ill probably meet my next partner on a dating app lmao.

Pincushion: How do you deal with pain?

Couple tynelols and move on

Pink: Where is home?

With people who make you laugh till your sides hurt and have your back through thick and thin

Plantain Lilies: If you could go back in time, what is one thing you would stop/change?

Uhh, I’d probably try and get my shit together sooner in life.

Prairie Gentian: Who is someone you look up to? Describe them.

Takes no shit 

Primrose: Describe your ideal life.

I’d like to live in the forest away from people with some animals and a partner

Rhodendron: What is something you used to believe in as a child?

Santa, tooth fairy etc.

Ricinus: Who’s the most important in your life?

My parents

Rose: What’s your favorite sound?

I love the sound of rain also the kill bill siren

Rosemallows: What’s your favorite memory?

Currently, Punk in drublic

Sage: What’s your least favorite memory?

Idk I’ve done a lot of shitty things lmao

Snapdragon: At this moment, what do you want?  

Some chocolate milk would be rad

St. John’s Wort: Is it easy or difficult for you to express how you feel about things?

Very easy, I’ve done like 6 years of therapy. I’m a fucking pro at this lmfao

Sunflower: What is something you don’t want to imagine life without?

Music

Sweet Pea: How much sleep did you get last night?

Like 7 hours?

Tickseed: What’s your main reason to get up every morning?

Life doesn’t stop for no one. Don’t wanna get steamrolled by it.

Touch-Me-Not: How do you feel about your current job?

I fucking hate it

Transvaal Daisy: What’s your favorite item of clothing?

My vests

Tropical White Morning Glory: Describe your aesthetic.  

Goth/punk slut

Tulip: What would be the best present to get you?

Idk I like weird things, one of my ex boyfriends bought me a bunch of taxidermy for my birthday and that’s been the best gift I’ve gotten to date

Vervain: What’s stressing you out most right now?

Life in general

Wisteria: How many books have you read in the past few months? What were they called?

I don’t read too much but I have read The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski

Wolf’s Bane: Where do you want to be in life this time next year?

Uhh hopefully less stressed out 

Zinnia: Give a random fact about yourself.

I’m double jointed and it really freaks people out

[daylilies123]

Daylily Best Weed Control Tips for Controlling Daylily Weeds

Get the best daylilies weed control tips at Decadent Daylilies. 

[hortushorrei]

Guerrino planted these here in the 1970s or 1980s. There was a large clump which grew along the chainlink fence. Artlessly plopped down and thriving despite decades of neglect. They have started again this year after being separated a few years ago and encouraged to grow in two long rows on either side of a path. That might have been a mistake, as I now see they are very enthusiastic spreaders. Hemerocallis fulva is called the Orange day-lily. Not sure why it is known as "il giglio turco" (Turkish lily) in Italian when it is probably native to China, Korea, Taiwan and Japan, but maybe I should stop being so curious. I thought, with how many daylilies there were along a stream near where I grew up in Pennsylvania, that they were native to North America. 😂 Flowers and rhizomes are edible. #hemerocallisfulva #orange #countrygardens #ruralretreats #piccoligiardiniitaliani #lamacchinafissa #oldfashionedflowers #fastspreading #orangedaylily #gigliodisangiuseppe #asphodelaceae #hemerocallidoideae #mezzogiardiniere #beasts (at La Macchina Fissa) https://www.instagram.com/p/CeQb0sYo8Ew/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[tipsycad147]

All About Calendula | The Many Incredible Health Benefits & More

Written by Sass Ayres

Calendula brings such sunshine to this planet! This joyful little plant packs a gentle, but mighty punch of healing and immune-stimulating properties that have earned calendula quite a reputation as a favorite first aid topical and skincare ingredient. The many health benefits of calendula make this a plant you’ll definitely want more of in your every day.

HERE YOU’LL FIND: Meet Calendula Culinary Uses of Calendula Health Benefits of Calendula Calendula FAQs Resources & Further Reading

Meet Calendula

With summer comes all the summer blooms like the calendula, elderflower, and daylily. Just like the sun, they all burst forth into the world, bringing with them their food and medicine to share. If you haven’t met calendula yet, it’s high time, don’t you think?!

Meet Calendula officinalis. Here’s the skinny:

Calendula is native to the northern regions of the Mediterranean, and like many plants, has now traveled around much of the world.

Being a proud member of the Asteraceae (or sunflower) family, calendula has the distinct aster flower head consisting of slender petals, which are actually entire flowers in themselves, arranged like the rays of the sun around a center.

Calendula grows to about 1 to 2 feet in height and has a reputation for being relatively easy to cultivate. It thrives in just about any soil, but prefers a happy medium when it comes to wet and dry.

It’s an annual plant, but can be a short-lived perennial in warmer climates.

Calendula flowers come in an array of sunset colored flowers, but the vibrant orange and yellow ones are most often used for medicine

Its name comes from the Latin word kalendae, meaning the first day of the month. This refers to its long growing season and its ability to bloom through the calendar year in some locations.

The secret to prolonging its bloom is to pick the flowers every couple days. The more you pick, the more they grow. She’s is a tenacious and determined beauty, and even self-seeds prolifically.

Often called marigold, pot marigold, or even common marigold, calendula is actually a completely different genus of plants than the marigold commonly used as a garden ornamental. Marigolds in the Targetes genus are not interchangeable nutritionally or medicinally with the Calendula genus.

The Culinary Uses of Calendula

Edible flowers are an absolutely wonderful addition to so many foods. Calendula flowers add such a cheery pop of sunshine to any meal. Plus, you can’t help but feel like gosh darn earth goddess royalty when nibbling on edible flowers. They’re truly the food of the blessed.

When using in food, you can either use the whole flower head, green parts and all, or just the petals. The whole flower head is great for making teas and infusing all the medicinal benefits of calendula into your homemade medicinal veggie broths, soups, and more. But while edible and highly medicinal, the sticky green base isn’t the most pleasant part to eat.

However, the plucked petals are incredibly pleasant to eat! Simply pluck them from their sticky green base and add to cakes, cheesecakes, quiches, salads, salsas, fruit salads, herbal butter, and so much more.

My favorite spring and summer meals are often those that are full of edible flowers and other wild foraged foods. When adding calendula petals to your foods, you can use them either fresh or dried.

The Health Benefits of Calendula

Many of the medicinal compounds that make calendula such an equally gentle and powerful medicine are actually located in the resinous green parts of the flower head. When using calendula as a medicine, as in oils, creams, tinctures, or soups, be sure to use the entire flower head, green parts included.

Here are some of the most common and well-researched medicinal uses of calendula:

Calendula & Wound Healing

As a gentle, but incredibly powerful antiseptic, calendula shines as a topical treatment in wound healing. It’s often made into creams, ointment, nourishing body oils, or compresses to help disinfect, decrease inflammation, and promote tissue healing to reduce potential scarring.

Calendula & The Digestive System

The demulcent properties of calendula are very protective of the mucosal lining of the entire digestive system. A calendula gargle can be used to ease a sore throat and drinking the tea can help ease discomfort caused by ulcers, IBS, or heartburn. It helps to maintain the health and integrity of your gut wall, and a healthy gut wall allows for much easier and more efficient nutrient absorption.

Calendula & Immune Health

Calendula is highly antimicrobial and has been shown by many a study to help fight off infection. Plus, its high antioxidant content helps to strengthen the immune system. Adding the whole flowers to soups and stews when you’re feeling a cold come on can help ward off the oncoming ick.

Calendula is also known to stimulate the lymphatic system, helping to rid the body of toxins and metabolic waste, and to transport infection-fighting white blood cells throughout the body. It’s a great herb to support daily detox!

Calendula & Skin Care

Lotions and creams made with calendula are incredibly effective in nourishing and hydrating skin. Accordingly, you’ll find calendula in many products intended for eczema, dermatitis, or dandruff. It’s also so gentle, safe, and effective in this area that it’s wildly popular for use with children in treating inflammatory skin troubles such as diaper rash and cradle cap. Used topically, calendula has absolutely no toxicity and makes a great addition to a hot bath!

These three uses: as a wound medicine, a remedy for affections of the lymphatic glands, and a general “immune tonic” as we would call it today are interlocking and bring out the true genius of [calendula].

Mathew Wood from the Book of Herbal Wisdom –

Calendula FAQs

Are all calendula medicinal?

Over the years, I’ve heard many an opinion on whether or not all the different colors of calendula flowers are medicinal. If you’re wondering the same, the most common recommendation from practicing herbalists is to let your senses be the judge. The brighter and more aromatic the flowers and the stickier their green bases and leaves, the higher their medicine content.

What are the health benefits of calendula tea?

I’m glad you asked! Calendula tea is a sweet and subtle flavored tea with an ever-so-slight (and yet surprising) spice and bitterness. It’s an herbal tea that pairs so well with a little drizzle of honey. And the health benefits of calendula tea are the same as those listed above!

Calendula tea is high in antioxidants, helps to ease digestion, is a powerful immune-booster, and so much more!

Where is the best place to buy calendula?

The first best place is to always grow your own herbs, but I know that we don’t all have the time or luxury. Thankfully, there are people that do! If you can find calendula from you local herbalists, this would be the next best place.

Many natural food co-ops have bulk sections that sometimes will have medicinal herbs. And when all else fails, there are several online herb retailers. My go-to for all my medicinal herbs has been Mountain Rose Herbs for many years. Their herbs are incredibly and consistently high-quality and there’s always a huge focus on the ethics around sustainable harvesting and growing practices.

Mountain Rose Herbs offers many calendula products to meet all your medicine making, herbal wellness, & kitchen herbalism needs.

Try These Recipes With Calendula

No-Bake Calendula & Honey Cheesecake Fresh-Squeezed Calendula Lemonade Super Medicinal Veggie Broth Ultra-Nourishing Herbal Body Oil

Resources & Further Reading

Blankespoor, J. (2012, November 15). Calendula’s herbal and edible uses: how to grow, gather, and prepare calendula as food and medicine. Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine. https://chestnutherbs.com/calendula-sunshine-incarnate-an-edible-and-medicinal-flower/

McBride, Kami. (2019). The herbal kitchen: Bring lasting health to you and your family with 50 easy-to-find common herbs and over 250 recipes. Red Wheel/Weiser.

Nelofer, J. and Riffat, J. (2017). Calendula officinalis: an important medicinal plant with potential biological properties. Proceedings of the Indian National Science Academy, 83(4): 769-787. Accessed July 1, 2020. https://insa.nic.in/writereaddata/UpLoadedFiles/PINSA/2017_Art48.pdf

Wood, M. (1997). The book of herbal wisdom: Using plants as medicine. North Atlantic Books.

Sass Ayres

Sass is a blogger at Botany Culture & a botanical baker at Botany Bakeshop. She's a can't-stop-won't-stop sharer of everyday plant food, medicine, & magic with a masters degree in nutrition & over a decade of herbalism studies. Her favorite plant is cacao. Her greatest regret is that she's not a viticulturist. Maybe in the next life.

https://www.botanyculture.com/meet-the-plants-the-food-and-medicine-of-calendula/

[dat-assize]

Not Quite Munday Anymore Munday Meme

Remember to copy and paste and fill in your own answers! Tag people if you want some late-week Munday leftovers! I’m tagging whoever wants to do it. :B

general info:

♡ preferred name: Jen. Most people call me Lily 'cause that's the character name; I answer to that too. ♡ age: Just turned 32 back in March. ♡ pronouns: While I answer to anything, she/her are my correct pronouns. ♡ sexuality: Bi-Demi ♡ height: 5'8" ♡ hair colour: This awful black-grey-brownish mottled...thing. I dye it red. ♡ relationship status: Taken ♥

favourite things:

♡ favourite colour: Silver and green, followed closely by orange. ♡ favourite song: Gypsy by Lady Gaga ♡ favourite band / artist: I will always be ride or die for ZP-era Dragonforce. I also enjoy me some Sabaton. ♡ favourite youtubers: Rachel & Jun, Mekkah Dee, Mellowbeat Seekers ♡ favourite food: Sushi/seafood. Typical weeb stuff. I also enjoy Indian curry. ♡ favourite family member: My late aunt ♡ favourite bird: Hornbills ♡ favourite animal: My favorite grouping is felines. ♡ favourite celebrity: When I answered this on FB I said no one, but that's a lie. Carrie Fisher. ♡ favourite time of day?: Late afternoon/twilight ♡ favourite holiday(s): Halloween and Christmas. There's a certain kind of energy in the air. ♡ favourite season: Autumn. (Look, I'm a typical white girl who likes her pumpkin spice everything, okay.) ♡ favourite fruit: Plums, red grapes ♡ favourite flower: Daylilies and snapdragons ♡ favourite emoji(s): :D, :B, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯, :playdead: ♡ favourite app: Love Nikki, Neko Atsume ♡ favourite hobby: Games, studying ♡ favourite country: None, since I haven't left my own yet. ♡ favourite weather: Overcast, rainy ♡ favourite element: Magick-wise, air. ♡ favourite language: Now that I'm more coherent when filling this out, my family's native tongue of Arabic. Also, Japanese and French.

name of:

♡ name of your crush: I feel like crushing on your boyfriend doesn't count, so like, N/A ♡ name of your pet(s): Ophelia ♥ ♡ name(s) of your best friend(s): Most of ya'll don't know him, but Kairo Fujima? Would literally die for him. He's been my closest friend for over a decade now. I would ride or die for that motherfucker even though I often say I'm gonna kill him myself one day--

this or that?

♡ introvert or extrovert: Introvert, though most people (co-workers) usually tell me I'm quite talkative at work. That's the Work Persona talking. ♡ nerdy or sassy: bowf ♡ tall or short: Taller than me, tbh ♡ looks or personality: Personality ♡ homesick or traveler: I'm a traveler sort of person, myself. ♡ musician or artist: If singing counts under musician, then both. But I'm not very good at either nowadays ♡ woods or city: City. I've done my time living in the woods. The silence drove me fucking insane. ♡ tv or youtube: Youtube. Who watches TV anymore? ♡ phone or computer: Both ♡ family or money: Both ♡ books or movies: Both ♡ food or sleep: Eat, then sleep off the food coma.

[christine55416]

Yellow day lilies in front of house, they were here when I moved in over a decade ago and need to be thinned, but usually most years the city bunny makes a nest in there for her babies so I just leave the flowers in an overgrown mess. 🐇 #minnesotagarden #daylily #yellowflowers #flowers #urbangarden #bunny #stlouispark https://www.instagram.com/p/CB-8F8LBQjT/?igshid=mnlww1gaiffc