It Took...

It took thirteen years for the first flower to bloom, year fourteen it's second year of flowering there are two blooms. 

Until last year I didn't even realise that this plant flowered at all.

 Each year in late autumn the large leathery leaves appeared before disappearing in summer.

The first flower was a complete surprise, and I discovered it's a blood lily or paintbrush lily (Haemanthus coccineus) a native plant from South Africa.

This year I kept a close eye on this area of the garden as the flowering coincides with the pincushion hakea. 

The blooms only last several weeks, so I made sure I enjoyed their beauty every single day...

 

This Little Pony...

This little pony really seemed rather disinterested with it's surroundings.

Head hung low, trudging along.

With all the many lovey trails around the area I was surprised the woman chose driving him through the streets...

 

A Few More...

A few more interesting sculptures at the Mundaring Shire Office. Again I couldn't find any information about the artists or the year they were installed...

 

I First Discovered..

I first discovered a recipe for banana and oat breakfast biscuits by the Medical Medium, Anthony William. 

After the first batch I began tweaking his recipe until I finally have my own favourite way of making them.

They are super easy to make, healthy and delicious. I normally get between 12-16 cookies from each batch.

Apart from using three large ripe bananas, I don't measure anything else. 

After mashing the bananas I add Goji berries, dried cherries, crushed walnuts, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. I give it a stir before adding a dessert spoon or two of baking cocoa/cacao and a generous drizzle of pure vanilla essence. 

Then it's stirred once again.

I then add a couple of handfuls of rolled oats, until I have the consistency I prefer.

Then I place spoonfuls onto a tray lined with baking paper and into the oven they go.

I bake them for about 10 to 15 minutes. 

I don't usually buy biscuits or cake, so I don't limit these just for breakfast, but for any time I fancy a sweet treat...

The Botanical World...

The Botanical World of Mary Delany is an exhibition on loan from The British Museum currently showing at the Wanneroo Regional Gallery.

At the age of 72 after the death of her second husband Mary began her Flora Delanica.

Using wafer thin tissue of all hues and shades Mary created amazing collages of plants and flowers. 

The collages are amazing and so realistic it's incredible.

Sir Joseph Banks sent Delany plants from all around the world. He claimed that her collages were the only imitations of nature from which one could describe botanically any plant without the least fear of committing error.

Mary created about 100 works per year until failing eyesight saw her abandon her art. 

Mary created 985 collages. Mary died at Windsor Castle in 1788, she left behind an extraordinary collection of collages, embroidery, drawings and letters. 

Her niece Augusta Hall, Baronese Llanover donated the collection to the British Museum in 1897...