The Red Champa a summer bloom!

“Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.” ~ Russel Baker

Yes its another summer bloom. The Red Champa (or Frangipani) call it Ruby Red or Scarlett it does ignite the heart and evoke love, passion and warmth. I wish to share a quote on the Wikipedia ~ saying “चम्पा तुझमें तीन गुण – रंग, रूप और बास ; अवगुण तुझमें एक ही कि भंवर न आए पास” translated it means ~ “Hey Champa you have three qualities – color, beauty, and fragrance, but the only thing you lack is that honey-bees never sit on you”.

Enjoy my friends

Gulmohur the Flame Tree

We in India call this tree with bright flame like flowers as The Gulmohar (Hindi and Urdu -‘Gul’ means ‘Flower’ and ‘Mohr’ is ‘Peacock’, thus the name suggests a spectacular show of color, like the extraordinary colors of a peacock’s tail. – Courtesy the Wikipedia.

When the Gulmohur blooms it means summer. In India it spreads brightness color and joy during the months of April May & June.

Its summer now so spread the joy.

Celebrating Earth Day 2012

On Earth Day 2012 we resolve to care for Mother Earth every day of our life.

A beach in Goa - Nature's bounty

I believe in God, only I spell it Nature ~ Frank Lloyd Wright

Embrace

The two trees nearest to the gate appear to be locked in embrace – harmony in nature! Can you suggest a caption?

Embrace

Thank you!

Shady Banyan Tree

Come summer and its fun to pass from under the shade of Banyan Trees. In contrast to the fierce sun and heat the shade of a Banyan tree is amazingly cooling – the mind too calms down. We are fortunate to have a few such precious shady spots still free of concrete high-rises. The shape of the giant tree is unique it has a luxurious canopy with aerial roots running from the branches to the ground.These pics are from near the Race Course and Koregaon Park.

Shady Banyan Tree

Shade of the Banyan Tree

Banyan Tree KGP

Banyan Tree KGP 2

Thank you

Organic Onions

We ha lovely crop of onions this summer. Onions are used in most Indian recipes from ages. When taken as a juice (a few tablespoons) with honey is said to give any heath benefits like – reducing high BP and lowering cholesterol.

Organic Onions

Cheers!

The beautiful Kachnar Tree

On a fine winter morning while on our morning walk we were pleasantly surprised to see beautiful pink flowers in bloom. These were on some of the trees at the road side in our Society in Pune. One of our walking buddies shared some interesting information on this tree and its lovely flowers. The tree is called the Kachnar and the flowers are Kachnar flowers. The colours varied from pink to mauve.

Some friends who had more hands-on experience in preparation of this lesser known herb said the kachnar buds are boiled and used in different is used for preparing tasty vegetable dish and others said you could use the long beans seen in the picture too. They need to be washed very well before use to remove the bitter taste. Its also popularly used in non vegetarian dishes. Do visit one interesting website for details – http://nishamadhulika.com/en/368-kachnar-kali-recipe.html

The Kachnar tree is also known as the Orchid Tree. As given in the Wikipedia its botanical name is Bauhinia variegate.

I’d like to share some pictures taken of these lovely flowers. And any additional information from viewers is welcome.

Have a great day!

Kachnar Tree

Kachnar flowers

The Kachnar in bloom

Basil Bliss

Whenever I visit my farm the site of the healthy and robust basil plants seem to say “A warm welcome to you”! And the wonderful fragrance of basil is so intoxicating and blissful!

Sweet basil in sunshine

Cheers

Wish You A Happy New Year Full of Roses

Which is loveliest in a rose? Its coy beauty when it’s budding, or its splendor when it blows? ~ George Barlow.

I wish all our viewers and friends a very happy and joyful New Year 2012 with lovely roses!

Cheers

The Colonel visits Jugnoo Farms

On Christmas Day my friend the Colonel visits the farm. The Colonel knows a lot on the finer points in agriculture and farming and gave us some good tips. The weather was nice and sunny. Here are a few shots of some of our plants.

Bird chilli plant

Kaffir lime plant