N is for Nasturtium

Hurrah it is Nasturtium time.  I knew it was time to feature some in a vase, as yesterday whilst having breakfast Mr S mentioned the vibrant red display at the end of the path.  I didn't see red but an orange, and when I questioned him he said it was on the plant I sometimes use in salads.  I knew it just had to be the nasturtiums for this week's vase. 

The seeds were kept from last year which I was pleased that I did.  Usually nasturtium seeds overwinter, but for the first time, none came up in the garden, and I started these in pots.  The original seed came from my friend Carolyn's old garden.  She has just moved to her new house after being in temporary accommodation of over a year and ought to ask her if she would like some seed back.

Although not obligatory, the Queen of this weekly get together Cathy always has a story: this week Cathy pays a tribute to her mother. This post will be linked into hers as will others.

I had a root around in an effort to find the old printers' block made of wood with the letter N. The ginkgo leaves which are the same as the ones posted a couple of weeks ago and are still fresh and a similar green to the nasturtium leaves.  My mind then wandered to things Japanese and the beautiful Japanese paintings of nasturtiums.  

As for books, it is along with the post on flowers that I sometimes show what I have been reading.

Code Name Hélène by Ariel Lawhon is excellent, and also enjoyed by Mr S. It is the second book by Ariel Lawhon for the book club, the first  being The Frozen River. The Outrun by Amy Liptrot isn't a book club book, and I love its sense of place, the story too.  I would love to visit those far away islands but somehow they are too far away, I had a good sense of place from Liptrot's narrative. As for The Seven Imperfect Rules of Elvira Carr, I wanted more hours in the day but also wanted it to continue.....

Interesting online read:

Just a short quote from the article about Nasturtiums from the site of Isabella Stewart Gardner.  I'll be spending the hot afternoon exploring this amazing Museum, of course without having to put my foot out of the door.

It received its common name “nasturtium”—which in Latin translates to “nose-twister”—from Renaissance botanists due to its peppery flavor and spicy fragrance similar to watercress (Nasturtium officinale).