Todays Flowers & Two Fer Tuesday - Hollyhocks!

Early last year, via ABC Wednesday, I found a fellow blue lover Nonizamboni.
We have subsequently became good blog friends, so I know Noni's favourite flowers are Hollyhocks!
They're also rather special to me too!
After moving to my present Victorian house, back in the late 1980's, I scattered some 'collected' seeds, hoping to create a country style cottage garden, as I much prefer old fashioned flowers growing freely to formal borders!
Within a couple of years, I was rewarded with a garden dominated by Hollyhocks, of every hue & colour.

They grew huge & continued to my joy to self-seed in wild abandon.
Hence, happy memories represented by this 1996 photo of my Mother...

Sadly, following Winters were exceedingly wet.

The 'water table' rose & the garden became a mini lake.

It was not home threatening like the events experienced much later, but the Hollyhocks didn't appreciate their roots being submerged & the plants sadly rotted away.
I subsequently re-seeded but never that successfully.
I now, only have, one fine specimen in my back garden with lots of frilly skirted blooms..And, a solitary Hollyhock @ the front, competing with the rambling rose...

But, my neighbours now have them a plenty...

Today's Flowers home is HERE.
Two Fer Tuesday is Jonna's concept.

An Award Coming Full Circle!

Earlier this week, the genteel, The Duchess, who writes an amazingly, delightful, inspirational & reminiscent of lost times blog, passed on a very special accolade to Sir Woodstock!
The Shoe Award, is not any old boot/shoe/trainer affair...It's, a special magical 'fairy tale' slipper, bestowed on those, who bring a little 'magic' into our lives via their blogs creativity!
Woodstock, both astounded & delighted with this unexpected acknowledgement, duly passed it on to WFT Asta, Dragon Dilly & his Authoress Aunt BJ!
Today, I find that the latter, has returned it to Poopsie's True Colours!
First to Wheelie Bailey, then Miss WFT Judy & lastly to me - LOL!
No Oscar speech or tears from me, but I am deeply touched.
But, then most of you will have realised I am extremely touched!!!
Who else, being a fully grown lady, without a pup, would each week write, a Wheelie Wednesday post about toy dogs???
And, if that wasn't enough madness, start her own Teddy Bear Blog, the said Sir Woodstock???
Anyway, all does give me fun, brighten my days & find me new friends.

Now, who do I pass the Shoe on too???
Firstly, it has to go to Maggie & Mitch, who make me smile endlessly.
Secondly, Dewdana [& Moose] - new friends but their 'marine' photographic contribution to 'True Colours Thursday' is a source of delight & fascination each week to me.
Lastly, a difficult one - Nonizamboni, my fellow blue lover, who has a wonderful way with images & words.