Friday, January 20, 2017

Hydrangeas and endless Summer Days

Hydrangeas are reminders of endless Summer days that seem to go on forever. Summer images of these beautiful lacy, star-shaped flowers packed together in delightful plate-sized pompoms, always delight me. I would have to say without equivocation Hydrangeas are my favourite flowers. They never fail to delight with a beautiful show for months in the garden and as cut flowers they last for weeks, gradually fading to lovely dried flowers in the softest of autumnal hues.

Before I take you on a virtual stroll of our Hydrangeas in the garden, a cautionary word.......I got a little carried away with my little camera.......again! Alas, there are a gazillion happy snaps of my favourite flower. You might want to pull up a comfy chair and pour yourself a bottomless cup of tea. I humbly apologise from the outset, for the overload of Hydrangea gorgeousness, but I am guessing all you lovelies way up there in your frigid, wintry wonderland could do with a little sprinkling of pretty colour in your snow-filled day. AND....those of you fellow Aussies who live on the mainland....well your Hydrangeas (if indeed you have any) would be frizzled to an to an inch of their botanical lives with all the sweltering, blistering Summer days you have been experiencing!



Upon entering the front gate, I can't help but feel a sense of cheeriness as I amble through.



Our garden plays host to many different cultivars in colours of whites, pinks, mauves, purples, crimsons and blues. I think at last count we have 45 of these gorgeous shrubs and yes, there is still room for some more.




























One could say Hydrangeas bestow oodles of WOW....NOW!!







Now you know I couldn't stop at photographing the Hydrangeas in the garden. I had to.....had to capture a little sense of theatre.....a little drama. It wouldn't be me if I didn't add a prop or two. =)


This beautiful vintage kimono was gifted to me by my two daughters for a birthday a couple of years ago. Isn't it beautiful. My girls know their mother  so very well. I guess it is all those Sunday afternoon drives when they were young, which usually ended up a shop or two filled with antiques, vintage pretties, bric-a-brac......which was always followed by a debriefing at a cafe where a coffee, iced chocolates and a slice or two of chocolate mud cake were enjoyed. Yes indeed, those Sunday drives of yesteryear are what fun, familial memories are made of.


My vintage kimono, swatches of kimono silks and a gorgeous ginger jar summate a wonderful sense of Asian exotic-ness.















A lace curtain, a candelabra and Hydrangeas in a pretty, iron basket.......al fresco, can be an excellent thing..............




........as can a gold frame!



Of course, Miss Maisie had to join in the fun. Miss Maisie has lost all her fuzziness. She has taken off her fur coat for the Summer. I rather miss her fuzzy, bad hair days.



I could earn a fortune hiring out Miss Maisie for photo shoots. All I say is "stay" and she does. No growling at her.....no doggy treats as bribes......she just loves to smile at the camera.

And.......what is a sweet puppy dog without her loving Lord and Master to sit with her!


I love this photo. It is very Downton Abbey-esque, isn't it. When I arose at 5.00am  to set up this photo shoot, (all the photography had to be accomplished before the sun rose) I didn't intend to take a photo of either my good husband or indeed Miss Maisie. As is always the case with these things, it just was one of those on-the-spur-of-the-moment kinda things. My good husband was gardening nearby dressed in his dirty gardening garb, when I thought what a wonderful photo it would be if he was sitting 'on set', in more formal attire, on a rather royal looking chair (which I tarted up ages ago) partaking in a cup of tea. He scrubs up pretty well for an old fella. He certainly looks very dapper and suave and as for Miss Maisie, well she looks rather adorable, too!


Aah yes......a cup of tea. How is your cuppa going?? Do you need a refill yet?? Not to worry, you may get up from that comfy sofa now and go about your day. Thank you for 'sitting out' the distance with me. Sometimes, just sometimes............I do tend to get a little carried away.

Oh well........until the next time.




44 comments:

  1. Hi Kim, Oh your hydrangeas are so gorgeous and you have so many! I have never had success growing these UNTIL we moved into our current house a few months ago.....we inherited a large, healthy hydrangea planted by a previous homeowner! Such a charming photo of your dear husband and Miss Maisie. I apologize for being tardy to visit. I've been a little under the weather. I hope you will enjoy the upcoming weekend.

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  2. This was the perfect post to read as I have just sat down with a cup of tea - pinkie extended of course!!! Good for your husband!!
    In all sincerity though, your photos of the hydrangea were stunningly beautiful and brought back sweet summer memories!
    The kimono is just gorgeous too - what a wonderful arrangement you assembled!
    Thanks so much for sharing, Kim and long live the hydrangea!

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  3. Fab photos! Love the one of Miss Maisie and *Lordship*. I love hydrangeas too. I have in the front garden that are original to the property so they have they shaped petals - not the fault pedalled mp heads. I usually take some into work and they don't give me hay fever like lots of other scented flowers. I'm afraid the dreadfully hot hot weather we've been having burnet them all this year. I shall enjoys yours instead.

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    1. Yes, that's the one problem with Hydrangeas, the sun can burn them. They like it best under shade with filtered sun. But....that is the only problem in my book as they are the easiest of plants to care for and they provide months and months of continual beauty. Thank you for your sweet comments, Ann....His Lordship ain't half bad is he and as for Miss Maisie, I think the unanimous opinion is that she is adorable. =) Kim Xx

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  4. O kim they were all just beautiful, I loved them all. And yes hubby does clean up quite well.. Maisie is adorable.. very nice I enjoyed every photo... with Love Janice

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  5. I love hydrangeas, we have a couple of small ones in tubs, I look forward to seeing their beautiful flowers again in the summer. Your husband looks very dapper indeed, what a dandy xx

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  6. They are unbelievable! Amazing! Incredible!

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  7. The hydrangeas and your sets-in a word stunning! Wonderful pic of your good looking husband and sweet Miss Maisie. Very "Downton Abbey-esque" indeed! And so much fun.

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  8. I really loved the photos. Mike and I will be rounding off our NZ holiday with 3 dais in Tasmania before we fly back to the Uk. I can't wait after seeing your photos

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  9. Just wait a minute while I pick my chin up off the floor and grab a towel to wipe up the drool!!!...... how beautiful are all those hydrangeas. I do think my favourite phots are the last 2 with the loves of your life!! Beautiful post!

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  10. My MIL has hydrangeas in her garden and they do make a difference- they make the garden look richer and full.
    Your photos are amazing especially the one of your husband - perfectly staged!

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  11. 'Be still my beating heart!' 😃. I LOVE your photos of my favourite flower and I'm quite envious at how well they thrive in your garden; such gorgeousness! A very dapper husband and dog there too!

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  12. Just down the street where I live is an amusement park, and inside they have one area full of every variety of hydrangea you can imagine. The walkways are engulfed in mist spray and wind through bushes of all sizes and colors. There is even an archway of climbing hydrangeas ... all sizes of flowers in bunches or frame style with round petals and pointy star-shaped ones. I am always in awe because those in the place I grew up were all blue balls. Your stroll is awesome too.

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  13. I hope you and yours had a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and are having a very HAPPY NEW YEAR. May we display your linked header on our new site directory, SiteHoundSniffs.com? As it is now, the site title (linked back to its home page) is listed, and we think displaying the linked header will attract more attention.

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  14. A very very delightful trip through your garden!! What a dashing couple sitting for you! Thank you for sharing! Made me smile!

    Hugs from Texas!

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  15. Oh my, beautiful flowers, and what a sport your husband is! Mine likely would look at me as if I was nuts to even ask him to clean up and pose! Gorgeous photos! Certainly your photo of him and Maisie is frame worthy!

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  16. Ooh Kim, you always share such beauty with us, and your hydrangeas sure perked up my day! You must smile all day, while viewing their gorgeousness. How sweet of your dear darling and sweet Miss Maisie to pose for such proper tea photos for you, and for us to enjoy!

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  17. Gorgeous photos for a gorgeous post !
    Thanks for sharing !
    It's winter here...
    Have a lovely weekend !
    Anna

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  18. I love seeing handsome Pete & adorable Massie. Your garden is so amazing! Hugs!

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  19. I saved my visit until I had time to brew a nice cup of green tea as I knew it would be a wonderfully refreshing visit. Oh your dear husband stole my heart! What a character!!! Thank you for helping me enjoy my late morning cup of tea. :) SMILES being sent!

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  20. Kim, what a delightful post! Your husband does look fancy and quite the gentleman. Miss Maisie is gorgeous! I wish Little Bear would take lessons from her. I love hydrangeas! My daughter's wedding bouquet included hydrangeas. ♥

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  21. My goodness, I am so jealous. My earth is so rotten, I get three blooms a year total on four plants. Sigh, gorgeous, and I think you have very variety. Wonderful share, Sandi

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  22. Absolutely astoundingly beautiful photos of flowers, but I have to say that the photos of your husband were the bestest of all. Bless him for being willing to get out of his gardening grubbies and get dressed up for the photo shoot. Talk about a good sport!

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  23. Such gorgeousness!! Oh my, I am swooning thinking I am in some kind of flower conservatory. Your hydrangeas are perfect and so many pretty colors. I cannot get hydrangeas to bloom here. I may try again this spring with some new bushes.

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  24. P.S. Forgot to mention how dapper your hubby looks....very Downton Abbey-ish!

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  25. Oh you were so right, seeing all this loveliness in the pretty sunshine was just what I needed. You are so blessed with so many different styles of the flower and colors, Love it!! Your staged pictures are just gorgeous, the kimono is a perfect backdrop for the flowers. Your little miss Maisie and sweet hubby were so sweet to model for you too and just love the scene you have created for them to sit in, does have that Downton Abbey feel to it, how fun! Have a wonderful weekend!

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  26. How wonderful to come in from gardening myself & open the screen to read your lovely post Kim. I adore all your pictures & would like to print them off to make beautiful cards to send. I have some hydrangeas myself, would love some more but I am able to pick my neighbours as she has wonderful colours all up her driveway. I love Miss Maisey & your hubby together - gorgeous photo. Have a lovely weekend my friend x x x

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  27. You can never have too many hydrangeas, and you never need to apologise for sharing too many hydrangea photos. They are my favourite flowers too. Your flowers are gorgeous, Kim, and they brighten up the inside beautifully. The photos of Miss Maisie and your dear husband are definitely very Downton Abbey-esque. Well done :)

    -Soma

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  28. your hydrangeas are really gorgeous, lot's of pretty purples!! i enjoyed all your pictures, i can't wait for our endless summer days!!

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  29. Kim,
    I loved scrolling through your hydrangea photos! So many gorgeous shades. My hydrangeas do not produce very many blooms. Will have to try and figure out why....yours are amazing! The photos of your husband made me laugh! What a good sport to clean up for the camera! LOL! He and Maisie really do look Downton Abbey-esque! (my spellcheck does not like that word) but it's perfect for the scene you have created. Always a pleasure stopping by....cannot wait to have some of that beautiful weather again! Enjoy the weekend! xo
    Linda

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  30. Oh my gosh you cute thing! Your hubby is one great sport, and dapper indeed!! Perfect photo with Maisie. I love hydrangeas, but girl they do not grow like that here. :( Your garden is such a delight and your tarting up always, always makes me smile! We are up to our knee caps in snow. Snowing like crazy today and I certainly did need this! Dreaming of spring. I'm sure something pretty lies beneath all of that white stuff, somewhere! lol!
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. My husband is a good sport, isn't he. Any other man would have divorced me a long time ago. Oh I am quite certain there is a floral feast to the eyes buried under your snow. Spring will reveal it in all it's glory in just a li'l while!

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  31. Ah, what loveliness....what charm....what enchantment! I agree with Jann...you CUTE thing, you {{smiles}}

    Your post was a feast for the eyes and a gift to my heart - truly beautiful, my friend.

    And your dear husband! Indeed, what a good sport! He looks like a character from Downton Abbey. But what about you, lovely lady? Shouldn't you be sitting in that glorious chair as well?

    Thinking of you! Love and hugs!

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  32. Such wonderful photos of your husband and Maisie. You'd never guess he was the gardener! On which subject, your garden is looking glorious with all those hydrangeas and your gorgeous props. The three of you really are a great team :) x

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  33. Miss Maisie and hubby look like they belong in an edition of British Country Living! I love hydrangeas too, but sadly they just get frizzled here so do not last long. I enjoy them while I can! Your vintage kimono is gorgeous - I also love vintage saris. Gorgeous post!

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    1. They do, don't they. Yes, I would imagine your flowers would be feeling the brunt of all that hot weather you are experiencing. I too, love vintage saris. My husband was born in India and saris hold a special place to him and me. I am always on the lookout for vintage saris when out and about. Thank you for visiting, Jayne, hope you enjoy the last week of the school holidays with your boys.

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  34. Amazing....what a beautiful pictures of your Hydrangeas, all the delicate colors. And I love the lovely photo of your husband and Maisie.

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    1. Thank you, Loes. They Hydrangeas are spectacular this year; I have no idea why. They just seem to love performing to the world. =) Hope you are enjoying a lovely week....so delighted you visited. Kim Xx

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  35. Kim, may I just say "Ditto" to my dear Stephanie? You would have been lovely sitting in that chair.

    Oh the beauty you have shared with us is absolutely, positivity gorgeous!
    Picture perfect and magazine quality for sure. :-)

    You are too funny about your props, I love it!

    Thank you for sharing your beauty and grace with us, and a big thank you to your husband.

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  36. {{{giggling}}}what is summer? Its never ending winter here in western NY.

    What lovely photos, your hubby is a great sport!! smiles-- Have a beautiful rest of the week friend.

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  37. Well, this post was a delightful sight for my heart today! The glorious colors of the hydrangeas, oh my goodness! Their beauty is beyond stunning, and I loved all the different ways you posed them in photos, just beautiful! And how special that your husband consented to be a part of such an affair! Mine would never drink a cup of hot tea, but I might have persuaded him for a tall glass of ice cold ice tea, lol! Miss Maisie is just precious, how sweet that she loves to pose! My animals don't care for the camera at all. You are just blessed in so many ways :) Hugs to you today dear friend, a truly delightful visit today, as I sipped my hot tea :)

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  38. What a pure delight for the peppers! Hydrangeas are a favorite of mine and you certainly have a GORGEOUS crop of them...oh my! The ones with the mix of pinks and blues coming together creating the purples are among my favorite things in the world. You have created such lovely vignettes as well...and what a great sport your handsome hubby and pooch were to be in them!

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  39. The sheer beauty of it all - such glorious colors - and so many different types of hydrangeas. I think your garden must rival the Buchart Gardens in British Columbia - what a wonderful stroll it would be to visit your loveliness. And then there are the photos of your dear dear husband - so handsome and regal, and indeed a good sport to dress up just for us. I think that he should be on the cover of a magazine, sitting there so handsomely with his dog and his tea - a really good sport. But now we must see him mucking about in the garden in his tatty old clothes - just for comparison. Hee Hee. I love this post - and no - there are never too many photos of hydrangeas - or any flower for that matter - never. Another fabulous post my dear.

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  40. Hullo, Kim, how utterly delightful to find a fellow Aussie here in blogland!!!

    I popped over from dear Connie's blog she shared the card she made for you... I must admit your nogi is certainly unique and love it's style very much.

    I've joined it, and hope you might pop over my way and reciprocate. I've some candy going at the moment too.
    Thanks for sharing your inspiration!
    Shaz in Oz.x

    {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}
    {Thank You Candy at Shaz in Oz Blog}

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