Friday, March 2, 2018

Summer is fading

Each day tells me Summer is slowly fading. The sunlight bathing the countryside is softer, less vibrant. On my early morning walks Old Man Sun is showing his face a little later. As he is resting lower in the sky, throughout the day beams of sunshine ever so slowly creep across the rooms of my humble abode like tentacles, touching here and there, casting a warm glow everywhere. One thing I do love about Winter is the sunshine that fills each room. There is a crispness to the air......aah yes, Summer is fading.

I love early morning walks. Each morning I am a witness to nature slowly arising and greeting the new day. It is a beautiful time of the morning. It is a time where it is just me, Maisie and my Heavenly Father. It is a time when I pray to Him and silently chat about so, so many things. Each morning is different. Each day's sky is different. Some days are filled with lovely blue skies suffused with light casting a milky glow, some days filled with amazing cloud formations................LOVE clouds; or some mornings the landscape is veiled in the lightest of mists. Those misty mornings add a luminosity and ethereal quality to the countryside.  No morning is the same. Each morning is a perfect beginning to a new day.

The garden too, tells me that perhaps Summer is beginning to think about leaving my little corner of the world, to visit all you lovelies way up there and stay for a season. Yes indeedy, Summer is making way for Autumn. The flowers are showing signs that it is time to rest awhile. That is okay because each and every flower has performed the most lyrical of colourful dances for  me to enjoy. They warrant a long slumber. The leaves of trees will soon don their autumnal, crisp, taffeta-like frocks in the most glorious of shades and after a while, will slowly and delicately float to the ground. In a month or two the trees will be bare of their verdant canopy.

The Hydrangeas are changing into softer, autumnal hues, the roses are all but gone and other Summer flowers have finished. Though I must say, the Cosmos are still awash in an exuberant palette of pinks. They will continue to smile and sashay in rhythm until that cranky old fellow, Jack Frost arrives. Wish oh wish he wouldn't visit me; he is not welcome.






We haven't planted Cosmos seeds for years now. At the end of their flowering season the Cosmos drop seeds and gift us with gazillion of flowers the next season. They are truly like weeds, but oh-so-beautiful weeds. Though Hydrangeas are my favourite flowers, Cosmos are way up there on my list. I cannot but smile when I see their pretty faces and besides, they do not need any care or looking after, they just bloom where they fall and contribute to our rather disobedient garden. Though manicured gardens are beautiful, I rather love wild, disobedient gardens. I rather love  flowers invading the garden and popping up wherever they will.


The Dahlias are in their last flush and though they are still gifting me with beautiful flowers, it won't be long till the cooler weather will burn the leaves and flowers, precipitating them to scurry deep into the ground away from you know who's, icy fingers.

Isn't this wall hanging cool?? I acquired it from a friend who asked if I wanted it. It belonged to my friend's mother-in-law who had recently passed away. As my friend was clearing the house out in readiness for selling, she asked me if there was anything I would like. I said "you know the wall hanging on the hall wall........I wouldn't mind that.....it would make for an excellent prop for photo shoots". My friend looked at me quizzically and said, "what wall hanging??????" My friend had never noticed it!!!!! This wall hanging is about one and a half metres in length and one metre in height and was the only object on the rather drab, hall walls. It was rather like a beacon of colour and pictorial interest. My friend had never noticed it in all the time she had visited her mother-in-law. Incredible! My beady little eyes spotted it the very first time I entered the home. 'Tis funny, isn't it, what we do and do not see. When I enter a room my eyes ricochet from wall to floor taking in all that is to see. 'Tis a visual kinda gal, that I am.

It was probably fashioned in Italy and is a beautiful, tactile velvet. I have a few rugs of the same ilk.....they always come in handy when I need a prop to gussy up a photo or two.


Love the peacock strutting in all his glory. He's totally aware what a pretty fellow he is, posing proudly in front of the gorgeous backdrop of trees, the swans gliding on a pond, the flowers and an Indian building in the aesthetics of the Taj Mahal. It really is a most striking hanging. I won't labour the point.....but truly....how did my friend not notice this pretty!!

With the cooler days I have picked up my aqua, woolly pretty once again. It is my intention to finish this woolly this year, sooner rather than later.

With the back and sleeves finished, all I have to knit now is the front. If all goes well and my needles clickety clack faster than fast, perhaps I will be stepping out in this warm woolly this winter. Though, I have to confess, since picking this woolly up yet again I have had the most bothersome of times. The saga of knitting this woolly,  began way back in January 2016, which if you want to read my frustrations with the pattern, you can so do here. What can I say, I am not the world's fastest knitter. =) I think I have unravelled the bask of the front about ten times this week. Each time I have made a teeny tiny mistake, continued knitting without noticing the glitch and when an inch or two has been knitted the snafu (love that word) has hit me smack in the face!! I don't know why I have made so many boo boos with the bask as it isn't difficult. If I didn't love this jumper so much, I think I would throw the whole blasted thing out the window!! BUT.......I will persevere....and I know I have said it before.....I will not fall on my sword  knitting needle and end it all......well at least......not yet!!

Love all that cable loveliness. As you can see, I have finally completed the bask and am well on the way to knitting the aran pattern. Amazingly, I have fallen  into a groove and it is knitting up rather quickly. Not far to go now, only....I do hope I have not spoken a little too soon. I do hope I have not "put the mocker " on finishing my woolly, before Jack Frost arrives.

A little hand quilting has also been in progress as well. I have picked up my Spring Blossoms quilt top and am happily quilting away. I am loving quilting this quilt. The hexie flowers and all the bright and happy, scrappy fabrics make me smile. A lot of things in life make me smile, don't they. =)

I toed and froed about how to quilt. I deliberated long and hard over perhaps quilting in a rainbow of bright and happy colours but decided against this thought. I want the flowers to be the star of this quilt so I am only outlining around the flowers and leaves and then quilting around the border of each fabric.

One of these days I will throw caution to the wind and quilt in brightly coloured thread but that day is not today. Besides, if I quilted in bright colours my persnickety, beady li'l eyes would seek out each of those imperfect stitches and it would bother me endlessly. 'Tis funny how my eyes always go straight to the less than perfect stitches.


The backing I chose is an all over pattern of pink and blue chrysanthemums linen. Originally I was going to have a scrappy backing but I changed my mind. This fabric is a wider width, which meant I needed less fabric, therefore being less expensive. Besides I love the sumptuousness of the print; love the big blousy chrysanthemums.

Summer may soon depart this far rural outpost for those shores further north, but with Old Man Sun beaming his rays of warmth and sunniness into my home and indeed, casting a happy glow on my flower-filled, boudoir wall each day, the colour, brightness and ambience will always give a feeling of summery cheeriness.


This weekend, there may just be time for a little knitting, a little quilting and a cup of tea.....or two.


There's my gardener photo bombing my photo shoot.....again!


Until the next time..........

50 comments:

  1. I love the post and such a pretty quilt. We will be celebrating Spring in a few weeks and I cannot wait.

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  2. Hello Kim,

    Having just read and looked at your latest posting I couldn't possibly leave without saying how much I enjoy your wonderful words and most interesting images.
    Sashay indeed! A most pleasurable excursion...each and every one.

    Morning mist and Arcadian landscapes, paaaleeze, and how wonderfully captured I might say.
    The colourful Cosmos just seem to float and hover on those lankish stems.
    Your image frames are just chock full of lovely.

    I'd gladly give a Penny for the chocolate caramel doggie's thoughts.
    I doubt whether doggie would give them up......not for a Penny anyway.

    A gussy up and a sashay methinks for me now.
    A cheery blog, thank you.

    Mare-reemare-ree.

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    1. Why hello.......my chocolate caramel doggie's thoughts are really transparent in this instance; you won't have to hand over any cash. She is silently saying....."Enough already, woman!! Could you hurry up with this photo shoot.....I want to run up dem dar hills and back down again, and run across the paddocks and chase those blasted ducks!!" Now....about that gussying up...me thinks, that would be a sight for sore eyes and to see you sashaying around all gussied up.....well...I don't know if my eyes would remain in their sockets!! A fabulous day to you, Mare-reemare-ree. =0 Kim Xx

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  3. Happy weekend to you, dear Kim! What a lovely view you have for your morning walks! Our weather is just beginning to warm a bit here in Missouri but the US east coast is expecting some nasty winterness this weekend. I’m considering sowing some cosmos in my garden this year, yours look so pretty. I like the naturalness of their growing habits, too. I’ve been crocheting a little baby afghan. It’s my go-to stitchy lately when I have a moment to sit. I also just started a garden star quilt using happy summer colors. We’ll see how it progresses, I really like how you’re quilting your flower quilt. It really highlights those beautiful blossoms! Enjoy this change of season as we switch Mr. Shineshine and Old Man Winter. Blessings and hugs! Zenda

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  4. What a lovely post! I'm in the United States and we are preparing for spring. Your photographs are lovely and your quilts fantastic! Have a wonderful day!

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  5. I'm always a little sad to see Summer fade away but over here in the States we're happily bidding farewell to Winter. I'm eagerly anticipating the arrival of Spring. Those are lovely photos of your garden. Oh my you have some wonderful projects to keep you busy. It's probably hard to decide which one to work on, the knitting or the quilting.
    xx Beca

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  6. I wish I was there with you, Jack Frost visits us and it is bitterly cold. Thanks for the beautiful photo's, your quilts are amazing.
    The peacock is so lovely, I enjoyed the flowers and the knitting, nice color for your sweater.
    Hugs.

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    1. Wish you were here too, Loes....you could show me a few of your amazing baking skills. =) Spring will soon be there and will shoo Jack Frost away, I just know it. Thank you for your sweet comments, lovely Loes. Hope you enjoy a beautiful day. Keep warm. Kim Xx

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  7. Your post take me to another world . . . a world filled with nothing but peace, flowers, birds, bees and everything lovely. Your quilts are amazing and the way you photograph them among the flowers is poetic.
    That photo of your dog reflects that he is sad to see summer go as well. It's like he knows, look at that sad face.
    Here's to the enjoyment of all the seasons.
    I am so delighted that I found your charming blog.
    Stay happy.
    Connie :)

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  8. Gorgeous post ! Lovely scenery, pics and creations !
    Wish I was there....like many others of us from Europe ;)
    Bad weather have strike here...
    Enjoy your beautiful surround !
    Hug
    Anna

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  9. I feel sad for you that summer is fading away - but I'm thrilled to know that it's headed our way!! We've had a few lovely spring-like days but it's going back to cold again. As always your post is a delight - so colorful and filled with joy.

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  10. Everything is still looking very beautiful in your garden, Kim, including your adorable spaniel. We have snow (which has improved our garden temporarily pending the earth being dry enough to weed!) That wall hanging is a beauty. I too am amazed your friend didn't notice it. Perhaps it was stashed away somewhere...It will be a lovely splash of Summer in the coming months along with your beautiful quilt. I hope your knitting goes quickly and smoothly and you will have that gorgeous sweater ready to wear before Jack Frosts starts making himself to much at home in your corner of the world. Have a lovely weekend :) x

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  11. Your knitting is beautiful. I really like the color, too. Your posts are always packed with vibrant photos. Such a pick-me-up as it pours rain and blows outside my window. :-)

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  12. What a beautiful post dear Kim. I too love how autumn is casting its shadows over us all. A lovely season indeed. Your photos are gorgeous as always .. love little Maisie looking back at you, those adorable eyes. Did laugh when I saw the photo of "your gardener" photo bombing the shoot! Thank you for a wonderful flower filled start to my weekend.

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  13. We have daylight savings next weekend and I was just commenting to my husband that Spring is beginning to inch it's way back. Maybe you'll have an "off/mild" winter like we did. Admittably it was nice to have a break from the snow. I'm falling in love with your hexi quilt and am inpired...as I have a bundle of grandmother's Hexi's that I've made and don't want to make them into the tradition quilt so like your idea of turning the into flowers! I'm looking forward to seeing this one done. Your quilting is looking wonderful. :) :)

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  14. Hello precious friend! I love the cosmos! I can't wait to welcome them here in the summer time.
    WOW! Your sweater is gorgeous and you are doing a beautiful job with your knitting! Huge applause!
    Your photos are breathtaking and fill my heart with joy.
    I love it when you talk about your walks with Jesus. Those are the best walks.

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  15. Oh Kim your beautiful post has been a pure treat for my eyes. You still have such beautiful flowers blooming but I know what you mean because we are seeing little signs that spring is on it's way, at least here, farther north they are still getting snow. I too love the clouds they give such a dramatic touch to the sunrise and sunsets!
    That wall hanging is just amazing, so wonderful that you have room for it, I know we don't have room in our home for anything like that, it was so nice of her to think of you.
    The sweater is just beautiful, I love the color, and those stitches are just amazing, you will certainly wear that beauty with pride when you finish!
    Your quilt is just beautiful, and the backing you found is just amazing too. I am with you, I did some quilting in color once and I said never again, your eye does go to the ones that were not quite the right length.
    Happy Creating to you, and enjoy the last days of summer!

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  16. Cosmos on their lacy stocks sway so beautifully in the breeze. Yours are beautiful, Kim.
    I love the colour of your sweater and the pattern. It’s lovely and so is your quilt.
    Such a wonderful wall hanging. Good for you!
    I hope those glorious summer days stay a little longer than expected. Enjoy...

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    1. Thank you, dear Dixie. Fingers crossed re summer days staying a little longer than expected, but somehow I don't think they will. All good things must come to an end....I won't be greedy....it's your turn now for some lovely Spring/Summer weather. Kim Xx

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  17. It all looks so pretty. I do hope you get you lovely knitting finished too, the colour is so pretty. It is so cold here, we haven't had this much snow for about 7 years, and certainly not in March. x

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  18. Happy Saturday Kim! This was the first post I've read today with my morning coffee and let me tell you it was a pure delight!
    At a second I felt as if I am accompanying you on your morning walks.
    And if I were to walk and see all those flowers strewn out and about I think my heart would burst out in happiness! So from my point of view, summer is still in its splendor :)

    The wall hanging is really beautiful. My hubs grandmother has left a pastoral one behind,in mint condition because she inherited it and never used it herself, and since my MIL was not interested in it (she would have thrown it) I saved that velvet gorgeousness although I cannot hang it anywhere too, but I took it upon myself to be its savior. Maybe one day it will meet and fulfill its purpose.

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  19. Hi my dear your words are very poetics. You write very well, I like it. I love summer season instead, but the image of the effects of the soft sunlight that bath the countryside can to change my idea ;)Lovely and wonderful your work!! a big kiss

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    1. Thank you for your kind comments. It is a delight to have you visit my autumnal place. Re my writing.......I can but try. =) Hope you are enjoying a beautiful Sunday. Kim xx

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  20. Love the sweater, the quilt, the flowers, your home, the dog, the garden bench, the cosmos running wild and you!

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    1. Oh, how very sweet of you, Carole. Thank you so much! Kim xx

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  21. i love the way you have chosen to describe the change in the season, the words, the images..i was able to feel it!! as you say goodbye to summer, we will be welcoming it. how nice that it is always summer on one of our blogs!!

    the jumper is gorgeous, i really like the color. i feel your pain and i understand the need for perfection as the mistakes can be quite obvious. ripping out can be difficult, i know how to rip out a knit or purled stitch but some of the stitches i am working now, i don't know how to rip out!! you will get it, you will finish it, just as i will finish my blanket.

    the cosmos are gorgeous, one of my favorites...you do know i say that about all the flowers!!!

    thanks for sharing a beautiful post!!

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  22. Your description of the end of summer is particularly poetic and colourful. I find it would be a very interesting prelude to the Ode to Autumn by John Keats which is one of my favourite poems. I think that Old Man Sun has begun showing the tip of his nose in the northern hemisphere. He must be considering having a trip for the few coming months… I should be happy to see him back but Maisie’s sad eyes make me feel selfish and guilty. Your floral compositions are gorgeous and the fabrics so well-chosen. I can’t imagine how your friend may have overlooked the splendid wall hanging! It is quite surprising!
    You have a lot of willpower and patience with the extremely beautiful but also complex works you have started. But what splendors they will be when finished!
    I wish you a nice weekend!
    Xx, Sandrine

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  23. What beautiful photos you've share, dearest Kim, of your walks with Maisie. The flowers , the sky, the water, the trees...all draw me to their beauty.
    How is the world could your friend not notice that gorgeous wall hanging, but how lucky for you to have been gifted it. You certainly will appreciate and love it! It was meant for YOU!
    I soooo love your hexie flower quilt, Kim,, and your cable knit sweater. Those hands of yours were made for creating beauty! Happy weekend! xx

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  24. My goodness!! What a beautiful post filled with so much stunning color and eye candy!! Just gorgeous!!
    Thanks so much for stopping by and for taking the time to comment!!
    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  25. Oh how I love this post - the pretty flowers - the delightful wall hanging - the quilts - the photos - the lovely sweater. I like the word snafu - also - it is from the military - meaning Situation Normal, All Fouled UP. -- gotta love that. Your cosmos are the most delightful, and also one of my favorites. I had lots of white ones last year - someone told me that if they reseeded they might come back pink - I'm waiting to see what appears - but I think I'll plant some pink ones just to be safe. You have made the world so pretty and delightful with all of your photos, and stitching and decorating and flowers - happy week ahead my dear.

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  26. Kim, I always get a wistful feeling when I visit your blog. Sadly, you summer is coming to an end but think of the brilliant autumn colors that will be showing off soon. Love your handiwork as always! xo

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  27. Yes Gina, the glorious colours of Autumn will soon be making their way around the bend of our country road. I am so happy you visited as you seem to have disappeared. I clicked on your blog but it won't let me comment. I wonder, do you know how I can remedy this??

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  28. What a beautiful post, Kim, so full of color and texture. I love early morning walks as well, when the day is cool and quiet and full of possibilities. I should do that more often.
    Amalia
    xo

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  29. This is your Autumn? So pretty and still has so much color and beauty; as in your knitting. So beautiful! I hope you can fix the boo-boo and continue on. Thank you for sharing all your beauty...the peacock banner is beautiful too.

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  30. Oh my! I really need to move to Tassie! Our paddocks have looked drear and brown for months, yet look at all your cosmos still flowering.
    I love your aqua knit. I'm glad you have rediscovered it as I look forward to seeing it finished.

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  31. Hello Jayne, yes the Cosmos do look rather wonderful and will for a month or so. Tassie has a most wonderful climate, very conducive to beautiful gardens. Everything grows like "Jack in the Beanstalk". =) I have been knitting my aqua knit throughout this week; the light at the end of the woolly tunnel is getting brighter. Thank you for popping by, Jayne. Kim Xx

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  32. Oh I have read through this post twice as it is so so pretty. Kim your lovely vignettes just make me drool. I too love cottage gardens and love to get little surprises popping up from time to time.
    I so love your new woolly. The colour is one of my favourites. Please post a pic when it's finished. Cable is so cosy. I so wish my cosmos had taken off this year. They seemed to be so sparse and finished far too early.
    Happy week dear friend xx jeanette ann

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    1. I am surprised your Cosmos didn't take off this year, Jeanette, as I have always found them to be the easiest flower to grow, even in hot and humid Sydney, when I lived there. Yes, cables are cosy aren't they. My aqua woolly is nearly finished. I will most definitely post some happy snaps.....or two...or three. =) Thank you for visiting my place, lovely lady. Enjoy a most fabulous day. Xx

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  33. My partner and I stumbled over here from a different website and thought I might check things out.
    I like what I see so now i'm following you. Look forward to looking into your web page repeatedly.

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  34. I think it's always sad when Summer is coming to an end, the cosmos are lovely such a lovely flower. All your work is beautiful and well done on persevering with the sweater cables can be challenging but worth it, I love the colour it's going to be amazing when it's finished. :) xx

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  35. Cosmos...I just love them! I opened a box of Cheerios last week and to my surprise, there was a packet o cosmos seeds inside! Oh Kim...this was such a lovely, lovely post. I also love those early morning skies...my most favorite time of the day. Your photos are breathtaking...an explosion of color. I do love the change of seasons and I will say I'm ready for spring! Enjoy the rest of your weekend, dear Kim!♥

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  36. Blissful sighs as I peruse all the lovely creativity of your post Kim!
    Have a wonderful weekend!

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  37. Hi Kim, As always your colorful photos are a treat for my eyes! The wall hanging is so unique and I know you treasure it. We are just beginning spring here. Finally, some color in our landscape. Wishing you a nice week

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  38. Kim, that is one gorgeous patch of Cosmos! Ours reseed every year as well, but not as lush as this. I do love and enjoy each and every season! As you head into fall, we will be embracing spring. I am so ready to get my hands into that garden dirt! I look forward to the beauty that the garden brings each month. It's like waking up to a new surprise. :) Your garden always takes my breath away as does all the pretties that you make! I wouldn't mind that gardener photo bombing at all!
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. Cosmos are the happiest of plants, aren't they. I can in my mind's eye see you getting down and dirty in your garden, Jann. =) Thank you for your sweet comments. Kim Xx

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  39. Another feast for the eyes. Summer lingers here - 32 degC today. I'm so ready for autumn. The gardens took a beating here over the long, hot, dry summer.

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  40. You pictures are lovely as always. Such beautiful cosmos! They used to reseed in my flower beds. Seeing your pictures makes me want to plant them again. Beautiful knitting too!

    Your summer is fading. Our winter has returned. It snowed on my daffodils today. :(

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  41. Bliss upon bliss! What joy your late summer blooms bring to my springtime-longing heart! And oh that quilt! Such a beautiful stitch upon stitch of loveliness!! The wonders and beauty of your world never cease to amaze me! Those cosmos are gorgeous!!!! I have planted some in my garden, and I hope they come back this year! I spotted some snowdrops popping their heads out of the ground today! Spring is coming, won't be long now for us here. Blessings to you sweet friend, seeing the beauty on your side of the world is always glorious!

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  42. I came here from Rhonda Dort's blog post (https://rhondadort.com/). She gave you the credit for getting her involved in 'vintage'. She also said she loved your work and that your photography was outstanding. Boy, was she right! I've added you blog to my reader, Feedly. I'm going back to read some of your older posts and will look forward to new postings, too. BTW, I grew Cosmos many, many years and just recently didn't plant them. After your gorgeous pictures, Cosmos will again be part of my gardens; I'd forgotten how beautiful they were. Here in the Midwest of the USA, they do not self-seed. That's probably because we have such cold, cold temperatures during winter. That would be lovely though I won't mind planting new seeds each year.

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  43. A great farwell of summer, these colors are very amazing,
    thanks for sharing

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