Summer Days♡

 

Hello lovely lovelies♡  March has rat-a-tat-tat  on my bright pink, front door and settled in bringing with it cooler mornings and evenings; and the slightest of change in the light. Another week written into the history books. Why today, there is a sense of what awaits in the coming months with the winds howling and swirling around my humble abode. Another week. One where we have observed yet again the conflict between democracy and autocracy. Another week witnessing the worst of humanity; BUT, we have also witnessed the best of humanity. It brings tears to my eyes to see images of millions of people from all around the world surrounding the Ukrainian people with prayers, support and love; and practical help♡ So many heartbreaking images being relayed, along with heart warming stories of the unity of the resilient Ukrainians, and country after country protesting and rallying in support  of the people of Ukraine. Such powerful images and stories.

Here in Australia, all down our east coast floods have devastated many people. Lives have been lost, and homes and businesses destroyed. These are turbulent times, aren't they, but the Aussie way is to keep on keeping on.

With the arrival of March it means that summer for us down here has nearly gone. And oh, what a summer it has been. Day after day of sunshine and warmth with the odd day of rain thrown in for good measure. I don't think since we arrived in Tassie fourteen years ago, that we have enjoyed such a warm and long summer. Of course, all my Taswegian friends have melted in the heat, but to me, a gal who hales from Sydney and is used to month after month of stinking hot days, I rather loved it. I will be a bit sad when the heat disappears and the cold settles in. But that's okay. Really.....it is, as there are three months of glorious autumn casting spectacular autumnal hues everywhere, to delight my days.

Summer always means celebrating my birthday. As always a fabulous day was enjoyed with some fabulous gifts received. This year I was gifted a book. Not so unusual as people know books are my very favourite present, but this year I was gifted my favourite Gothic classic, Jane Eyre. I can still remember when I first read Jane Eyre. I can remember how old I was (a young teenager) and the exact place where I was (at a friend's home, where I continually raided her bookshelves). I have always loved the story of the fiercely independent Jane Eyre and the aloof and fascinating Edward Rochester. I have read it many times. Indeed a few copies sit on my shelves in my 'library'. What is so astounding about this edition of Jayne Eyre is the cover and the illustrations on the pages within. Oh, it is the most beautiful edition♡ And.....as I am that gal who always loves a book with a beautiful binding and cover; especially if illustrations of gorgeous flowers abound; my husband knew it was the book I had to have. =) And.....of course he was right on the money. =) I might add the flower illustrations on the cover of the book are embossed.....so, so beautiful♡

It truly is a beautiful book♡

The summer garden was amazing. It was and continues to be a sanctuary from the madness of the outside world. Off to the garden I go, to be quiet, to pray, to think.......or sometimes to think nothing much at all really. Unbelievable, but sometimes my mind is a complete blank. The hydrangeas were amazing. Each hydrangea bush heavy with flowers. The best they have ever been; though, the hydrangeas now are beginning to don their pastel-hued dresses in readiness for autumn. The fragrance of the roses was divine this summer. For three months now there has been a vase or two of fragrant-filled roses somewhere in my humble abode. The gladdies were a tad disappointing, but enough flowered to stand tall in vases throughout my home. At the moment the dahlias and cosmos are the stars and they will continue to delight for a couple of months yet. Vase after vase of dramatic and dazzling dahlias in my home, and bunch after bunch gifted to friends. One of the joys of my life is to able to put a smile in another's day by gifting them a happy bunch of flowers. There is always a reason to share one's flowers. Truly the loveliest gift of all.

The fernery too, was a place where my feet invariably took me. It is a place where the plants and flowers seem to  relish hanging out. As long as I watered these regularly they were happy to just be there. The spiders love it too, as do the bees from time to time, buzzing in making a bee line for the potted flowers, doing that bee thing.

During the summer months I have happily stitched away on my Hydrangea Cobblestones quilt; which I am slowly hand quilting. I have begun to slowly hand quilt around the border in a meandering fashion. Just drawing the pattern as I go. A mini quilt was fashioned. The best fun was had diving into my Aladdin's cave of pretties eventuating with a very funky and hip girl suddenly bursting onto the scene. Fun, fun, fun! I started to stitch a scrappy EPP quilt, where scrappy pentagons are stitched together in a design and then stitched to a backing fabric. 'Tis fun playing and petting my stash of fabrics; discovering some old friends once again. This week I stitched another block. The blocks are in bunting-like fashion hung from ric rac in my sewing room to give me a better sense of placement of the pentagons in making the next block. My design 'wall'. =)

Care to join me in the unwinding of the camera roll??

This past week saw an anniversary of sorts. A blogging anniversary. Yes indeed, I have been prattling on about stuff and nonsense for nine years. I can't quite believe I have been beaming my musings and happy snaps into cyberspace, landing into others' homes for all this time. So.....in appreciation of the beautiful support and kindness you have shown me through these years, and for the millions of smiles you have sprinkled into my days every time you visit me, I would like to gift one of you lovely lovelies a thank you, thought. Yesterday I was in one of my favourite quilt shops and happened upon a sweet little purse in the guise of a sewing shop, from the company Vendula London. As I wandered around the shop I filled it with a few pretties; a couple of itty bitty Bonnie and Camille charm squares, some needles and pins.....just because. Just because gifts are the very best of gifts; don't you think?? If you would like this sweet purse to head your way just say so when you comment. =) I will let you know in a couple of weeks to whom my little gift will be winging its way. 

Last week I mentioned how sometimes it seems nonsensical that I should prattle on about quilts, flowers and other such pretties in times like these when the world is in such turmoil. But, perhaps the beaming of a little beauty into cyberspace is my way of fighting evil. A bit of a stretch???? Perhaps, but I suppose sometimes we need to keep on keeping on with what we do. We need to keep on keeping on making our little world a little cheerier, a little lovelier. Perhaps to sprinkle a little beauty and hope; and loveliness into another's day helps someone♡ I would like to think that each one of us adds a little beauty, inspiration and kindness to each other's day♡ I know sometimes when I am feeling a little how's-your-mother, you lovely lovelies cause my heart to smile♡ Thank you♡ From my humble abode to your lovely place, sending you sprinkles of love this Sunday♡

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

Linking up to Kathy's lovely place over at Slow Sunday Stitching.