Sunday, March 6, 2022

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.


53 comments:

  1. Hi, I love your garden and all the beautiful things you make. I am so looking forward to retirement so I can work in my garden and create. I would love to win the beautiful gift. Thanks Marina

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  2. You are surrounded by so much beauty, it warms my heart just looking at your beautiful home and garden, thank you for sharing Kim I will certainly be popping back to look again when I need to lighten the spirits a little because you are so right we need to keep going and try to spread a little positivity in whatever way we can. We need to be thankful for the things we take for granted because they can be snatched away from us in the blink of an eye. I say do more of what you love and revel in the sheer pleasure of it for as long as you can, no one knows what tomorrow might bring. Time does indeed fly I think I've been blogging for about 11 years now gosh where did those years go. Have a peaceful Sunday. xx

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  3. Oh my your garden is utterly beautiful, I have serious garden envy now!
    I've just restarted my blog at emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk , would be lovely to see you over there :)
    Jillxo

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  4. Hi Kim
    Can’t believe the horrors that are going on in the world. Each day I dread watching the news and what these poor people are going through.
    Lovely photos and the book, what a find. Love the new quilt, lovely pattern.
    Have a good week.
    Best wishes Kay c XX

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    1. The news these days seems to be more horrid with each new day, Kay. Though the way the world has rallied around Ukraine is an inspiring story. The book was indeed a find and as for the quilt, it is a lovely pattern, isn't it? Hoping your week is a pleasant one. Kim Xx

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  5. Thank you for your inspiring post, Kim! Your thoughts and your pictures are equally beautiful :)
    Yes, we should keep on keeping on!

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    1. Thank you so much, lovely Alina♡ To keep on keeping on is sometimes difficult to do, isn't it; but yes, we must? Kim Xx

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  6. Hi Kim.
    I enjoy visiting you blog today with all the beautiful flowers and colours, lifted my spirits. I agree, the beaming of beauty helps bring joy and encouragement into our lives. I will plant Cosmos this Summer, and your blue Hydrangeas are gorgeous.
    I've been listening to the news about your country and all the flooding. So much devastation. With Winter coming on, hopefully the water will cease.
    Also let's hope this war is over soon and the world can rest in peace and everyone can get along and be happy. Wouldn't that be nice.... I have to turn off the news from time to time.
    Thanks for sharing your beautiful blog post. I will be back to visit it again.
    Thelma xo

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  7. Isn't it soul-filling to have a birthday enriched with abundant natural beauty? I am sure you had an amazing day! Books have been my favourite birthday present and I still get them on mine :)
    I convinced my grandma to read The Tenant of Wildfell Hall at the age of 70+ and she simply devoured it! I knew she would love Jane Eyre as well, and I was not wrongs because those two books remained her favourites until the end.

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  8. I thoroughly enjoyed looking at all of your beautiful photos. I adore all those flowers. I know you will enjoy the waning days of Summer while I look forward to Spring. I hate to see all the suffering going on in the world. My crafts let me forget. Your blog helps to bring the beauty of your world to my living room and makes me smile. I would love to win that pretty gift. Enjoy your flowers and your stitching.

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  9. you have to have the best climate and the greenest of thumbs to have so many pretty flowers - no matter how hard I try I can never have a garden as beautiful as yours. I guess I over water or not water enough. A lot of my yard is in shade and my yard is hard as a rock in most places. Your gift looks wonderful and here it was your birthday and you are giving away.
    The world is in a downward spiral I think and I don't know what to make of it. I am watching or reading the news too much and find it horrifying and wonder what is next - I fear a repeat of the 1940's

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  10. What a glorious garden spot you have; and such a wonderful Fernery and sewing area. It is so heartwarming for us in the Northern Hemisphere to visit your Summertime days while temps dive lower and lower here...I always look forward to your posts. We are hoping for an early arrival of Springtime here. It has been quite a gloomy stretch of gray days--today, a bit warmer, but we are totally fog bound--
    We are all just devastated with world events--things just keep on getting worse and worse it seems; hard to watch all the suffering from this power hungry takeover. Let us hope that Democracy will win out in the long run... hugs Julierose

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  11. Oh your garden is enviable. How sweet of you to share. Winning the little bag would be a delight! Isn't sharing fun. I had a nice visit with one of my nieces yesterday. She has recently gotten into crazy quilting and I was able to share some of my bountiful stash with her. It does feel good. Keep adding your unique beauty to the world sweet Kim.

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  12. Lucky you are to be in the middle of such beautiful flowers, Kim...Nature is The place to find peace and inspiration...A good book is always good to distract our mind, and yours is perfect !
    Have a lovely week !
    Hug
    Anna

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  13. Seeing your beautiful flowers always brings joy in what can be a sometimes ugly world. Happy birthday! The book looks like a real treasure.

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  14. Happy birthday and blogaversary, dear Kim! Yes, those days, weeks and years skip by but sharing your lovely world with others is a way to spread cheerfulness. We hear enough of misbehavior and sad news that it is a blessed reprieve when we visit each other in the blog-world. I’m so happy you are surrounded by your glorious gardens and fernery and that you share their beauty with us! Your projects are coming along nicely, as well. Wishing you another happy week of warm temperatures, colorful blooms and happy stitching! Zenda

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  15. So very true! We can stay positive, fill the world with heartfelt love and cheer. We are ones who hold the true power, love in our hearts. A world filled with light and happiness, peace and love. It is our pebble in the pond, the more we fill it with love and dropping pebble after pebble in it, the more waves we create with the ripples, until they meet other ripples and become stronger ever time they meet another kindred spirit with the same goal. Creating the strongest energy which starts to hug each and every heart with kind and loving energy. Lots of little things and effort, becomes a strong and the longer the string… Thank you for sharing your part of Tassie, from our spot in Canada we send you our love and peace. It should reach you soon, can you send it back, so we can play “ pebbles in a pond” string. Soon we will have the strongest connection to send love and peace together to the world.

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  16. Happy Birthday! What a thoughtful gift from your sweetheart!
    Also nature is gifting you with gorgeous flowers!
    And happy blogiversary! How kind to give away that amazing purse!
    Don't put me in the draw because I live in Canada and you would have to sell your house to afford the postage! LOL

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  17. I love the pictures of your flowers but especially the cosmos. They are some of my favorites.

    Happy Belated birthday! I didn't read Jane Eyre until I was an adult, but I agree with you. It is a great story!

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  18. It is years since I have read Jane Eyre, your copy is lovely. I agree Its nice to receive a book with beautiful illustrations. I wasn't going to post today because I just felt over whelmed by the plight of the people in Ukraine but reading your post and seeing your lovely pictures has certainly lifted my spirits, thanks you.

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  19. I love Jane Eyre and have read it multiple times. What a gorgeous copy you were gifts. I would love to win your great gift. I look forward each week to seeing your beautiful projects, flowers and reading your beautiful prose. You always bring a smile to my face! We are still getting down into the 30's at night. Each day I hope my plants have not frozen. I pray this war is settled soon. Hope you have a great week Kim!

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  20. Oh, the late summer colors! It is all so beautiful. You live in such a lovely place.

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  21. Hello ♡
    You have a wonderful blog. Great post, it's very inspiring here and I love this style on blogs :)
    Lovely photos. Each has something in it. They all look great! :)
    I love such inspiring blogs, maybe you want to stay in touch and agree to follow for follow on our blogs?
    Regards nice and warm from Poland ♡

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  22. ¡¡¡MUCHAS FELICIDADES!!!🌻🌼🌷 y muchas gracias por todas las fotos de tus flores que miro una y otra vez, no me canso de mirarlas.
    Tristes días para Ucrania, aquí en España han salido coches y furgonetas particulares para traer familias a nuestras ciudades. ¿Sería posible participar en el sorteo? España está muy lejos de tí....... es un monedero divino.
    Disfruta mucho de tu especial libro y de tus preciosas flores y labores. Muchos BESICOS.

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  23. Today I was able to enjoy the stroll through your bountiful gardens without a winter coat, hat or mittens. It reached 72 degrees and was mostly sunny, although wild winds have been blowing. Gives me hope that spring will indeed arrive shortly. I believe that during this time of death and despair in Ukraine, we need be grateful for and savor whatever joy and beauty we have in our lives. I would be pleased to receive your purse full of joy to brighten my day. Congratulations on celebrating your blogiversary. Your charming words and positive attitude bring much happiness and joy to all who visit.
    Pat

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  24. Happy Birthday to you, Kim, and happy blog anniversary, too! You've made me stop and think - and I think I have been blogging for 9 years now, too. Amazing how that time has flown. Your garden is just wonderful! I bet it smells good at your place, too. Enjoy the quilting in your hydrangea quilt - it us so pretty!

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  25. Dear Kim, happy celebrations indeed, both for your birthday and your blogging anniversary. As always, I love the little trips you take us around your beautiful garden, home and glorious garden room. If I lived closer I'm sure I would be cheeky enough to invite myself around for a cuppa! Your new project is looking great. I was a little unsure about the dark background when you first mentioned it, but seeing the blocks with your pretty piecing arranged just so, must say it is a great choice. I would love to put my name in the hat for your pretty gift, thank you.

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  26. Happy Belated Birthday! Happy Blog anniversary too. Your garden is heavenly,absolutely gorgeous. That book looks pretty and interesting. Great giveaway as ever. Blessings.

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    1. Thank you, lovely Maristella. The garden here is like a little piece of heaven. Kim Xx

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  27. A thoughtful birthday gift indeed. I hadn’t thought of Jane in a good while. Perhaps I should revisit her. Certainly, you’ll have plenty more days to walk in the garden and fuss in the fernery. The hip girl having fun is a delight. The EPP quilt is coming along nicely. The sewing purse is fun, but I shall pass (if the off chance of name being drawn) as I have all that I can use. It is difficult to enjoy life’s simple pleasures when there is much suffering in the world.

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  28. Happy belated birthday and anniversary, Kim. Your gardens are so inspiring and beautiful. Your hydrangea quilt is stunning and such a sweet wall hanging with the lady and the fancy hat. Have a wonderful week. Happy quilting.

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  29. Oh yes Kim, stopping by your lovely blog sure does brighten my day. Seeing those lovely flowers you have to enjoy is just amazing! Such a treat to see what you are working on and how it is coming along too!!
    A very big Congrats on your anniversary, I need to go and see how long I have been blogging, I have forgotten when I started. It is so wonderful that we can travel around the world through blog land and get to know such wonderful people like you!
    Have a great week ahead!

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  30. Your blog is like visiting a botanical garden and favorite vintage treasure shop each week, Kim. I was away for the weekend and waited to read on my desktop so I could soak in each all the details. An unbelievably soothing salve for all the troubles int he world. Happiest of birthdays to you and blog anniversary! Thank you for continually bringing visual and verbal joy to us!

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  31. Thank you, once again, for all your lovely photos. Happy blogversary!

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  32. Always so much beauty in your garden Kim, so much beautiful colour. Here we have cold northw inds although bright sunshine, and the daffodils are blowing all over the place.
    Such a beautiful book,just so gorgeous! Congratulations on your blogaversary - mine 10th comes up this summer - and I would love to be in with a chance to win your delightful gift.
    Lin xx

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  33. What a beautiful, happy place you live in, Kim. You have beauty both outside with your lovely flowers and shrubs, and inside with your glorious potting shed filled with colorful pots of flowers, and always more flowers at your fingertips...sigh and swoon. Happy Birthday and Happy 9 years of blogging.

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  34. Where to start...I want to comment on EVERYTHING after reading your heart-felt post. Ukraine...the pictures of the bombing and the devastation today makes my heart so heavy; will it ever stop? Yes, yes, I love that so many people and countries are sending such blessings to Ukraine.

    The Jane Eyre book is lovely. So glad to know that the flowers on the cover are embossed; what a special, special gift. That Pete has a flair!

    Of course, I do "care to join you in the unwinding of the camera roll." If you saw me gazing at your beautiful photos of flowers (and yes, I am shaking my head), I wonder how there can be so many flowers in one place. Then, I know, it's hard work to bring a garden into a blooming place of beauty. I only tried dahlias once or twice - they are so stunning, but it meant that I needed to dig up the root and keep it warmish and dry because our freezing temps don't allow dahlias to stay in the ground. I also saw some red poppies - another favorite. I would steal a cutting of the red begonia so I could start a plant; well, perhaps I'd ask you first. :)

    I loved your hand-stitched stipple on the borders with the butterflies. I always think of bees and butterflies when I see stipples, but you do it to perfection.

    Floods are so devastating. Even if your home is saved, the clean-up is even worse. We've already had tornadoes here in Iowa; unusual for March. Generally, there aren't many deaths because we get plenty of warning and we have basements to shelter in. This time, though, there were 6 deaths! One of those was to someone we know.

    You do beam a lot of beauty into cyberspace and I'm sure that it's your way to fight evil. Thank you for helping us to think of other more delightful things.

    Yes, do count me in your blogging gift. Your backdrop to that little purse was perfect; the colors blended so well.

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  35. Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Violet, for your lovely visit and sweet words. Kim Xx

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  36. Another beautiful flowery stitchy post, so nice to have a look around your garden and into the fernery. The begonias (I think) are beautiful. Happy belated birthday - your book is beautiful, I love an embossed cover. I would also love to go into your generous draw please.

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  37. Your EPP quilt has a fabulous start!!! I love seeing your Cosmos. And the Jane Eyre book is absolutely beautiful. Have you read the Colebridge Community Series by Ann Hazelwood? The second book in the series is all about Anne's potting shed. Seeing your potting shed reminded me of it. It is lovely.

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  38. The garden room looks wonderful, Kim! That is where I want to sit when I come for tea. And I'd love to browse your new Jane Eyre while I'm visiting, what a gorgeous edition and very much you. Happy Birthday, dear friend!
    Amalia
    xo

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  39. Kim - belated Happy Birthday! And I can see why you love that edition of Jane Eyre - so exquisite! Your garden (and your gardener) are to be congratulated for ongoing beauty from every vantage point. Such abundance! The zinnias and dahlias stand out for me. Congratulations on your 9-year blogging anniversary - I am celebrating my fifth this month! And I would be delighted to be considered for the lovely purse!

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  40. Hello Kim! I did pop around earlier this week, but didn't have time or energy to stop (recovering from a busy weekend). Your garden is still looking so lovely; I can't wait to be able to get lost in mine. I can see that you had wonderful birthday. That Book! It went onto my birthday wish list immediately. Like you, I first read Jane Eyre in my teens, in translation to Czech, I was so exited to have it. But this is such beautiful publication, I must own it! Fab illustrations! I see that Marjolein Bastin illustrated some of Jane Austen's books too, I would love to have them all on my bookshelf!
    Also, I am admiring your wall quilt with lacy applique centre; every time I come to visit you, I leave inspired! Thank you for you being you, and for sharing your talent with us, you are a delight! xx

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  41. Well, yes, I do feel much lighter and happier strolling through your beautiful gardens, peeking inside your greenhouse windows, and seeing your lovely stitching while listening to your thoughtful, friendly chatter, dear Kim. A perfect girlfriend visit and balm for the weary soul in these sad times. Your birthday gift is very special and so sweet. I, too, read Jane Eyre as a young girl and I think I have 3 editions, but none as beautiful as yours. I have two books illustrated by Marjolein Bastin, also. Kindred spirits, all. The beautiful vase of white-edged hydrangeas really caught my eye, and the swan vase with quilt is so special. Your view of the distant hills framed by your garden is so very pretty. Congratulations on 9 years blogging! I think blogging friends are the sweetest. I do love your thoughts on Ukraine. It's so difficult to put into words what we are witnessing and feeling, but you have said it all so well. It helps. Sending hugs xo K

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  42. Yes, dear Kim, evil is also fought with beauty.
    Thanks for your post... I was in a sunbath. Thank you and all the best for your 9th blog anniversary and also for your birthday... I also belong to this zodiac sign and am a child at the end of February.
    Hug of Viola

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    1. A belated Happy Birthday to you, lovely Viola♡ I hope you were able to enjoy your special day. Kim Xx

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  43. Sharing kindness and beauty - what could be better in these challenging times?! I enjoy your blog and would love to win your little gift pack😊. Find me at gladiquilts.net

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    1. Thank you, Gladi. It is always a delight to have you visit. I shall put your name in the hat; shall I? Fingers crossed your name is the lucky one. Kim Xx

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  44. Your "Jane Eyre" book looks beyond fabulous! What a delight.
    Happy Belated Birthday, Kim! And congratulations on 9 years as a fabulous blogger.
    Glorious photos of your gardens.What a wonderful thing to be able to go out and pick as many flowers as you like. Now that,to me, is the best success!

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  45. Hi Kim, I hope that you had a great birthday - your new Jane Eyre is gorgeous! I love wandering around your garden - it's always so beautiful and bountiful. I hope that your fall will still be pleasant. Take care.

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  46. Your method of fighting evil is just fine by me. We need more of these types of posts to offset the horrors to be found elsewhere. So, my friend, keep on keeping on and giving us joy for a little while.
    I, sorry to say, am sadly lacking in my education when it come to 'Jane Eyre' because I've never read it. I know - the horror of it. But...oh but....when I saw who illustrated this particular version I am in love and I NEED that book. Marjolein is one of my very favourite artists and luckily we can get a whole line of greeting cards featuring her illustrations. Most of my friends know that they are likely going to get one of 'her' cards for pretty much all occasions.
    As always, a delight to visit you (and how did I get three posts behind I wonder...other than for the fact that I save them until I have time to truly savour each one).

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