Hello, Sweet Peas♡ Another week of summer has drifted by. The weather has finally begun to warm up and I must say I'm rather pleased about that. The hydrangeas are beginning to turn blue (they've taken their own sweet time, though) and the froth of sweet peas?? Well, these pretties are flowering like there's no tomorrow.
The funny thing is, the sweet peas we planted have adopted a slow bloom approach, but those seeds which the wind swept up in a gusty swirl and scattered everywhere are a messy, tangled parade of gorgeousness. Every morning there is bunch after bunch to be picked both to perfume and beautify my humble abode, and also to share with friends. The more I pick the more they flower. This year the sweet peas are 'Super Blooms'♡
Some of you last week commented on the buddleias, thinking they were lilacs. It's easy to mistake buddleias for lilacs as they are similar in both form and colours. And, both have the sweetest of scents. At this time of year buddleias are also stars in the garden. And there is always a flutter of butterflies fluttering from flower to flower, delighting in them.
Another week of birthdays. Another chocolate frosted chocolate cake baked, with lashings of cream and strawberries. Oh, the cake for my dear friend's birthday afternoon tea last Sunday?? 'Twas delicious.
So, another chocolate frosted, chocolate cake with lashings of strawberries to celebrate the birthday of one of my sewing girls from years past. Those of you who have followed my stuff and nonsense all these years will be aware of Holly, who came to the 'Kim Sharman School of Stitching Excellence' for nine years.
The eight year old little girl, with hair in pigtails and feet resting on suitcases to reach the pedals is now sewing up a storm. Holly is now studying a business degree at University and has started her own little sewing business with the dream of making a living doing what she loves. And.....I must say she's whipping up a sewing storm here in our little community and further afield. It's exciting to watch her excitement...her passion, with all things textiles. And, to think it all started years ago, a wee little girl having fun with needle and thread, with a little guidance along the way.
Another funny aside emanating from those days when the school bus would hurtle along our country road, screech to a stop outside our humble abode, ejecting eager sewing students. Pete was working in the front garden this week when a car stopped and a friendly voice said "hi Pete". It was a neighbour. She went on to impress upon Pete to tell me that her son, another one of my favourite students back in the day, had just recently shown his girlfriend all of the projects he had fashioned. Apparently they are all still in his room. How sweet. A young man keeping all his 'treasures' from his boyhood sewing days and showing his textile works of art to his girlfriend with much pride. It makes me smile.
This last little while I've been reading and perusing some fabulous books. A wide assortment of books. I must say I love to read memoirs... autobiographies, as this genre gives me insight into people's lives; who they are, their insights; their life experiences. When I pick up a memoir Atticus Finch comes to mind ........"you never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it". So very true. I still remember reading Harper Lee's To Kill A Mocking Bird when I was a high schooler. It was my favourite novel on the list in the school curriculum. It still resonates with me today, fifty three years later. I have reread it many times. It's one of those books I love to revisit, as rereading a much loved book is akin to visiting with an old friend. I listened to a few podcasts this week. One of note is one with Michelle Obama and her brother, Craig Robinson, interviewing Jonathan Capehart. Having read his book I knew I would enjoy listening to his story; and I did. He's a wonderful storyteller.
This week I finished crocheting the sleeves onto the denim jacket. I love it. And, after refashioning it I will wear it a lot more than I have previously. Lin and Julie commented last week that a touch of embroidery and perhaps a crochet flower brooch would look rather spiffy. And, I must say, I concur. I can see in my mind's eye some embroidered flowers escaping from a pocket, or perhaps dancing on the collar. But for now, me thinks I'll leave my denim jacket as it is. I shall partake in a little omphaloskepsis re the embroidery. =) Watch this space.
Another week strolling in the garden, snippety snipping bounteous sweet peas, eating cake, drinking tea, crocheting, reading......pondering, laughing, crying (well, some stories that played out this week compelled tears) praying, questioning........and at times, thinking of you♡ Thank you for your sweet visit, sweet peas ♡ Care to share a cup of tea in a pretty teacup and nibble on a lemon curd biscuit, or two; with me??
Let us, you and me, drink tea, and shine our little light♡
Take care, lovely lovelies, lovely friends♡




















Gorgeous sweet peas and buddleias Kim !
ReplyDeleteI try to have some but the soil or dry air in Summer won't let me :(
Your jacket is perfect !
I've read Lee Harper book some years ago, great book !
Have a lovely week !
Hug
Anna
It is always lovely to stroll around your garden. Those sweet peas are gorgeous and the variety of purples/blues of the buddleia is lovely. How nice to get an update on past students. Your jacket turned out amazing. I too love 'To Kill a Mockingbird' . I haven't read it in a few years. Probably time to revisit it!
ReplyDeleteWhen my daughter was little, we called her Sweet Pea. We tried several times to grow butterfly bushes in our garden but they always died over the winter. My sister in law grows them with great success in her yard. I wonder if the walnut trees on the property behind us kills them off…
ReplyDeleteYour “new” jacket is a fun addition to your wardrobe.
I love it that my daughter caught the crafting bug. It seems you have passed on some inspiration to younger folks in your neck of the woods too.
Gail at the cozy quilter
Dear Kim, I hopped over to your blog to read about your week. Sweet peas do take their time, especially up north where we are. Tried them last year again, when did they decide to grow and flower? Just before the really cold and the snow! Hopefully some dropped seeds are waiting in the soil to start growing way before we can get out into the garden and surprise us this spring with some flowers.🌺 Sending you hugs 🤗 and ❤️
ReplyDeleteYour crocheted sleeves denim jacket is so lovely--nice work;)))
ReplyDeleteWe are having dark, gray days here for the most part with sprinkles of
rain here and there...Winter by the sea, I guess..
We will be bringing Helga in for her tune up this week; a little day
out and perhaps a nice luncheon on the way back...
Hugs, Julierose
I am in awe of your luck and love of flowers: such gorgeous colors that are so YOU! ( We call the buddleias, the butterfly bush.) All this time your enthusiasm and sweetness led me to believe you were a sweet young thing. You popped my bubble when you mentioned reading Atticus Finch 53 years ago. You are about my age, but so youthful and positive. I guess the spring colors added to the vision. I worked with struggling students at a high school and thus got to read and reread To Kill a Mockingbird many times, yet still loving how it resonates with current times. Love your crocheted arms of the jacket. Perhaps I should do the same. Sending "hugs"!
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize that your buddleias are another name for my butterfly bush. I also didn't realize that they come in so many different colors! So pretty. Your denim jacket is wonderful I love how you have updated it. I didn't know that you used to teach sewing in your home. I guess I haven't been following this blog long enough. How wonderful that your students are still so proud of their accomplishments and are using the skills you taught them.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit the word omphaloskepsis sent me to Google to see what it was. And I laughed out loud when I read the definiton. I bet the smell of the sweet peas is heavenly. I never had much luck growing them. And the size of your buddleias is amazing. They die back to the ground here most years, so they never get as tall as yours. Hmm, lemon curd biscuits sound delicious. A spot of tea and some biscuits would be welcome right now as a spurt of snow flurries just passed through.
ReplyDeletePat
Oh, how I love your photos!
ReplyDeleteYour beautiful flowers and crocheted jacket sleeves and stories of what your sewing students are up to now poured a bit of perfumed oil on the turbid waters of my soul this morning, Kim…I’m glad you are surrounded by an island of flowery peace; we who love to visit you there can draw strength from all that beauty…Hugs, Nancy O.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, you know I would like to come right over for tea, and maybe some crochet lessons, too! Your jacket turned out beautifully, Kim. Some embroidery added to the pockets would definitely be fun! Love seeing your sweet peas and buddleias, too - such beautiful color!
ReplyDeleteSweets peas would be my favourite flowers, I just love the scent, but I've never had any luck growing them. When I pop in for tea and cake I'm sure you will give me a big bunch to take home.
ReplyDeleteMe gusta mucho leerte y tomar té contigo, disfruto muchísimo de tus bellas flores y coincido con tus amigas, ésa cazadora necesita tu toquefloral especial. BESICOS.
ReplyDeletethe jacket turned out perfect. I love listening to Jonathan Capeheart and Michelle Obama also - your tea and cookies look perfect!!
ReplyDeletePretty peas. and what a fun jacket. Your posts always make me smile! :-)
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks beautiful! You certainly have a green thumb. As winters hit Southern New Mexico it’s so wonderful to see summer gardens! Indeed your cup runneth over with flowers!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely that the seeds you planted with Holly and Pete, As well as others, are reaping such a crop!
You’re certainly reading a wide genre!
I’ve enjoy seeing your wonderful progress on your denim jacket! It is unique and lovely.
Thank you for visiting my blog! I will read Psalm 121 tonight. Thank you so much for the recommendation. Somehow, I couldn’t respond via email so here I am :-)
Your garden is always so beautiful. The hard work that you and your dear hubby have put into it shines through. It warms my heart to hear that 2 of your past students are doing well. I adore your denim jacket! Wow! It is a beauty. Have a wonderful week, Kim.
ReplyDeleteI can almost smell the flowers from here, Dear Kim! How wonderful to have sweet peas and buddleia to fill your pretty vases. Did you know that here in Washington state they won't sell buddleia in the nurseries, as they consider it invasive. I have two very old ones planted before the ban and need to take cuttings this summer.
ReplyDeleteLove your crocheted sleeve jacket! What a great idea!
You are a gal after my own heart for loving memoirs and autobiographies. I am always searching for them, and not so much of famous people, but ordinary people who live extraordinary lives. Also, 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is one of those iconic books that stay with you forever.
So sweet to see your former students still enjoying and using their skills. I did not know you were a teacher of the arts, but it makes so much sense, truly.
Enjoy your lovely summer days. Hugs xo Karen
Hi Kim
ReplyDeleteI do indeed remember Holly, so glad she is doing well, and doing what she loves.
The flowers look amazing, so pretty.
The lemon curd biscuits look delicious.
Have a great week wearing your new jacket.
Best wishes Kaycxx
Gorgeous sweetpeas and we have always had masses of buddleia in our gardens to attract the butterflies. Amazing what a variety they attract. Lovely to hear news of your young student and how well she is doing. The jacket looks great - I love it with the trail of yarn coming out of the pocket. xx
ReplyDeleteGosh your sweet peas are so wonderful Kim. Such a prolific mass of them. I have given mine a severe talking to this morning .. along with a bottle of worm tea, a trim & a good water. If they don't improve in a week, out they will come. Very disappointed in them this year & I purchased good seeds & not just grabbed a punnet like I usually do. Your buddleia really does remind me of lilac - we had one of those in a farming house we once lived in - I may think about purchasing another as its lovely. Your denim jacket has turned out wonderful - you will enjoy wearing it when the cooler weather comes. xx
ReplyDeleteIt's me again - LJ - after a long hiatus. Mostly, I've been busy with the holidays and trying to keep up with sewing though... We were forced to get a new computer; shouldn't they work longer than 15 years!! Well, our daughter who has generally taken care of us when it comes to technology, moved to Arizona in June. We didn't know what to do without the computer! We called another person and they didn't return our call. When our son called from another city (2 hours away by car), we mentioned that our computer was nixed and he said he'd do a bit of research and get back with us. He called and then came to help us out. We have a new All-in-One HP now. Of course, it's been a real challenge for me as I try to navigate all the new things! Between that and things NOT working, I've been a wreck. I think that 80++ makes all this new stuff a bit difficult. :( But, I am feeling more positive now though I know I'll still have challenges. On to your postings... Love all the pictures; they do speak volumes and they are all so beautiful. Love, love. Or course, the flowers are the best or is it your words...what a treasure they all are. You always surprise me with newness - like the buddleias. Gorgeous and to think they have a wonderful, sweet fragrance like lilacs. You put it perfectly when you said, "It seems we've both become rather accustomed to this quiet life of ours." So true. With time and age we both feel that way. Even the lives of the children seem so noisy to us and we look forward to 'quiet', after they leave!! Keep on writing/posting. I always look forward to all you say and all those pictures even if I have to 'catch up' after a few weeks :)
ReplyDeletebulltulip69 at gmail dot com
Wow your sweet peas are taking off, how wonderful they keep supplying more for you :). I don't know that I have heard of those other flowers, but they also make lovely bouquets for your home! Your crocheted jacket turned out wonderful, and I do love the idea of adding embroidery to it!
ReplyDeleteAnother lovely lovely post. That sweet pea patch is amazing and the photo of the sweet pea bouquets is swoon worthy. Wow.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
What a beautiful post, Kim!!! I also love your blog background. Your photos are gorgeous and heartwarming! The jacket is lovely! I feel as though I spent an afternoon with you over a nice cup of tea and biscuits, and you showed me around your home. Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWonderful flowers! Sweet Peas are uncommon here... Glad to hear about Holly! How precious. I also love that cute jacket. Greetings, my dear friend.
ReplyDeleteWe won't mention just how cold it is here and, by all reports, you are now pretty much under a heat dome. Mother Nature is surely pitching fits these days. So glad I can hold the cold at bay for a little bit, visit with you, and admire those spectacular flowers. Pete must be such a happy camper working out in that amazing garden.
ReplyDeleteI do indeed remember you talking about Holly and her sewing and now how nice it is to know that she's hoping to carry those lessons into a full time career. You must be so proud!
Your denim refashion turned out wonderfully! It would indeed be fun to add a little bit of embroidery or perhaps a 'bit' of salvaged needlepoint.