Sunday, February 1, 2026

Home Sweet Hydrangea Home♡

 

Hello lovely lovelies; lovely friends♡ A lovely welcome to my Home Sweet Hydrangea Home, on this Sunday evening♡


Today is the very first day of February. 


Eighteen years ago, on 1st February, my youngest daughter, Pete and I left the cacophonous, urban jungle of Sydney, and  with all our worldly goods and chattels, arrived in an idyllic, pastoral corner of Tasmania. When I look back at that time when we three were entering the great unknown, I remember many mixed emotions at the time, but always with the quote of Van Gogh's quote "in spite of everything......yes let's"... foremost in our minds we were excited where our new journey would take us. I remember we three were all too ready for the challenges ahead (of which there were many) but, also new friends and adventures; and a different lifestyle. And, I must say we've met gorgeous people and kindred spirits, here in this far rural outpost. I'm so very glad we swapped a frenetic city existence for this quiet and peaceful country life, which blesses us every day. We've become rather accustomed to our bucolic and simple life.

Eighteen years down the country lane we are happy to live in this little piece of paradise; our home sweet hydrangea home. Well, I suppose our little place is really Home Sweet Flowery Home, as there are always sweet blooms blooming in the garden. But, at the moments it's the hydrangeas which are the stars.

The hydrangeas have begun to delight and I of course have filled my home with vases of these beauties. Two years ago Pete took to 'my' hydrangeas with a machete and hacked them to within an inch of their life. Last summer wasn't  great for the hydrangeas but this year they are fabulous. At the time of Pete massacring the hydrangeas the word divorce did fleetingly cross my mind but it seems the gardener knew best. He proved yet again that he knows a thing or two about gardening So, with divorce put on the backburner, Pete and I continue to skip down the garden path of matrimonial bliss. =)









This week, Pete hooked up the plumbing in the garden shed. It's a quirky little building of which I have taken possession. A fabulous little place where I can play florists to my heart's desire. There's a deep sink which I fill with water to soak the hydrangeas for a couple of hours before plonking arranging them into vases. I find if I smash the ends of hydrangeas with a hammer and submerse the flowers in water for a couple of hours they last in vases for weeks. Other flowers get a little soak too, to rehydrate before arranging them into vases and bouquets. AND....I can sweep the helluva of a mess I make, out the door. And, believe you me when playing florists I can make an almighty mess. There's a small window with a view of the garden which is lovely. Of course, the walls need a lick of paint and a wave of my styling wand needs to create a li'l magic. But for now, it's nice to have a place where I can be messy.





Love, love, love my new, little flowery, workroom.


Enough of flowers!! =) Let's chat about a little stitching; after all it is Sunday when I and other lovelies all around the world enjoy a little slow stitching. More trippin' around the world with fabric squares was enjoyed this week. Two more 'flights' around the world. All from the comfort of my sofa. Thus far I'm still finding fabric from my stash, so, no need to go to the fabric store........yet. =)







Thank you for visiting my home sweet hydrangea home, lovely lovelies; lovely friends♡ Sending you some hydrangea love♡


Enjoy your day, joying in something that puts a smile into your day♡ Take care♡

Until the next time......


24 comments:

  1. Your garden is bursting with colour these days! How wonderful to have a place to muck around and make a mess while making beautiful bouquets for your home. You have your own little piece of paradise there. I’m sure Pete is relieved that the hydrangeas are putting on a good show this year and that wedded bliss can continue on….
    Gail at the cozy quilter

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello Kim. Your trip is growing nicely and your hydrangeas so delicious! I love your flower arranging room. There is an NT house down here in the SW that has a little room that was built especially for the lady of the house to arrange her flowers in - I wish I could remember which one it was, but it was such a lovely little space. No view like yours has though.
    Amazing how the years roll by and all of a sudden you look back and think Wow! all those years!
    Have a lovely flower filled week. xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hydrangeas are one of my favourite flowers. I will have to dead head mine soon as the new shoots arrive. Did you have an established garden when you moved in 18years ago? Enjoy your stitching. Sarah quilting by the sea

    ReplyDelete
  4. I so enjoyed seeing your lovely borders of hydrangeas in full bloom, Kim;))) Brightened up this very cold and gray day here. Temp 10 and windchill hovering around 3 degrees...brrr
    Your TAW is coming together beautifully--all those lovely florals--nice work on this...
    Enjoy your lovely garden shed--what a joy to have such a spot!!
    Hugs, Julierose

    ReplyDelete
  5. I never heard of smashing the ends of hydrangea stems to make them last longer or soaking in water first - I will give that a try. I need to plant some new hydrangea's I love them but have never planted more of them.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh, Kim—the hydrangeas are absolutely exquisite! Your trip around the world quilt top is really taking shape. Your faithful fans look forward avidly to the restful beauty of your garden and home, most especially during these days of turmoil. You uplift us with the gift of yourself, Girlfriend, and we’re so grateful! Hugs, Nancy O.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I do think your gardener knows a thing or two about hydrangeas, and you, too, have a knack with them, Kim! (The two of you are a good match!) They are just gorgeous! Your TATW is lovely - such pretty color. Enjoy your stitching and flowers today!

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a beautiful dreamland of spring colors in your hydrangeas! I don't think I have ever seen such a wide spread of glorious colors and kinds. Your gardening is so breathtaking. ( Especially in contrast to the white wonderland I have here) You make such great projects in your yummy colors! I have half of an old trip around the world from some great grandparent in the 30s fabrics. Your coloring is so soft and springy! Happy gardening and stitching!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Beautiful post, as always. And as someone who is not a gardener at all, just a few pots on the patio, and a rhubarb patch, I do so love seeing all your glorious blooms.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Me has alegrado con tantísimas hortensias ¡¡que maravillosas flores!!
    Disfrútalas mucho y BESICOS.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Always so lovely to visit your blog, and enjoy your flowers! We are freezing cold here in the opposite hemisphere, even in Florida! Enjoy your beautiful weather and gardens!

    ReplyDelete
  12. The many colors of your flowers are stunning and to see them repeated on your fabrics is pure delight. I always enjoy my visits to your cheerful space.
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  13. You have a she-shed!! Lucky you and how special to have a place to be able to make a floral mess with no cares.
    I simply cannot imagine standing in the middle of your garden surrounded by such splendour. Certainly helps to take your mind off the situation in so many parts of the world and the craziness that seems to be increasing by the minute. You know I savour your posts and they provide a few minutes of respite from the worries of the day. Bless you my friend.

    ReplyDelete
  14. As I sit in my house with 26 degree temps outside with a windchill of 19, I am delighted at the promise of Spring seeing all of your beautiful hydrangeas. The multitude of colors makes me smile. Your trip around the world is looking more beautiful with each update.

    ReplyDelete
  15. How gorgeous. Beautiful photos of your amazing 👏 garden.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Sometimes you need to hack the heck out of a plant to keep it happy. I've apologized to my share of bushes before I hacked them up! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Your hydrangeas are magnificent. I wish I could grow them, but the deer won't leave them alone and I get tired of having to spray them with deer repellent. So many different shades and variations you have. Just like your TATW. Enjoy your summer. We are having a few days of respite with temps in the 20's F, but going back in the deep freeze this weekend. I read that this is our coldest winter since 2014.
    Pat

    ReplyDelete
  18. So good to hear your marriage made it through the hacking of the bushes. It does look like they have taken off, your sink full of lovely flowers is so pretty, your home must smell wonderful. Your quilt is looking just as wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Dear Sarah, your sea of ​​flowers is pure bliss... these colors... this splendor in your charming, patina-covered garden shed... simply enchanting. Thank you so much for sending us so many splashes of color.

    We have a blanket of white outside our door; I love winter with its snow and sunshine, but of course I also love the awakening of nature in spring and the summer with its mild nights...
    the seasons are full of happiness.
    Sending you a warm hug; the fragrance of your magnificent flowers reaches me all the way here. I am happy.

    ReplyDelete
  20. LJ here. Oh my, the hydrangeas are literally the best!!! The pictures are coming in second but not because they are not beautiful. What knowledge you grace us with along with that garden shed. I must try that trick of mashing those ends and putting them in to soak. Of course, I can't just sweep up the mess so I'll have to be a bit neater cuz I'll have to pay for it later. I haven't been sewing much...this d---computer has been taking up WAY TOO MUCH TIME. Truly, I think it's mainly me though with my longing for things not to change. LOL Keep on sewing and keep those wonderful pictures coming. Love...

    ReplyDelete
  21. The hydrangeas seem to have bounced back from their extreme haircut, you have so many beautiful blooms. Wonderful to have your flower room, the view is lovely. I am enjoying the progress on your trip around the world.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wow... Stunning post. Balm to the soul and feast to the eyes!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Just gorgeous, Kim!
    My dream would be to have that many flowers one day.

    ReplyDelete