Just One Of Those Perfect Spring Days♡

Hello lovely lovelies♡ I'm sitting here in the little fernery, peaceful and contented, among the happy flowers. I am completely knackered after a rather exhausting, though wonderful day. With pretty teacup in hand, and my Hydrangea Cobblestones quilt nearby, I wonder at the silent conversation between the flowers.  I wonder what secrets, what conspiratorial whispers are shared in the secret language of flowers. Each flower blooms in their own exquisite way, not competing with the flower beside it; just content with it's own loveliness. The flowers seem to love this little hot house; both by day, where the sunbeams shine through the windows; and by night, where the flowers sometimes bask under the glow of candlelight. They are such happy blooms; in this quaint little building.  I am sitting here in my pyjamas. Aren't they fab?? Covered with hexies in a grandmother flower pattern. Now, if anyone should have jarmies with a smattering of colourful hexies, it should be me. =) Why, me thinks every self-respecting, hexie obsessive, should have a pair. They are rather wild, though. =) So comfy, too.

I have enjoyed the best day. A Sunday spent wandering around other peoples' gardens with two of my favourite people..... Pete (of course) and my beautiful friend, Trish. It is that time of the year where all the grand old houses and gardens swing open the gates to the flower-loving public, showing what their green thumbs have perfected throughout the year.

Meandering along flower-lined paths with flowers nodding; swaying in the gentle breeze and smiling at us as we strolled along. We three, smiling too, as it was one of those perfect days where Old Man Sun and Lady Spring combined and pulled out all stops to gift one of those 'tis-good-to-be-alive' kinda days. Oh, the colours. Oh, the scents. Heady, intoxicating fragrances wafting through the air. Garden after garden overspilling with floralicious delight, wherever the eyes roamed. Cottage gardens flourishing with lupins, granny bonnets, clematis, peonies, lavender, poppies, foxgloves, sweet peas.....so, so many blossoms to drink in. So, so many flowers to ooh and aah over. Oh, I forgot the roses. Oh my goodness gracious me, garden after garden revealed the most exquisite roses. Roses...some the size of dinner plates. Amazing!  It is not often one sees so many roses in myriad of colours, all at once. Truly, it was a joyous sight to behold.

A little stitching has been  done on my Hydrangea Cobblestones quilt this week. All the octagons and squares have now been stitched and the edges have been evened. I finished the edges early this morning before I left. Now I have to stitch a border all the way around. I am thinking I might add appliqued octagon-shaped hydrangeas, skipping all the way around. That could work. =)

Before I go, I would love to thank each one of you, lovely lovelies, for your beautiful words re Pete's story, when you last visited my little place. Your beautiful thoughts both overwhelmed; and humbled me. Pete too, was overwhelmed by your kindness. Why, there was a tear or two in his eyes when he read each comment...thank you all so much♡

'Tis very late here, downunder. I will blow out the candles in the little fernery and take myself off to bed.  My oh-so-comfy bed is looking very tempting tonight. I will snuggle under my A Stroll Through Pete's Garden quilt and dream sweet dreams of magical gardens....of secret gardens where enchanting flowers grow. May you find beauty in the everyday of your week♡ May your light shine bright in your little world♡

Until the next time.......

Linking up to Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching

And The Parisian Boot Goes to..........................

Hello lovely lovelies♡ How can it be that Sunday has arrived at my bright pink, front door quicker than quick, again?? It seems like only yesterday I was chatting to you. But, it's been 7 days since I was here. =) I know not where my days disappear. I suppose they hurry to the place of yesterdays, where memories gather, perhaps waiting to be remembered; or pondered upon. Usually on Mondays I guesstimate what pretties will be continued or perhaps started. Will I do 'this', will I get 'that' done during the week; seemingly  thinking upon rather grand plans of what I might achieve. Upon thinking about the coming week, I like to think there will be  oodles of stitching and creativity to show you the next Sunday, but sometimes my plans just don't come to fruition.

This week was a bit like that. Oh, a lot of slow hand stitching was enjoyed; it just looks like there was not. Another round of octagons and squares are do-si-doing around my hydrangea cobblestones path. Twenty six octagons and twenty six squares......and yes, I am counting. =) I think there are enough cobblestones laying across the width of the quilt....well, that is my thinking today. Of course, I could change my mind tomorrow. =) I am supposing I will only add to the length. Then I have to decide what other fabrics I will use to make it a queen size quilt. I have a hare-brained thought percolating, but that is for another Sunday. I know...such a tease.

I have been enjoying a little knitting, also. The left side of my jacket has grown a little. I must say I am  loving knitting this pattern. My muddly head and my knitting needles are finally in sync. Both have settled into a  groove with the pattern, which is rather nice. My friend Trish and I have been spending time together on Thursday afternoons happily clickety clacking away with needles and wool. Trish, too, is in a groove. Her jacket is coming along leaps and bounds.  I must say, she and me solve an extensive amount of the world problems each Thursday afternoon. If only the powers that be would pick up the blower (a phone, for those of you who are not in-the-know of Australian slang) and have a chat. =)

As for the flowers, Dutch Irises are beginning to flower here and there. Very soon they will be everywhere. The tall statuesque form of the bluey, purple irises are rather lovely to the eye. Lady Spring has floated by on many a breeze sprinkling flowers all around at her bidding. First there were the daffodils; then the blossom trees, bluebells, forget-me-nots, tulips, snowdrops, waratahs, magnolias, azaleas, rhododendrons, and now the snowball trees and clematis are coming into their own. I am waiting patiently for the lilac panicles to open and fill the air with the heady scents that only lilacs can gift. Oh, and all of a sudden, the glossy green of the hydrangea leaves are growing. Oh, happy day! Flower after flower, at their allotted time has put on the most deliciously abundant show. I must say though, that winds reminiscent of that nasty frigid fellow, whom I shall not name, has gusted through some days causing the flowers to be less than presentable. No matter, it's not as if I don't have a glut of flowers to make me happy♡

But , as certain as Old Man Sun rises in the east and smiles upon my garden (and me) there are always a few happy snaps of flowers. You know that......right?? After all.......it is my signature. =)

A basket of irises for you; tied with a pretty blue bow♡

Care to stroll with me in the garden, and drink in the beauty??

Oh look, there's my sweet, sweet Maisie. She loves irises, too♡

"Enough of the happy snaps", I hear you say, "what about the Parisian boot"?? The names of those of you who are not adverse to a little lace and vintage fripperies on a Christmas stocking, were gathered together in a hat and the name my husband drew out is the lovely Sarah, from the lovely blog, Quilting By The Sea♡ Sarah, if you could please email me your address, then I will post your little Parisian boot to you.  I hope it sprinkles many a smile into your day.....into your Christmas. I am quite certain the little Parisian pretty will settle in among all the gorgeous pretties you fashion♡

So, as my Sunday afternoon floats into evening, I will knit more pretty cables on my jacket. Later on I will visit Kathy's place and join in the merriment of the happy band of slow hand stitchers. It is a delightful group of ladies, and a wonderful way to spend a Sunday evening, gazing upon others' lovely makes and be inspired by each one. Another Sunday evening with thoughts of seven whole days in which to stitch or knit, perhaps design a new pretty......and most certainly stroll in the garden, capturing a plethora of happy snaps. Oh, and there is another week, another seven whole days in which to glory in the  spring beauty that embraces me. Have a beautiful week, lovely lovelies ♡May you glory in the beauty of this week, too♡

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