Showing posts with label Roses. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Roses. Show all posts

Friday, January 4, 2019

Summertime, and the livin' is easy.

Happy New Year all you lovely lovelies♥ Another new year has slipped quietly in. Down here at the bottom of the world I am enjoying summertime and the easiness of it. It is Summer holidays here. Each day rolls lazily into another. Days where the order of each day is an easy one. Days beginning with sleep-ins, a cup of tea in the early mornings, a little reading (if I am to be truthful...a lot actually), watching movies, playing with my camera, walks in the garden, snoozing by the pond, a little stitching (just a little), visiting friends, country drives............and a lot of the time.......not much 'doings' at all.....just dreaming, imagining.......bliss! I love kicking back and not having to be anywhere, do anything in particular, prepare any sewing lessons, no tyranny of a timetable that has to be kept. Love, love, love long casual, Summer days that slip into balmy, starry nights.

Though I suppose  there was a whole lot of shebang and fireworks in many corners of the world to usher in a new year,  here in my humble abode my husband and I greeted the brand new year rather quietly.  Me and my good husband sat in the swinging seat by the pond....just the two of us and a gazillion, scintillating stars twinkling in the inky black sky. Not a soul in sight, not a sound to be heard; a most perfectly wonderful entry into a new year. You can have your fireworks, you can have your parties......as for me the theatre of the heavenly realms at night will always surpass anything that man can produce; indeed saying hello to the new year with the night sky above will always be my fancied choice. Sitting under the umbrella of a moonless  and cloudless night sky, marvelling at the magnificence of its beauty is profoundly satisfying to me.  Sitting quietly, listening to the whispers of God through nature, is a most splendid thing.

As I sat quietly with the sky winking at me, reflecting upon the beauty that encompassed me I wondered what words will be written on the pages of my book this year. I wondered and still wonder what words, sentences, paragraphs........chapters will be written in my book titled '2019'. I suppose the narrative that inks onto each page will  tell  multitudinous stories. Joyful stories, funny stories dripping with facetiousness, sad stories, exciting stories, stories with twists and turns,  simple every day stories wrapped in a little beauty and simplicity, stories that perhaps I would rather not be written......some stories that have never been. As I pen the words of my stories this year, regardless of what may come my way, I want each page to be underlined with thankfulness, gentleness, beauty, kindness, patience, faith, love....to find the joy in the ordinary....the simple things in life. I want each page to have the nuance of God's love for me invisibly threaded throughout.

As I am a gal who adores illustrations in my books (yes I still purchase children picture books, even though my girls are all 'growed') I can only imagine the illustrations that will be sketched in this book of mine. I know there will be many illustrations of pretties fashioned by my hands......quilts (finished ones, I hope), bags, cushions, the tarting up of a chair or two, the gussying up of many a corner in my humble abode, probably too many photos of the garden (sorry), a vintage find at a market or op shop.......so many colourful pictures to enhance my book.

Now.............enough of my reflections upon what may be and those unwritten stories swirling around and around in the future, if you please, may I begin my fresh, new book with some illustrations. My lovely husband gifted me with this sweet present for Christmas. Three little clouds with vintage pages of a book resting within. Those of you who like me, were a child of the sixties....do you remember the ubiquitous three ducks or three pigs flying up the wall?? Considered kitsch in some circles but it appears these days they are highly sought after. Here is my representation of that theme. 

Love these sweet little illustrations. I cannot help but be reminded of my two girls when they were little. Many a delightful hour was spent with the three of us huddled together on plumped, squishy squashy pillows........me reading with them and to them, escaping on a magic carpet ride to the land of make believe.



Remember how I said there would be a 'few' illustrations of a flower or two......or indeed of the garden.............well.......let the camera roll.

As it is Summer the Roses are blooming beautifully at the moment and are basking in the warm Summer sun.

Soft, frothy Roses♥ Ballerina pinks, rosy reds, creamy whites, buttery yellows, soft mauves, peachy tangerines, voluptuous apricots.........all are beautiful, not to mention the heavenly scents.

One vase of roses is enough to make a room sing the most beautifully scented song.


It is nearly but a week into the new year and already there are many stories to pen and even more illustrations to 'draw' with my camera. I cannot wait to write those stories. I too, cannot wait to visit your lovely places......to read your stories and to ooh and aah over your beautiful and glorious illustrations you capture with your cameras. A visit with each one of you is truly a most splendid thing.


From my li'l humble abode to yours......may your new year be a beautiful one♥

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

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Drink Tea and Do Some Knitting

Very good advice if you ask me. I have been enjoying many a cup of tea this last little while and I have been enjoying knitting my aran woolly. Is it my imagination but does one seem to drink more tea when knitting?? I have been hellbent on finishing my jumper. Since I last 'chatted' with you, when a menial chore demanded some of my attention I have repeatedly said, "just a moment; let me finish this row". I always remember my darling mum saying to me "Kimmy (no-one but my mother ever addressed me so)...always finish the row you're working on before you put your knitting down." Wise woman, was my mother. So.....because I would never in a million years think of disregarding her wisdom, I always finish the row. =)


My single-minded determination of knitting till I reached the woolly finishing line, with both knitting pins raised high in the air, whilst rather exultantly shouting hip-hip-hooray; has reaped wonderful rewards. The constant clickety clack of the needles has resulted in the completion of my aran woolly. A huge sigh of relief at this juncture. This jumper really took an age to knit, and I might add I am not in the least bit sorry that it is done.



It is a jumper which oozes cabled texture and is a long one.....it covers my derriere. It is a bulky knit, perfect for those early, wintry morning walks where the landscape is shrouded in a veil of mist. 




These last couple of days the mornings have been unbelievably beautiful. These mornings when the sun's rays send beams of light through the maze of mist is truly a most splendid sight. These misty mornings delight me. They declare God's loving kindness to me. Each morning is a gift from Him to me. It is these mist-filled mornings that God's awesome handiwork brings a tear to my eyes......they humble me. I will never tire of seeing the majesty of the sun rising each morning, kissing me on the cheek.


So.......me thinks whilst roaming around this little patch of paradise that I call home, on those early, misty morning meetings with my Heavenly Father, my aran woolly will keep me toasty warm.




The garden is still being a bit of a showoff; not that I mind of course. The Cosmos are still 'cosmos-ing', a few of the roses have decided to still astonish with their beauty and the Easter Daisies are in bloom delighting many a bumble bee. The longer the garden gifts me with beautiful blooms is just fine with me, thank you very much.


Little pink, orchid-like impatiens cover the ground everywhere, like a carpet. They too seed like weeds every Summer. These pretty flowers though, will soon disappear.


I cannot tell you how much I am beside myself with great joy with the completion of this woolly. My poor ol' pea brain no longer has to perform cranial gymnastics. My muddly brain pan no longer has to think about RT, LT, MB, C3, BC, FC, C4B, C4F etc etc., or indeed which row I am up to. Thank goodness for that! Though, would you believe another aran pattern has caught my eye. I know, I know.....what am I thinking!! But.......for now the most taxing thought in my muddly brain pan is in which pretty teacup will I drink my tea?? =)

Until the next time.......


Saturday, February 3, 2018

Colours of Summer


Hello lovelies; welcome to my sunny part of the world. Thank you all so much for the lovely comments you gifted me last post. Yes, the lavender field is truly breathtaking, but alas, the day after my little photo shoot, my neighbour farmer harvested the lavender; so all the gorgeous lavender hues have disappeared. BUT......all that glorious colour will return later on in the year. Perhaps my Japanese pretty will be quilted and finished by then.....perhaps. =)

These last weeks have been filled with sun-drenched days. Each day the countryside has been bathed in glorious sunny hues with wide blue skies that stretch forever. The landscape is dotted with breathtaking, dancing summer colour. The sights and sounds and fragrances of Summer are always a delight. I have been enjoying all those happy and warm sunbeams bursting upon my li'l humble abode and its environs. The garden is flushed with glorious colour.

The Dahlias are yet again abloom in bright, happy colour.



The Cosmos are sashaying in shades of pretty pinks.

The roses are still smiling in pretty pastel hues.

AND.....of course the Hydrangeas.....well....they are doing their beautiful Hydrangea thing. =)

AND...of course, the pond is ever a restful retreat, casting it's magic upon all whom sit awhile.


It really is tough living in this paradise. =)


January found me socialising a little more than I usually would, as I celebrated a BIG birthday. Yes indeedy, this gal from down under turned 60!! Such a happy, wonderful and sunshiny, kinda number. So much more happier than the number 59......not that I ever was 59. You see, for the past year I have been 58 and 13 months, 58 and 14 months, 58 and 15 months etc etc.........until the wonderful numerals 60 appeared on my horizon. I can't really articulate why I dislike the number 59 so.....I just do.

So....this little while I have been enjoying the company of dear family and friends; birthday dinners with lovely friends, hanging out with my daughter and son-in-law who flew over land and sea to help me celebrate; to the grand finale......a surprise birthday dinner in a rather lovely restaurant, where beautiful family and special friends waited for me to say.....SURPRISE!! I didn't suspect a thing; I truly didn't. My dear husband and all those sweet friends of mine, have been plotting and scheming the last few months. They have all been involved in all manner of chicanery and subterfuge to organise my celebratory dinner. My sweet friends are all terribly adept at lying; as is my husband. Who would've thought my husband, who just happens to be a school chaplain could utter so many falsehoods. I wonder, will I ever be able to believe anything that is spoken from his mouth again. =) I do believe that if the day jobs, of all those whom were involved don't work out, there will always be a spot for each one of them in the secret service of their country. ALL would make the most excellent of double agents!

Me and my beautiful friends........oh, and my wonderful husband.

I received many beautiful gifts, from books, pretty doilies, beautiful jewellery, an ever-so-chic clutch, bouquets of flowers, a beautiful writing pen and ink set with various inks and nibs, pretty fabric, to a gorgeous crochet hexagon throw. My family and friends know me so very well.....'tis an utterly spoilt gal that I am.

My friend, Michelle, with whom I have been friends for over 40 years had been crocheting this hexie pretty for a little while. Isn't it gorgeous.



The garden is so welcoming of my crochet hexie woolly. No matter where it is placed the pop of bright and happy colour is perfect. Oh look.....there's my gardener......and a clever one he is at that. =)



My pretty looks amazing on both sides!



Love the reflections in the pond.

It's not at all obvious I am in love with my gorgeous, hexie crochet pretty, is it!!

Beautiful flowers were gifted to me.


A birthday cake is the perfect finish to a birthday celebration, is it not??  I was surprised with a most amazing birthday concoction, whipped up by a cake baker/decorator extraordinaire. It was truly an amazing cake and so very delicious. It was a rich, chocolate mud cake with icing of a patched hexagon quilt covering it, complete with buttons, needle and thread, scissors, thimble, flowers. I of course cried when I saw it. I could not help but stare at it for a very long time. I did not want to cut into this work of art. When eventually I guided the knife through it, I cut along the hexie pattern much to the merriment of all those who were watching. I quite simply could not hack into it.......it had to be cut with precision and care.

Isn't it a vision of pastel loveliness??

At my friend's home (another birthday celebration) ......little Eli (of  "One-Eye Eli fame) was most impatient with my cutting of the cake.



Though I was gifted with many beautiful gifts, it struck me that the collection of many beautiful moments were far more precious. Many moments filled with smiles and laughter. Many moments filled with love and hugs and joy......and a few tears. Many precious memories, skipping down the yellow brick road of friendship, with each gorgeous friend, at various stages of my life. These past few weeks my fine bone china, tea cup has runneth over with beautiful moments of love and friendship. Old friendships.....new friendships......all have added  beauty to my life. Indeed I cannot imagine my life without these dear friends, and of course my wonderful husband.

Sitting here reflecting upon the friends whom bless my days, I am reminded that each one brings beauty to my life. Each beautiful friend, at different times has shared the "best of times, the worst of times". Each one has laughed with me, cried with me, encouraged me, and at times carried me. I once read that "friends are God's way of taking care of us"; how very true! Indeed, when I count my blessings, I count my dear friends, twice. My beautiful friends remind me that it is a blessed gal that I am.

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