A beautiful dewy morning.

I love nothing better than to stroll around the garden in the morning

and discover wonderful surprises. It makes me feel peaceful,

and happy that I have my own little piece of paradise!!!

This week we've had a few light showers, and it must have been

enough to set things in action because when I went for my stroll today,

there were lots of plants showing me their best Sunday outfits :)

The first thing I was drawn to was this lovely cascade of Duranta "Geisha Girl"

 in full bloom. The butterflies were all over it.

Couldn't get any pics of those because they were all blurry!!!

They just wouldn't stay still for me!!

I also have some very nice Bromeliades which provide

color for months, despite out very harsh climate.

Some of them have colorful foliage,

others look quite plain until they flower like this one below.

 It's one of my favorites. I love the peachy tones

and the gentle frosting it has in the buds.

Just so delicate........

They are all very different and attractive in their own way,

which is how they get addictive!!!!

One of my other favorites in the garden are orchids!!!

I put them on my palms and trees, I water them occasionally

and then just when you forget they are there......

They surprise you with magnificent flowers!!

This one (below) likes to have it's roots in the earth.

This is one a got from a grower up near Cairns.

It was so unusual that I couldn't go home without it!!

It's petals are supposed to be forward more,

but I'm just glad that it survived and has flowered for me!!

Know what I mean????

I'm grateful for small mercies!!!!!

 

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and

enjoyed my garden tour as much as I did :)

Until next time.....

Hugs n Kisses

Barb :)

A Representation

For a few years now I have loved aprons.

Everything from the neck to knee practical types

and even the dainty frilly types.

I have collected many patterns, and especially love the vintage ones.

One of my favorites is this pattern set from Cindy Taylor Oates

I have made the one on the right and the middle one.

It was lots of fun, and they are soooo sweet in real life!!

I think I love them so much because they remind me

of a time when life appeared so much simpler than it is today!!

I have to say appeared because I'm only 38,

perhaps it's the whole "Grass is greener on the other side" thing.

I don't know. And I'm not saying it was perfect either.

However, I do honestly think that we have complicated our lives

with so much superfluous stuff, and we are encouraged to constantly

want more, achieve more, get more and have more.

All our lives we are told you can do anything you want

 and have anything you want, if you can't buy it, you can rent it!!!

When is it enough????

It seems to be the message these days, that if you are not constantly

 striving for your personal best and professional excellence

 then you are not a fulfilled human being.

I'm sorry guys, not a very positive post, but I find it very

disheartening when I think about all the troubles going on

and the pushing and shoving used to get people to tow the line.

I am grateful for many a things that I experience each day,

and they don't cost me anything but a bit of awareness and kindness.

So after all that ranting!!!

I'd like to propose a toast!!!!!

Here's to........

a stranger smiling at you

the sun shining

the fresh air

flowers in the garden

birds tweeting in the trees

the smell of fresh cut grass....

And vintage aprons

Hugs N Kisses

Barb :)

FNWF's

Well!!!

I have finally finished stitching the extra mug rugs

from my Janelle Wind "Tea for Two"

Yes... You are right...It has taken me a while to do them!!!

I have been caught up in aquarium stuff lately!!

Now I just have to take it to town and match some fabric!!!!

I would also like to do a big shout out and thank you

to all the people who gave advise on my last post.

I have passed on all the comments and will let you

know what she decides to do and the outcome.

Thanks for your time and energy :)

Hugs n Kisses

Barb :)

Can anyone help my friend ?????

Hi everyone!!

Hope you are all doing well.

I over heard a friend at work (Margie) talking about

a stitchery that she was having an issue with.

The conversation wasn't with me but when I heard

"I have never seen embroidery thread do that. I don't know what to do"

I couldn't help but pay attention and

become involved!!!!

 With each pregnancy she completed a stitchery and

had it framed to hang on the wall for each child,

which have now been passed onto grandchildren.

Sweet isn't it!!

However one of the stitcheries has discolored and

looks almost tea stained in color.

Margie would like to wash it to clean it,

but she was worried about color fastness.

So she tested a small patch of color with a wet cotton bud 

and the color came off the thread onto the cotton bud!!!

So now she is scared to wash it in case the

threads smudge and leech color everywhere!!!!

Is there anything she can do????

Does anyone have any suggestions????

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks in advance for your help.

Hugs n Kisses

Barb :)