Freesias

I couldn't resist sharing a photo of these fresias freshly cut from my garden.

The glass vase is one that was given to me recently by my daughter Sarah. It has a little wire cage at the top to hold the stems in place and I love it to bits. I know I shall probably use it every day from now on.

All Things Bright and Beautiful

It is not often that I have a complete perfect day all to myself, a day when I don't have to jump in the car, wave goodbye to the dogs and whizz into town on ' matters of great importance'.

Today is such a day, a bright and beautiful day.

I decided to make some jam from the berries left over in the freezer from last Summer...Jumbleberry Jam made from strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and boysenberries.

I did some washing.

We have had some visitors staying in the cottage, they came to see the Rugby World Cup, and they were so much fun. I was sad to see them drive off this morning.
I love the smell of freshly washed white cotton sheets, another one of life's great pleasures.

A little more work on my applique quilt, and I still have several hours left this afternoon. I think it's warm enough to plant carrot seeds and some more sweet peas.
Perfect !

Dyeing with Weeds

My garden is producing both blooms and weeds in abundance, and I thought I would utilise the weeds for the dyepot before they were put into the compost.

My favourite weed at the moment is the little oxalis flower, also called Sour grass or Bermuda Buttercup and produces a brilliant lemony - lime colour without needing a mordant.

I then added some madder powder to the dyepot and developed this colour which I don't like very much. When it was drying on the washingline outside, it hung there reminding me of the afterbirth that you see after a cow has just given birth. I might change this 'afterbirth' colour after I have spun it, although spinning might just improve it a little.

Feeling Thankful

These are some of my Mum's favorite flowers....English bluebells growing in my garden each year from some bulbs that my parent's had in their garden years ago.

My Mum has recently been very ill indeed, and after some time in hospital, a life saving operation, two blood transfusions and IV nutrition she is rapidly becoming her old self once more.

Phew, to say I am happy and very relieved would probably be an understatement. !

Yesterday, she travelled with us to our son's farm where we had a family barbeque and

Mum was able to take part in the celebration of her youngest great grandchild's first birthday.

It has been a lovely weekend, and the blossom is still here, couldn't resist another picture.

A very big heartfelt thank you to my children, and wonderful friends who have given so much love and support over the last stressful few months, you are all truly wonderful.

A Shawl for Sarah

Pattern : Fiber Trends Edged in Lace, design Evelyn Clark. Found on Ravelry.

Wool : Indiecita DK, in a pretty dove grey.....100% baby alpaca

It is an easy knit, but knitting the lace edging took ages and ages !

My youngest daughter came home on Saturday for a few days and fell in love with a very soft drapey shawl that I had finished a few weeks ago.

It is Sarah's 24th birthday next week and it made a lovely gift to tuck in her bag for the cool nights in Wellington. Have a wonderful celebration Sarah !

Blogging and Blossom

I'm back !

It feels a bit strange to be back writing a post after so long, but I am excited and pleased to be here in this space once again.

It has been too long a winter and my camera has sat on the shelf unused and neglected, it is time for a change, and Spring is in the air.

I couldn't resist taking these pics from the blossom right outside our back door. The white is the blossom on our plum trees and the pink is a little almond tree.....they smell pretty good too.