This, That and Something Else...........

Spring has arrived in all her glory as she is want to do.....

She has beguiled me with her beauty and turned my head.

When I returned from Canada I created a corner under my 'new' birdbath.

I placed a couple of pots with bulbs in them and waited for the explosion of colour and scent.

I certainly wasn't disappointed.

The mini Daffodils bloomed first and I was happy to discover they actually had a perfume.....somewhat citrus like.

Then the Hyacinths put in an appearance and their perfume is one of my favourites.

The rather late planted Tulips are yet to flower but they will bring the curtain down in a blaze of glory.

I removed all the grass/weeds and am not sure whether I will put some plants into the ground or maybe have a seasonal display of flowers in pots.

 I'm thinking 3 or 4 different varieties of Lavender might make a nice Summer display.

Given my bad habit of forgetting to water pots, I'm a little apprehensive......what do you think?

The Crabapples on the bank above the birdbath are dressed in their finest and are now a foaming sea of pinks and green.

Someone must've been spring cleaning as I spotted this tin at our local op shop last week......

There's chickens, guinea fowl, ducks and mmm, geese I think  around the side.

It's an Emma Bridgewater product, I was very happy to purchase it for 50cents.

Perfect for my button collection, the best thing being, there's room for lots more buttons, yippee.......

I've also been busy stitching and trying my hand at different things.

I recently discovered the work of Linda Miller and wanted to try something similar.

It was a lot fun, but I think I would need to have shares in a thread factory as you certainly go through the stuff.

Spring has also inspired some bunting....surprise, surprise.

I loved putting this together and the polka dot bias binding which I had purchased some time ago, was the perfect choice.....

Daffodils, birds nest with eggs, 

"Spring would not be Spring without bird songs"

 Frances M Chapman

Violets, Blossom, A bird and Bluebells

Hanging on the Manchurian Pear.

I fancy making some Autumn/Woodland themed bunting.

I'm thinking, toadstools, oak leaves and acorns, a Badger, a hedgehog.....something along those lines.

I also made some more brooches,

They're a fun project, when I need to restart my crafting mojo. 

Out in the garden everything is starting to take off....including the weeds!!

The bees love Borage....

 Manchurian Pear blossom

Grape Hyacinth

Prunus Elvins on the right and Loropetalum (Fringe Flower) on the left.

Two different pinks, both stunning.

Guess what gourmet delight I was looking forward to when we arrived home from Canada?

Hot buttered toast and a cuppa made with tea leaves in a tea pot.

"Just perfick....."

Life has resumed it's routine since we arrived home.

I've been busy in the garden, trying to keep on top of the weeding. 

I haven't had another market stall yet, not sure if I will.

I'll just play it by ear and see what happens.

Second day of Spring, I discovered a brown snake near the house.

I wasn't happy to see it.....but a good reminder to be on the lookout and to trim any long grass.

The weather warmed up quite quickly and it was t shirts for a couple of weeks and I didn't need to light the wood heater in the evenings.

 I wasn't impressed as I love Winter and the cooler 

weather.

 But we had a cool change last week, so I was happy to cosy up by the heater for a few more nights.

The chooks have started laying but sadly Mr. Whiskers paid my small flock a visit....the first time in 11 years of having chickens. 

He killed my rooster and a beautiful Barnevelder.

This happened the evening after we returned home.

I was horrified, but glad it wasn't while friends were looking after our animals, that would've been too much......

So life goes on and I now have a new rooster who is settling in well with his little flock.

Well, that's what's happening here.

I hope I haven't put you all to sleep, I will try and post every week, so they are not so long winded!!

I hope you are all well.

 Sorry but I have missed replying to some comments on the last couple of posts, but thankyou for visiting. I read and appreciate everyone of them.  

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend.......

Take care,

Claire X

Afternoon Delight

What can make a beautiful Spring day even more enjoyable?

A letter

with a Royal Mail post mark on it,

one that has travelled thousands of kilometres across the ocean

a hand written letter from my sister in the UK...........

As this is a special occasion, I decided to set up an afternoon tea tray take a break from my sewing and head outside into the garden and enjoy the letter with a cuppa and something yummy.........

My sister and her family have just returned from a holiday to Tuscany and included with the letter was a lovely, little fridge magnet.

I love the picture, blue skies, sunshine, Sunflowers and a beautiful Villa..........

oh, I think I am a little envious.

I had been busy sewing another Sunflower tea cosy when the post arrived.

A moment of serendipity..................

While I'm outside let's 'take a turn' around the garden shall we..........

October and daylight savings has arrived.

The Wisteria is starting to open up, in a week or so it should be a mass of purple.

I think there will be quite a few cuppas had while sitting on the garden bench.

The perfume from the Crab Apples nearby is divine but what's that I can detect mingling with it?

Hmmm, Dynamic Lifter.............

Viburnum Plicatum, always puts on a beautiful display.

Crisp, white flowers line the branches, reminding me of snow on the boughs of trees.

Further along the shrubbery in the foreground is a Loropetalum .

It's a member of the Witch Hazel family.

It's pink 'shaggy' flowers and purple/green foliage contrast against a white May.

The roses are all in leaf with buds appearing.

Shouldn't be too much longer before I can pick a few flowers to bring inside.............

Around the corner is a Forest Pansy tree.

It's been covered in pink/purple pea like flowers for over a week and the recent rain hasn't dampened it's display, although there is a carpet of pink underneath it............

Let's take a closer look...............

In a few weeks it will be covered in heart shaped reddish purple leaves.

Throughout the drought it hung in, didn't grow all that much but has now put on some growth and looking so much happier.

Go Cats.............

While the AFL Grand Final was being played out on Saturday.

Tig was a chillin'........

Maybe he knew something we didn't !!

The boys were home for the weekend which is unusual for this time of year, so we turned on the TV, No.1 made 'killer Nachos' and we watched the Grand Final.

Well, I was sewing and watching, No.1 hung around till the food disappeared then went off to play some music and hubby was fully committed to the game.

Things have been a little quiet here this past week or so.

It's been very wet, typical, changeable Spring weather and I have found some of the grey, gloomy days haven't been the most inspiring when it comes to being creative.

Hopefully, this week will bring sunshine and the sewing machine will be whirring away once again............

Thanks for popping by and saying 'hello' .

It's always lovely to hear from you.

Till next time, take care..........

Claire X