Show Them Your Cross

I tried to find The Vicar of Dibley joke on Youtube, but had no joy.

As mentioned in my previous post, this is the French crucifix that I bought at the Vintage Fair, along with a 'Souvenir de Paris' scarf.

I am intrigued about the skull on it.

Does anyone know why?

Gosh, the weather since we came home has been tremendous, so I 've been a busy bee in the garden. Seeds, re-potting plants and actually planting the rose bushes which I bought in February and just heeled in for the last 2 months. Still, they look okay and are throwing out new shoots, so hopefully there'll be lots of lovely smelling flowers later in the year.

Summer...bring it on!!

Zxx

Not Quite 'Bonjour'

 Yeah, well...those who follow me on Facebook know I never made it to France.

Hey-ho!

But I have planted up a small trough with French lavender.

 

I had a crafty week, making use of the hot weather to wash all my new fabrics ready to cut and sew.

(Just need to make a space to lay it all out and cut it out!!).

 

drinking in the heady aroma of honeysuckle

 I've just about finished my embroidery that I started years ago and took up again when I spent the week on the boat in Oxford. Mind you, even that was years ago now, too!

 

We also were given cake!

Oh my, and what cake it was too! Our new Polish neighbours were celebrating their daughters' first birthday and Grandma made this beautiful cake. Multiple layers, fresh fruits, cream and chocolate chips.

 

 

The clematis in the front garden is a joy.

 I also managed to actually pick 3 peony blossoms this year. I don't tend to grow a lot of flowers, but at the moment I have little vases with cornflowers, sweet William, pinks, marigolds and sweet peas in. Not very many but enough to make me go "Wheeee", especially as this year, all my early Sarah Raven-inspired sweet pea seed planting only gave me 2 plants!

Meh!

But for the first time my cornflowers have come to fruition and I am so chuffed.

 

Will do my best to pop over to your blogs to say hello, but would just like to say a big

 "Thank you"

 to all of you who have supported me and been so kind with your words. It really is a huge boost when I am feeling 'bleurgh'.

Zxx



BEDM - Day 29 "Passion Projects"

The one thing we have really got into this years is birds.

(The winged variety!) 

So cute!

A big baby blue tit caught my eye today, as I was washing up, just sitting on the edge of the cold frame lid.

They haven't nested in our garden that I am aware of but we have the little tits nesting in the hole in the wall again.

I've lost my bird book at the moment, but there are 3 types of tit, I think, and this one is other larger variety. Great tit? Coal tit and blue tit isn't it? Will have to have a little Google.

 

Talking about Google, my picture from yesterday, was a Google Doodle for my birthday. I didn't know they did that.

Have you had a birthday Google Doodle?

Zxx

 



BEDM Day 11 "Walk To Work"

If I don't add this now, I will never get back on track!

 

 

It isn't a grape ivy, it is a grape vine.

 

It isn't a fountain, tho' there is a fountain later on. It is a birdbath.

 

It is an anemone de Caen, but my French pronunciation is beyond dodgy!

 

Sorry about the close up of my thighs. And my cough. And my sigh.

 

But do enjoy Dawnies' ice cream van tune, the fountain burbles, birdsong and the buzzing bee at the end.

 

You will never get this 5 minutes back, you know!

Zxx

BEDM - Day 3 "Self Care Sunday"

Having woken up this morning with yesterdays' make-up still on, well, I'd guess I'd suggest taking off your make-up before going to bed as a good step to looking after ones-self!

 

To be fair though, most of it was Laura Gellar stuff which is a mineral make-up and therefore not too awful to have left on.

 



 

A gentle walk through the park to Aldi was up-lifting for the soul and spirit as we were in the sunshine and missed all the rain.

 

I have a stash of daily meds to take to keep me 'healthy'. Two lots for high blood pressure, which is all over the place at the moment(!), anti-histamine, anti-depressant and something for my overactive bladder.

 

I'm think crystals are a positive force. How? Not really sure but they've been good for me. Regular heavy-duty massage for my neck/spine because of scoliosis. I quite fancy taking up Pilates, which is a fantastic thing. Working in a dance environment I was introduced to it donkeys years ago and, with hindsight, wish I'd pursued it.

 

Having been in a really rather horrible dark place with clinical depression my self care has left a lot to be desired. I don't think anyone has ever sat next to me and thought "She smells", but daily ablutions really didn't figure in my day, (not very much did), and even now it is something I have to consciously think about as opposed to doing it on 'auto-pilot', if that makes sense.

 

Even now it is a struggle to clean my teeth even daily, let alone twice a day! Thank goodness I have strong teeth and a caring dentist!

 

 

My garden has quite seriously been a life-saver and I would say grow something, wherever you live. The garden isn't very big but I cram a lot in and the excitement when, like today, my broad beans began to show...WOW!!

Then you get the good thing of eating fresh produce, which really is just the best.

 

And there's the thing - just do the best that you can do.

YOU deserve it!

Zxx

un-Frozen

 

 

 

 A few shots of the back garden from the kitchen window.

 

Most of this month has been spent in sleepwear, inside looking out.

Not the best of times.

Zxx

 

October Autumn Colour Palette

The Hanging Gardens of Pennyblossoms!

 

 

 

Love the way this Virginia Creeper changes colour at this time of year.



 

Mind you, when the leaves start falling off, it doesn't half make a mess!

 

 

Centre right there are three raspberry canes that are about 9 foot high...they didn't fruit this year, so, technically, they shouldn't be pruned. But if I leave them they'll probably be in the next door neighbours' garden. (Sure they won't mind, free fruit 'n' all!).

 

 

And to end, a tiny, lonely, home-grown freesia.

Smells amazing. 

Zxx

As If By Magic

Nothing yesterday. Nothing the day before.

 

 

Then...SURPRISE...3 little bluebell flowers in the front garden, espied on the way back from the massage therapist.

nice hazard tape!



Bobbin' Robin

Not some of my best photography/movie skills here, it has to be said!

 (You might need a magnifying glass!)

 

But I just had to get a shot of my cheeky robin friend having a good old splash in the fountain.

 

I just had my phone with me and if I'd moved to get my camera he'd have been off like a shot.
*****
It seemed like a heck of a palaver to get to the fair and it was hot; too hot to do a long walk from the bus drop off point to the actual place where the fair was, so I had a lovely day pottering about in the garden.
Much better way to spend my time; but the pictures of the fair that have appeared on fb do look jolly. But I don't regret not going!

And another scorcher of a day tomorrow.
More mud pies then!
Zxx

Yachi Da!

HAPPY ST DAVID'S DAY

 



 

Apparently, the title phrase means 'Good Health'.

My tiny little daffs have just opened in the last couple of days; luckily they're in a pot, so I have moved them so I can enjoy them from the kitchen window.

 

Wishing you all 'Yachi Da!' (yaccy dar!)

Z xx

Morning, Glory

You cannot imagine the joy this morning as I looked out of the kitchen window and saw this.

I do believe I let out a little squeal!

 

 

I have wanted to grow one of theses for years!

 

 

 

Ipomoea tricolor 'Heavenly Blue' aka as Morning Glory.

 

Its' less fancy looking cousin, convolvulace,  is treated as a weed and we get a lot growing through from next door, wrapping itself around the pear trees, which is a bloomin' nuisance! But, oh, these blue beauties...sigh, I am in love.

 

Morning glory is also a slang term which I had never heard of until Mario said he was 'suffering' from it when he was in the Celebrity Big Brother house!

 

Trust 'men' to call 'it' glory! Pah!

Z xx

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Ditsy Belle #28 - Water

Our solar powered fountain, trying really hard to produce some 'whoosh' in the rather overcast weather today.

 (Yes, I know, I should've taken the photo yesterday, when it was lovely and sunny!)

We like to think it transports us back to the Generalife Gardens in Granada, as we sit in our back garden!

 

In my dreams...

Ditsy Belle #23 - Fresh Fruit

Fruit in the garden.

 

 

 About as fresh as you can get!

 

 

And no pesticides! 

 

Bon appetit!

Tomorrows' title is 'Item'. Seeing as there is the Fair on, no doubt I'll be able to find an item or two!

 

Have a wonderful August Bank Holiday Weekend!

Zxx

BEDM - Day 6, Bank Holiday Fun

Saturday was the day of the Fair. There were a couple of showers, which was a bit of a shame, although it didn't seem to dampen the spirits. This was the first time that there were stalls outside on  the lawn, which was really good.

 

We got a garden urn for work for Mr B, a couple of large garden pots for me and a basket that both the cats have tried out!

 

 

After a wander round, refreshments were needed. A sit down and a natter with Trevor's mum, Margaret was in order. Trevor organises the "Vintage in the Shires" fairs.



We are 'twinnies' -  our birthdays are the same date, although not the same year, it has to be said!!



 

 

Sunday we went into town and got a new little greenhouse, seeing as I've filled up the other one and still have packets of seeds still to sow.

 

 

Dragged out the lilac jeans, Guess bag and Babycham trainers and added a T-shirt that Mr B brought back for me from Jewish Mother Backstage in Norfolk, VA. It was brilliant fun when he was away as we managed to set up to Skype while he was away and our conversation on his birthday was when he was at this deli.

 

 

Back here, we went into this lovely café for lunch. It has the original shaped, glass frontage, which looks out over these wonderful black and white shop fronts.

We finished off the evening with a Chinese takeaway.

 



Today we didn't get to the Car Boot this morning. But I did get to put up the greenhouse and sort out a load of old flowerpots and stuff to chuck out. I've also started taking down the bower as the metal frame is knackered and the passionflower has died, so it just needs a complete re-think and overhaul.

It's still a bit too much of a mess to take photos, buy no doubt some will follow.

 

Mr B is off on tour again Wednesday, so I need to sort out the washing for him to take and clear the top of the piano, so we can move it along, (in front of the wall that I papered last week), when he gets home,  and then I can do the rest of the wall while he is away. So, that's Tuesday organised.

 

Have a good week!

Z xx

Wicker Wednesday 8

Probably the smallest piece of wicker in the world!

I am having heaps of aggro trying to move these pictures around today! I've lost my text 3 times already, so I'm calling it a day, before I hurl the laptop across the room in sheer deperation!
Z xx