Thank you for all your warm comments and kind wishes over the last week, I really do a happy dance when I hear from you!
One of my stitcheries (and my verse too! Oh dear!) Sorry it is not a very good photo!
I am sure many of you like me will have been out in your gardens busying yourselves. There is something about being outside, breathing in the air, communing with nature and being close to the earth which really relaxes, refreshs and grounds me. I always feel better for it, whether it is just being in the garden or going on a lovely country walk. It never fails to inspire me and touch my soul.
Kind hearts are gardens,
Kind thoughts are roots,
Kind words are blossoms,
Kind deeds are fruits.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
This week the lovely George and I have been .....
Planting babies!
I have been tidying borders....
Bertram Butterbean Barker (Bertie!) had the very important job as executive supervisor!
I have been admiring our beautiful Owl Tree.....
We have been finishing off our alpine rockery. I really wanted George to wear a Sound of Music little number while planting, but he wasn't having it!
Oooh, what else have I been doing? Hmmmmm......
Now then Ralph Le Puff MacDuff! Don't you look all sweet and innocent in your 1920's hat.. you are not fooling anyone you thief you! Was it tasty you blighter!?
And baking these, (keeping them well away from a certain big black twitching nose!)
And drinking this!
I had to buy this bottle of cider. No really, I did! Look at the lovely 1950's style label, I just couldn't resist!
You will be pleased to hear that the christening went very well. It was a lovely sunny day, if a little windy! Lily, the star of the show, after all it was her day, performed a fabulous party piece! She grabbed hold of, and pulled off the vicar's glasses as he was holding her at the font, and she would not let go! It was so funny, the whole congregation were laughing! Not good for a serial giggler like me. George got that slightly alarmed look flit across his face, as he saw me laughing... Is she going to be able to stop? Yes, you will be pleased to know (or bitterly disappointed!) to hear that I managed to hold on to my dignity, for a change!
Lastly, I am quite shocked and so deeply saddened at the news of the shooting in Cumbria. I have been to Whitehaven a few times, once to visit the Maritime festival, and it really is unbelievable that such a thing can hapen there.
It truly is dreadful, and once again a reminder to me to enjoy each day and to always be grateful. When I heard it on the news, the gunman had just finished his shooting rampage and had run off. I just went in the house and locked the door. Silly I know, as Whitehaven is over an hours journey from where I live, but with going to Cumbria a lot, it felt so close! I feel so sorry for all involved in this tragedy, remembering too all of the emergency services and nursing staff who have had to witness such trauma. It is all unimaginable.
Til next week all you sweetpeas, go forth and enjoy... everything! Sun and rain!
I love to search for the joy in each day!
You may have noticed that I have changed my background on the blog, now what do you think, this one or the overload of owls? You can decide... if you want to that is!
Beautiful blessing to you all.... Suzie xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Oh I am first to comment how wonderful. I love gardening and I am sure the trees with bear fruit for you. Love the hat on Duff too, a dog that likes bread. I have a hubby that would have had the cider off you in a flash. You must go to emma Bridgewater, we got a sneak peak in her studio, it was all very inspiring
ReplyDeleteWhat....no mention of poor George & his bedknob?!
ReplyDeleteYou are unique Juan, & it's such a privilege to know you. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hey Suzie, I do like the new look. Nothing truly drastic but subtle enough to look fresh and new. The yardwork is coming along and I can imagine it is a pleasure to work out over there much different than almost 100 degrees here as it was today. But we get used to our environment and it is wellll...usual. You need to plant a little bug/camera for Smooth Ralphie and catch him in the act! Course then what...... Hope your weekend is happy for you and George and you two can stay out of trouble :)
ReplyDeleteYou have a lovely garden, and your owl tree is beautiful. I love trees, the older the better with knarly trunks :o). Your stitcheries are so pretty, what a talented lady you are. Have a lovey weekend. xx Pixie xx
ReplyDeleteI love your owl tree and all its 'plumage' at this time of the year! Great to hear and see your gardening/animal/crafting/cooking news - a lovely start to my day!
ReplyDeleteWe've been thinking of everyone involved in the Cumbrian tragedy too - a French client was talking to me about it in an English lesson yesterday and it has really got people asking questions about human nature and thinking about how these terrible things happen. We are complacent in Europe that it only happens Somewhere Else. And for us, too, Cumbria is very 'near to home' - I trained at Charlotte Mason College of Education in Ambleside, so it's hard to face that this has happened in a county we know and love. We're praying for the people involved too.
And despite this, have a wonderful weekend, Suzie!
Morning Suie! I know it's a silly question but if you are moving why have you planted fruit trees? I hope you are taking them with you... I love your big owl tree I bet you wish you could take that too. I have a bread thief too- not shop bought only homemade, mine has a long nose ane feathery ears and an "it wasn't me" look on his face.
ReplyDeleteI only heard about the Cumbria thing on MrPs car radio briefly (mine is broken) but it sounded awful- I'm with you and my heart goes out to all involved- including the emergency services- it all seems a bit unreal...
I would have had a giggling fit at the Christening too and MrP would have got that look, I wouldn't have been able to stop though so well done!
As for the background- I liked the owls- but then again this is nice too- why not change it with the seasons and go back to the owls in the autumn.
Arrgghh! Long long comment again- sorry Jxx
Hello Suzie my dear friend. It's so sad to read about the Cumbria shootings. So senseless and sad. I just don't understand the world anymore.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words on my blog. I hope that your weekend will be a nice one and you are enjoying the beauty of your labour.
Cheers to a safe and peaceful day xxx
Isn't that what little ones do at their christenings, it is their day afterall so taking off the vicars glasses must be part of the ritual!!!!!!!! And he is probably used to it!
ReplyDeleteJulie xxxxxxxx
Your Owl tree is beautiful...are you moving ? !
ReplyDeleteThe fruit trees will be stunning when in blossom. I like your new background - I changed mine - for one day ( I couldn't get used to it ! )
The Christening sounded lovely & happy xx
Lovely blog as usual, pretty pictures and wonderful stitchery... a feast for the eyes indeed. I have been to the Lakes many, many times and was so shocked to hear about the shootings happening in such a place. But with the world the way it is these days, should we really be surprised that bad things can happen anywhere, anytime, out of the blue and completely unexplained.
ReplyDeleteHenry Longfellow was a genius wasn't he? Your stitchery is joyous too!
ReplyDeleteSarah x
Owl Tree is looking beautiful, loving those red leaves!! Wish so much that I had a garden but when we were looking for somewhere it was more important for us to be close to town for work for me and for the boyfriend to get quickly to the motorway/train station so we had to sacrifice a bit of green space.
ReplyDeleteI don't think you're the only one to feel like that about the Cumbria shootings, I can't get over it, can't believe how many people he's killed, so awful.
I'm liking this background although it is a lot more subtle than I'd have had you pegged for!
I am sure the fruit trees will blossom and fruit their little hearts out... do you still use the swing? does george push you!? ;D
ReplyDeleteOur dog gets called Bertrum... his real name is smudge but it gets changed to smudgebert.. and then Bertrum...
I have been trying to get organised with the garden... its quite long and a bit of a mess with crappy concrete that has cracked and broken up where the previous owner drove a vintage tractor over it...
I have tall pots as a rule... Smudgebert likes to help water the flowers and unfortunately has a habbit of killing them...
THe bread looked lovely... and as always your stitcheries are beautiful... I am addicted to dying fabric at the moment... only machine dyes.. but the changing of a blank piece of fabric into something vivid and rich is so exciting! lol
Glad your event went of relatively smoothly.. and well done for controlling your giggles... I started to giggle when I was going through the rigmarol of being a godparent for my nephew.. I had to say that I turned from evil and repented sins or some such thing.. I had visions of sacraficing chickens and dancing naked around a fire in the moonlight! lol
big hugs
Alex
x
Now you really must let me know when your baking bread and yummy treats and I'll be sure to pop in ;o)
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend,
Victoria xx
Hi Suzi! I have missed you. :) Thank you for sharing all these lovelies today. I love the Longfellow quote you included, and your stitchery is so exquisite (as always!). I LOVE bread - sometimes I think a little too much. LOL There is nothing like freshly baked goodies to make your heart sing. I'm happy to see photos of your wonderful gardens and fine old owl tree. Your new background has a nice subtle beauty. I do miss the friendly owls. Both are quite pretty, though. Enjoy your week! Theresa
ReplyDeleteYour stitchery designs are gorgeous - I used to do a lot of stitchery designs and makes many moons ago - it is funny how you forget to do things you enjoy until someone else - you in this case - give me a prod! Your work really makes me smile - beautiful! Thank you xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post, I love your baking, cake looks so yummy.
ReplyDeleteHugs RosieP x
Why can't you say your heart is gorgeous? It's not going to be any less wonderful if you don't mention it, is it? And you are right of course, it's beautiful with all those lovely colours on it.
ReplyDeleteNow is that tree really called an Owl tree? Or do owls live in it perhaps? Looks great with the ivy growing up it. And I'm leaving the most pressing question for last. Is that your red VW beetle? I am completely in love with it!!
love your stitching! and love the garden!...always a joy to be out side when the days are bright and beautiful, loved the sweet poem ;0)xx
ReplyDeleteHi Suzie, your garden swing sure looks inviting-I'd love to have a go on it! I love my garden too-it's a haven where I can go when I feel like I need to get away or when I need to feel right with the world again. I confess, I took your loaf of bread-my last few attempts have failed miserably-even the birds won't touch them! I love your new background-my blog is currently all white while I try to figure out how I want it to look. Don't feel bad if George won't dress up-I wanted my husband to put on a vintage sailor uniform for some of my photos. If looks could kill...
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend-and by the way-your unfailing comments on my blog mean a lot to me:) Thanks, and love, Valerie
Cockle and Mussels, lol, that took me back. When I was about 5 I had to sing that song solo at a school concert, I was very nervous, but afterwards I felt like I was like a popstar off Top of the Pops, hehe.
ReplyDeleteLove your Little Red Bug..xxx
I was quite partial to the owls Susie. But then I am quite biased toward owls of any kind.
ReplyDeleteVery sad about the Cumbria thing. Must seem just unreal. Sometimes bad things just happen.
Have been thinking of you all. Love your naughty dogs. Did you ask them, "who shall eat the bread" like the little red hen? Obviously not, because they would have got the picture if you had ... I'm sure they would have!
Jacqui
As always your embroidery is lovely!!
ReplyDeleteYour bread looks yummy & outside??? Doesn't it seem like the work is never done??
Sorry for the tragedy. Seems like there is something bad always going on somewhere...
Have a Wonderful Day!
Love,
Marilyn
xxoo
I love your owl trees, i have something with trees, i can see a face on one of them :)
ReplyDeleteI have been slug hunting yesterday (used a spray of boiled garlics), we are trying to grow lots of vegetables, so far so good :)
Love your stitcheries Susie!
I used to do lots of stitcheries too!
Have a Happy week xoxox
Fabulous post as per usual! It makes me want to do a stitchery, seeing your beautiful heart etc.
ReplyDeleteWe've been enjoying some great rain this week, our first week of Winter. I've stayed indoors and immersed myself in our 19th century family history and been excited to discover the names of my great, great grandparents. Lots of Linen Weavers, Shipyard workers and Shoe makers. I'm from NIreland, so go figure! One adventurous set of Gt, Gt Grandparents moved from Co Antrim to Philadelphia, had my Gt Grandfather, then moved to Portglasgow, Scotland to have a few more kids. My family always thought there was a deeper history in the US and now i've discovered that that's all there was to it. We're Irish through and through! Lots of the women in those days were having babies into their 40s, which is a hot topic these days, but just a way of life back then. They had so many children and so little money and space to keep them. So i've been appreciating everything so much more since all my research - and as i'm now 43, more aware of the risks of increasing our own family! My Gt Grandmother in Co Kerry was 48 when she had my Granny! There's a cautionary tale!
Have a great week!
Cathy (Gt Gt Granddaughter of Mr Valentine Jackson, Linen Weaver, Portadown and Gt Granddaughter of William Templeton, US born, iron moulder employee of the Belfast shipyards during construction of the Titanic!) x
Hi Suzie! I think that Bertram Butterbean Barker is doing an excellent job. He is executive material!! That owl tree is magnificent!!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
Oh Suzie, you do make me smile. So much so that your posts are one of the first I seek out when I get the chance to log on to Blogger.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your wonderful pictures!
Ahhh, spending time in my garden *sigh* it's like nowhere else on Earth :) Xx
I hope those gorgeous fruit trees you planted grow into beauties!!! I love your stitcheries, they are always so beautiful!! Your bread looks very tasty, but for me the fruit loaf has it!!! i would love a slab!!!
ReplyDeletexxxx
Sadly my tickets were not winners!!
ReplyDeleteVictoria xx
Hi Suzie! Thanks for your lovely comment. My Sister, Lynn, is doing very well thank you. It's just come up to 12 months since she was diagnosed. She had her first clear mamogram last week and has a full review in July. Her medication is leaving her bloated and has given her night sweats which get her down but other than that she's well and happy :D Thanks for asking. I've told her your story and she finds it most encouraging.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely week, Suzie. Read you soon. Xx
Oh you must treat yourself to a Yankee Candle one day... or if not a candle try the wax tarts. I was dubious about them smelling as good as a candle but they're great and a better way of getting through lots of different smells.
ReplyDeleteVictoria x
For the LOVE of Ralph....and Suzie and George...you people and dogs make me glad I know you.
ReplyDeleteNow, what have I missed...you are moving, when? Where? For goodness sakes don't loose me...Does the owl tree approve?
What a couple of rotten egg weeks I've had...you'll be happy to know that I have a NEW box to send you...yes indeed. There's no way that dumb post office is going to take all my money...I'm slaying the dragon and sending the Gnomes Ahoy out on their journey again to you!
Now the garden...what happened to Mary Mary Quite Contrary? Now it's Suzie Suzie Quite Contrary how does your garden grow! I've been out in the garden myself diggin' in the dirt...very good therapy indeed.
Big hugs to you and warm wishes and love sent and all that mush and gush...
i hope you feel better soon susie, fliss xx
ReplyDelete