Lavender harvest and a little country

For the last couple of early evenings and still many more to come, I have been harvesting my many bushes of lavender. Planted right in front of my home, under our windows . The smell this time of year is heavenly. Of course where does my mind go...if its not 'Mousehole village' in England I get transported too, its France! I best do some travelling or not....It all seems to be right here at my front and back door. I plan to store and keep my harvest for lavender sachet's, hand creams and to flavor sugars for gifts. Just outside my kitchen grows a glorious English Country garden. Hollyhocks and bluebells, foxgloves and roses. Added to my garden this year are some beautiful Chinese lanterns. Just look at the folds in their petals. Each petal being of a different shape. They look so vintage. Summer here is Bright, warm, full of fragrance... delightful truly happy.

A happy day to you
Suzanne
X

Our Many blessings

Our many blessing burst forth every new day as Spring slowly ends and Summer is not too far away. Our week has been a busy one and towards the end a very cold and rainy one. I captured this picture of my Eldest daughter Brogan (the meaning of her name is " Pearl" ) this week. I am taken by this photo as she tries to look up at me with the sun on her face. I see a beautiful young woman emerging in this special child. I am taken by her beauty and genuine goodness...I am blessed. Our Berries and my Boy picking them has been a daily activity. He finds his spot amongst the nasty thorns and finds the biggest blackest treasures to share. Our orchard is bearing the most heavenly vegetables and fruit. I thank the generous earth , abundant rain and the shining golden Sun for giving us such healthy goodness. My little noodle is growing and the only reason why she features so much is that she nearly died when we got her and I am so blessed that she is here. A happy little pup.

I do hope you all find the blessings of your week as I did mine. I promise, I do not have the perfect life but I squeeze every ounce of good blessing that comes my way...hold onto it and that helps us get through the tougher days.

A happy blessed weekend to you all. XX

Meeting with the Fairies

Olivia went to visit my Sister the other day. She had written letters to the fairies in her fairy garden and they had left her a few beautiful surprises. She was captivated by the evidence of them having just been there.

Misty Orchard, my little bit of England

One of my favourite magazines is the "Country and Living" . I read and read these magazines soaking in the gorgeous English Countryside , transporting myself to these locations. The views, the village markets, the fabrics and wool...I can go on and on. Although I live in Sunny South Africa, moments like these are few and far between..Ones that need to be captured. My waking today to our Misty day. My orchard took on a new look. Very romantic indeed. I almost expected Mr Darcy to come walking through the orchard gate with his flowing Winter jacket...

I then spotted our meadow mama chicken beautifully caring for her young lings. How cosy on this misty cold day to have a warm wing to yourself...

Today the children and I will have a little tea and cake to honor a great lady, Tasha Tudor. Following her life through her books has helped clarify my journey with my family.

Happy peaceful weekend to all of you.

Swinging on the Ol' backyard tree

The old faithful tree in the backyard has seen seasons come and go. Has seen child and baby spend many a happy hour swinging. Its used for climbing, gives us the most beautiful shade cover for summer picnics and is home to many a mama bird and baby. Sigh... I love my tree

Little purple pansie

I sang a song as a little girl called "little purple pansies touched with yellow gold " I loved that song and today it came back to me. I now see where the yellow gold is.....

My country garden

I sat taking photos' yesterday and could not believe the visitors that flew around me. Bees, dragonflies and this gorgeous bumble bee. They were not even aware of my presence.

My Vase of Roses

Our Hubbard Squash

We picked a Hubbard squash this afternoon and I must say he looks rather large and grandpa-ish. Its our first Hubbard harvest in our orchard and I am rather keen to taste. Not many weeks to go till our grand harvest. We have gems, butternut and Hubbard squash.

Sunflower house

I have two lovely books called Sunflower houses and Root,shoots, buckets and boots by Sharon lovejoy. They are lovely garden inspirational books. We created this sunflower house for the children last year and have this seasons sunflowers almost ready in the hot house to plant out again.

mushroom finder

One thing that would really get me up early in the morning would be my passion for mushrooms. I love taking photo's of them and finding a new variety in my garden excites me so. I feel like a little child hunting for a fairy.