Peony Time!

I know this picture isn't great but the camera has been rather grumpy lately. I had to take this with my blackberry. The peonies are in bloom and they are quite lovely. We have had some wicked stormy weather here the last few days and I was worried they would be destroyed completely! I just love the scent of them.

I am patiently waiting for the curtains. They will be completed soon but I thought I would give you a little picture I took shortly after I painted the bedroom. Not sure if I like the shades I made for the dressing table lamps? What do you think? The originals are cream damask. Something to ponder.

I am still nursing the patient. Her six week post op appointment is Tuesday so we are hoping for some good news. The scars seem to be healing quite well and we have been applying Vitamin E cream which has seemed to speed up the healing process. But she still has some pain when she tries to do too much. My goodness this is a long recovery. Athletes do not sit still very well! And I am not getting half the things done I thought I would!

Here is the patient holding the incredible hailstones from Wednesday evening. We were lucky the cars didn't get dented, they were huge.

I wish I had more to report, but things have been slow around here.

Have a lovely weekend, Ladies!

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xoxo

Eiderdown Love

I am totally aware of the fact that this is a terrible picture, but the battery ran out of the camera and I had to use my blackberry. This is an eiderdown I found last week for a very good price. We know how eiderdown crazy I am right? Well this one is stunning. It is a pale green/blue with pinks, egg blue, greens just too beautiful for words. Did I mention it was like brand new? Right now it is in DN2 bedroom, the colours are quite lovely with her Cath Kidston colours and the touches of the Laura Ashley that are spread around the room. She will be home for Christmas around the 15th. The poor thing has been sick for over two weeks now and it is getting her so down. It is hard enough having away but when she is ill I JUST WANT HER HOME. I want to make her tea and honey and chicken soup and dippy eggs with toast soldiers.

Again trying to bring in all the flowers from the garden that are too healthy and beautiful to leave to the elements. Where these are going to go when the Christmas decorations come out I have no idea.

Okay, I know these pictures aren't the greatest either but it's the best I could do.

Do you bring in your geraniums in the fall? I have some that are 3 or 4 years old now. Where do you keep them?

And a gratuitous pug picture.

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I did go and buy the coat I wanted. It is perfect for this damp and rainy weather. And oh so easy to dress up. You know they ship worldwide don't you?

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Have a superb week my lovelies!!!

Little Peeks

A peek at my new bed. But that is all you are getting until I paint it. Soon I hope. It is the iron bed "Savannah" from Pottery Barn.

Autumnal roses. And the only lobelia that did well in the whole garden. Nice.

Quick peek at the potting shed. Still waiting for a few odds and ends. I still have to paint the door the blue/grey colour, it is just primed.

And I think the tin on top is new (to me). I found it in the summer and I think I forgot to show you.

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Still busy painting, doing some clear out and going away here and there to see my daughter. The weather is cooling nicely now thank goodness. Love Autumn.

Lisa xo

Note: Okay my writing skills are next to nil. I meant I would be painting the room not the bed apparently that autumnal air is not as invigorating as I originally thought ;)

Roses, Peonies and Thrifty Finds

Hello my friends. Today I have gone through my pictures on the computer that I saved for you. These were my lovely peonies. They are quite finished now as the wind has been atrocious and many downpours had left them sodden. Thank goodness I cut them in plenty of time.

And that sweet bookmark? My dear mother made it for me for Christmas and it is one of the most treasured gifts I have ever received from her.

Just a snap of a dahlia and the pretty Mother's Day card I received.

The forget-me-nots were quite abundant this year. I had them spread all over the house. Every available vessel had wee blue flowers peeking out.

Such a pretty little flower, so humble.

Alfred de Dalmas. Has not made an appearance in my garden for many, many years. Two years ago I moved it to a new location and lo and behold, gorgeous blooms.

My dear, sweet William Baffin. Never, ever disappoints me.

Oh, you beautiful boy!

While we are talking about flowers, look at this sweetie I picked up. Charming tin with the most vivid colours. Really makes me want to pop something in the oven to fill it with!

And have been very lucky with the pink and green. A yummy pink stripe pillowcase and a little rosebud one as well. A wonderful sheet, all rosy and some stunning Laura Ashley fabric with tiny flowers although I am not sure what pattern this is. Anyone? Adorable all the same though.

The latest addition to the family.

The girls suprised me with this for Mother's Day. Almost as cute as my real handsome man.

Where the living is easy...

All photos Cath Kidston and Greengate

Scones and other things...

Made scones for a dear friend today. Do you have a favourite recipe?

(ooops forgot about that no carb thing)

She came and dug up some of my elderberry shoots. I make a syrup in the fall with the berries that the kids originally hated. Now DN2 plans to take it away to uni and sell it for those suffering from coughs/flu. Enterprising little thing ;)

Puttering

The May picture from the BBC H&A calendar. Tranquility.

My summer blankets are coming out of hibernation. The big chunky eiderdowns and duvets are going to be put away after they are aired and their covers washed. I have quite a collection of the chenille/candlewick covers now I am thinking I may sell one or two. Greens and pinks are my favourite. The top one is a lovely pink but it looks white in the photo. I am also going to sell off some of my Cath Kidston/Ikea Rosali items this summer. Once I know how much I will need to send off with my daughter to university I will be doing a nice clear out. Waaaay too many linens in this house!

A touch of gardening but not nearly enough done.

Pansy love.

A wee tin I found in my travels and just liked it. I couldn't get the thing opened and it wasn't until I brought it home that I found a length of pink velvet ribbon inside!

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Did finally get the Prom dress. Beautiful strapless aubergine coloured full length gown with a bit of a train. Superb.

Now for shoes...

Garden Pretty

I need to get in the garden.

And organize my potting table.

And find my trug that has gone missing.

And mother and I are arguing. She said the actress in the Final Frost was Lady Jane Grey also known as Phyllis Logan. I said it was Mrs. Herriot also known as Lynda Bellingham.

Why are mothers always right?

But come on, they do look very similar, yes?

What I Am Doing

I was trying to figure out which gingham I wanted for the cushions I wish to sew. The phone rang. DN1's professor lost her assignment. Can you please email it to me mum? Now, I need to hand it in. Stop.

Thought about adding another row to my ripple blanket (yes, I am still crocheting this, unbelievable, I know). And thank you so much Fiona, for the lovely cushion! Phone rang. DN3 has forgotten gym clothes. Stop.

In between sad and pathetic distractions, I gaze at my new (to me) enamelware teapot. It matches the coffeepot I got earlier this year, do you remember?

Arrange potted geraniums in window in slight haphazard manner. Phone rang. DN2 and billeted hockey friend are sick at school, need picking up. Stop.

Come home and make cup of tea. Decide to pack it in for the day.

While lying on sofa reading Caroline Graham (good one) and drinking tea, I look out window and think I should have just done this all day...

PS Thank you all so much for the fabric love. Now who will be the next one to snag a bit of this loveliness I wonder?

The Perfect Colour

No not the lavender silly, although that is a perfect colour is it not?

I meant trying to find the perfect blue for my gate.

I know I want blue but I cannot find the blue I want.

Does that ever happen to you? Or do you always find the perfect colour as soon as you get to the paint shop?

I want that colour blue you see in France on all the shutters and doors.

I cannot describe it but have seen it so many times in books and magazines.

Are there any blue experts out there?