Climbing Roses and Life

Hello my Lovelies! I know it has been so very long. But I have many good reasons for my absence. Dn2, the hockey player, had bunion surgery 2.5 weeks ago and all I have done for those weeks is the Florence Nightingale thing. 24/7. Both feet were done so it was basically impossible for her do anything for herself. It has been a difficult road for her. A girl that is as active and as fit as her to sit/sleep in the same position for such a long drawn out period. And seeing her in so much pain is really quite horrid for a mother to bear. The recovery is very long for this surgery and we are anticipating her immobility for another two months or so.

I don't leave the house for very long. Maybe a half hour to run to the chemist or to pick up milk etc. So I have not bought one plant for the garden. Not that I am behind at all as the weather here has been wet. Record breaking wet. No one has done any planting as the ground is quite soppy. But I do need to figure out which climbing rose I will plant against the new potting shed.

I want a vigorous one obviously. Fast growing, deep pink or cerise with a fragrance and a repeat bloomer. I know, not much to ask for right? America? Galway Bay? I just can't make a decision.

The curtains in the bedroom still are not done yet. But I did paint the game room/play room about a month ago. It felt so good to get that accomplished and pitched bag fulls that went to charity. I painted it "Elephant's Breath" the Farrow and Ball colour and am so please with it. Fantastic colour I must say.

Well if anyone has suggestions for a great climbing rose I would be terribly appreciative!

And for my Canadian friends have a wonderful Victoria Day weekend!

Lisa xoxo

Um, Gorgeous

credit

OMG, I love this commercial. Genius, I say.

Trip to Bloomsbury

Have you been?

But you simply must!

You will love it!

If you cannot get there physically, then you must do what I did and get the book!

Charleston

:: a Bloomsbury house & garden

PS did you know we were lucky enough to receive 12 cm of snow yesterday? I thought not.

Small and Almost Insignificant Post

I still have not had the seamstress lady in to see if she can make my curtains, but I thought you would like to see the colour of the room and the bed and my lovely, lovely prints. The centre ones are the little sweeties I was waiting for from an etsy seller. They are so charming! And the other two are from my dear friend, Clara, who is now regretting the fact that she gave them to me. They look that sweet above my bed.

Things have been terribly busy here. I have DN2 home for the week from school and next week is break for the youngest one.

I also NEED to finish this room. It has dragged on far too long and I just want to get it done. But I refuse to hang any more pics til the curtains are done as that can give a whole new look to a room and would rather wait til that is done.

So that's all you get for now!

PS Absolutely no signs of spring here whatsoever. So those that are posting your wonderful Springlike photo? I am sooooo jel

Lisa xoxo

Is It Just Me...

Or

has

Pier 1

finally

figured out

what we love???

Almost

The bedroom is very close to the finish line.

This is a blue jar I picked up while away.

But I cannot show you anymore until it is done.

I wish my Etsy delivery would get here. Soon.

Patience.

xo

::photo by Chris

Crafty Goodness and Some Sweet Loveliness

Before I begin with all the loveliness can I show you my cottage pie? It was just such a perfect looking pie we didn't want to eat it! But I quickly came back to reality when DN3 said "you're taking a picture of that?"

I know, moving right along...

Craftiness. Not a word used around here lately, but I did manage two of these little cuties. One for me and one for Mother. It is a crocheted granny square done in pure, lovely wool. Then I felted it! My hot pots are very comfy now.

Then I lined the back of it with this lurvely fabric. If you plan on making one please email me and I will give you a few hints.

This charming bit of goodness I ordered for myself. Love it except for the fact I cannot get the melted candle out.

Gorgeous rose scented candle and holder from Ikea. I received two of these for Christmas from DN1's BF and adore them. Simple beauty. Did you see the pretty books? From DN1. My sweet daughter believes that mother should get everything she writes on her list. And I did!

Where did I get this darling little gem? Well my best friend, Clara, felt I needed more cornishware. And voila.

See how it fits in ever so cosy like? Too much happiness over here!

Isn't it just so easy to love Cornishware?

Clara also treated me to this delightful Limoges plate.

My heart is warm.

~~~~~~~~~~~

The painting has begun. Sort of. The pre-painting chores. But this weekend? It's all about the paint.

Thanks for dropping by

xoxo

It Burned to a Crisp

For those that were waiting with bated breath to find out what happened to Mother's cake. I just felt so bad for her I did not have the heart to post about it. The problem was, and I really hesitated to tell her, was the use of TWO smaller pans instead of one large one as Delia states in the recipe. But let us not dwell on the mistakes of last year. As a new year begins I, like so many others, want to do a huge clear out of junk and begin some serious painting. Starting with my bedroom that has patiently been waiting for a make over. The iron bed I now have but I would like to start painting and am thinking of a pale blue or blue/green. Don't you just love the bedroom above?

And how pretty is this? But I often wonder how dirty/stained a padded cloth headboard would get? But so terribly beautiful.

Oh and my holidays were spectacular. My girlfriend and I drove down to pick up my daughter at uni on the 13th and she was here for two glorious weeks. Two weeks of eating, movie watching and cosy cuddles under eiderdowns. She had to return to school on the 30th for one and half weeks training before school even begins, but I am thankful for those blissful days together with ALL the family.

And it was a Sorel Christmas. The far right black ones were hands down my favs but not so practical. So I went for the fur trimmed ones second from the left. DN1 recieved gorgeous tan leather ones from her BF and DN2 got the short black ones.

Bring on the snow!

I do hope everyone of you had a festive, safe and fulfilling holiday.

And all the best, my lovely readers for 2011!

I have missed you so.

xoxo

Delia, Darling

Okay, Mother and Father have undertaken the daunting task of the Delia Christmas Cake. So far the ingredients have cost them 45.00. I cannot wait to see how this turns out!

Updates will follow...

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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Have a superb week my lovelies!!!

what i am loving right now

Lululemon clothing. Above is Gisele Bundchen wearing Lululemon pants.

Avril Lavigne (although she obviously did not take advantage of the free alterations)

Eva Longoria, again too long.

Ahh the beautiful Megan Fox. You can find zillions of photos with Megan wearing their clothing. She seems to live in it and now that I have been wearing their items I know why. The pants do something to your bum. In a very good way. It will look better. I am not kidding here.

Nicole Kidman, with a helpful trainer I might add.

Pink working it.

Reese Witherspoon looking cute as always.

I am totally hooked on this clothing line now. Everything I put on makes me look (and feel) GREAT. The pants can be worn with almost anything. Of course you wear them for working out, but you can dress these pants up no problem. With a nice cosy sweater or a comfy cardi everything will look good with these. They have an online site although I have several stores quite close. You have to try it. You will love it! My next purchase will be the yoga coat. Water repellent with a hood. Just what I need.

***and secretly it feels good knowing I can wear the same pants as a supermodel

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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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 ;)

Unpopular Opinion

Before I begin, let me first say I love Christina Strutt style. Her sitting room is so tranquil and soothing.

But having just read her new book, "At Home with Country" I must say I was disappointed. I felt as though it was just a very large, expensive Cabbages and Roses catalogue. Almost every room is styled with her fabrics. Cushions, curtains, tea towels, the list goes on. Again I love her style and her fabrics are indeed lovely but I found it a bit much.

I do own most of her books and love her tips and philosophies with natural cleaning and her re-use, reduce kind of ethic.

I am thinking I am on my own with this. Any opinions out there?