hortensia

Some days are better than others

Well, of course they are, and sometimes there's no real reason for it. Tough, when the day's not so good, but a pleasure when it's as good as today. Some of it in the garden, the rest planning what was going to happen in the garden both with plants and also a new table/bench.  Very handy for cups of tea.

The rest of the time has been spent working out a couple of technical things here on typepad, and organising the shop.

Hopefully, if you click on the image below it should take you to the new shop front.  Please take a look, and there are now extra photos for each item.

 

P x

A new find on Folksy

While looking through Folksy last night, I came across a great looking shop with such gorgeous, yet simple things in it.  I'd love any of them and may have to treat myself very soon.

The shop is called 100 percent Delicate and you can find it here.

P xx

A little input please

I've had a play around with Big Cartel and set up a shop.

Just now there are only two items in it, but what I'd like is for you to take a look and let me know what you think - either a comment or an email please. This is the link here.

The re-jig of the blogshop hasn't even been attempted yet as I haven't yet decided how I'd want it to look, so I don't have that ready for you to compare it with.

This coming week is going to be all about decorating eggs, flowers, garlands - and where better to look for all those things than Martha Stewart!

 
The nest may not happen, but the flowers definitely will.

P x

Roses and flowering quince

 
Yesterday, after pick up from school, we passed the flower man and he was selling creamy roses for half price because they were open. And perfect, so we got some.

In the garden there are a couple of plants in flower that I find very difficult:

 
 
The flowering quince is lovely, just not quite dark enough to make it beautiful; the Kerria japonica is a great shape for a flower - especially on a shrub - but the colour just isn't right. And the more I try to get rid of it (the Kerria) the better it grows. Hey ho.  It's obviously decided that this garden is its home, and it's staying put.

P x

Cath Kidston coin purse - and the blogshop

I've been putting a couple of things into the blogshop, and suddenly realised just how complicated it's looking. Basically, you can only really see the things on the first page.
Decision time I think: re-design with easier to access images etc, or move to Big Cartel. Or close it and stick to Folksy?
A little thinking time required.
P x

Tomato leaves

 
One of the most evocative smells for me is that of tomatoes. It can transport me back to childhood, standing in my Grandad's greenhouse on his allotment, in an instant.

 
And today I noticed that the first flower trusses are appearing:

 
And yes, that is more glorious sunshine in the background.  This has got to be my favourite April ever!

P x

Garden in a box

Looking around the garden this morning, in perfect sunshine if a little windy, I was trying to think of a way to show all the flowers that are in bloom today - but in a different way. I make no bones about the fact that I've seen similar pictures in lots of magazines, but decided that I would try it.

 
The dark red Hazel leaves are in there because they're so beautiful, though not really classed as 'in bloom'. It was a very useful exercise - I could see instantly what the over-riding colour them is in my garden in Spring. And I'm happy enough with that.

P x

Not quite a magnolia....

but just as welcome.

 
It's not pink or showy in the way of a magnolia (and I do wish I had one!) but it's just as exciting when it burts into life. The leaves stand upright a bit like tea cups and when they open, there's a beautiful flower inside. I wish I could tell you exactly which Sorbus it is, but it was already in the garden when we arrived.

The other plant in the garden which is a real 'moment' for me, is the Lathyrus vernus coming into flower:

 
I bought the original plant at Harrogate Spring Flower Show quite a few years ago, but since then I've sown a few of the seeds to create even more.  They shine out at this time of year and remind me of the pleasure to come later on in the season with Sweet peas climbing up a wigwam.

The rain has returned today, but that's ok as the garden could do with a little drink.  But please, please, don't let it forget to stop!

P x

Spring cupcake set

 
I've seen a cupcake decorating set in Waitrose with bunnies etc for special cupcakes, and I very nearly bought one.  But luckily I didn't because the lovely Shona from Little town bakery has been producing some of her own. As she works from home (for now - a shop will come later) she needed some things that would post, so there will be lots of homeware added to the cake ranges.

 
The cupcakes are sitting cooling on the rack right now so we'll get to play with the decorations very soon.

I'd gone along to the Maker's Markets at Seaburn to collect my cupcake set, and it would have been rude not to have a good look around, and so found this lady here.  She has so many lovely things; I could have spent a fortune, but as I didn't have one, I thought I'd better go home, look through the website and choose one (or two) lovely items.

Enjoy the sunshine,

P x

 

 

A real find

Sometimes you come across something by chance and it makes your heart sing. Yesterday I was lucky enough to find two such:

 
To find my favourite nursery open for the 2011 season, and have the very plants I was looking for. And the other was to chance upon a blog which sings out with joy and light! The photographs are great and so is the overall blog design.  Please take a look if you have the time: http://poppy-lou.blogspot.com/

Today is all about finishing off a bag order to hand deliver tomorrow - and maybe just a little time in the garden. I'm also going to look through all the summer things - blankets, cushions etc - and start to make the garden seats look pretty. After seeing Poppy's lovely crochet bunting, I think I'll hang up some of mine too.

Happy weekend,

P x