Eye candy

 

 

 

After a week of rain, we had our first dry and relatively sunny day yesterday. I couldn't wait to get on my bike, for a 10 minute ride to our little piece of paradise. When walking the last few meters, I am always full of anticipation. How will the garden look like? Will the roses have buds, the grass be soaked and the aliums in bloom already? The garden never disappoints me. In fact, I think that after five years of gardening, it's looking more and more the way I want too. After planting, lots of replanting, considering the soil and the light, I finally get the hang of it.

The plants that are in bloom, like Dicentra, Aquilegia, Wallflower Bowles Mauve and several varieties of geraniums, are eye candy for the garden. Others are waiting for their finest moment, with their buds opening a little. Full of promise.

I got rid of two baskets full of weeds too and even found some time in between to plant annuals in containers and have a cup of tea, enjoying the view. Hope you had a lovely day too yesterday?!

A Happy Pentecost Monday!

Madelief x

Crochet skills

 

With a blog meeting coming up in Amsterdam soon, at which the ladies behind the top of the Dutch crochet blogs are present, I try hard to improve my skills. I don't want it to be too obvious that I will be the one with the least experience, if it comes to crochet. Oh yes, I know how to make a granny square, a blanket, flowers and necklaces, but that's about it. This week I started on doilies, but oh my, it's more difficult than I thought it would be. I am fine until I get to the fifth or sixth row, but then things start going seriously wrong.

This weekend I will ask the help of a friend, who makes the prettiest things, so that at least I know what those ladies at the meeting are talking about ;-)! By the way, I will show you some of my friends work next week. She just opened an Etsy shop and can use some encouragement.

The pastel coloured bowls above were a present to myself. They match perfectly with a modern white dinner service, that I use when having guests. The bowls are made by Royal Doulton and part of the 1815 collection. Aren't they pretty?!

Have a lovely Wednesday!

Love,

Madelief x

Tea for two

When the world is all at odds
And the mind is all at sea
Then cease the useless tedium
And brew a cup of tea.
There is magic in its fragrance,
There is solace in its taste;
And the laden moments vanish
Somehow into space.
The world becomes a lovely thing!
There’s beauty as you’ll see;
All because you briefly stopped
To brew a cup [...]

Anonymous
 


In the garden, together, with a cup of tea, surrounded by flowers and birdsong, delicious chocolates and my latest flea market finds. Sheer bliss!!!

Happy weekend!

Love, Madelief x  

Froth time in the garden

 

 

 

There is so much happening in the garden. I find it difficult to keep up! Every time I visit, something new is in bloom.

The path to our garden is lined with clouds of pink and white. Today I walked through a storm of pink petals. It was absolutely enchanting.

The front garden is full of froth. Blue and white grape hyacinths, yellow cardinals, the first Spanish hyacinths and a carpet of  woodruff are competing who looks prettier. I take lots of little posies home with me, to put on bedside tables.

I planted tomato Marmande, red pear tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. There are still some seeds, like grey pumpkins, striped courgettes and eggplant, waiting in the greenhouse for the right conditions to germinate.  I also seeded some Canterbury bells and Penstemons, but nothing much is happening yet.

As you can see on my last photo, there are lots of weeds too, but even that looks pretty at the moment. How is your garden growing?

Have a lovely ascension day!

Love,

Madelief x