Merry & Bright

Although we had a beautiful start today, it's cold and wet in Holland for the time of year. It feels like autumn in stead of Spring. I wish we would get a south-westerly wind, that brings in warm air. I could really use it, because we have a tea party planned for Sunday. I would love to hold it in my garden.

If only because the garden is really pretty right now, with the cherry trees in full blossom, the blue and white grape hyacinths at their best and the woodruff almost in bloom. I would love to share it with my family. So please keep your thumbs up!

Let me show you some of the things I recently found and will use for my party.  They are all quite colourful. Hopefully they brighten up your day. Like they did for me!

Wish you all a Happy Wednesday!

Love, Madelief x

 

Watch the ships go by

The photo's I show you today are not the sort of photo's I normally post on my blog. However, there is something about Rotterdam's harbour area that I find hard to resist. Even on a cold and rainy day, when the whiteness of the buildings and The Swan, one of Rotterdam's major bridges, looks impressive against the dark grey sky.

After visiting an exhibition called 'Celebration of the photobook' in the photo museum on 'de Kop van Zuid', we walked along the quay's and admired the beauty of the old warehouses, the boats, and the view of Rotterdam city centre.  I like the way old and new blend in together. Most tourists visit Amsterdam when in Holland, but I can assure you that Rotterdam has much to offer. We don't have any canals lined with 18th century houses, but we do have our harbour and a modern city centre with great architecture and much atmosphere!

We ended our walk in one of the café's that are situated on the quay and watched the ships go by.

Wish you all a happy weekend!

Love,

Madelief x

April garden

Hope you all had a lovely weekend? I planned to spend a few hours in the garden, but unfortunately the Weather God's did not smile on Easter. I was really happy I already did some work on Friday, which was bright and sunny. I always cherish these early spring days, when there are not that many people around on the allotment complex and I can enjoy the peace and quiet.

The garden is full of flowers. Grape hyacinths, forget-me-nots and primula's cover large part of the front area. Some daffodils have already wilted and are replaced by other varieties that are in bloom now. The plum tree in the front garden and the one near the stream in the back, are full of blossoms. As is my Japanese cherry tree and Magnolia. We planted the Magnolia last year and I was really happy to see it survived the cold.

New shoots appear everywhere; the red spikes of the peonies, pointed shoots of the Hosta's and the first tender branches of the Delphiniums. I spotted the first snails too! In my raised beds the garlic is growing fast. So are the summer bulbs. Tiny seedlings of the Sweet Pea's appear.

Inside the garden house work is in (slow) progress. I gave the ceiling of the garden house a layer of white paint. Once it is finished, I will cover one of the walls in floral wallpaper and change the colour of the china cabinet. More about that in the course of spring or summer.

A happy day to you all!

Madelief x

I am joining Vero on Fleur en kleur op woensdag



Vintage girl

After almost three years of blogging, it must be obvious that I love everything vintage :-). From needlepoint bags, table linen and floral dresses, to multi coloured china. I roam charity stores, flea markets and auction sites, hoping to find the right things for a nice price. However, lately the prices are rising and it's getting more and more difficult. There is not a period or a style I am looking for in particular. It just has to appeal to me.

I use most of my finds in my garden house, but enjoy giving cups and plates to friends and family as a present.

In today's post an embroidered Easter tablecloth I found at a charity shop a few months ago, some floral teacups and a jug I recently bought and am totally in love with.

Are you a vintage girl?

This is my last post before Easter. I wish you all a good time!

Happy Easter & Love,

Madelief x 


I a joining Vero on 'Fleur en kleur op woensdag'

 

 

Easter decorations

Some of you may have seen this post already. Last Wednesday I published it by accident. Sorry I withdrew it, but I did not add any words to the post yet and I wanted too :-)

If only to thank you all for leaving comments. I enjoy reading them very much! I try to leave comments with you as often as possible too, but I simply don't manage any more. My family, work and the garden take up a lot of my time. I hope you will forgive me when I don't pop over to your blog as often as I used to.

I am normally not that much into decorating for Easter, but I couldn't resist the brightly coloured birds I spotted in a garden centre. They look really sweet in the white branches and brighten up our home!

The blue grapes hyacinths and daffodils come from my garden. I don't mind picking them, as there are so many.

Wish you all a happy weekend!

Love,

Madelief x