Beginings of Spring

The first signs of Spring have begun to poke their friendly little faces out from hiding.

Here August is still pretty much winter. Cold mornings and evenings but with often lovely warm, wind-free days. We had some gorgeous weather last week right up until yesterday when the weather turned once again and we have a cold front with rain at the moment. I have been enjoying the garden, taking note of the new flowers coming up..

These mini daisies came up completely by themselves and very handy too in my big pot plant on the patio.

Sweet-pea's have just started to flower! yay!

Scabiosa now beginning to bloom

Lavender is flowering profusely

My daffodils coming up all by their sweet little selves (so fascinated!) I bought these adorable Enamel teeny tiny cups to plant my daffs in.

They are so sweet and I love the pops of color!

The weekend was lovely! We made hay while the sun shone and spent a lot of time outdoors.
A braai (BBQ) at friends; A lovely 10km bike ride with the kids to the park and to visit friends who have moved into their new home; sitting outside and soaking up the sun while drinking hot coffee; and our first visit to the beach this season! Although it was chilly and we wore jeans and jerseys, it was still lovely to breathe in the fresh, salty ocean air, feel the cool sand between our toes and walk the length of the beach hand in hand while our kids frolicked in the waves, beach combed for shells and pebbles and sought out sea snails. We went with some good friends of ours and their kids and bought some KFC to sit on the beach and eat. It was glorious. Almost like a forbidden peek at summer!

 

One thing I have sorely missed for about a week now is lighting a fire. It hasn't been cold enough to justify lighting a fire and oddly, I have missed it....MUCH. So I was so happy this morning when I layered on jerseys and socks again and it was raining...YIPPPPEEEE!!!!! So a fire lit as we speak and I have made dinner (beef stew, rice and Malva pudding). Looking forward to a cozy evening with my family.

One last thing before I go...I bought this totally adorable Enamel coffee pot which arrived today! I Loveeeee it! It is so gorgeous!

A pretty Little Bunting for my bedroom

Hello there!
I hope you are well-wherever you are in the world!

I needed a pretty little "something" to go above my mirror in my bedroom. I decided to make a little bunting.
It was easy: bias binding, vintage scraps, two quick crocheted bits, some lace and ribbon and vintage doilies.
Snip, snip, sew and TA-DA!

I stitched some letters on to read "Happy". But realized afterwards, the fabric wasn't contrasting enough. Oh well...

It makes me happy just looking at it when I am in bed!

Memory File : Camping

I really enjoy making these memory files.
They are a fun and economical way to store a lot of photos. I managed to get 102 photos into this memory file which consists of two Camping holidays on two different occasions but to the same place.

Little books to open up and store photo's

Inside, more flaps that open out.

Different sized pocket books for different sized photo's!

Love the layers and little books

Memory files are really fun to make and such a great way to store photo's in a practical , easy and pretty way.

Filled this memory file today with all the photo's!
Finally I can tick it off my to-do list (was on it for about 6 months!)

Do you like memory files? Made one of your own? Would love to see! Post your link in the comment section and I will come and visit you. Thanks! Have a great day!

Hello Pretty Shop update

Lot's of new goodies in my shop(some items are available for international custromers and you can pay via paypal too!)
Crocheted Jar covers
A peachy one

A green and Lilac one

A Pretty in Pink One

A Vintage Apron Wrap With crocheted detail made by me too (except the vintage found doily)

All items can be found HERE

Random Thoughts.

Sometimes when people are feeling low or hurting about something, they eat, or maybe exercise or go for a long walk, or immerse themselves in a hobby. I like to blog...

We all have problems, stresses, strains and things we are dealing with on an ongoing, daily basis.
Sometimes we may feel we are alone, or that nobody understands.

When my life isn't going well or I am having difficulties, I always remember to stop and focus on what IS good and what I DO have that is wonderful and that makes me happy. And mostly, I can fill a whole page in 5 minutes with all my blessings. I then also take a moment to remember there is ALWAYS someone worse off than me and for that I am sorry for.

 

Sometimes, I try and do something for somebody else. I know it makes the other person happy and in turn I am happy I made them happy. It really is a kind of medicine. What are we if we cannot give of ourselves to others? To give is to get so much back in return and the more I learn to practice this, the more I realize how true it is. Of course I fail miserably at times and my selfish little self wants to curl away with a book and pretend the world doesn't exist, but when I stop and think of just the people I know who need a word of encouragement, a kind deed, even if it is just a visit, a card, a home-made cake and I can do that, just for that moment things feel right.

Thanks for reading and to continue to support me and my little blog. It means a lot!
PS all photos taken in March 2011 Paris, France by me.