Kainga, where Roses bloom, life is lived at a gentler pace.Living Simply, doing all those good things like stitching, gardening, cooking and reading.

Monday, August 29, 2011

"Makes Me Happy Monday"

Welcome and a "Happy Monday" to you.

Today we are blessed with beautiful blue sky with white wispy clouds. I am enjoying it because rain is forecast later on this week.
Last Friday I had my monthly sewing group. We meet on the fourth Friday of each month. I took along my Catnip Quilt to do some more hand quilting. I don't want to start anything until that is finished. I only have one row to quilt then the border. So it is all going to plan.


Seeing I haven't any new quilting to share I thought I would share a quilt I did back in the 90's sometime. I am pretty sure it was my first try at stippling.I did the buttonhole stitch by hand, I know it can be done by machine but I do prefer to use my hands.


I am very happy that the garden is in full bloom. Especially happy that the Dutch Iris have started blooming. I planted some new ones this year which are a bit lighter in colour. It was a good surprise to walk out the back on Sunday morning and see it. Some of the Freesia's are flowering to, these are an old fashioned variety. The plant in the middle of the bottom row is a lupin. I go for a walk to the tanks and collect seeds from the farmers paddock and plant them. They are great to dig into the ground after flowering. 

We picked two cauliflowers on Sunday morning. This one weighed in at 5 kilos. I made some Cauliflower soup with one of them and had it with some Naan flat bread. Have you tried cooking flat breads? It is so easy. You get to eat them nice and hot,great with some Dukkah.

Other things "Making Me Happy" today are some Rose scented candles Bonnie gave me. She bought a jar with them in. She liked the jar because of the shape. It is very cute especially that the jar is now full of M&M's.  Do you buy things like that because of the container not what is in it?

Finally I want to share this quote with you.



"By the Gate I'll wait for you, dreaming:
And the flowers in my garden will mark your absence
And rejoice in the day of your return"


Happy Monday
Bev C

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

lovely post Bev

Fiona said...

Lots to see Bev... I do like the lovely flowers...
Hugz

Show and Tell said...

Well done Bev.....I prefer to do it by hand also....Kate...

Michelle Ridgway said...

Thanks for the touch of Spring Bev it was beautiful. I love your saying and the gate.

Simone de Klerk said...

Your garden is amazing with all those flowers!
Thank you for the lovely quote at the end. I have something with gates like this!

Karen said...

Isn't it great to look back at our early day quilts. Love it.
Gorgeous flowers as always!
Love the gate, too!

rosie said...

So glad rain is forecast for you Bev, and that you are having a beautiful day today.. We have had lovely sunshine for our latest shorn 'girls' to go into..
Love your garden as always, and your older quilt..
I love cute jars, and yes do buy them and tins for the actual container..xx

Kathy said...

Lovely little quilt. Nice job on the stippling. Isn't it fun to admire quilts we've done in the past and appreciate the details once again. Nice photography of your garden too!

Teresa said...

Just lovely Bev... enjoyed your post today. The flowers are so beautiful and make me smile. Love the quilt and the quote. Happy Monday xx

Barb said...

I love your quilt and flowers!

suzitee said...

How awesome to be cooking with the produce from your garden! I stipple by machine...not really into hand quilting at all :)

Melissa ;-) said...

I have never tried making my own flatbread, but one day, when the endless remodel is done, maybe I will! And some cauliflower soup sounds pretty good too!

Terriaw said...

Love that quote so much! It makes me think of a good friend, so I'm going to share it with her. Love seeing your beautiful garden in bloom, especially with flowers similar to what we have around here in spring. Thanks for making me happy this Monday too, with those images of a blue sky and whisky clouds.

Dolores said...

Your post made me happy. Love those flowers and I am so glad that I am seeing more and more people sewing and quilting by hand these days.

Sharon said...

Such a cute quilt! Yes, I prefer stitching it by hand also. Your flowers are lovely!

Sue said...

Great to see your quilt Bev, do I recognise those apples?

Bobbie Lynn said...

Happy Monday to you too and yes, I love that sentiments. Your flowers are beautiful and that cauliflower is amazing. Your wall quilt is adorable and great hand work. also, yes I'm someone that buys a container just for it's looks. I even bought a potted plant one time and tossed the plant just of the container.
Have a great week Bev.

Tiffany said...

Hi Bev!
It's so nice that you have a "first" in quilting memories to go back to. I gave my first ever quilt as a gift - so there's no going back!
Your flowers are gorgeous. I love the Iris so much, that I got a tatoo of one...and it's purple!
You have an interesting variety of cauliflower, I've never seen one like it. It looks like it's just getting started. Hot soup and bread - sound delicious!

Jen said...

Oh my goodness Bev - a 5 kilo Cauliflower!!! I need to come and get gardening tips from you, all your flowers always inspire me and now your veges, cauli is my fav!! Perhaps you could post that soup recipe, I have never made cauliflower soup but I do remember my mum used to make it years ago and I loved it!! Is it similar to pumpkin (using chicken stock) and just replace the cauli or do you use a vege stock??
Hasn't the weather been divine, I just love the smell of a fresh spring morning!! It just breathes new life into you doesn't it!!
The quote is beautiful Bev, sounds like it should have been written by a lady waiting for her husbands return from the war...

Anyway, hope you are well lovely lady! Enjoy the rest of your week, looks like we may get a bit of the old rain back!!
Hugs!
Jen xoxo