Monday 30 January 2012

SUMMER FRAGRANCE


Hello dear friends

I tend to forget that not everyone
in the world and blogland
are experiencing the joys of
Summer.

So I thought I would give you
a wander through the garden
to see just what's in flower
on my side of the world
in New Zealand!

This is a New Zealand bred rose named
Aotearoa
(the Maori name for New Zealand).

It is a wonderful rose for picking
and has a long flowering period
from November until
May/June.
Maybe you could enquire at your
local garden centre or a rose grower -
you would never regret
adding this one to your collection.

You will all probably recognise
Souvenir de la Malmaison.

She is a my favourite of all roses,
 an exquisitely fragrant
Bourbon rose.
Cecile Brunner
is another favourite.
She has a sweet fragrance
and makes a wonderful climber.

A beautiful striped rose.
I'm sorry I can't remember her
name, but I think she is a
sport of the old gallica
Rosa Mundi.
I adore this old creamy Foxglove
and it's a perfect companion for
roses -
as is this delightful
Love-in-a-Mist -

and this soft pink Alyssum
and this Lavender Ruffles.
I bought this new variety
last year, but it only flowers
during the Summer.
Whereas dentata flowers
all year round in Auckland.
Ruffles is quite a showy
performer tho!!!

I hope you've enjoyed your wander
and just think, Spring is just
around the corner for most of you!!

Thank you all for popping in to see me
especially those of you who leave
comments.... love you!
A big welcome to my new followers
Thank you for joining my blog.
Be kind to one another
Love and hugs
Shane x

Saturday 28 January 2012

Bienvenue - s'il vous plaît venez dans...


Hello dear friends!
Today I thought I would give
you a little peep
into my world.

It's Summer time here
on the other side of the world,
so I've hung a pretty
Summer garland on either side of
our front entrance!






I bought this lovely old

door sign the last time
I visited my daughter in France.
It says 'Welcome'.



My next visit will be in May/June
to meet my new GD
Jessie!!
and... hopefully I'll be
visiting a brocante or two
to find more treasures!

Just inside our front door
is a bookcase
and on the top shelf is an
old concertina book holder
(rather like bookends except
it has a base and expands)






I particularly love the ends

which are brass and quite ornate -
don't look too closely
as they desperately need a polish,
on second thoughts
I really love this old patina
so I won't be polishing them again!




I have my father to thank for this,
he was a bookish man
and spent a lifetime of collecting
books and bookcases!!
It is one of my
favourite things.


Above is this gorgeous old set of
Anthony Hope novels
which were also my fathers.
I particularly love that faded
pinky red colour -
sadly I haven't read
any of these titles... yet.

Like my father I've always
got a couple of books on the go.
I love history
and I must drive our
local librarians mad
as I'm always asking for
new titles!
(I wonder if they hide
when they see me coming?
it wouldn't surprise me)!!!

I have a huge stack of
books beside our bed
and another in our
living room - can you
relate to this?


As most of you who read
my blog are in the US or Europe
I thought I would give you a reminder
of the beautiful gifts of Summer,
hydrangea's from my garden.


Also in the bookends is
an old leather bound set of
A.A. Milnes - you can guess
where they came from!





Thank you all for popping in to see me

especially those of you who leave
comments.... love you!
A big welcome to my new followers
Jami and Tiff
Thank you for joining my blog.
Be kind to one another
Love and hugs
Shane x




Thursday 19 January 2012

BABY'S FIRST SLIPPERS!


I'm still totally besotted with
everything baby -
specifically things for
my darling Jessie!!

One of my lovely embroidery friends
 sent me this sweet pattern today!
I can't wait to get started
they will make
beautiful Christening slippers
 yes?

(If you would like the pattern
let me know and I'll email it to you).


My latest collection
for Jessie -
her 'must have'
wardrobe!!

from here
I adore this classic smocked
baby dress

and this is gorgeous -
if only I could crochet....
(help...Tammy!!!)

from here
We all need a little sundress
come summer!

from here

but this just has to be my pick!
Dolce and Gabbana -
LBD
very chic for a french bebe
don't you think - yes?


And she'll need some
snuggly friends to
keep her company....!!!!!




Thank you all for popping in to see me
especially those of you who leave
comments.... love you!
A big welcome to my new followers


Thank you for joining my blog.

Be kind to one another
Love and hugs
Shane x



Sunday 15 January 2012

ONE WEEK OLD


Welcome dear friends!
I would like to introduce
you to my newest angel -
Jessie!

We had a Skype session
at 7am (my time) this morning!!
(my daughter lives in France
and I am in New Zealand)
I had my camera on hand
and took these pictures of
my family on my conputer screen!

We chatted and the big sisters
had turns at holding their
baby sister
they are so proud!

Jessie is a calm baby
and didn't cry once
in the hour we were chatting!


It's times like this I feel the
distance between us (12,000km).
I wish I could have reached
out and taken her in my arms
and told her how much
I love her....

Welcome to our world
darling Jessie
it will be all the better
because you are now part of it!!!

Thank you all for popping in to see me
especially those of you who leave
comments.... love you!
A big welcome to my new followers

Be kind to one another

Love and hugs
Shane x



Thursday 12 January 2012

BLOGGERS ARE REAL FRIENDS TOO!!


Late last year when I broke
my arm, a few of my blogging
friends sent me lovely
"cheer packages".


This parcel was chock full of
wonderful creating bits and bobs
from my gorgeous, talented
friend Rhonda of


An exquisite little altered
matchbox with goodies inside!


Lots of Rhonda's tags -
with beautiful images.


I've got something special
in mind for this bezel!


Ooh la la - so pretty



I adore Rhonda's
darling Faux Gem Tintype
embellishments.
Wonderful to add to tags ect.
Check them out on her etsy here



and many French style tags
just what I love most!
You know me well
dear Rhonda
merci mon amie!!



Do you love handbags?
French style handbags - yes?!
Then head over to 52 Flea
where she's having an
awesome
GIVEAWAY !
(be quick it closes Friday 13th)
Could be your lucky day!!!


I know we all like
books on interiors - house stuff - yes?

'An Eye for Detail'
is the title of an inspirational
book that Ellie is offering
in her
GIVEAWAY.
Check it out here

I'll have another update
on Jessie soon -
I'm waiting for photos!!

Thank you all for popping in to see me
especially those of you who leave
comments.... love you!

A big welcome to my new followers

Be kind to one another

Love and hugs
Shane x


Monday 9 January 2012

TWO BEAUTIFUL GIVEAWAYS TO START THE YEAR...


I thought as part of my
blogging this year
I will tell you all
about giveaways that
friends of mine are hosting.
Here are the first two for 2012


My lovely friend
Mariette
is having very special
"not to be missed"
Giveaway on her blog.

She is very generously
giving away a beautiful
925 Silver Giovanni Raspini Charm
from the heart of Tuscany, Italy.
You won't want to miss out!
Please click on the image at
the top of the page
to get to the Giveaway post on her blog!
Bonne chance!!!
__________________
The second giveaway is for
those of you - who like me
are mad about buttons!!


Just click on the image above
to take you to
Button Floozies
giveaway post
celebrating 800 followers!
________________________________

I've had awful trouble
getting the text size all
the same tonight -
Blogger sometimes makes me
grrrrrr...!!
Back soon with more news
about Jessie!!

Thank you to all my wonderful
followers who have left your
sweet comments on my blog
and others who have sent me
such beautiful emails
following the arrival of my third
darling Granddaughter!!!
You have all truly
touched my heart.
Everything's right with the world
it's a good place to be!!
Be kind to one another
Love and hugs
Shane



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