Gathering the Moments - July

Most of my moments during July were filled with

long days at work, however I got out and about

most weekends.

The best part about July was when
friends of mine visited my family in France!

It was wonderful to get some first hand news
on their return and see new photos...
oh how those three girls have grown.

In the centre of the above mosaic you can see
 my youngest grandie 
and on the right the butterfly wings I sent her.

...and I also popped into my fave patchwork shop and bought

a couple of fat quarters.

I'm a fabricholic - is there such a word?!

We went up north one weekend for a lovely wedding.

My husband is still beavering away restoring the boat.

There was some baking and of course a few walks.

I sometimes buy veges at a market garden nearby.

Hardly a month goes by when I don't visit
the garden centre - I'm addicted to them
and they're always good for a photo!
Lobelia and sweet Heartsease in my garden pots.

I'm joining Cheryl for her monthly meme

Gathering the Moments

why don't you join us and show us what you've

done in July!

Take care and

be kind to one another 

  Merci à bientôt

Shane x

Fontainebleau Carousel

On my recent post on Fontainebleau fences here

my very observant friend Mary of the wonderful blog

A Breath of Fresh Air 

spotted this carousel in the background

of one of the photos!

So here it is - the girls had a wonderful time

riding on the various animals.

They also managed to spot an ice cream stall nearby -

funny how they never miss one of those!

I love the pretty carousels in France

they are painted beautifully

and not at all tacky like the showground ones.

Enjoy your week

 and

be kind to one another

  Merci à bientôt

Shane x

Cornwall Park gardens in Summer

It's cold and wet here and has been for weeks...

I know we are in the middle of winter

but it does get rather tedious.

So today I'm re-visiting one of my favourite summer walks.

The Cornwall Park restaurant and tea room is a

great meeting place and favourite stop for walkers!!!

Some of the delicious morsels on offer!

I'm joining Mary for Mosaic Monday.

Take care and

be kind to one another

  Merci à bientôt

Shane x

Fontainebleau fences

The imposing gates and fences of

Château de Fontainebleau in France.

In the grounds of the château

 there is a concrete fence on the terrace
above the lake.

It was a stormy day in June when I visited two years go.

A newspaper kiosk in the village

with bicycles leaning against the fence.

A beautiful building in the village

which is used as offices.

I imagine in days gone by it was

a very grand country house belonging to Parisians,

as Paris is only 69km away.

I'm joining TexWisGirl

for Good Fences #18

I'm sending love and prayers

to everyone throughout the world who had

family or friends lost in the MH17 disaster.

Our country is in mourning too

for the New Zealanders among those on board.

Take care and

be kind to one another

and

remember to tell your family

how much you love them

  Merci à bientôt

Shane x

La Cigale French Market

We have many great foodie markets in Auckland
one of my favourite ones
is the La Cigale french market in Parnell.

There are many outside stalls
with seasonal vegetables and fruit
plus wonderful cheeses, artisan breads, paella etc

Inside their large warehouse
La Cigale have a cafe and bistro 
with traditional french food and wines.

Best of all they have the most delicious

pâtisseries like éclairs, profiteroles, sweet tarts

and macarons, not good for the figure I know

but sometimes they are completely irresistable!

I'm joining Mary for Mosaic Monday

Thank you all for your visits and comments

Take care and

be kind to one another

  Merci à bientôt

Shane x

Flowers on Friday

Today I'm looking back to Spring 2013,

with photos I took of my hydrangeas

for this floral post.

This month Trishie gave us a theme of 

"flower in focus"

As I'm working full time at the mo

I haven't had a spare minute to get out

and photograph winter flowers in the garden....

so it was back to the archives!

This is my fave white hydrangea

"Bridal Bouquet".

It is exquisite in bud

and I'm told it is used in wedding bouquets

hence the name.

However, after the initial 'first flush'

the heads become huge and quite ordinary!

I've decided she is worth keeping

at this stage - but we'll see!

As my townhouse garden is small

I really do need to be much more selective in my plant choices.

I am now quite brave at culling

plants and shrubs that don't make the cut for me,

however, I admit it's difficult.

Another hydrangea I love

but sadly I've lost the original tag

so I can't tell you the name.

It's very pretty and a good picker too!

I'm joining
Sharon for July Garden Party 

Liz for Fresh-Cut Friday

Trishie for Floral Friday

and

Mary for Mosaic Monday

Thank you all for your kind comments.

Only another two weeks of this crazy

full time work.... 

then things will return to normality

and I will be visiting you all again!

Take care and

be kind to one another.

Merci à bientôt

Shane x