Wednesday, July 30, 2014

curiouser and curiouser


LIttle Blonde Bud Vase


 

I love these ceramics by Ohio artist Amanda Lynch Smith, don't you? 
See more at her etsy shop Clay matter.

Sunday, July 27, 2014

lilac blossom and daisy





At last I have something that I made to show you - a cardigan for my granddaughter. The pattern is from the MillaMia book The close knit gang and I used MillaMia merino yarn in the colours lilac blossom and daisy. I'm pleased with how it's turned out and pleased that it fits - babies grow like rockets.

Listening: I never learn by Lykke Li
Reading: My Salinger year by Joanna Rakoff

Sunday, July 20, 2014

kaikoura







Five days in the South Island. Best place - Kaikoura - a small seaside town surrounded by snowy mountains. We went there to see whales and were lucky enough to see sperm whales and humpbacks as well as Hector's dolphins and albatross. I really wanted to see whales in their natural habitat and whenever we're walking along clifftops near the sea I'm always looking out for whales but I've never seen any. But even though the whales were great the fur seals were my favourite. They were everywhere along the coastline swimming and lazing in the sun on the rocks and you can get quite close to them. So cute.

Reading: The buddha of suburbia by Hanif Kureishi. This was written in 1990 and made into a four-part TV serial. Have you seen it? I'd love to.

Sunday, July 13, 2014

winter garden









It's midwinter so there's not much happening in the garden flowerwise - except for a few camellias and the daphne. But I've planted a small bed for cut flowers - poppies, stock, cornflower and sweet William - so that I can make tussie-mussies in the spring. Well, that's the plan. We've had so much rain and it's been quite warm so everything that's still got leaves is green and growing.

Have a lovely week.

Monday, July 7, 2014

microgreens



So far - on my microgreen adventures - I've only grown cress. It germinates well and grows quickly. And it adds a nice pepperiness to salads. Also nice on a grilled cheese sandwich.

I like this growing method best - it's clean and fuss-free.