Some Cottage & Garden Snaps ........ blogging friendships ........ & books ........

Greetings dear friends & readers,

Gosh, I did not mean to be so long between posts ....

 Along with some (more!!) computer issues, I have been spending quite a bit of time with this little cherub below ....

Sid is now 5 1/2 months old  .... loves his food but if you take too long getting it ready, he starts to eat his bib !!!

As promised last post, I am sharing some pictures of my Cottage now I have given it a change around & a freshen up.

 It is difficult to take good photos inside as there is very little natural light & lots of lamp light, hence the photos often appear yellowy

 As you walk into my little Cottage, directly opposite is my "angel wall"

 The mantle piece above my fire surround (above)

Some of the "baby area" (above)

Fresh stocks of fragrant new soaps on my oak dresser (above)

A little sewing supplies area (above) ... needlecases, pincushions, workbaskets

- soy candles made in vintage china cups (above left) -

That is just a small random selection of the different areas in my little Cottage .... soon it will be time to be thinking about a christmas display I think !!

Though my poor old garden has been more of a neglected jungle this past winter, there are definate signs of life popping through the soil again ...

My veggie garden on the other hand, has been amazing with all the growth .... planting by my moon calendar along with copious amounts of worm tea have given me a bumper spring crop of so many different vegetables

Last Easter in the pouring rain, I remember planting 5 pots of bulbs - hyacinths & a variety of tulips 

 Nothing happened for a very long time & I began to despair but I have a riot of colour now that the tulip bulbs are in full bloom on my deck

Some of these were old bulbs I lifted & gave fresh potting mix, & others were new bulbs I had been gifted

Blogging friendships .........

 Earlier this year I wrote about meeting up with Sue from the blog Kiwikids

We had a wonderful time together so when Sue wrote that she was coming over to put some help in place for her elderly Mum & would I like to meet up again, I jumped at the chance.

We decided to meet up in Tirau, a good half way point & a pleasant spot to have some lunch together.

I remembered there was a Christmas Heirloom Shop in Tirau so after a lovely lunch we wandered up the hill to browse in the store
The Shop Owner took this photo of Sue & I amongst the trees !!

Sue & I in the Christmas Heirloom Shop ..... I could've bought one of every thing !!!!!

You can read Sue's post about our visit here

About 3 days after our get together an unexpected package arrived in the post.
Imagine my surprise when I opened it to unfold this gorgeous play quilt that Sue had made for my grandson Sid !!

It just so happened I was babysitting Sid at the time so he got to "test drive" the beautiful new quilt covered in gorgeous Boyds bears .... you can see by the photos how delighted Sid was !!!

Thank You Sue for your kindness & this most wonderful gift.

Another blogging friendship that I so enjoy is with my friend Willie
He leaves wonderful comments on my posts & often sends through emails about the things he loves the most 
..... cats, pink, family & lemon tea !!
It was on Willie's recommendation that I purchased the following book ... I Could Pee on This!!  A humorous compilation of poems relating to cats & Yes indeed, I am sure Miss Pippi is featured in quite a few of them!!

Willie has just celebrated a special birthday so I sent him this e-card featuring 2 of his favourite things, cats & pink !!

I first saw a vintage copy of this next book at my friend Sally's house & fell in love with it ... I was lucky enough to be able to purchase a 2nd hand copy from Trademe for $7.00.

I am sure many of you will be familiar with it dear friends - it is such a beautiful book

Thanks So Much for stopping by today dear friends,

I shall attempt to blog more frequently now we have (hopefully!!) had our computer issues sorted

Your visits are always so very welcome here  .  .  .  . 

old mossy work boots planted with pansies tucked in a corner of my garden

I hope the week ahead brings you many pleasurable moments,
with much love & friendship to you all,
Julie & the furry ones x0x0x0