Sunday, June 15, 2014

Flowers, goodies, needlework, T-storms

Good afternoon Friends ~ It is Sunday and hot and humid, it is 84 and feels like it is 94 with the humidity at 71%. We’ve had some nasty T-storms the past few days, strong winds, heavy rains and thunder and lightening. More rain is expected this afternoon and the next few days.  We’ve needed the rain, and I am thankful for it.

The gardens love the rain too, not just flowers but weeds too. I’ve got vines and weeds taking over the ‘back 40’, and other areas at the back of the property. UGH!  There’s nothing like ‘liquid sunshine’ for making things grow.

Here are  some of the blooms in the gardens right now.

This is my favorite hibiscus ~ ‘Hugs-n-Kisses’.

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Night blooming jasmine.

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‘Plumeria’ a bloom blown out of one of my three plumeria trees in the front garden.

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Rubber vine

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Spicy Jatropha

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Vanda ‘Miss Joachim’

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‘Cocktail’

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‘Kathleen’

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Remember me telling about receiving a monetary gift from a dear family member and she told me to spend it however I saw fit.  I told you I thought of a bread machine since my old one that served me well for 14 years pooped out recently. Well, I ordered the same make, and picked it up Friday morning before work. It’s a little bigger than the last one, but basically the same. I did peel off the label after I made a loaf of oatmeal bread yesterday morning before work.

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This was a new recipe which had more oatmeal in it than what I usually use, and while the bread ‘fell’ a little Sad smile it was still delicious! This  does happen occasionally, not the fault of the machine, it could be any number of reasons.  There is something really wonderful about homemade bread.  The aroma while it was baking was so ‘homey’ and comforting.

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With the money left-over , I decided to get a new ironing board cover. This old one has served me many years, but it’s not really me.

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I found out about these hand made quilted ironing board covers from a blogging friend. She bought one and posted about it here. I emailed her and asked her where she got her cover and she sent me the link to the lady who makes these and sells them in her Etsy shop. You can visit her here.

She mailed it right out and I think that was Thursday and I got it Sat. afternoon. She’s in Maine and I’m way down here in s.e. FL.

I love this and the quality is and the workmanship is GREAT!

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Here’s the quilting pattern.  Definitely made for ‘FlowerLady’ who loves roses.

The bread machine and the ironing board cover will make me think of this dear person in my family when I use them. I want to say a public thank you to her right now, without telling who she is. She knows.

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Now, here are some needlework projects. This one below is still a work in progress. Silk ribbon embroidery, and a crocheted/beaded trim. I love working with threads, hooks, needles, beads and ribbon.

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Not sure what I’m going to do with this one yet.

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Here is more silk ribbon embroidery ~ Started out with white ribbon for rose and leaves, three different sizes of silk ribbon, colored with alcohol ink markers. The little French knots are  a variegated purple embroidery floss.

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The frame I picked up at a little flea market in the spring. It was perfect for this piece, made for a friend who had a birthday. Yellow roses are special to her. I also colored the roses on the frame with the alcohol ink markers.

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Tomorrow is our widow’s group, ‘Friends Needing Friends’, meeting and luncheon, and I’ll be talking in front of the group. Yikes! First on how I came to start the blog (one year ago), for the group, and secondly I’ll be talking on the widow ‘Anna the Prophetess’, and how this widow in the Bible has inspired me in my widowhood journey.  If you think of it, say a little prayer for me. Writing a blog is a whole different thing than speaking in front of a group.

“The Lord is my strength”.

He is how I’m able to move forward and grow in His love, grace and mercy.

Thank you all again for being such a great bunch of friends. You’ve blessed, encouraged and inspired me in many ways.

Have a GREAT week whatever you do. 

Trust in the Lord. Call on Him and He will work all things out.

FlowerLady

29 comments:

Nancy J said...

Beautiful blooms, I think your first photo is the best, of course the bread maker must get a very honourable mention, A gift so treasured, sometimes giving is a gift in itself, without the present. Love your last stitcheries. Hugs, Jean.

lil red hen said...

Your flowers are beautiful, both real and embroidered. We've had lots of rain this month, making the vegetables grow among the grass :) I'm sure you'll be fine making you presentation.

Tatyana@MySecretGarden said...

Hi Lorraine! I love your hibiscus picture with a little fly!
Have a good week!

Ruth Hiebert said...

I love that ironing board cover,it might almost make ironing enjoyable.

shirley said...

So many wonderful things to see in this post. Your orchids are just divine. The plumeria flower looks like what we call frangipanni here.
Your ribbon emb pieces are gorgeous.

Terra said...

Three plumeria trees, wow, your garden must smell like Hawaii (where I first encountered them). How good you have a new bread machine, and your stitching is very pretty. I like Terry Hershey too and get his email newsletter.

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

Oh wow, what glorious flowers!

I don't have a bread making machine but enjoyed using my mom's when The Man and I were there during my dad's recovery. It does fill the house with goodness.

Your needlework is beautiful!

Claire said...

Night-flowering jasmine is a MUST in any garden - I LOVE IT!!! Great purchase - we love our breadmachine :)
Have a wonderful week x

Jean Campbell said...

Your needlework is so exquisite. I was drooling over the bread until I got to the embroidery.

Speaking in front of a group is easiest when you share the things you know best. I know you are an inspiration to the others.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Love your sharing
your garden with this one.
I use to make homemade bread
but just do not eat much
bread anymore :)
Checking out the ironing board
cover.
Thank you for sharing your
beautiful world..

June said...

I hope that your talk goes well today Lorraine. Sending prayers.
You grow so many beautiful things in your garden that I will never be able to grow here in zone 4 and so I love that you share them here with us all. Your blooms are all so lovely. I also love those ironing board cover too. So pretty and unique.
Lorraine your needlework is beautiful and how I wish you and I were neighbors and I could have you teach me such a skill.
sending hugs...

Rose ~ from Oz said...

As always Lorraine your needlework is exquisite. Your purchases are lovely, I can smell the bread from here and the ironing board cover is definitely YOU!
The description of your weather sounds exactly what I'll be looking forward to in a few short months!
You'll be wonderful addressing the group - I'll be thinking of you.
Enjoy your week dear Lorraine.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi There, We have a similar Bread Machine --but ours is older than your new one. I'm sure you will love it as much as we love ours.

Gorgeous flowers.. You always have such beautiful flowers.

The Ironing Board Pads are so pretty... Wow!!!!

AND--I'm always impressed at your embroidery/needlework projects... Fantastic.

I'm sure you did well at your Widow's Group.

Hugs,
Betsy

Unknown said...

Your embroidery is beautiful.

Rebecca said...

I hope you'll share some (if not the whole) of your talk about Anna! What an interesting role model...

Your embroidery is SO beautiful, Lorraine - and the ironing board cover is very unique. Looks right in your home :)

Once again the beauty of your flowers provides a feast for my eyes (even as my heart is breaking and tears flow for the Christians in Iraq suffering beyond my ability to imagine).

Well, I'm off to spend time with my mother this morning. I've had my morning walk & find it is already warm here - and VERY muggy!

sharon said...

great post lots of blooms and handicraft!!

jerilanders said...

OH THAT BREAD SMELLS GOOD! Pass the butter.
Those Ironing board covers could actually make the job fun! I dearly love your ribbon work, it is always so delicate and perfect.

tina said...

You are so right about homemade bread. A wonderful smell to accompany the beautiful roses you make. Those iron board covers are pretty clever!

Sunray Gardens said...

Lovely blooms. You're right the smell of fresh bread cooking is wonderful. Nice way to spend your gift along with the cover.
Cher Sunray Gardens

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Lorraine...your cover is...gorgeous!
Isn't she terrific at making these?
I am in love with my second one as well..blue ribbons...something new for me. And yes, that ironing board cover suits you perfectly. Roses are my thing as well so we certainly have something in common. (Okay..probably not those toe rings!) :) I am pleased you fell in love with something I love as well. A bread machine? Oh my..I just might need one of those. I've always wanted one but just never bought one. It looks quite large. Does it take up a lot of room? I am short on counter space..but for good bread..something might have to go! :)hugs!
Mona

Unknown said...

Oh God you are simply amazing! Can't believe anyone can do so much hats off to you.and your garden is superb. Your hibiscus colors are so beautiful

organicgardendreams said...

Dear Lorraine, as always I enjoyed seeing the tropical flowers from your garden. The new rosy quilted iron board cover is pretty cool. I didn't even know that such a thing exist, before I saw it in your blog. I am very impressed with your detailed embroidery especially the one with the yellow silk roses. What a pretty work. Hope your talk in front of the widow group went well. Warm regards,
Christina

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Rainey, your needlework is amazing! I've been doing some embroidery on bed pillow covers and feel like a dolt...the simplest Fr. knots are beyond me...I've looked on you tube and tried and tried and the blasted things keep pulling out straight...no little knots. ugh! btw, you could, probably, sell your old ironing board cover on etsy as vintage...people LOVE vintage. the new one is going to be so pleasant to use.

Deb J. in Utah said...

I have been out of town and am just now catching up with my "blogging buddies"....I love your flowers - they remind me of the ones I saw in Hawaii last week. That is one nice bread machine. I have two old ones - that I purchased used - they work OK but maybe someday I will get a nice new one! Hope your talk in front of your "friends" group went well. I am sure you did just fine! Enjoy the rest of the week. P.S. I do love your embroidery. You are so talented!

Debra Howard said...

Looks like you are busy busy busy. We finally got a bit of rain and I have the same problem...Still hoping for some more though till the drought is over and the aquifers filled back up.

Ferree Bowman Hardy said...

Dear Lorraine, Your photos are beautiful and I enjoyed seeing all the blooms outside your home and all the flowers inside too! Why, even the little bug on the first picture was very pretty. Your widows group is blessed to have you among them and I'm sure your talk must have been a lovely encouragement to everyone. If you'd ever care to, I'd love to hear more about your group, and maybe feature it on my blog sometime so others will also start such a group. hugs to you.

Sandra said...

I always enjoy your photos, especially the flowers. So many different varieties and colors, just gorgeous.

I have to say that I really am liking the quilted ironing board cover, I am in need of a new one and I may just make myself one :)

Hope you're having a fantastic weekend so far. I'll be coming around more often to visit :)

Hugs,
Sandra
xoxoxo

Darcie said...

Can't help but wonder how your speech/talk went. I agree talking in front of people is so different than typing on our computer to a group of people, huh? I imagine you did wonderful!

As for the bread maker...how absolutely wonderful...I can literally smell the bread from here. Nothing like the aroma of fresh bread.

M.K. said...

Beautiful blog post, as ever :) You do such exquisite embroidery work -- I'm amazed at those close up shots of ribbon and beads and how beautiful it is! And your bread looks yummy. So glad you got that machine! It will save much labor. We're having RAIN and t-storms today too, big ones.