Friday, February 20, 2015

38 and feels like it is 30

 

Good morning Folks ~ I hope you all in the colder parts of the country are keeping warm and are snug and cozy in your homes. It’s chilly in my little cottage, but I slept warmly last night, and it’s warmer in here than outside. At 7:02 a.m. EST, it is 38 degrees F and feels like it is 30. I’ve not even cracked the door to see how cold it feels outside. When it warms up a bit, I’ll go out to see how things survived, visit the barn girls, and check out the plants in my wash house.

Late yesterday afternoon I read a post by Meem’s blog, ‘Hoe & Shovel’ and decided to put some tender plants into my little wash house/storage shed. I brought some herbs into the house too. Meem’s is another Florida gardener, who inspires me with her lovely gardens. Do give her a visit.

I went out to take pics of the plant stuffed space, but my batteries needed charging, so I came back inside and did other things while they charged back up. I was washing dishes when I looked out the window and there were these lovely peachy/rose/purply tinted clouds which made me want to see how the batteries were doing, and they were charged, so I bundled up warmly and headed out with camera in hand.

02-19-sunset

Below is the plant stuffed wash house, with the antique art student oil painting of a nude lady, holding a rose on her lap, with a potted leafy plant beside her. This painting is 24 x 36 inch in size and she adds some color and life to the space. We bought her many, many years ago when we had our antique shop.  I didn’t want to sell her. This little shed is 6’x8’, has my washer, some storage, a desk, and gardening stuff.

I hope the plants survived in there. Orchids, ferns, begonias, a geranium and a couple other things.

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I then walked around the cottage and took a few more pics.

This is looking into the scullery/kitchen area into the lit living room.

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This is the east living room window. After my DH left this planet, I moved this stained glass window from the west bedroom window. The living room window looks out onto the driveway and for peace of mind, I wanted the window blocked, and this is perfect, anytime of day. I like it with morning light shining in, and then it looks nice with the house dark and street lights outside, a nice glow. There’s a hanging stained glass lamp on the inside.

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Then, heading on around to front patio and getting a glimpse of inside.  We do love arches. We were influenced by them from living in Spain for three years as newlyweds, while DH was in the US Navy. He made all of the arches and I love them.

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This photo below is part of my main garden, taken Valentine’s day morning. DH bought me the metal gazing ball many years ago for my birthday.

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During Christmas a needle working blog friend of mine, Lisa, had a give away of one of her wonderful pincushions. She gave away 3-4, one a week, and I happened to be one of the winners. In the rush of the holidays, I forgot to post about it. Thank you Lisa.

Here’s Lisa’s post about this Advent pincushion.

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01-05-lisa-pincushion4

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Another needle working blogging friend Jillayne, was making little hearts with a word on the back for those who would like to have one. You can read about them and check out her lovely work on her blog A Fine Seam.

I received my sweet, little heart yesterday. This is what I wrote on her blog for what I would like.

“My word of choice is FOREVER, because love is forever.
Burnished brown with a bit of lace. Dear husband had brown hair and eyes.”

Thank you Jillayne.

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Both of these ladies do exquisite needlework. There are several others out there who inspire me too, here are three more. Suz at Suztats,  Suzy at SuziQu’s Threadworks and Susan at Plays With Needles. There are many more needle workers out there, these are just the ones that I can remember at the moment, whose works are influencing me. I have much to learn in working with needles, threads, laces, beads and buttons. Each and every day there are opportunities to learn something new.

That’s it for now.

Hope everyone has a pleasant day no matter what the weather.

FlowerLady

***

It is only when we silence the blaring sounds

of our daily existence

that we can finally hear the whispers

of truth

that life reveals to us,

as it stands knocking on the doorsteps

of our hearts.

K.T. Jong

18 comments:

gld said...

I hope all your beautiful plants survived the dip in temperature!

We dipped a little lower than you.

The needle work is all lovely. My sis is encouraging me to get back to knitting and crocheting. I am thinking about it......

Jane said...

That's rare for it to be so cold in your area isn't it? You have lots of talented needlework friends. My first love is embroidery, but find I do more knitting than anything else. Only so many hours in the day!
Keep warm!

hugs
Jane

Rebecca said...

I'm pretty sure you know how much I enjoyed peeking into your windows :)

And what sweet needle work...It's always a delight to stop by your place to see what's going on.

organicgardendreams said...

Dear Lorraine, wow, that is really cold for you area! Hope your tender plants survive in their sheltered spot.
Your cottage always looks so cozy and inviting when you peek into it through the windows from the outside one just want to come inside.
The the detailed needlework on the pincushions is amazing. I really admire women, who are able to do this artful craft.
Wishing you a nice weekend, stay warm!
Christina

L. D. said...

I thought of you first when I saw the weather map. I hope the unusual cold doesn't do any damage. Wear layers of sweaters if you don't have a winter coat.

A Whole Lotta Magic said...

Rainey, your needle work is so beautiful!

Thank you for sharing it with us.

Leslie Kimel said...

Your cottage looks so cozy in these pictures. Very magical.

Sally said...

Hi Lorraine, It seems the the US is in a freeze! I hope it warms up soon as I know how devastating prolonged cold can be in the Southern states. I love the pic of the pink clouds.....It looks like the plants you brought inside are going to make it....yipee! You and your hubby created a haven that really reflects who you are! It's beautiful and interesting! Happy Gardening!

Betty said...

Your hearts are so pretty and I love the pictures you took of your windows. The stain glass one is so pretty. We are having plenty of snow this week.

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

All of your pretty plants look nice and cozy in your sweet shed with your naked lady watching over all! Lovely views inside the windows with the stained glass and the pretty lace curtains. I live in the middle of no-where and still like to have certain windows covered up! You captured a beautiful sunset and your pincushion and heart are very sweet. Thank you for your dear visits. Hope your weekend warms up for you! Hugs xo Karen

sweetbay said...

I enjoyed the views through your windows. So your husband built the arches -- I'm impressed! They really "make" the interior of your house.

Rue said...

I love those glowing peaks into your home at night. I often go on walks at dusk so I can get a peak at my neighbors homes, before they shut their curtains. It makes me feel all cozy :)

Eggs In My Pocket said...

Hello, I just visited Meem's blog and it was wonderful. I love all of your pretty photos. I did not know that you once owned an antique store! I just opened my vintage shop, Yesteryear, last year. It has long been a dream of mine for years. Why did you decided to not have a shop any longer? I love that tree photo ......it is beautiful!

Yesteryear Embroideries said...

What pretty photos! Hope your plants survive the cold weather!How wonderful that you once owned an antique shop. I would love to hear more about that! Stay warm!

June said...

What a beautiful post! I loved the peeks into your windows Lorraine and since you were along, I didn't even need to fear the neighbors would call 911. I always love seeing into people's windows as I pass them on my way in the evenings. It always makes me feel that all is right with the world when I see their lit up rooms and the warmth pouring out of the windows at me. Your home is full of that warmth, as I can feel it from your lovely photos. The arches in your home are treasures.

sending warm hugs for your chilly day!

Diana Studer said...

I share your love of arches. When we built the Camps Bay house, we had to sort out with the builder that we expected the arch to be curved, not squared off. And again in the Porterville house. This time we are squaring off.

Wish you and your plants well thru this unexpectedly cold weather!

Unknown said...

Dieses Foto unten ist Teil meiner Hauptgarten, genommen Valentinstag Morgen. DH kaufte mir die Metallblick Ball vor vielen Jahren zum Geburtstag geschenkt.

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FIFA 15 Münzen

M.K. said...

I love the photos of your home. It looks so warm, friendly, welcoming. The stained glass is exquisite -- good for you, moving it to make you more comfortable. I ADORE the arches in your home, and I showed it to Adam and said, "I wish we could have arches in our cob house!" And he said, 'Well have five." :) Oh, I hope so. The pin cushion is lovely! So glad you got it.