Have a Wonderful 2010

Hello Blogger Friends,

I hope you've been enjoying this last week of 2009. May you not have many regrets from this year, may you look forward to the new year with expectation of good things. Each day is a gift, may we all find the gems in each one, so that we may live life more fully and meaningfully.

I am thankful for all I have learned this year from you all, whether it be about gardening, designing our inside or outside spaces, cooking, homecaring, crafting, computer or blogging tips, or thoughts about living life to the fullest regardless of the economy. Blogging has opened up a whole new world and I enjoy it immensely.

I wish you all a wonderful, healthy, love and peace filled 2010.

Now, here are some pictures taken on the 28th and today, so these are current. We had perfectly gorgeous weather here today. It's the kind of weather we wait for during our long hot and humid summers. I will do my best to post pictures here to keep you all from having cabin fever. Hopefully they will tide you over until you can get out to play in your own gardens. Click on pictures for a larger view.

A zebra butterfly on salmon colored Porterweed.



Prosperity roses with a beautiful blue sky
and lovely white clouds for a backdrop.



Blue sky and puffy clouds behind Louis Philippe roses.



Here are two different bougainvilleas
growing into our space from one of our neighbors.
They are beautiful.



Begonias



Double yellow datura grown from seeds
from Nell the seed scatterer. Thanks Nell.







Thunbergia shrub.




Morning glories.



Louis Phillipe roses.



Caldwell's Pink roses.







Thanks again for a wonderful year of blogging
from Plum Cottage.

Zone 10 ~ s.e. FL

Another little beaded embroidery project

Good afternoon. Hope you all have had a restful day today after a busy week this past week.

I just finished another little project and I can see where I might get addicted to this. :-) I was inspired by a great book I checked out at the library. The book is 'Beaded Dimensional Embroidery' by Helan Pearce. Her work is lovely and inspiring.

The first picture is my little work space in our library/office.

My computer is to the left. Books surround me on two walls, and I have a nice view out the window onto the patio garden.

Click on pictures for larger view.

Finished needlework, now I have to figure out what to do with it. I do want to sell this in my Etsy shop. The shop isn't open yet, but I hope to do so, the beginning of 2010. I'm such a procrastinator.

Zone 10 ~ s.e. FL

Simple Living from Down to Earth

Good morning everyone. Hope your day is a lovely one whatever you do.

I recently came across a blog that really inspires me to continue to live the life we've been living, and to do so even more. Rhonda is the blogs creator, she lives in Australia with her husband Hanno. She shares her thoughts, ideas, recipes, and pictures in a gentle manner.

Here is a sampling of what she believes and writes about: ...people who decide to live simply share a determination to step away from the mainstream to pursue a life where they are content with what they have, they reconnect with family and environment, they reduce spending, conserve resources, slow down and live each day with a purpose. They see beyond the crass consumerism that supports much of modern life, to a richer way of being that is sustained primarily by family, friends, happiness and a solid day’s work.

To read more go here Down...to...Earth

This is my goal for this year to live more simply, more contentedly and enjoy life's many blessings.

May you all have a wonderful, meaningful 2010.

Zone 10 ~ s.e. FL

Christmas morning blooms

Zone 10 ~ s.e. FL

Merry Christmas

Here it is just a couple of days left until Christmas. Hope you are all caught up with your shopping and that you are able to relax and reflect on the meaning of the holiday. Enjoy your time of togetherness, good food, conversations.

My favorite Christmas song is O Holy Night. DH found an old video clip with Tennessee Ernie Ford and Gordon MacRae. Their voices blend wonderfully together on this beautiful piece.

Here is a link to a Christmas webpage on my website.
O Holy Night

Have a wonderful, love, peace, and happiness filled Christmas whatever you do,

and a lovely 2010.

Zone 10 ~ s.e. FL

December in Florida

A few pictures starting with sunrise this morning. Today is DH's birthday and I've been working on making him a special dinner throughout the day. I made him a Boston Cream Pie, with a twist. The cream filling is peanut butter flavored, as I added 1/2 c. peanut butter to it. :-) A Thai carrot salad, Thai zucchini with bits of carrot, mashed potatoes, a pan seared rib-eye steak, and wine.

Have a great week.

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Zone 10 ~ s.e. FL

Refurbished Table

Hello Friends ~ Hope your holiday week is off to a good start. May all go peacefully, little stress, good times, and may love, joy and thankfulness fill your days.

Here is the 'found' table refurbished by DH, with a glass top he cut for it also. Excuse the sunlit room in the first picture.

It is obvious that this piece was hand made. I love it and it goes really well here in our 50's cottage and with our pine tongue and groove board ceilings.

Zone 10 ~ s.e. FL