Wishing you all a happy and healthy and prosperous New Year 2012!
Musings and photos from a little suburban garden......and other random happenings as they occur! Scatter seeds of kindness wherever you go!
Friday, December 30, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
Christmas Clippings!
Its almost Christmas 2011,and as usual it flew from September to now it seems.Just a quick tour of whats been happening around here the past few weeks,must go and collect my turkey soon,hubby is hoovering,daughter C.has baked a few cakes,fridge is overflowing,and things are slowing down.The sun is even shining here in Cork!After the snow of last year the weather so far has been almost balmy!Days are already lengthing by 2mins.from today,yeah!!! Roll on springtime!
Daughter Claire (on right of picture)graduated in Retail Sales Management and her first cousin Stephanie graduated in Beauty Therapy!
Son John (in yellow jacket and eyes closed!) performing at the Cork Arts Theatre in a production of Mrs.Bob Cratchits Wild Christmas Binge!
Copied this idea from Kristy Allsop who made something similar on TV.
Sumptious chocolate cake for dessert,made to a recipe by Carla Blake.
Spot the humans! Seen in the city centre,a full band of musicians!
Just what the doctor ordered...................
Into Le Chateau (bar) on Patrick St. for a welcome Irish Coffee to rest up after the shopping!
A happy,peaceful and healthy Christmas to all in blogland,see you in the New Year!
Daughter Claire (on right of picture)graduated in Retail Sales Management and her first cousin Stephanie graduated in Beauty Therapy!
Son John (in yellow jacket and eyes closed!) performing at the Cork Arts Theatre in a production of Mrs.Bob Cratchits Wild Christmas Binge!
Copied this idea from Kristy Allsop who made something similar on TV.
Sumptious chocolate cake for dessert,made to a recipe by Carla Blake.
Spot the humans! Seen in the city centre,a full band of musicians!
Just what the doctor ordered...................
Into Le Chateau (bar) on Patrick St. for a welcome Irish Coffee to rest up after the shopping!
A happy,peaceful and healthy Christmas to all in blogland,see you in the New Year!
Monday, November 28, 2011
Weekend
Over the weekend I visited the markets in the city centre,a vintage show nearby and went holly hunting! Just a selection of photos from each,the park below is lit up after 4.00pm and is transformed for the little children who visit.Storytelling and gingerbread men and candycanes are all visible through the railings and fairydust is sprinkled over the park when it gets dark.Daylight does not do it justice!
Loved the signage!
Gingerbread men and candycanes!
Nearby tree all lit up!
Part of a vintage fair I visited over the weekend,there was also a vintage fashion show which I did not get to take pictures at,but was great to see the range of dresses,jackets,headgear,jewellery etc.on display.Vintage fashion is all the rage at the moment though at my age I think I would be just "dressing my age!"Best left to the mid twenties I think!
Went foraging for Holly this weekend(I had already spotted a lovely tree of holly growing in an old graveyard!)and after hearing on the radio that it would keep in water with plant food away from heat I decided to start gathering. As well as armfuls of lovely berried holly I got this tree shaped piece as well ,cut from the top branches.I intend to sit it in a large pot and make a mini holly tree out of it and decorate with some lights and leave it in the porch.
And finally.......a full vase of fruit on Monday..............
Same vase of fruit on Friday!
Loved the signage!
Gingerbread men and candycanes!
Nearby tree all lit up!
Part of a vintage fair I visited over the weekend,there was also a vintage fashion show which I did not get to take pictures at,but was great to see the range of dresses,jackets,headgear,jewellery etc.on display.Vintage fashion is all the rage at the moment though at my age I think I would be just "dressing my age!"Best left to the mid twenties I think!
Went foraging for Holly this weekend(I had already spotted a lovely tree of holly growing in an old graveyard!)and after hearing on the radio that it would keep in water with plant food away from heat I decided to start gathering. As well as armfuls of lovely berried holly I got this tree shaped piece as well ,cut from the top branches.I intend to sit it in a large pot and make a mini holly tree out of it and decorate with some lights and leave it in the porch.
And finally.......a full vase of fruit on Monday..............
Same vase of fruit on Friday!
Happy Gardening!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Ferries and Festivities.
This passenger ferry the MV Julia is docked here in the Port of Cork for the foreseeable future having been placed in examinership unexpectedly in recent weeks.After a major campaign by interested parties last year to have the ferry reinstated to service the Cork /Swansea route between Ireland and England it enjoyed some success but the winter schedule had to be curtailed until next April at least.For now it is a towering presence in the city centre being visible from many angles and at times looks like it is stuck in traffic!Took a few snaps on a walkabout this evening.
Looks like a giant boot!
Reflections
Just one scene from the window of Brown Thomas department store depicting the legend of the Children of Lir.
On a quick trip to the city centre or "town" this evening shopfronts were looking very festive as the lights and decorations were on full display,following is a small selection!
Winthrop Arcade all lit up.
This store in the city centre is always decorated beautifully for Christmas!
A bit fuzzy!
Looks like a giant boot!
Reflections
Just one scene from the window of Brown Thomas department store depicting the legend of the Children of Lir.
On a quick trip to the city centre or "town" this evening shopfronts were looking very festive as the lights and decorations were on full display,following is a small selection!
Winthrop Arcade all lit up.
This store in the city centre is always decorated beautifully for Christmas!
A bit fuzzy!
Happy Gardening!
Monday, November 14, 2011
Countdown...........
So if you lift your computer up and turn it around to see this message!!Sorry forgot to adjust the photo for uploading,our local paper tonight says Planning is the key to a happy Christmas..........so in that spirit ...........
My planning has started around candles(not food)!Saw this in Homestore Mahon Point Retail Park for 10euros and had to have it!Similar candle holders with a brand name sell for three times the price so this will do the job for me.I lit a tealight on top of the main candle as I do not want to burn it down and be left with an unsightly mess,so come Christmas I will light the main candle until I have a little hollow on top and then I will start lighting red/cinnamon perfumed tealights in that hollow so the main candle will stay intact.
Bought this beauty for 5euros recently at Homestore in Mahon Retail Park,candles not included,but a steal all the same.Might surround it with some greenery for the season!
This dried decoration has been here since last Christmas! It sits on top of the kitchen window mantle gathering dust I will take it down and refresh it though for this year!
My planning has started around candles(not food)!Saw this in Homestore Mahon Point Retail Park for 10euros and had to have it!Similar candle holders with a brand name sell for three times the price so this will do the job for me.I lit a tealight on top of the main candle as I do not want to burn it down and be left with an unsightly mess,so come Christmas I will light the main candle until I have a little hollow on top and then I will start lighting red/cinnamon perfumed tealights in that hollow so the main candle will stay intact.
Bought this beauty for 5euros recently at Homestore in Mahon Retail Park,candles not included,but a steal all the same.Might surround it with some greenery for the season!
This dried decoration has been here since last Christmas! It sits on top of the kitchen window mantle gathering dust I will take it down and refresh it though for this year!
Happy Gardening!
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Autumn flowers
This lovely Clematis is now flowering,I do not know the variety,but bought and planted it last year.Unfortunately it suffered from clematis wilt and I dug away the majority of the plant but left what looked like a healthy part which was growing vigourously.Lots of buds and now a lovely flower later it too seems to be wilting!I will wait until the flowers are gone and then dig it up.Not planting deep enough is the cause of this and though the plant took off up the arch like wildfire its all been for nothing!I do have another one on the other side though that is looking great and no wilt signs.
Shame about the wilt showing on some of these leaves when its adorned with such a whopper of a flower and more buds to come.
My "Christmas Cactus" is in bud already!I know I should probably have it brought indoors by now but its budding and in the very front a fine fat bud can be seen.I will bring them in next week before temps.drop dramatically and give them some TLC.
I let these japanese anenomes seed where ever they grow,these are not as tall as the originals but look well !
My cordylines all 4 growing again after being decimated by last winters snow!
Happy Gardening!
Shame about the wilt showing on some of these leaves when its adorned with such a whopper of a flower and more buds to come.
My "Christmas Cactus" is in bud already!I know I should probably have it brought indoors by now but its budding and in the very front a fine fat bud can be seen.I will bring them in next week before temps.drop dramatically and give them some TLC.
I let these japanese anenomes seed where ever they grow,these are not as tall as the originals but look well !
My cordylines all 4 growing again after being decimated by last winters snow!
Happy Gardening!
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Autumn
A sure sign Autumn is here when the acer is turning this stunning shade!
The birds have returned to the feeders despite the last section of hedge having been removed during the Summer.The clematis montana has only been planted this year so it will be their new hiding place when it thickens up.If you click on the photo to enlarge you can spot three little birds waiting in line to feed!
In other news I won a gardening competition for the second time with this local publication!A winning photo of your flowers or garden is chosen each week during the summer and the prize is a voucher for 50euros for a garden centre.This was the last week for the competition and I was stunned to win again!
My prize winning Stargazer Lily!
My second time winning in this competition!
The prize........50euros to spend at the local garden centre!
Happy Gardening!
The birds have returned to the feeders despite the last section of hedge having been removed during the Summer.The clematis montana has only been planted this year so it will be their new hiding place when it thickens up.If you click on the photo to enlarge you can spot three little birds waiting in line to feed!
In other news I won a gardening competition for the second time with this local publication!A winning photo of your flowers or garden is chosen each week during the summer and the prize is a voucher for 50euros for a garden centre.This was the last week for the competition and I was stunned to win again!
My prize winning Stargazer Lily!
My second time winning in this competition!
The prize........50euros to spend at the local garden centre!
Happy Gardening!
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