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!

Happy Gardening!

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!

Happy Gardening!

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!

Happy Gardening!