Gifts in the Post!

This morning I got a lovely surprise in the post, a blogger I follow Charlotte who lives in South Carolina,USA, very kindly presented all her followers with a gift ! Mine arrived in the post today, and this is it, a beautifully worked crochet placemat,and a lovely note all done by Charlotte herself!It was so kind of her to post it to me on this side of the atlantic, her blog can be found at www.yardsalesandcrochet.blogspot.com.Thanks again Charlotte! I am sure it was no accident I got a green one!
A lovely card to complement the gift!

Easter Garden

I know Easter has passed so my post is a little late on the subject but I thought this Easter garden displayed in the Holy Trinity Church in Cork city centre was worth a look see!

The garden was complete with various miniature figures,some little animals and lovely greenery.The tomb area featured a waterfall and was lit up and drew crowds to admire it during Holy Week.


The Easter garden featured the symbol of the empty tomb,you can see the loincloth on the rocks and the white area is lit up showing an empty space inside.

This little take on the eight beatitudes was printed on the back of a notelet entitled The Capuchin, which was left on the seats during the Easter masses,

Beatitudes of the Elderley

Blessed are they who understand my faltering step and shaking hand.

Blessed are they who know my ears today must strain to catch the things they say.

Blessed are they who seem to know my eyes are dim and my mind slow.

Blessed are they with a cheery smile who stopped to chat for a little while.

Blessed are they who never say you!ve told that story twice today.

Blessed are they who make it know that I !m loved,respected and not alone.

And blessed are they who ease the days of my journey home, in loving ways.

irishcapuchinvocations.blogspot.com

Colour and flowers at last!

Stunning aubretia,in full colour,this was only planted last year and has come back just as good as new! The few I planted on the other side are very straggly but not giving up yet! In the background polyanthus,japanese anenomes,and the green shoots of crocosmia.The full green tuft in the foreground is my late Mothers plant which is covered in purple flowers come late April,its name has escaped at the moment(senior moment)!
A new rose arch had to be installed when our old one blew down in recent storms in January. This one has no seat but hopefully my rescued clematis will cover it in quick time! The area behind the arch is a work in progress since the new fencing was installed, gravel and extra plantings coming up!
My heathers against the front wall are in bloom,I had to infill with new purchases this year as I did not get enough last year,low maintenance ,colorful and long lasting!
My expensive! purchase from Lidl last year, a 7.99 flowering cherry tree! This year it is in full bloom and looking lovely, its small in height but eyecatching!
Bought these little cheery pots on our recent trip to Tramore,found them in a garage shop! Could not resist of course,I must find something nice to plant in them outside for the summer!

Spring Tidings!

Hellebores ,still a little short on height but looking lovely from my kitchen window, and just spotted the ladybird now!
Day Lilies greening up!

Monkshood sprouting nicely.
Heavenly Hellebores! I always cut off the green leaves once the flowers emerge,they seem to look better without them too.
Daffs. all in a row!
These I posted on the blog a few weeks ago and now they are so much better!
And now for something completely different.............and spectacular! I do not normally involve my family in my blog blatherings but drumroll please...................................my daughter has just published her first book!

As you can see the title is Mousetrapped and is an account of her experience when working abroad in Florida,disneyworld to be exact! It is an entertaining story of how she travelled all alone,knowing no one to Florida with a job secured at a hotel in the Disney complex,leaving a neurotic Mother behind in the process! Catherine,my eldest has always wanted to write a bestseller and with a novel completed and with her agent at the moment we are keeping our fingers crossed! This one went the self publishing route and is for sale with Amazon.com so if you would like to read more.............well you know what you gotta do!

Back cover!
Last weekend dawned lovely and sunny here in Cork,so on Sunday we took a drive to Tramore,Co Waterford a two and a half hour drive approx. Imagine our surprise when we came close to the seafront to be confronted with a sea fog so thick you could not see out to sea,and the cold was no fun either!We left the blue sky and sunshine behind us in Cork.After a quick walkabout we retreated to a local restaurant,Mistys,cheap and cheerful and a favourite since many years ago,and enjoyed a light meal before heading home.It rained on the journey back even to Cork itself.Next time we will head West!
You can see from this photo how dense the sea fog was!
The horizon is not visible with the sea fog,no blue sky here!
Lots of people strolling along the promenade,the fog is descending fast here and it was so cold!

Not Disneyland but the teacups and saucers ride in the amusement park in Tramore, Co.Waterford.Well you could close your eyes and dream I suppose!

St.Patricks Day

Well another Patricks Day has come and gone! In Cork City a food festival was held on the Grand Parade to mark the event complete with traditional Irish music as well and was a welcome sight over the few days. The weather for once was obliging and the crowds were out in force. A few pics of the proceedings follows! Hope everyone enjoyed the day!
Hilarious!
Mmmmm!
Pig on a spit!

Never too cold for ice cream!
All tastes catered for!
Even the iron railings turn into shamrocks on the day!!!!!



Traditional Irish music playing during the food festival
Advertising free tea at the food festival during the ST Patricks celebrations
A Cork Institution!



My "Green" outfit for St.Patricks Day!

St. Patricks Day

Well its nearly that time of year again! Time for all the paddywhackery to come out..........!

This video will give you all a taste of some of the myths surrounding this very Irish Day, take with a pinch of salt!

Springtime!

Its beginning to look a lot like Springtime......................................or so the song should go!

Its after been a cold foggy early start to this morning but a bit brighter now though the clouds look like rain is on the way!Yesterday was the first day I thought I felt a little warmth in the day!These are a few of my spring flowers peeking through at last and some in full flower.Lots of work to be done in the little patch but not until it gets milder!






On another note for those who are struggling with our various vices during the Lenten season, here is an inspirational little ditty that may get you through!Click to enlarge to read! So far I have gotten through a christening party and have a 50th birthday party at the weekend all without a drop of Sauvignon in sight.............so far! My exceptions will be Mothers Day and of course Patricks Day!Cant let the country down!