Brightening...

There's no getting away from the fact our house has felt a bit like a war zone of late. Things that had to go, things that needed scrubbing to within an inch of life, holes in the ceiling, and sheer exhaustion because there is always something else to do.

I decided the best way to lift our spirits was to add some bright and cheerful colour to the unaffected areas, and to buy some new indoor plants for that spark of 'life'.

This morning we slept late - first time in so long I can't remember. We gave in to the weariness and allowed ourselves to forget about chores and just drift into deeper sleep. I highly recommend this.

Once awake and able to think clearly we headed out to Bunnings for those plants.

For inside we bought a beautiful glass bowl with three lush greens to display on the 'restored after the mould' coffee table...

...and two single plants in beautiful blue ceramic tile pots...

For outside in the garden I also bought a tray of coleus seedlings and planted some under the shade of our big ixora bush, and planted two more in Mr E's old black boots.

After a simple lunch of crackers, dip and boiled eggs, I chopped up our very ripe peaches and made a couple of pots of jam. We'll savour some on fresh scones tomorrow and I'll use more in a Matrimony Slice for hubby's work morning teas next week...

 My sewing room has been scrubbed, anything remotely affected by the water damage removed, and new curtains hung after Mr E added an extra shelf above the sewing machine. 

Next week I will re-cover all the dining chairs (one is in my sewing room) but for now they have white cloths over the padded seats so having the sewing room up and running again is needed.

Today it was a joy to work in...

On my list of 'brightening' activities was to finish that sweet little row of sparrows I appliqued last week as a cushion for the couch.

I love the large floral print because it's blends beautifully with the gingham and brights of the birds...

Simply machine quilted and with a zippered backing, this was a quick finish...

With the new plants and the cushion we're on the way to bright and cheery again.

Let me show you what came out of just one air conditioner yesterday.

It took the cleaner two hours to remove all the mould and looking at this it's no wonder I've been so sick with a mould allergy. Last night, with clean air flowing through our home again my recovery began.

Back to something nice - some brightening things for home and heart, yes?

I'm crocheting the Sweet Pea blanket for Rafaella's 1st birthday early in March so shall revive my yarn mojo next week and get it finished. This was such a joy to do before I was otherwise occupied and I'm ready to pick up where I left off and enjoy some more crochet bliss before her big day...

At night my downtime before bed is being spent inside the pages of this really lovely book.

Who thought boiling water would be such a special experience? Loving it.

In the kitchen Mr E was spoiled with a lemon meringue pie for Valentines...

...and during my afternoon cuppa I've been really enjoying episodes of  Michael Pollan's "Cooked" on Netflix. In fact, I'm about to watch episode two again because it inspired me to return to slow cooking once more.

Well, that's it from me this early Saturday evening. I have a leg of lamb slowly roasting in the oven and need to peel the potatoes for creamy garlic mash. 

We'll feast on more pie afterwards and watch a movie if we can stay awake that long.

Slow cooking, brightening the home, sewing, reading books that inspire my gentle domestic heart, adding a splash of living green around about and planning for the week ahead...it's been a good day.

Thank you Lord for carrying us through this month and for being faithful in all things, even when we falter...may your kindness and care overflow into every heart reading this post and bless them abundantly.

hugs