Every year Blossom and I get together with the children and have our very own pre-Mothers Day morning tea on Friday. We find it far more relaxing than having the men around - mostly because they don't enjoy the feminine table setting, the vintage cups, and our 'girly' chatter. And you know what? They are rather relieved not to be invited.
On the actual Mothers Day (today!) Blossom is free to be spoiled and loved on by her hubby and children, and likewise I am spoiled by her daddy - my precious Mr E.
What Blossom and I have discovered over the years is just how important it is to celebrate special occasions in a way that works for your own family dynamics. There's no comparison to another's way of doing things, or guilt because we didn't do enough...we choose to immerse ourselves in what is calm, beautiful, relaxed, and especially overflowing with love and gratitude for each other. I do hope you are having a wonderful Mothers Day, celebrating in a way that brings all those things in abundance.
I baked one of Blossom's absolute favourite treats for our Friday morning tea - Honey Cakes! I used to bake them in patty cases but switched to Madeleine pans last year and oh my, they look so fancy now...
Some berries scattered around, a bowl of raspberries close by, and a dusting of icing sugar...beautiful on the eyes, and delicious to eat.
The table was set with special tea cups...
A setting for four this year as Rafaella chose to stay in school that day because her class had prepared a special Mother-child afternoon tea, and Blossom would be heading there after leaving my house. She had a wonderful day!
As an extra treat for Cully May and Charlie David I set out play dough on the plastic lined coffee table, and Blossom had a play too. She taught Cully May how to make a face with play dough...
Charlie decided to mix colours, much to Cully May's horror, so she did her best to separate his from hers. Ha ha!! He did play with the colours separately at first, but his mischievous mind thought what fun to mix them all together. You have to love the mind of 2yo...
If you'd like to make those little honey cakes I have a recipe card for you! I have an idea to make up a whole series of them with family favourites, and hopefully I shall follow through on that.
You can download the recipe HERE. There's two recipe cards in the file, one for you and one to give to a friend (or post off in a card?). In fact, print the recipe up on cardstock and perhaps cover with some clear contact.
Included in the file are some quantity replacements as mine are Australian measures, and the US have different measures. If you're in the US or use US measurements in your recipes, be sure to use the replacement quantities in your recipe PDF.
Yesterday I spent five hours in the garden, from 8am to 1pm, fertilising, pruning, spraying, mulching, planting, repotting and watering. I added more flowers around the place, as well as a different type of cucumber and some rhubarb. I also unearthed a very old swan planter pot and sat it next to the Sub-Pod in our newest raised bed (outside the laundry door) with a pretty pink dianthus inside.
I also cleaned up some other garden ornaments and scattered them around to cheer the space while everything begins to grow. The lovely bucket I hung last week from the elder tree with a tiny sweet pea growing inside will be beautiful cascading over the sides of the bucket when it gets going. Do you get creative in your garden?
The lemon and lime trees fruit all year round but I always prune in late autumn. It's also time to fertilise them and replace the mulch, and yesterday I thought to add some flowers near them as well to bring in the bees and good insects - two dahlias, a chrysanthemum and a pot of geraniums.
When I went up the back for a swim after all my hard work I noticed shiny green balls all through the large syzgium hedge...passionfruit! I remembered back when we had the chickens in that spot and grew the old passionfruit vine that one of the fruit dropped to the ground and began to rot so I simply threw it under the syzgium bushes, and now almost two years later there's a very productive passionfruit vine growing all through them. How wonderful to have a volunteer passionfruit!
With so many different growing areas in our quarter acre, and so many different vegetables, fruit trees and plants scattered throughout, I decided to make a garden commonplace book to sketch where everything is, take notes on all the plantings, jot down ideas, and any other garden type information which will be good to look back on for each year's subsequent plantings.
I bought a lovely hardcover journal with blank pages from Officeworks, so during my afternoon 'rest' after all that gardening, I sketched up a little flower pot design to make into a cover for my garden diary.
It's all needleturn and this photo was taken before I sat down and put my feet up to begin. I chose an old piece of Tilda fabric from the Bumblebee set of years ago as the background because it is perfect for a garden book. I may embroidery some tiny bees around the applique flowers before I finish. We shall both find out when it's completed.
If you'd be interested in the pattern as a free gift next week let me know.
I'll leave you today with a lovely quote about female friendships which I came across on Alena's blog, and a photo of my apricot rose which is back in bloom. Happy and blessed Mothers Day!
"The older I get, the more I’m realising that nurturing friendships with women with the same values is incredibly important to me, I wasted too much time diminishing and hiding my own values in order to “fit in”, and I’m glad I no longer have to do that. Growing older, and more importantly wiser is such a blessing. Especially concerning your cultivation of friends." Alena Perritt
Hugs,
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April. How quickly it passes, just as this year is seeming to do. I've thought so many times over the past four weeks to start a blog post, but apart from the free pattern posts, I've just not had it in me. I wonder is it because so much happens in a day, a week, a month, that I'm simply not sure where to begin? More than likely that's it.
So I won't go too far back today, just give you a few highlights, and then it will be easy to quietly slip back into the lovely routine of blogging which I have followed here for the past fifteen years.
FAMILY...
When hubby had a two week break from his job during the second half of March we launched right into the long list of garden and house maintenance which needed to be attended to, but we also took time out for a couple of country drives and relaxed picnic lunches - one in the countryside atop a hill, and another by the ocean surrounded by shady palms. These days were refreshing escapes which we needed in order to maintain momentum for the long list of chores back at home.
These days were also opportunities to catch up with Blossom and the children, something we cherish that little bit more when hubby is home and not at work. The kids donned their gumboots and followed him everywhere as he uprooted old plants and a few trees, dug holes for new plantings, worked on replacing garden beds and prepared to fix the pool.
Our pool is old and the lining paint has been peeling away across the top for about a year, but it was a huge job for a 'not so young' man. Before he emptied the pool and got underway with peeling and sanding and painting (three coats over three hot days) we all had a wonderful time swimming under thankfully cloudy skies.
Then it was back to his job as a car salesman before the four-day Easter break began, which gave him more time to finish the pool. Here it is today, so much better. He worked really hard on this and I'm so proud of him! Now the water must be topped up and the salt and chemicals added to make it 'swimmable' once more. Over winter he will be removing more of the concrete around the pool because he wants wooden decking instead. My man doesn't have an actual hobby, but he does enjoy working around the yard and likes to see his ideas for change come to fruition.
On Easter Sunday we had an early dinner with Blossom and the children (Ross was unwell so could not be here). They had made us a lot of drawings and notes, and Cully also made a small cross with an empty tomb glued on one of the cross beams.
Every year I tell the children the story of the empty tomb, and that's what we call the hollow chocolate eggs they receive. At the end of the story they crack open their eggs and shout "The tomb is empty! Jesus is alive!"...well, this year was a bit different, because it was not me telling the story. Cully May told the story to all of us! What a great blessing to watch our precious 6½ year old granddaughter grow in her walk with Christ, to hear her pray and to share about Jesus with others.
After dinner hubby put on a children's video about the Passover, and then another which began with the last days of Jesus life up to the cross, then concluded with the joyous resurrection. He and Cully May lay on the rug with cushions and watched, while the younger children got comfy on the couch recliners.
THE GARDEN...
A lot of changes have been made around the gardens, even to the point of removing some decorative trees so that we can replace those spots with fruit bearing trees which will grow in our climate. Over the past month we've planted out a brown turkey fig tree, a macadamia nut tree, a bush apple tree, a bay tree, a finger lime tree, more blueberry bushes and a few other fruit bearing shrubs and trees. It has changed the landscape of our small quarter acre for the better and draws us closer to being able to feed ourselves well in the future.
The new raised bed beside the pool is growing purple sweet potato and a few Australian natives such as saltbush, native oregano, bush thyme and vanilla lily, plus we have another raised bed behind the big shed with white sweet potato and sweet corn growing really well, and Lebanese cucumbers planted in a grow bag against the pool fence.
Out the front two smaller raised beds have been planted out with cucamelon vines, snow peas, capsicum, beetroot, a rockmelon vine and various bee attracting flowers. In coming weeks there will be grow bags added around the beds with zucchini, herbs and more flowers.
The front area (above) was our pumpkin patch over spring and summer, and I can't tell you how much pumpkin we harvested as there was so much! I gave some to family and friends, but the rest I simply cut into pieces and roasted, before peeling off the skin, mashing, weighing, and adding to the freezer for use until another harvest this time next year.
Outside the back door, in front of the bird feeder, we have planted a thornless blackberry bush, plus three types of tomato.
In large trays I have planted french carrot seeds and two lots of orange sweet potato, plus winged peas in small containers that I'll plant out at some stage where they can grow up a trellis.
There are plenty of pots of flowers growing and we'll add more in coming weeks. I can't wait to see everything taking off, especially when this insanely hot mid-autumn weather begins to cool. Every day here has been around 35-37c (around 98f) so I'm watering a lot to keep the seedlings alive.
The second large raised bed is built, but hubby is still filling it. We may not use this one until spring, but for now it's the perfect place for all the old tree limbs, kitchen scraps and grass clippings. Near it is a refurbished smaller raised bed which will be planted with rocket, radish and chives. I have a grow pot of spring onions (green onions) and another pot of the same beside it.
All my roses have been pruned and fertilised in their pots, but in winter I'll put each one into larger pots.
There's a whole heap of seedlings and a passionfruit vine yet to planted out but we shall wait until the weather cools slightly before popping them into the soil.
No matter the weather, the banana trees behind the pool thrive!
SEWING...
Every afternoon I sit and sew. It's my rest time, a few hours to relax and escape the scorching heat outside. As I showed you back HERE I have fallen in love with needleturn applique, and it has sparked a new enthusiasm for stitching and sewing...which I needed. ;-)
My sewing room had a major clean out and re-organisation early March and every night before dinner I come in and put everything away so that it's perfectly tidy for the next day. It really is my favourite room in the house but I hadn't spent much time in here the past twelve months...until now.
I had six projects on the go at once (one was begun a while back but never completed), something I have never done before, and then on Monday I started a seventh! The reason there's so many in progress is that I have had a bad back (from all this intense gardening) and standing to cut and piece patchwork blocks just added to the pain...so I sit and prepare more blocks for applique instead.
Next year in May 2024, my Blossom will turn 30, so I have thirteen months to make her a special quilt to celebrate that milestone. She has asked for a Dresden quilt using 1930's reproduction fabrics in soft colours, and I've made the first block already as it was important she see it in order to confirm I had chosen the right prints. Well, she loves it! I think this will be a favourite quilt to make simply because it's for her and every stitch is made with mother's love.
One of the projects I've been working on is Anni Down's quilt "Where Wildflowers Grow", though I'm only sewing the major centre section because my plan is to hang this in the living room during autumn and winter (if they ever arrive). All the applique blocks are complete, sewn together around a centre of four nine-patch blocks, and then bordered with 2" squares. From this point I shall sandwich it with wadding and backing fabric before hand quilting and binding.
I have enjoyed this project so much that I intend making it again in spring/summer colours for hanging during those months.
Once the pool is ready for swimming again my back will improve rapidly, but in the meantime I always have something on hand to stitch each afternoon, and at night I make Dresden blades for Blossom's quilt.
And that my friends is a catch up from most of March, and April up till now. During this time I wanted to offer a new free tea towel pattern so that will be shared at the end of the week. I also thought it's probably time for our next homemaker's swap and some decorative tea towels would be perfect. Would you like to join in? I'll have all the details to share (plus the new free pattern) on Friday so please don't email me about it yet.
I'll sign off, as this blog post it already so long you'll need a coffee to revive, but first...
May the Lord our God be to you the Father you need in times of loss, in times of sorrow, in times of trial and worry, in times of loneliness, and in times of want. He is also our Father in times of abundance, in days of rejoicing, when blessings rain down from above.
God, our Adonai, is your Father always, so turn to Him in laughter or tears, in praise or grief, with whatever you have to offer of your heart, or have need of in life.
Blossom shared this with me the other day - may it bless you as we remember what Christ has done for us.
Hugs
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About three years ago I bought an old church bench for $5 at a garage sale. The back had been removed and it was a bit wobbly so my husband wasn't all that enthusiastic about my purchase. But I had a plan to hammer in a few nails, thus making it a little more stable, and placing it inside the front door entrance, where it would be a home for some indoor plants.
We have around fifty indoor plants now, scattered throughout every room, but this simple bench became something more than a way to display some greenery...it became a plant recovery nursery.
You see, it's hot in the tropics most of the year, and plants can be finicky at times due to the heat, the air conditioning, or even because I've chosen to display them in an area which is too shadowed, too bright , too warm or too cool. For whatever reason, at one time or another, most of my plants have needed to visit The Plant Nursery, aka the bench in the front door entranceway.
Some stay for a few weeks, some stay for months...but they always recover. Even plants on the opposite wall, beside the front door, thrive in this almost enclosed area.
What's the secret?
The front door entrance receives no direct sunlight, no air conditioning, and is not in shadow - it's a fairly constant balance of all a plant needs with regards to position, temperature and light.
Quite simply, they thrive here, and those which are close to dying off completely, are restored over weeks and months to become healthy, happy and lovely plants.
Whilst moving a few plants back into the main areas of our home, and bringing some of the not so thriving ones into the plant nursery for convalescing, I realised that this is something I've been going through lately myself.
Stepping away and being alone - but rather than sunshine, light and temperature, my refreshment is coming from the Lord.
Jesus often went off alone to a deserted place to pray, to spend time with the Father, to be refreshed and strengthened. And I thought to myself, Jesus IS God, and if He needed to do that (being both human and Divine) how much more do I?
How much more do you?
The Bible speaks a lot about setting ourselves apart from the world, not bowing before idols (in this day and age idols are many things, especially our children, homes, social media, devices, movies, clothes, hobbies, to name just a few), not being unequally yoked with unbelievers nor conforming to the ways of the world, and so much more...so being a true Christian today is no different to being a true Christian in the first century AD. And thousands upon thousands died for living that way, for refusing to deny Christ as Lord and Saviour.
This is not an easy way to live today, as we have distractions drawing us away from the Gospel coming from almost every angle, and it's easy to fall in with those who do not share our faith, and believe within our own heart that they won't be a snare to our Christian walk (remember, the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick - Jeremiah 17:9)...but what if they are? What if it's already happened? What if the Holy Spirit is calling you out of those relationships? How can you, or me, find the strength and confidence to listen to Him and obey?
Pray and remove yourself for a time, be alone in Heaven's Nursery, where the mighty hand of God can minister Light, Truth, healing and refreshment to the grief and loneliness you may be feeling. For our God hears every prayer and answers every prayer.
Yesterday I was reading from My Utmost for His Highest, and realised something I have never thought about before. The statement of truth is highlighted below...
"Jesus NEVER mentioned unanswered prayer. He had the unlimited certainty of knowing that prayer is always answered." Oswald Chambers
I don't know about you but this was a big epiphany for me, and also for Blossom when I read it to her, because there have been some prayers that I have not seen an answer to, prayers which for months I may stop praying due to losing hope...but now I see, I am reminded, that God's answer isn't very often the one I want, but it IS the answer which is needed most to fulfil HIS purpose, not necessarily mine. Now I must not lose hope, nor stop praying, but be mindful that HIS will shall be done.
So, back to the plant nursery and where I am at the moment, in Heaven's Nursery, choosing to be apart from the world, hungering to see Jesus, praying for the courage to lay down those things which can be, or are already, a snare for me - things which draw me into the world and not away from it.
We're told in 1 Corinthians 10:13..."No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is
faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the
temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to
endure it."
That escape is to walk away from any action, relationship or behaviour which has become, or will become, a snare to draw us away from abiding in the complete truth of God's Word.
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee; draw near to God and He will draw near to you." James 4:7
Not sure how long I need to be in Heaven's Nursery while the Father tends to a recent grief and teaches me how to truly, completely, every day, be in the world but not of the world (John 17:11-17) but however long it takes I have no doubt that He is answering my prayer to become set apart for His service, walking the path HE alone has set before me.
During this quieter time I've been studying Exodus, reading a biography of Oswald Chambers, continuing to crochet the rug I began last year, walking through the garden and tending the plants, singing hymns, and of course, praying.
There's some wonderful recipes in it for using just what you have on hand, but I really loved this prayer which was printed inside the front cover...
May God bless each and everyone of you today and in the days ahead. Economically things are getting tough everywhere, but God is our true Provider, so lift your hearts, hands and prayers to Him. Pray for ideas on how to balance your budget and tighten your belts (I do this every day now), ideas on economical ways to feed the family, use less power, and most of all - help in being content with what you already have and curbing envious eyes for wanting what the Jones's have. I used to enjoy Pinterest but rarely think to go there now as a deep dis-content took root in my heart during 2020 when I saw the homes of others and began to complain about my home. I noticed how bad it had become a few months back and knew I had to repent of those longings and choose to be content in my own lovely home.
Today I give thanks to God for my home, for this precious gift of sanctuary He provided for us to purchase in our autumn years, and can honestly say I am happily content and deeply satisfied. Amen!
It was Blossom's birthday yesterday, she turned 28. Some of you have been reading my blog since the start, when she was just 14, and have watched her grow up before your eyes. I am so very proud to be her mum, and spending her birthday together with the grandchildren was pure delight. We've both had some losses recently, but the joy of having each other, not just as mother and daughter, but sisters in Christ together, eases our burden as we both hand things over to Jesus and give Him praise.
Here's a recent photo of my girl and her precious little ones. LOVE.
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