My Lovely Garden … Mon Joli Jardin

No matter the language, my garden is my paradise. To watch the lovely birds that nest in the trees and bushes. The bees, butterflies are such a joy to see.

Tag Archives: beads


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Sometimes it seems that the most interesting things happen in the garden when I don’t have my camera with me!!

Like so many other people this year – I have had a few bouts of the flu – which left  me uncharacteristically devoid of energy for quite a long period of time.  So I lived in my pyjamas … of which I have a few sets, which include a lime green  Sponge Bob Squarepants (I think these are my  favourites!!).

While the frigid winds took over the city, the snow made  a few visits and the rains poured down, there I was, all cuddled up in my favourite faux-quilts, alternating between bouts of coughing, sleeping, drinking more water than I have ever drank  in my life and wondering when I would be back to my normal over-active life!

Dreaming away of how I would change things in the garden .. move this, dig that etc.

Well, it finally happened …the flu worked through its course and I am once again feeling some of my normal energy … enjoying walks and watching the birds of all types.

Spent some time outside – just being still and watching a Bewick Wren .. 2 different days .. wonder if this is the baby from last year?  I don’t know enough about their habits so must look up that information.

One day the Wren appeared quite suddenly, a few feet away from where I was standing in the front yard.  He hopped around one our lilac bushes, just a few feet away from me .. flitting from branch to branch, pulling away mossy bits .. perhaps digging out some insects.  Then he went to the ground and pecked away .. back to the branch, a little stroll on the fence and then away to another yard.

The second time I was in the back yard, replenishing some bird suet when I saw him again!!  He (she??) seemed to accept my presence and so I just stayed and watched him for a precious few minutes.

Both times I didn’t have my camera and then I wondered .. is it a coincidence that I don’t see these shy little birds when I have my camera with me?  Of course, I don’t need to take photos of all the birds in my yard but I do like the happy memories when I’m looking through my camera at the end of the day.  So much happens in the yard and I don’t keep track of everything nor would I ever want to.

So I’m back to being my active self.  Exercising.  Clogging, working on my German language skills and practicing my fiddle.  Binge watching Acorn & Netflix (when I find interesting series) and playing away with my beads.

Currently I’m having lots of creative fun making chained beaded links – a very absorbing art form and I love playing around with the many ideas that keep popping up.

Loving life .. ever thankful and appreciating the happiness and joy that comes from pursuing interests that I love.

Just a few words to keep up my positive thoughts on my most interesting and magical garden world.

So maybe tomorrow I’ll bring that camera outside with me when I wander the yard, replenishing the bird feeders.  Who knows . . perhaps that little Bewick will come by to visit where I am .. that would be lovely.

🙂


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Wispy skies, Eagle in a tree, garlic is growing and happy is me!

Is there anything as wonderful as having a good friend to talk things over with?   Someone you’ve known for yonks and have shared information with and trust with your life?

Count yourself fortunate, lucky, wealthy beyond measure if you have a friend like this who will listen and not judge but just .. listen.

I was out walking with my long time pal a few weeks ago and enroute, we were totally discussing some very important life details when a lady  passing by us stopped us to point out the eagle in a tree beside the water.

Normally my eyes gravitate to these birds of prey but our conversation had taken precedence … so my friend and I stopped and looked out at the eagle.  I think this is the female and we saw her partner soaring the skies beyond.

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It was a wonderful day, an amazing walk and a very therapeutic talk and we then parted our ways … happy that we had solved any worries or concerns that each of us had.  Ready to start the day.  Me .. home to my garden to see what is happening and time to feed the little birdies.

Here is a photo of one of my (20?!!) containers of garlic.  A thick layer of oak leaves nestled around the green shoots.   Dreaming of the next batch of garlic scapes.  I’m a bit nervous as this is the first year that I’ve planted my garlic only in containers, not in the ground.  Fingers, toes and eyes crossed that there will be lots of garlic to share and to enjoy.

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Oh, little Squirrley!  I get so upset with you when you invade the new wooden bird feeder.   Then I scatter peanuts in the shell around the yard for you to discover.  All creatures have to eat especially in this cold weather.   And you do look cute, nestled in the wild and crazy tree!

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Yesterday I stood outside  in the cold, looking up at the blue skies … saw a few seagulls soaring a little thermal that wafted upwards.  Dreaming that soon I’d be up there too … flying amongst them.  With DH at the controls of the  PW-6 sailplane and me settled in all cosy in the back!

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With the New Year of 2017, I realized that I hadn’t made any “Resolutions” .. and then I remembered that I’d stopped all that years ago!   The pressure was off.  I long ago decided to just live my life as best as I can and then seize the opportunities when they arose.

Of course, we have control of our lives and make our own opportunities as best we can.  I promise to try to go through each day as effortlessly as these delicate wisps of clouds appear to be.   To enjoy every day and to fill each day with things that bring me joy!

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I have many interests so that is not a problem!!!

Seedy Saturday is fast approaching, just 6 more weeks!!!!!

My fiddle music is improving as I practise every day.  Feeling the enthusiasm and joy of capturing a tiny touch of the flow of the rhythm.    Happy that I am honouring my younger self by continuing to work hard and to enjoy this music.

Working on my study of the German language!  Until my lessons start, I am working with Duolingo which is an amazing way to study any language, I can guarantee you!

Playing around with my beads and creating bracelets, garden bling.

All sorts of creative endeavours in my lovely craft room.

Life is good.

I look up at the skies before returning to the warmth of the kitchen and see the faint outline of the moon up above …how ethereal and dreamy it looks …

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And as I am posting these pictures, I come across this photo I’d taken of some cider .. it was flavoured with honey – I loved the story behind the company  Ernest and it was appropriate to sip this in a glass decorated with bees.

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On with this day .. time to feed my little winged friends and that squirrel too!

🙂


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Walking along Dallas Road on a windy day.

Yesterday I joined some friends for a lively walk around the Ogden Point area – lovely to be outside now that the snow has completely disappeared!  It was a bit of a windy day and the ocean was just rolling in waves, tossing huge logs around with such ease – nice to watch safely from above! dec08Walking along one section of the gravelly beach areas, more logs have been tossed into a pile.  Magnificent to see the waves splashing up and over any barriers in their way.  Can’t stop the power of a wave.dec13There are a number of stairways leading to the beach areas.  The wooden steps were a tad slippery, so it was good to have sturdy rails to hang onto, to catch one’s step. dec02After a cloudy start to the morning, the skies soon cleared and there was beautiful sky art overhead to brighten up our little world.  Seagulls happily flying overhead.  Watching their side-slips and swift turns made me long for the summer and high flights in the glider.  Just a few more months and then that will  happen, oh great joy! dec06Yummy .. yummy … kelp!  Good for forming baskets (keep them out of the rain, haha) or chopping up for the garden.  My pal D and I will go seeking seaweed in the new year.  Lovely for the garden!!  Adding zillions of minerals to the soil. dec-03A couple of seagulls taking a bit of a rest between flights.   Checking out the weather conditions and where is Charlie anyway?  He promised to join us here!  Lots of logs making their way to the beach area.dec-05Another set of stairs, the wood looking lovely and weathered by the salty air.dec01

More people walking along Dallas Road, enjoying the beauty and power of the wind and waves.  Snow covered hills in the background and there, to the left, is the beautiful walkway with (thank heavens) wire railings on both sides.  A safety net for those (like me) who are appreciative of such guides in open spaces! dec07

A closer view and lovely paintings all along the sides to add beauty to the surface of the cement walls.dec09

There were a few Cormorants in the waters – such beautiful birds, I quickly snapped a photo before this one dove down into the cold waters.dec10

A closer view of the wire “walls” or “fencing” that gives us the feeling of safety against the open vista of water.  Now I don’t feel as if I’ll tumble over the sides.  In the past I have encountered people, nervous like myself, as we gingerly passed each other on the walkway.   I didn’t notice any nervous people .. .everyone walked along confidently, happy in their walks.  Smiling as we passed each other.  Felt good.dec12

As we neared the end of the walk, I noticed this gull.  Perhaps this was Charlie and he forgot the rendezvous location and was seeking his two pals?  I wonder. dec11

So, a lovely hour and a half in the fresh air .. what a lovely experience after having had a miserable cold/flu!

And the days are starting to be longer!   Soon I will be outside in my garden.  Tidying up .. as I never did finish doing that in the fall.

I even left all the bean poles up – more places for the birds to perch and hide when necessary.

My garlic has been growing greens (photos tomorrow) due to the warm fall weather.  Some of the greens look pale and weather-beaten I hope that this doesn’t affect the quality of the cloves.

Every year I think that I haven’t planted enough garlic.  You know, lots for home, lots for friends and the largest cloves for planting.  Oh how I long for more property so I can start planting much more garlic.  Soon I hope.

Anyway, about 13 large containers with at least 10 (or more) cloves planted in October.  Instead of planting the various ‘stans of garlic purchased from Richters (love them!) I just planted Elephant (leek family, but, oh my, my Elephant “garlic” is very garlicky!)     And a ‘stan (I think Kazakhstan, from Richters many years ago).  These grow very well for me and the cloves are super easy to pull apart.

Dreaming of the upcoming days when I can be outside, watching the birds, loving the sky art above and perhaps doing some work .. I will enjoy, for now, the luxury of being inside.  Playing and creating with my millions of beads.  Practicing my fiddle.  More decluttering (does it ever end!)

Looking forward to my clogging, practicing dumbeq with a friend, beginning my study of the German language (something I’d started years before).

I find myself delving into interests that I had for so many years … activities put aside on the shelf till a later date.    And the happiness that I feel in doing so just fills me with such joy and satisfaction, that money just can’t buy!

🙂


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Rainy Saturday, March 8, 2014

My pal D and I went to a most wonderful bead show last Saturday.  It was raining then and it is raining now!  This was a very crafty show and I was so glad that we went.   It was held at the Saanich Fairground.  This machine is used to roll metal and create wire!  I had no idea!   I was told that it is much more economical to make gold wire this way, as it is very expensive to buy.

20These are a variety of punches .. I think this was over $700 so one would need to be a slightly serious jewelry maker to invest in something like this.  I can only admire it.

21More tools for the creation of jewelry ..

23I was almost tempted to purchase some of these kits.   They are a good way to try out a craft without sourcing all the materials needed.

24Here is a close up .. very pretty and quite a variety of stones & colours

22Bling …. bling .. my eyes were dazzled by the sparkling colours ..

25We turned a corner into another large room ..oh no more beads ..

26Embellishing a shoe with rhinestones .. how classy ..

29Beads from Kenya .. all hand painted ..

28I think this was a hand carved bead .. it was rather lovely ..

27And we had to follow the sign into another room .. there were a lot of tables in every room and I loved talking with the artists.   Didn’t have time to visit all the tables this time but I look forward to next year.

30Now, this was a most interesting table .. tea was the focus here!  Teapots, teacups, all things tea!

37I couldn’t resist and bought this little teacup ring!  It is in my garden!

39The crafter was English and lives “across the water” on the Mainland, somewhere in Vancouver!  She was very lively and I spent a lot of time at this table, just looking at the treasures there.

38Then on to another vendor’s table .. these delicate earrings were once oil paintings.  The artist had too many so he decided to cut them up.  How very creative. They were very light http://www.pinterest.com/thirdeyecandy/original-earrings/

36And this table was magnificent.  These beaded items were truly works of art.  The woman who had created all of these beautiful items was not there, but her son and his wife were proudly presenting them.  I was just so impressed at the quality of work.

35They had actually run out of her business cards so I took a photo

34Apologies, this photos is a little blurry ..but look at the detail of thebeadwork ..

33There is a cafe/deli/fine dining area in Central Saanich that is called “The Roost” .. they grow their own wheat, use organic butter, etc. in their products.  And The Roost was the dining area at the Saanich Fairgrounds!  Better food you cannot find.

32I had already purchased some treats to take home and then at 3 pm (nearing closing time for the Bead show) there was a 50% discount.  How could I not go?  Oh, if only I had a separate freezer at home I would have bought so much more, but I was able to buy a few loaves of their sunflower/poppyseed bread, more treats ..

31And this mixed berry pie! So very decadent!  The filling was 2 inches thick, with locally sourced berries!   This was the pie of the year, folks!

40So, fully laden with these treats, D and I made our way home .. each to surprise our families  with these tasty treats.  And I just enjoyed remembering all of the amazing treasures of art that I had seen that day.

🙂