The Soul of the Sunflower

Annual Royal Velvet Sunflowers are easier to grow than you would think and well worth the little extra effort, simply sow seeds about a foot apart where you want then to grow, during spring to early summer.

A unique ornamental addition to any garden, this flower begins with a large primary head first and proceeds to add heads on further branches as they develop, just like the yellow ones I showed you before. They have a long flowering period of around ten weeks and the most beautiful colouring which makes these flowers the perfect solution for adding life to your garden.

No garden as such? Why not grow one in a pot on your balcony, they are certainly worth a try and will brighten your day, every day! When I look at mine, I understand why Vincent Van Gogh painted them.

The Soul of the Sunflower by Sara Jewett

The warm sun kissed the earth

To consecrate thy birth,

And from his close embrace

Thy radiant face

Sprang into sight,

A blossoming delight.

Through the long summer days

Thy lover's burning rays

Shone hot upon thy heart.

Thy life was part

Of his desire,

Thou passion-flower of fire!

And, turning toward his love,

Lifting thy head above

The earth that nurtured thee,

Thy majesty

And stately mien

Proclaims thee sun-crowned queen.

On earth, thy gorgeous bloom

Bears record of thy tomb,

And to transcendent light

Thy soul takes flight

Till thou art one,

O sunflower, with the sun!

Simple Blessings

I received a message from "UNKNOWN" today asking me about the author of this little poem, but unfortunately the author is also unknown, as is the one I share with you today.

Lord, grant me I pray ~

Courage when the best things fail me,

Calm and poise when storms assail me,

Commonsense when things perplex me,

Sense of humour when they vex me,

Hope when disappointments damp me,

Wider vision when life cramps me,

Kindness when folk need it badly,

Readiness to help them gladly,

And when effort seems in vain

Wisdom to begin again.

This poem made me think about my snail vine ~

Snail vines (Vigna caracalla) can reach up to 20 feet long in a single summer, making them an attractive and quick-growing option for fences, trellises and living privacy screens. These perennial vines produce ample foliage and have cream or purple blossoms that curl up like a snail shell. The vines flower from spring through summer.

Mine has been in my garden for many years. At the beginning of this year (mid summer in Australia) it was looking very old and parts of it's stem/trunk were rotting away. It didn't look at all healthy and my hubby thought it was time for us to pull it out and replace it with something else.

I loathed the thought, but to keep him happy, I pulled all the vine from the trellis and cut it right back to the ground. Now look how it has sprung back to life!

Nature is full of wonder and just as this vine has recovered to full bloom . . . so will we!
Keep the faith, stay strong and healthy.

God's Palette

Earth in silhouette

sunset paints sky blue gold pink

palette of splendour

 

 Author: Alves Holmes

Wallpapers from Wallpaper World

Spring is in the Air

Okay spring is almost now into her second month and I have finally stirred from my winter hibernation, but I'm really hoping it won't be too long before Spring actually arrives downunder . . . in all her glory.

I am so looking forward to enjoying warmer days, with soft breezes instead of the freezing winds we have had to contend with this past winter.

The sweet fragrance of mimosa already fills the air (giving me a bad case of runny eyes and sneezing) and the pale pink blossom bestows itself upon the naked branches of the local peach and almond trees.

The days are slowly becoming longer and the skies a brighter shade of blue, but
I just need the sun to shine more than ten lousy minutes!

Well that's enough of my ridiculous whining, I hope you are all doing well, I have managed to catch up with all your recent posts, however, I will simply say thank you to all those that were kind enough to leave me comments on my previous post.

THANK YOU!



As sure as the night must follow day,
As sure as no dawn can ever stay,
As sure as clouds across the sky,
Will always and forever fly,
So surely too, will blackbirds sing,
And flowers bloom when breaks the Spring.
Author Unknown

Have a wonderful weekend everyone, no matter where you are.
Big Hugs,
X 

Puffing Billy

It's fun for the children

To ride in the train,

Hear the hissing and snorting

Of steam once again.

Not only the children -

There's always a part

For grannies and grandpas

Still young at heart.

Puffing Billy is a genuine relic of our more leisurely days. It is an historic steam train still running regularly in the mountain district not too far from where I live, and was built to serve at the turn of the century. The Railway is the sole survivor of four experimental lines used to develop rural areas in the early 1900's.


Now days, Puffing Billy is a major tourist attraction and its operation depends on hundreds of dedicated volunteers. This operating museum runs every day of the year, except Christmas day, and takes families and friends on a 24.5 km sentimental journey. One can simply sit back with the kids and enjoy the mountain scenery and panoramic views which pass by the carriage window.


Lakeside, the intermediate terminus of the railway, is inside the beautiful Emerald Lake Park. Here one may stop over for a few pleasant hours bushwalking, swimming or just relaxing in the peaceful country setting.

My children loved riding on Puffing Billy when they were little, and the smell of the old steam train always took me back to my own childhood. I hope you enjoyed your little train trip down memory lane with me today.
Hugs,
X

Is the Lamplight Golden

I'm still alive and kicking, though I am still in hibernation. For some reason the winter has this effect on me, perhaps I was a bear in a previous life and it's an inbred instinct for me to hide in my cave during the cold winter days.

Anyway I have finally caught up with all your blogs and I am happy you all seem to be enjoying time with your dolls. However, I am going back to my knitting and I'll be back as soon as the weather improves and the SUN IS SHINING once more . . . I hope you enjoy the poem.

Is the lamplight golden
Or has the moon unveiled
The molten path of night-time
Where starlight glow has paled?

And into snowy corners
The lustrous glitter bold
Makes warm the winter evening
And hides the chilling cold.

The treetops shake their icing
Upon the frozen street
And snowflakes flutter softly
Their lacy patterns sweet.

AUTHOR: Maureen Warner

Thinking of You

Still really busy, but I had to drop by to tell you I miss you and I will catch up with you all eventually.

Making a bright day even brighter,
Making a glad heart even lighter,
Chasing all cares and worries away -
Friends can do that any day!

Author - David Hope

Remember to give someone a hug and tell them you love them today . . . you may never have the opportunity to do so tomorrow.

Have a wonderful week ahead!
Hugs,
X

Young Spike

I'd like to introduce you to the tale of a friendly forest creature called Spike Arrowtail . . . I hope you enjoy . . . I surely did!

Dragons and Butterflies frolic in a land of flowers and trees,
Each their own desire, seeking to please.
Butterflies play and drink nectar from sweet, luscious blooms,
Growing jolly and plump, unaware danger looms.
Young Dragons wrestle and practice controlling their fire,
Feeding their sweet-tooth with tender Butterflies they desire.
This was how things went since time began,
Naive Butterflies, victim of the Dragons' plan.
Into this land two characters were born,
Purple Spike Arrowtail and yellow Mort Flutterhorn.

In a private garden all purple and green, played Spike,

Trying to catch Butterflies with a net on a pike.

A task not so easy for one young on his feet,

And a feisty yellow Butterfly, not willing to be meat.

"Put up your dukes, you yellow-bellied worm,

I'll fight all the way, if eaten, I'll make your tummy squirm."

Young Spike, quite taken aback by brave little Mort,

Raising his hand with a smiling retort,
"What do I do with a bug of this sort?"

Being impetuous, fluttering Mort makes reply,

"As enemies we'll fight, as friends we can fly,

Through this great land of flowers and trees,

Playing tag with the Bluebirds and quick little Bees."

So friends they became, a scene strange to behold.

A Dragon and a Butterfly playing together, a new story to be told.

Author - D. R. Hartle

Art - James Browne

It's been a very busy week and I have missed you all. Hopefully I'll be back to chat soon . . . 'till then, keep on crafting!

Friendship

A little poem dedicated to the many wonderful friendships which are formed through blogging and just to let you know, I am thinking of you.

When good friends walk beside us,

On the trails that we must keep,

Our burdens seem less heavy,

And the hills are not so steep,

The weary miles pass swiftly,

Taken in joyous stride,

And all the world seems brighter,

When friends walk by our side.

Author Unknown

The Monarch courtesy of James Browne

Wishing you all a marvellous week ahead!

Hugs,

X

Through the Looking Glass

The possibilities you see in others,
are possible for you as well.
The beauty you see around you,
is your beauty.
The world around you is a reflection,
a mirror showing you the person you are.

Author Unknown

Taking another short break . . . have fun while I'm gone . . . see you in a few days.
Hugs,
X

Sunrise Downunder

When I awoke this morning it was dark outside. But, as I was busily making breakfast and between yawns, I noticed a glow behind the curtains. I pulled them back and this is what I saw . . .

For some reason it reminded me of this little poem . . .

Just wealth enough to give and spare,
Just health enough to banish care,
Just friends enough sincere and true,
What more want I?
What more want you?

Perhaps the "Man Upstairs" was reminding me to be grateful for being alive and able to appreciate the beauty of nature and all my good friends.

Hope you have a wonderful week!
Hugs,
X

A Curious Expedition

Some time ago I read that these lines came from the books in Canterbury Cathedral and thought they would be appropriate to share with you.

If nobody smiled and nobody cheered
And nobody helped us along,
If each, every minute, looked after himself
And the good things all went to the strong;
If nobody cared just a little for you,
And nobody thought about me,
And we all stood alone in the battle of life,
What a dreary old place this would be!

Around the same time, I  went on an internet excursion and found the most magical site. If you love books, have an interest in old buildings or beautiful art, you would have absolutely adored this place! It had a wonderful collection of photos, some of which I found to be quite haunting, others full of the richness of the old masters and some just plain intriguing, unfortunately the site is no longer there.


The photo above was amongst my favourites, it facinated me and there was a familiarity about it.


This one almost looks like it has just popped out of a Harry Potter movie!

Age is a Quality of Mind

Age is a quality of mind.
If you've left your dreams behind,
If Hope is cold,
If you no longer look ahead,
If your ambition's fires are dead.
Then you are old.

But if from Life you take the best,
In Life you keep the zest,
If Love you hold,
No matter how the years go by,
No matter how the birthdays fly,
You are not old.

AUTHOR: Edward Tuck

ART: Chattertons Lullaby courtesy of James Browne

Today I am feeling young . . . how about you?

Hope you are all having a wonderful week!
Hugs,
X

Do You Belive in Fairies?

Do you believe in fairies?
Could fairies really exist?
Do they live in flowers and gardens?
Do they play in the morning mist?


Do they tend to nature
With loving care?
Do they fly through the forests?
Would we see them there?

Are they oh so gentle?
Are they heaven sent?
Do they fly with the butterflies
Until the day is spent?

Oh I would love to see them,
To catch sight of them at play,
Dancing around the flowers,
Just going about their day.

Janice Walkden

P.S. Just in case you're wondering why the blog has been so quiet lately . . . I kissed a frog and he turned into a prince . . . which in turn has kept me quite busy!

Have a great week!
Hugs,
X

Beauty of the Fairy

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Well behold this . . . isn't she the most beautiful fairy you have seen?

Sophie Gengembre Anderson 1823-1903

Children born of fairy stock
Never need for shirt or frock,
Never want for food or fire,
Always get their hearts desire,
Jingle pockets full of gold,
Marry when they're seven years old.

Every fairy child may keep
Two strong ponies and ten sheep,
All have houses each his own,
Built of brick or granite stone,
They live on cherries, they run wild,
I'd love to be a fairy's child.

AUTHOR: Robert Graves

I was so taken with this painting, I decided to research the artist who painted her.

"Sophie Gengembre Anderson was born in Paris in 1823, the daughter of a Parisian architect and an English mother. She was largely self-taught, but briefly studied portraiture with Charles de Steuben in Paris in 1843.

At the outbreak of the 1848 Revolution, she moved with her family to America, settling in Cincinnati where she pursued portrait painting. She married the British artist, Walter Anderson and returned to England in 1854. She exhibited at the Royal Academy during 1855.

Anderson's technique was excellent and she was quite adept at depicting fabrics and drapery with outstanding light effects.

In 1860 the couple visited Pennsylvania and exhibited at the National Academy, in the early 1870's she moved to Capri because of ill-health. Eventually she returned to England and lived in Falmouth. Sophie died in 1903."

Above are two more of her paintings and although they are very beautiful, I still think the first portrait I showed you is the fairest of all.

Hugs,

X

The Big White Cat

You may have already guessed, I am taking a little break from posting about dolls. I have even gone through parts of my studio and had a clean up, yes that's what I said . . . and a darn good one at that! All my UFO's that have been lying around waiting to be finished, some of them for many years, have gone in the rubbish bin. Along with a whole pile of teddy bear clothes (minus the buttons of course) and some old clothes that didn't fit any of my dolls.

And guess what? I don't feel at all bad that they are gone, just relieved of pressure to complete them. I guess you could say I am purring with contentment, just like the one in this poem. :)

White washed walls, large oak beams;

A warming-pan, a fire that gleams;

A wooden settle, wheel-back chairs;

Willow pattern plates, in pairs;

And there upon the homespun mat . . .

Purring, lies the big white cat!

Today I'm having a day out with my daughter . . . we are off to see the House of Dior exhibition at National Gallery of Victoria, then lunch and perhaps a little shopping.

Enjoy your weekend everyone . . . see you next week!

Friendship

The nicest thing in all the world
Is just a cosy sort of friend
With whom I am so much at home
I talk and chatter without end;
And when at last I've finished all
The things I have to say
I know my chum will never give
My secret thoughts away;
And that is why I share with you
When I've an hour to spend,
Because I always find you such
A cosy sort of friend.

Author Unknown

-oOo-

I hope you all enjoy your weekend with your families!