Space...stillness...sanity...sacred...soul.

There is a space between breaths taken
Between music notes
Between forgiveness given and accepted
The ligaments of life
The tiny shards of light and molecule that meet to create meaning
The space between intention and action ...

Where anything is possible

♥♥♥

Winter Blues Reversed....

global warming has cooked things up a bit

changing tides, glaciers, hibernations... the whole shebang

thermostats all around the world are confused

the almond tree has blossomed

the poplar is following suit

native freesias have carpeted the nearby parklands

i’m scoffing pretentious soy chai lattes

in a desperate bid to hold onto cosy affairs

i wear “the onesie” in protest, but usually have to strip

halfway through the evening because I’m overheating

I have run out of period dramas to watch

and pod casts to listen to - i have books (of course)

but they’re not cosy reads - need to find a cosy read

(something set in Russia I think)

I didn’t knit enough

i didn’t sort enough

I didn’t have many picnics

(none to be accurate)

I wrote in my journal though

and I made lots of things

oh dear .... I’m rambling

It’s a spectacular day outside

I’m not exaggerating 

20 degrees - sunny and the bluest of skies

I know i should be out there enjoying it

I know I should be excited about the prospect of spring

it’s just that winter flew by all too quickly

and I don’t feel like I got money’s worth 

winter blues reversed

rare but real 

♥♥♥

Moss Garden love....♥♥♥

What do you need?

Moss

Clear Glass Bottles, Jars, Ornate Containers, Terrariums

Good quality potting mix

Sand

Muslin

Miniature ornaments, rocks, pebbles etc

Small plants suitable for indoor conditions

What I did?

Cleaned & disinfected the jars - germs + moisture = mould

(So this is am important step)

Placed a layer of pebbles at the base of each jar

Next a piece of muslin to stop soil & sand settling too far down

Next a mixture of the sand and soil

Next the moss

Next a few small plants and an ornament or two

Please note - I read THIS FABULOUS BOOK and

found a lot of helpful info, gorgeous ideas 

(for both dry and wet terrariums)

as well as helpful hints and to-do's

I made one for myself and one each for my nieces

(a small garden for a Fairy in need of a place to rest)

This is actually a great activity to do with kids 

Once complete they need to be kept moist

(a spray/mist bottle is handy)

Avoid direct sunlight and open the lid form time to time

(to avoid too much condensation)

I've made many different kinds in the past - wet and dry

The most successful have been those containing succulents

There's a lot of info online or if you have any queries feel free to email me

Hope this inspires a miniature world that suits your home!

Vintage Wedding Flowers...

I played around with the floral leftovers from one of my classes...

(one of the many perks in this course)

... and came up with this quaint vintage vignette.

Yellow Calla Lillies, Roses and Statice as well as Deep Purple Hardenbergia

All the vases are thrifted and echo the "bygone era" of the arrangement

As for the salt and pepper shakers ... well I'd use them as cake toppers wouldn't you?

... By the way... just incase I have not mentioned it before... 

I luuuuuuurve this course... ♥♥♥

I've been thinking about doing the bridal component but as soon as I do....

..... I break out into a sweat. 

Brides can sometimes be .... you know... um... difficult and precious and fussy and ...

Did I say fussy?      (am I being too harsh?)

There's also a fair bit of ignorance when it comes to what can (and cannot) be achieved 

within budget constraints, seasonal availability, timing... heat waves...practicality.

Then there's what's in fashion at the moment... David Austen Roses, Peonies, Delphiniums.

All a wee bit hard to source simultaneously and for a reasonable price.

The thing is I know I will eventually learn the ins and outs of matrimonial marigolds.... 

nuptial nasturtiums .... spousal sweet peas (see what I did there?) but for now I'm happy to

concentrate on the basics and play around with wedding styling in the safety of my own home. 

(I AM being harsh I know... especially when there are many gorgeous brides who style 

wedding flowers for themselves & quite frankly OWN it!)

I think flowers are natural works of art and do not need to be "overly designed/styled"

Still... beauty is in the eye of the beholder... so each to their own.

What do you think peoples?

Whilst I do not want to begrudge any bride (or groom for that matter) the wedding

of their dreams I do tend toward the "less is more" ethos.

I also think you can achieve amazing results on a tight budget with a little imagination, 

some elbow grease ... and maybe a trip or two to the local thrift stores.

It also helps to talk to a variety of Florists to get an idea of what truly is possible

(Because let's face it.... between Kate and Kim the media have set quite the impossible 

fairytale standard... Eeek imagine how the dressmakers feel!)

Well these are the crazy thoughts that roam around my brain now that...

..... I'm studying Floristry....

(I still pinch myself when I say that to make sure I'm not dreaming)

Alright enough prattling. I must go peoples - there is a birthday cake to be planned.

A son who turns fifteen says he's not fussed but a mother knows better.... ♥♥♥

Disclaimer

I should just add that I do not blame "Brides to be" ... I blame Pinterest.

(and of course not all brides are ignorant fuss pots... it's actually just a 

temporary syndrome that affects the front cortex of their brain whilst 

they're planning for the big day)

Perspective ....

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” 
― Abraham Lincoln

“Fairy Tales always have a happy ending.' That depends... on whether you are Rumpelstiltskin or the Queen.” 
― Jane Yolen, Briar Rose

“It is a narrow mind which cannot look at a subject from various points of view.” 
― George Eliot, Middlemarch

“The most fatal illusion is the settled point of view. Since life is growth and motion, a fixed point of view kills anybody who has one.” 
― Brooks Atkinson

It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known.” 
― Carl Sagan, Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space

Healthy Perspective 101

Always choose being happy over being right

(ALLLWAAAYS)

You never know someone else's story completely 

(what appears as rude behaviour may indeed be overwhelming grief)

Poor people with very little education or style are 

still streets ahead of anyone who notices this about them

Kindness really does cost nothing but oh boy 

can it feel like a million dollar gift when you receive it

Whatever you think the worst that can happen IS...

.. is really never ever as bad as you think it will be.

****

Peoples I hope you are finding yourself growing and learning

and discovering - it reminds us we're alive doesn't it?

I have had a week of wonderful growth

All the lessons and experiences have reminded me that 

we always have a choice when it comes to the perspectives we can take

I'll leave you with a video link to a collaboration between

two amazing minds... David Attenborough and Bjork.

(yes you read correctly)

They are mutual fans and the result of their meeting is just amazing.

http://youtu.be/_H8OKZ0VQpM

PS - it's pretty long so you may want to stream it when you 

have time to relax and absorb the awesomeness Xx

Oh and one more thing... there's an APP as well...

Yes... an APP created by Bjork and it is crazy cool

Perspective ... wow.

Little bits of Life...

High on the priority list - cosy spots, comfort food, family and fun.

(As it should be all year round but for some reason seems magnified in Winter)

We have been housesitting for siblings  - which gave us access to a wood fire oven, 

a Great Dane and two very cute kiddies. 

How lovely to have the usual routine shaken up a little. 

To be in a loving home and permeate the space with your own brand of fun and care. 

To help out family and have a wonderful time doing it.

(Hubby decided to welcome them back with some homemade Gnocchi - he's perfected it for sure)

Home now, and there is washing to tend to, ironing to curse lovingly finish 

(I started two weeks ago) and a multitude of domestic tasks which appear far from glamorous and have me shuffling my feet more than usual. I've lit a few candles, prepped an oil burner (lemongrass thank you very much) & turned on the bush radio. I still need to find vines for tonight's class - a reverse proportioned, light and airy cascading arrangement - eek! I've fed & tended to the chickens - rewarded with a MAHOOSIVE bum nut today(!) and I have only had one cup of tea... I promise.

Life is moving along at a snails pace today peoples.... but that's ok.

♥♥♥

PS - Bucket list item #27 ticked off... Swan Lake.... Sigh