One autumn day

Last Sunday (before the tumultuous rain), we went to visit a few of the gardens in the Southern Highlands. It has been a while since we last visited a private garden. The weather was overcast, cold and a little windy. Nonetheless we tried to make the most of the day. First we stopped at an antique emporium, where I found a couple of very old enamel ware items and an Otagiri cookie cottage jar. Hope to share my current thrifty finds on my next post. Thank you dear friends for dropping by.Wishing you all a wonderful week. 

I'm joining Bernideen  for Friends Sharing Tea

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Easter Project

I must admit sleeping and waking up to the sound of the rain the last few days has been a blessing, giving me a chance to catch up on my sleep-deprived days. This morning the sun is shining so bright, its warmth so salving and uplifting. A pale blue sky behind a few fluffy white clouds, so perfect, not a single trace of rain in sight. What a perfect day to spend time in the garden. 

Thank for visiting. Hope you all had a blessed Easter week. 

The garden is looking very lush after a few days of rain, these zucchini didn't take long to expand to the length of a ruler. 

I was finally able to make my very first fairy garden.

The fairies are looking very happy in their new home. 

I've also created a home for my Tres Amigos and their donkey. I used my tea cup and saucer planter as their permanent dwelling. 

Well, that's my gardening for this long weekend done. And now for my truly well-deserved treat. 

Farewell Zinnias

 Summer is well behind us, but my Zinnias are continuously blooming. The veggie patch is still producing abundantly. We were disappointed with quinces and mandarins as their fruit were infested with fruit flies, and so were the apples. I guess that is the downside of not using pesticides in the garden, we might have to  try a different approach next season. Autumn made sure that its arrival has been noticed, with its coolness wafting in the air, darkness lingers a little longer in the morning and some trees already show some changes in their leaves. 

Hello dear friends, hope you are enjoying the change of season on your side of the world. I for one welcome the cooler weather, as it helps me in getting a good night sleep. Anyhow, apologies for my long absence in the blog land. I am hoping to get back to posting regularly after Easter when my photography class is finished and I can reclaim my craft room.

I'm joining Bernideen for Friends Sharing Tea Jody for Simple and Sweet Friday Sandi for Tea Time Tuesday

     In my element, tea for one and a book in hand.

My current read,A Story of Seven Summers by Hilary Burden

      My Villeroy and Boch tea for one tea set, a gift from hubby during his trip to Nuremberg 

       Zinnas, Roses and Echinacea,  a few of my top performers in the garden

    Our first harvest of bananas this year

       Faffing in the garden is my favorite past time.

            The last of the cucumbers this season

Autumn

The first day of autumn had been really hot, but what a relief to have the cooler change come in the afternoon. I know I will miss going to the beach and having a picnic by the bay side. And all the beautiful summer blooms. I guess it is time for me to get our winter crops and flowering bulbs ready for the next season. 

To all my lovely friends who are on the opposite side of the globe, you must be anticipating the coming of spring. 

Thank you for your kind visit and your thoughtful messages.  Wishing you all a lovely weekend. 

Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's day lovely friends. However you celebrate this day of LOVE, hope your loved ones are spoiling you. 

Well, today my daughter helped me bake a Raw Chocolate ganache cake for my darling hubby, as his sweet Valentine afternoon tea. 

I am joining Bernideen for Friends Sharing Tea, Judy for Simple and Sweet Friday, Sandi for Tea Cup Tuesday , Martha for Tea Cup Tuesday

Our garden has been so generous this year, these Zinnias just keep on giving.

And the rose garden continues to impress

The table grapes are mostly ripe

A favourite on our afternoon tea spread 

An addition to my rose garden-Hybrid tea rose called Julia's rose

Freshly-picked bouquet for my Valentine's day afternoon tea, the praying mantis is for photographic purpose only

Here it is, my version of raw chocolate ganache cake 

Today, I am using my Staffordshire tea set, which was given to me by my hubby for our wedding anniversary last year.

Look at those inquisitive eyes

After I took its photos, I returned it to its home.