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Monthly Archives: March 2014

Knitting, Nao Roz Kites and Kneelers

1   I have done my first 100 cms piece for the 7 miles of knitting being done by supporters of Wool Against Weapons (See this post)  Now to sew all the ends in. I haven’t decided whether to do stripes in the next piece….

First 100 cms knitted

First 100 cms knitted

2   We joined a bunch of like-minded people today on the beach by St Michael’s Mount for a very special event, Fly Kites Not Drones, in honour of Nowruz, Afghanistan’s New Year.  There were kites of all shapes and sizes flown by children and adults of all ages. Voices for Creative Non-Violence UK is holding a weekend of solidarity with Afghans who will be facing uncertainty and the possibly of an escalation in conflict during the renegotiation of the international presence within Afghanistan. Our kite flying on the beach was a part of this. Here’s a gallery of photos to give you a flavour of the event. Click on any one for the detail.  I’d like to wish my readers in Afghanistan, and there are a few, a Happy New Year.

3   After the kite flying, we strolled about Marazion for a while and as the Church had a notice inviting anyone in during daylight hours (rare these days – many Churches, sadly, are locked when not in use) we had a look around and were both struck by the colourful beauty of the kneelers. Click on the photo to see the amazing stitch-work..

A great deal of work has gone into these beautiful kneelers

A great deal of work has gone into these beautiful kneelers

 

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Morning Clouds, Muscari, and Hailstones

1   The clouds as I drew the curtains this morning just called out to be photographed! They were certainly an omen of things to come – wonderfully bright and welcome sunshine alternated all day with thumping great hailstone showers.

Interesting cloud formation

Interesting cloud formation

2    I love the blues of the Muscari against the golden yellow of the daffodils with the sun on them all.

Grape hyacinth

Grape hyacinth / Muscari Grandifolium

3   The dustbin lid was covered within seconds of the hailstones hitting all surfaces.

Hailstones on the dustbin

Hailstones on the dustbin

 

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Daffodils, International Day of Forests and World Poetry Day

1   This tree and bank of daffodils is at the entrance to our Doctor’s surgery. No matter how bad people feel, these raise a smile on every face.

Bank of Narcissi

Bank of Daffodils

2    Today is the International Day of Forests. The theme of the International Forest Day 2014 is Celebrating Forests for Sustainable Development.    To celebrate the theme, the UN held a Panel discussion on Women as Agents of Change for Forests and Sustainable Development with inspiring speakers from forest heroes to film makers. Here are some beautiful photos of trees that I have taken over the years. Click on any photo for the detail.

3   Sadly, we are losing many of our forests around the world. This poignant and beautiful poem, which I have long loved, is by Jules Supervielle, a Uraguayan poet, and seems right to mark both International Day of Forests and World Poetry Day

 In the hourless forest

In the hourless forest
a tall tree is being felled.
A vertical void
trembles in the form of a shaft
near the outstretched trunk.

Search, birds, search,
for the site of your nests
in this high memory
while it is still murmuring.

by Jules Supervielle

 

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Old Fire Station, Spring Equinox and Cake

1   Walking through Penryn a different way today, I noticed the old Fire Station, all painted up and now someone’s home. Click on the photo for detail of the sign over the door.

2   Today is the Spring Equinox and we went again to our friends’ newly planted woodland where they are creating a stone circle. We helped to raise a stone at Winter Solstice, see this post, and today we helped to raise another for the Spring Equinox.  Follow the slide show through to see the whole event.

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3  After a cold and rather wet Ceremony, we went in to sit by the wood-burning stove and tucked into the most delicious cake made by T, in honour of the developing stone circle.

Chocolate cake

Chocolate cake

 

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A Big Thank-you, Fritillaria and Proust

1   My 1000th follower has signed up today! Thank you so much to all of you who follow, like and take the time to comment. I started this blog in 2011 for myself and to honour my beautiful friend of 30 years whom we lost too early to cancer.  I wanted to seize the day, look for the positive in everything in a tangible way and really see the beauty all around me. I have been delighted by the responses from readers all around the world, from 151 countries in fact!   This bouquet of mixed daffodils from our garden is for all of you!

Daffodils from our garden

Daffodils from our garden

2   Our first Snake’s Head fritillary is in flower. What a remarkably lovely thing this is.

Fritillaria Meleagris

Fritillaria Meleagris

3    My friends send me some beautiful words! Yesterday it was the ABC of Happiness and today these wonderful words of Marcel Proust – just perfect for lovers of words and for gardeners – and I am both. Thank you, Sallie.

Marcel Proust's beautiful thoughts

Marcel Proust’s beautiful thoughts

To come back to where I started – thank you to all my lovely followers – you make my soul blossom!

 

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Grateful Bee, Huge Achievement and Happiness

1   The lovely Mr S found a very poorly bee in the garden this morning and brought it in for some TLC. I made a sugar solution and put that and a little caster sugar on a plate in the shade and we put the bee close to the sugar.  After some time I looked again and it seemed to be a little better. I went back again and was just in time to take the photo before it flew strongly away. Brilliant!

2   Today I have been up to our attic! That may sound like an every day sort of thing to do but the ladder, the climb and the flight of stairs just behind me have daunted me until now! We are thinking of doing some sort of conversion up there so I had to steel myself to do it. With sticky palms and a thumping heart I did it –  and I took photos. On a good day from the front, we can see the sea. From the back, we can see Wheal Uny. Now I’ve been up once, I can do it again!

Taken from the back attic window

Taken from the back attic window

3   A friend sent me this ABC of Happiness and I loved it so I’m sharing it with you now.

happiness1

I especially like H, K, L, S and W. I wonder which ones appeal most to you……..

 

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Inside

Here are a few photos showing Inside. Click on each photo for the caption and more detail.

Have a look here for many more in this interesting Challenge.

 
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Posted by on March 18, 2014 in Beauty, nature, photography, Truro

 

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Bubbles, Primroses and A Crocus

1   Washing up my special ‘keep-the-bottom-of-the -pie-crisp’ flan tin. I dropped it into the soapy water and was delighted by the bubble pattern that ensued.

Bubbles

Bubbles

2  There is a hedge on our way up from town which is covered in primroses and they are a tonic to see on my way up the hill.

On the top of the hedge

On the top of the hedge

3   What beautiful veining on this crocus.

Purple crocus

Purple crocus

 
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Posted by on March 17, 2014 in Beauty, flowers, nature, photography

 

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Knitting for Peace, Shire Horses YouTube and American Spiced Carrot Cake

1   I have a new project! I heard about Wool against Weapons yesterday and have spent much of the day knitting my first 100cm contribution to seven miles, yes, seven miles of knitting! As a supporter of peace and yarn bombing, this project immediately appealed to me so I sorted out all my pink wools (they don’t mind a bit of other colour) and started! 

Wool-against-weapons

If you would like to join me, click on the link above and get knitting!

My pink wools

My pink wools

2   Yesterday, I made a video of the beautiful Shire horses ploughing in The Lost Gardens of Heligan and I’ve uploaded it to YouTube. It sounds a bit windy but you can see how it works and see the turfs being turned over.   Here’s the link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBTp1OiiNME&feature=youtu.be

3  I made some delicious American Spiced Carrot Cakes, some for us and some for my good friend whom I am to visit on Tuesday.

Carrot cakes ready to bake

Carrot cakes ready to bake

 

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Shire Horses, Sea and Rachel Rose Reid

1   We went to The Lost Gardens of Heligan today to watch the Shire horses ploughing. What skill and what a pleasure to watch man and beasts at work. Listening to his instructions and watching the horses reactions was brilliant. He always started with, “Now, listen, horses!” and they did!

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The long view

The long view

2   The sea at Mevagissey was a beautiful blue.

View of the sea as we left Heligan

View of the sea as we left Heligan

3  Tonight, The Suitcase Singers had a gig at Miss Peapod’s and the wonderful Rachel Rose Reid told some of her amazing stories which were just  so moving, especially with the backing of the singers.  I have no voice tonight so was in the audience – and what a treat that was! Under Claire Ingleheart’s tutelage we have become quite the choir! We look good, we sound good and we have fun. What’s more, the audience all around me agreed with me!    Thank you, Suitcase Singers, Daisy Berks and Rachel Rose Reid for an excellent night of entertainment.

Rachel Rose Reid telling a story

Rachel Rose Reid telling a story

Moon over The Penryn River

Moon over The Penryn River

 

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