The beauty of Nature

From the pretty pink magnolia

The beauty of nature is so inspiring.
When we see the leaves budding or when we smell the freshness of a Spring day, new hope will always come to us.

To the pretty tui with a tuft of white feathers at his neck

The rich golden glory of the Kowhai flowers,  are so pretty and had to take a photo on my walk this morning. The Kowhai is a native tree to New Zealand and the Tui's  feast on the nectar from the flowers.

Love is a canvas furnished by Nature and embroidered by imagination.
~Voltaire.

Many thanks to all my wonderful friends, just want to say how much I appreciate all your visits and kind comments.
I am having a little giveaway to say thank you... a beautiful big hard back book~
' The best of New Zealand Geographic, Exploring our land and culture'

Our friend Andrew Caldwell, was the Art Director on the book.
We bought two copies and keeping one and would like to gift the other, to one of you.

To enter is simple:
1. If you want to join my giveaway, just leave me a comment on this post.

2. Of course I would love it if you follow my blog 

3. A winner will be drawn on the 20th September and will be happy to send worldwide to whoever wins.

I hope that you are having a wonderful week
Hugs
Carolyn

Friendship

 the name on the ferry berthed at the wharf in Sydney, ...Friendship

Today I want to thank you for your friendship, to those who visit my blog.

You have all made my life so much better ~ I have made such wonderful friends, that if not for my blog would not have had the chance to know.

I am grateful for friends who are caring, sharing, and for all the wonderful things I learn from you.

I received two gifts the other day, from my friend Koralee -thank you so much

I also won Claudia's giveaway ~ a hot water bottle and cover which will be very useful for winter. Many thanks Claudia.

Please go over and visit their lovely blogs and say hello.

Would also like to tell you of Stephanie's giveaway please go and visit her and you could be entered in the drawer for a lovely book called Peau d'ane or Cross stitch. Fingers crossed you may get to win one of her beautiful and generous gifts.

Hope your week is getting off to a great start - I have been staining the deck rails the past two days, giving them the final coat - nearly finished.

Hugs

Carolyn

Let me tell you of a giveaway

Here is an image from the Jeanne d'Arc Living Magazine.

Let me tell you of a wonderful giveaway ~ Carole from over at maynardgreenhouse.blogspot.com is generously giving a copy of  Jeanne d'Arc Living magazine to some lucky friend.

Carole and her blog are fabulous and if you have not met her, please go for a visit.

Sorry I have not been visiting very much,  hope to catch up with you all soon. Life seems to be busy here.

Hugs

Carolyn

We have a winner

Antique monogramed holder with pretty delicate lace and a vintage postcard
French lace and ribbon with Eiffel tower charm
A Savon tin with a lavender sachet, soap, vintage handkerchief, rose, ribbon bow, and button.



I have picked up a few little treasures on my travels ~ wish I could have brought something back for you all. Thank you for visiting me and your kind notes you left.
Karen I got you some buttons, Marsha I have a Laduree box for you, and Michelle I saw a rabbit teacloth so had to get that for you.
Now the winner, chosen by using the random number generator is Tracey of French Larkspur, I will send a surprise gift of some things I bought on my travels.
Please email me your address and I will get a little parcel in the mail to you.
Have just had a chance to take a few photos.

I am feeling much better after a dose of the Tamiflu vaccination and seems strange to have the flu when the sun is shinning and the weather is hot out there.

I will share my photographs soon. Hope that you are all having a happy week
Hugs
Carolyn

No place like home!

Bonjour mes Amis,

I am back home again after having the most fabulous holiday.
The joys of traveling, when people around you are not well and pass the flu on.
While we were waiting in the transit room about to board the plane from Sydney back to Auckland there was a gentleman coughing and not looking well.
We seem to have now developed a cough, sore throat and running a temperature so we visited the Doctor on Sunday morning. We are feeling much better today after drinking water, cups of tea and plenty of rest.

I want to say merci beaucoup for all your kind notes you left.
It seems as though I have been gone such a long time and I must say that I am very happy to be back home.
I'll be back soon to announce the winner of my giveaway and to share the photographs of my trip.

Have a happy week.
Hugs
Carolyn

Birthday's!

Birthday's... you either love them, hate them or can't decide.
Every year you get one and there is nothing you can do about that.

Well it is that time of the year again to celebrate the day of my birth ~ 16th May, and I will not tell you the year!
As a small child you lived for your birthday and to be another year older.
As another one gets closer, you could get a little frowny but instead I want to think of how life has been good and I am thankful everytime I open my eyes to a new day.
Looking back on all the lovely moments of the past year and for looking ahead to more wonderful times in the coming year.

I love the flower for the month of May ~ Lily of the Valley, Convallaria, Muguet.

The Lily of the Valley is prized for its delicate fragrance and beautiful blooms.
The meanings of the Lily of the valley ~ a symbol of happiness, purity of heart and sweetness. It is one of my all time favourite flowers and I tried growing some one year and they were lovely in the garden.

To help celebrate my birthday, I am giving away a small gift.
Just leave a comment to say what you like or dislike about birthdays and what is your birth month flower?

Have a lovely weekend
Hugs
Carolyn

Wishing you a happy Easter

Oh don't we all love a long weekend.
I am hoping to read some really good books and go for some lovely walks.
I have made my weekend sound like a health retreat but I do have my fix of chocolate
(have I told you I like chocolate Easter eggs) and I will bake some hot cross buns.
We have some friends coming to visit, so that will be great.

I would like to wish you all a safe and enjoyable Easter holiday with your Family and friends.

Hugs
Carolyn

ps. I have a Giveaway, to celebrate my 100th post! if you would like to enter on my previous post, would be happy if you do. Thanks C

100th post and a little Giveaway

Hi Everyone,

I am excited to say that I have made my 100th post and so now I am giving away these two little dough things if you are interested.
Mabel the sheep and The little Cottage that I have just finished making ~ have just given them the last coat of varnish.

I want to say thank you to all my wonderful friends that I have met here and for taking the time to visit and all your lovely comments.


Just leave a comment and tell me what fun things, you have been getting up to lately.
I have been out in the garden and doing some housework, things that needed doing.

I shall pick two winners, on the 16th April.

Have a great weekend

Hugs
Carolyn