these quiet days...

 Early this morning I awoke to a little person peeping around my bedroom door.

Something had frightened them, so we snuggled together in my bed till it was time for me to get up and make coffee.

I am thankful for more time for hugs and cuddles with these precious ones.

Today is another glorious Autumn day; bright and clear with a slight crispness in the air...

I long to immerse myself in beauty of nature at this time of year by going for a ramble in the forest, or a stroll along the shoreline, but instead I slip on my gardening gloves and potter about sowing seeds, weeding and making our little garden pretty.

I am thankful for more time to spend in my happy place.

 

After spending an hour or so in the garden, I decided I would work on my to do list...

The kitchen windows received some love and are now all shiny, and our homegrown piquant peppers were finally pickled and bottled...  How delicious they will be on homemade pizza later this month.

I am thankful for more time to bless our home and family.

 Just now I am sipping a cup of something warm and pondering how blessed I am to share my journey through my little corner of the great wide web, and be encouraged and inspired by others who endeavor to do the same.

I am thankful for more time to spend connecting with friends, both old and new.

  

I think I may do a little sewing this afternoon...

Yesterday I made another tracksuit for Caleb, this time I used dark grey material, and I think he looks quite spiffy in it.

I am also wanting to cut and hem a couple tea towels so I can work on a little applique tomorrow (stay tuned for pictures of the final products).

I am thankful for more time to spend creating at my sewing and making items for my loved ones.

Or I might catch up on some reading...I am thoroughly engrossed in my book and am just 100 pages away from completing a 1059 page book.

I am thankful for more time to spend cultivating my imagination by the reading of good, wholesome books.

A little later we will gather to sing hymns, read God's Word and pray for wisdom and strength for our family and the people we care about...

I am thankful for these times we spend together as a family praising our heavenly Father who loves us more than we could ever imagine...

And I am thankful for the peace that reigns in our hearts in the midst of the worldwide pandemonium.

These days at home may be quiet in a sense that we don't see anyone or go anywhere, but our hands are busy and our hearts are happy...

I want to look back on these strange days with fond memories, happy in knowing we didn't waste a moment that was given to us.

Blessings to you, dear friends...

May the Easter weekend be one of great celebration as you reflect on what our Saviour did for us on the cross.

Let us remember that because of Jesus, we have peace and hope.

In Christ,

Kelly-Anne

Visiting the open gardens…

If you have been a reader of my country diary for any length of time, you will probably have come to the conclusion that I am an avid gardener…

I would rather be in the garden than anywhere else on earth.  {{smiles}}

 

The garden is where I experience a sense of true belonging; the place where I can breathe deeply and think clearly…

The warmth of the sunshine on my skin, the dirt on my hands, and the stillness, interrupted only by the buzzing of bees or the cheerful twittering of the birds, refreshes my soul.

There is a deep sense of satisfaction to be derived from growing things, and I have yet to discover anything more magical than cultivating a garden and enjoying the sweet fruits of my labour.

Thus, I spend as much time as possible in my happy place doing what I love most – growing things!

~

This year we visited the open gardens in our area for the first time.

My mom and I thought it would be a lovely way to inspire the two aspiring young gardeners in our family, Rebekah and Gabrielle.

We spent most of the day visiting the various gardens on show and came home refreshed and relaxed and inspired to continue working to create a haven in our backyard.

We began our Saturday morning with a quick stop at the local farmer’s market for coffee, and to pick up a few bunches of fresh beetroot. 

 Sadly, our beetroot is not yet ready, and my garden too small to grow as much as we would need for our size family.

 

The first garden we visited was tucked away at the end of a long, winding dirt road.

A small piece of paradise, this beautifully landscaped tiered garden was surrounded by forest area.

 

 ^The magnificent view of the ocean from one side of the garden...

 ^The view of the forest from the other side of the garden.

The next garden was my kind of garden with big trees casting lovely shade, a few ponds and rustic benches dotted around…

We enjoyed a glass of lemonade here before moving on…

 

Garden number three was a cottage style garden with plenty of quaint little spots for hiding yourself away in with a cup of tea and a good book…

 

We then decided to take a break and stop for a light lunch before visiting the next lot of gardens…

 

 ^Open fields surrounded garden number four.

 The second last garden we visited was truly magnificent with rolling lawns, neatly pruned bushes and lots of colour in the roses and foxgloves gracing the beds.

I especially loved the vegetable garden tucked away at the back…

 

And now we come to the final and most beautiful garden of all….

Upon arriving, we felt as if we had stepped into a piece of heaven.

Lovely old trees encircle the house, creating the most divine shade…pathways twisting in and out of the garden beds, a big rose garden and plenty of space to lay down on a picnic blanket and rest awhile - this garden was pure delight.

 

Needless to say, we ended our day on a high note and came home thoroughly inspired.

Even though we have a rental home and a small garden, we were encouraged to do what we can to create a lovely outdoor space…

It was so special to spend this time with my mom and sisters doing something we all enjoyed.  

 We took so many photographs and made the sweetest memories…  I am already looking forward to next year!

Happy Monday lovely readers…have a delightful new week!

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Live now in this precious moment...

 Hello lovely friends...happy Thursday!

I hope that your week has been a wonderful one thus far...

Mine has been busy, but filled with good things.

Today there is a beautiful light rain falling and I am rejoicing along with my new garden in the deliciousness of the soft rainfall.  

I am sure I will go outside tomorrow morning and find all my seedlings have doubled in size!  {{smiles}}

I thought I would share something a little different today instead of my usual Thursday Pearls post.

I hope you enjoy reading my thoughts and seeing the pictures I have chosen to include of my adorable younger siblings!

 ~

I watched the two of them gazing out at the wide expanse of ocean beyond, hungrily scanning the horizon with their eager eyes in the hope of spotting something out of the ordinary to report back to me.

I smiled at the heart-warming picture of the little brother and his big sister standing close beside one another, pointing out various objects of interest here and there; a strong sense of adventure and daring rising in their little chests as they discussed the things they saw, or imagined they saw, out in the big blue sea. 

 I reminded myself just in time to capture that precious little moment in my heart.

 I stood in the icy cold sea water, feeling the warmth of the winter sun upon my back, and breathing in deep lungfuls of the fresh sea breeze. 

I watched as the waves thumped upon the shore, my younger siblings squealing with delight as they raced back to the safety of the dry sand each time.

Once again I was reminded to drink in the beauty of the moment…

 Live now in this precious moment. These words have been replaying in my mind over the past few days…

Live in the here.

Live in the now.

Our lives are made up of a myriad of little moments; little things of no consequence – or so we think.

Yet these seemingly unimportant moments are what make up the greater part of our lives…

 These little moments pass us by wholly unnoticed while we busily seek after the big moments in life.

I believe that we would be happier, more contented people if we would live intentionally, embracing each moment of every day as a gift, living more fully in the here and now, collecting memories not things.

Right now is before you.  Tomorrow is not a given.

Capture moments like photographs in your heart, and make the most of the little opportunities given you.  Smile often.  Laugh whenever possible.  Love with your whole heart and appreciate what you have now.  Time is fleeting and these everyday moments are swiftly passing.

Live now in this precious moment, dear friend.

Blessings in Christ,

Kelly-Anne

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