Tweet Tweet....

I haven't gone over to tweeting on Twitter (not yet anyway). With my blog, Etsy, flickr, skype, msn and facebook, I think I have enough to keep up with!! The twittering here is to announce that our dear little hummingbirds have arrived for the summer - yay!! So far just one bedraggled looking male and a rather sprightly looking female! They appeared on schedule May 11th, and have been guzzling on the rich sugar nectar in the strawberry feeder pretty much constantly. Yesterday I went out and bought the customary hanging baskets full of blue trailing lobelia which our wee feathered friends also enjoy feasting upon
Continuing on the same birdy subject, I had a request over the weekend from a lady in California to make 5 tiny felt ones for her daughter. I decided to add a little extra touch to the Cardinal, so he sports a little Mohican hairstyle (or crest) After making the basket liner for my car-basket last week I went on to make another one. Using a remnant of cream linen with a red 'toile de jouy' design. I have so many bits of fabric that I have collected over the years and never know quite what I am going to use them for until the time is right.Finishing off with something Craig said that gave me a lump in my throat.
He asked me 'not' to mow over the little patch of grass where we buried dear Archie under the tree in the garden. When I asked him why, he said he likes to carefully trim it with a pair of scissors because Archie was always scared of the Tractor Mower.

HAPPY MUMMY'S DAY

Today is Mother's Day here in Canada and also where my Mum lives in South Africa. I'm not sure why but it's a couple of months earlier in the UK . I feel quite special today and perhaps slightly more deserving this year than previous years, because I'm feeling a bit 'fragile' right now.

Yesterday I took a 'tumble' at work whilst sorting out shelves in the back stock room. I missed my step coming down a ladder, lost my balance and stumbled backwards into an unsuspecting piece of very hard wooden furniture, which I involuntarily whacked with the back of my head!!! Getting back on my feet pretty sharpish, hoping nobody would come rushing over wondering what on earth all the racket was, I carried on as normal. About 10 minutes later the stock room took on a sort of surreal appearance just as my boss called me to the front of the store on the intercom. Walking through the rooms they all looked a little unfamiliar. Needless to say after the staff and customers took one look at my pasty white face and saw the growing egg on my head I was promptly whisked off to the emergency dept. at the local hospital. Bumped (excuse the pun) up the waiting list due to the growing 'egg' and my oddly uneven pupils I was quickly assessed and seemed luckily to have only sustained a concussion. Jemma stayed with me the whole time and Craig was given instructions to monitor me closely for the next 72 hours and wake me up every 2 hours during the night to make sure I knew who I was and could speak coherently (does anyone at 3am?)
I woke up this morning to a lovely cup of tea in bed and the biggest hangover ever! A couple of Tylenol tablets seem to have both the headache and whole pummelled-body feeling under control, for now at least. I think I am over the worst and am getting back to normal again.
My girls have been so sweet today, helping with housework and giving me extra hugs and kisses. Snuggled up on the sofa this afternoon we watched the romantic comedy 'Ghost Town' a very funny movie that had us all in stitches and tears. I love Ricky Gervais's sense of humour.
I spotted this new little visitor outside after the movie, well camouflaged amongst next winter's wood supply. (middle top) He was such a brave little chap coming right up to the back door, sniffing around he even stood on his hind legs and turned around to say "hello". Mr Groundhog, Woodchuck or Gopher
The hummingbirds have also returned, right on cue, they arrive every year after a long and tiring flight, around the 10th May. I haven't managed to capture one on camera yet, but the girls saw them yesterday feeding hungrily on the sugar water outside the kitchen window.
The leaves are almost out on all the trees this week and summer is not too far away :)
Hazel xx

Our little birdie friends have arrived!

Just as predicted our very first tiny hummingbird arrived on schedule this week. Mother's day to be precise and in an incredibly strong wind too! Although both hanging baskets and the strawberry feeder were up, the poor little mite found it an impossible task to land, so her visit was brief. Luckily we all saw her whilst we were having our lunch in the kitchen. I will try to capture her on camera soon.
Yesterday my books arrived from Amazon and I love them!

I have only allowed myself the luxury of a quick flick through them so far, taking a couple of photos . I'm not sure when I will actually get to have a go at some of the many lovely projects in the two sewing books, but I will most certainly some time in the future. So much eye candy, here is a page inside 'sew pretty homestyle'

I usually read novels and only just before bed, my latest from the library is called 'My sister's keeper' which I am enjoying, but seem to be taking forever to finish it!

As I didn't write a post on Mother's day here is a vintage ad from a magazine, framed and hanging in the laundry. It reminds me of my Mum and I back in the 70's. Funny thing is I still love to iron :)

This year for the first time ever on Mother's day both my daughters' were snowed under with school work and sporting activities. So it was decided (my suggestion I admit) to postpone any fun stuff til next Sunday. I have really enjoyed reading about other blogger's fun days with their children.

As I wasn't blogging this time last year, or at least not on blogspot, I want to show you my home made gifts from last Mothers day (little proud moment). I use them both on a regular basis in my sewing room.

A cute business card holder made by Amber at school

Some covered wooden pegs in a decorated tin from Jemma, these I use to hold my embroidery thread, receipts, squares of tissue etc.

 Hopefully this weekend I can squeeze in another post, we are hoping to be able to get outside without being blown away :)

Hazel xx

Blossoms!!

Another perfect summer day :) Pleasantly warm with a nice breeze. My shoulder is 100% better, even after painting the garden bench and the coffee table, only the mirror to do this afternoon and all 3 yard sale finds will have had a 'make-over'. (I will upload photos of them on my flickr site soon)

Most of the orchards are in blossom now and look very pretty, the Annapolis Valley apple blossom festival is next weekend, so the timing is just right, as long as there isn't a really strong wind, which could blow all the flowers off!

Our little bird feeder adaptation is working nicely, I glued a margarine tub lid to the underside for the tiny birds to rest on, (some feeders come with little ledges fitted, but I didn't know that when I bought this one) there are about 5 birds so far that are feeding regularly, so I expect there will be lots of little babies before long!

Here is a male hummingbird, having a little rest between drinks!

Yesterday I got a lovely long and newsy letter from my friend Keriann, who lives in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. Her hand written letters are very special and I like to read them several times. Enclosed was a newspaper clipping about a local artist Deirdre Helmore who published her memoirs a couple of years ago and I was lucky enough to be given the job of typing them up for her over the last few months we lived in Hawkes Bay.

Craig is now only working part time for the company he joined a month ago. The owner's girlfriend came back from vacation and decided she actually wanted her old job back! I think it is for the best anyway as Craig was 'not' enjoying being stuck at a desk being an Accounting clerk for 9 hours a day, especially after being up and about for the last 3 years. I have hardly seen him this week, he has been super busy, painting the driveway, preparing the back deck, sorting out the basement and garage, cutting wood with the neighbours etc.

Well, this is supposed to just be a mid-week quick blog, so I'm off now to hang out my washing!

Hazel x

First blog post on blogspot!

Welcome to my new blog, which you may have been directed to from my old one. http://blossomhill.efx2.com/

Jemma my eldest daughter was very kind and patient helping me get it just right :) Now I just need to keep it updated once a week.
Craig has completed his third week back at work and seems to be settling in and getting used to the big change in his daily routine.
Amber came second in the triple jump event at the district sports competition on Wednesday and has qualified to take part in the regional competition on Saturday morning. Craig is going to help with her training as soon as the rain stops!
I managed to 'finally' get myself a haircut! My last 'trim' was in November, where has the time gone? Anyway it feels much healthier now resting on my shoulders, I must 'not' leave it such a long time before my next visit to a hairdressers.

Before the rain came I was busy in the garden, helping to lay down top soil and raking in some grass seed. We found two lovely hanging baskets full of blue trailing lobelia, which the hummingbirds love to feed on, almost as much as the sugar water we make up for them.

The little birch tree that we transplanted is doing well and seems happy with the move from the top of the field, to a spot much closer to the back door.
Archie is 'shedding' his winter coat especially on my black trousers!

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A photo of the sweet little humming birds, actually taken last summer, the trees don't have this many leaves on them this year yet.

Please do feel welcome to leave any comments and/or links to your blogs and flickr accounts. My new shorter haircut!