Violet Jelly & the Journey of the Piano Keys

I am so grateful to be living in this amazing time in history.

To be able to learn & connect, to encourage & be encouraged, support & be supported; share inspiration & friendship across borders, barriers, nations & provinces. We are no longer confined to friendships & connections that we make in the villages, towns or cities in which we live. We can freely cross borders of time & space to live more openly, broadly, even deeply than ever before..in connection; while still maintaining our own rhythms of daily life.

When I opened the unexpected parcel that I found in my letterbox last week, my heart melted & tears streamed down my face.    

 I had waited my whole life long for those of my past to "see" me, to tell me I was at least ok, but that time never came & never will. Yet here in my arms was a fresh proof; the gift that carried a thousand affirmations in one, from a dear heart to mine. I am seen. I will be ok. I am so grateful!

 Memories... new memories I have softly laid down in a bed of kindness & care.

 I am so glad that you have traveled with me, my friends, as I have journeyed through the hard things & the "Lucy" moments.

 The best & most beautiful things in the world are indeed felt with the heart. Thank you dearest Julie for your loving stitches of kindness. How glad I am to be able to visit Threadbear Cottage & your Threadbear Life at any time of the day or night to have a catch up, find endless inspiration & entertaining kitten antics. 

 The days have been endlessly dull for ages now, which is a little perturbing. 

 I think that that may be why, although we can see the signs of emerging Spring, it doesn't really feel like Spring; just yet. This is a lovely place to walk down by the Karamu Stream. Getting out & about in the country side always helps to lift your spirits when the times are a little odd.

There are moments of some sunshine.

Coriander does so love the cooler weather though.

 As does the floral marvel of radicchio. Such a beautiful vegetable....you could almost wear it.

A little muddly potager

 down in the back corner of the garden.

 Just over from the bluebells..

 and the brand new of the raspberry canes. Green arises from "dead" sticks.

 A new white dove descended in to the Fairy Garden last week.

 My most exciting triumph in ages....finally figuring out how to make a truly effective, non-toxic weed killer!! And so simple!! A tablespoon of nasty table salt, a big squirt of dish washing liquid & fill up the bottle with white vinegar. That's it. 

 And it really works.

 Cath Kidston has a theme of clocks going on at the moment. Aren't these little cruets cute.

 I just love my Trade Me "work"...sending things like violets, fabric & Cath Kidston wallpaper all over the countryside. We have so many lovely people living in our land. I like to wrap things nicely with ribbons & handwritten cards, but these old piano keys were a tad tricky on that count. They arrived with David a few years ago when he returned home from Greymouth. I listed them for a dollar as I couldn't bear to throw them away & a very interesting arty lady bought them locally. She very kindly deposited $10...as a "token of her delight". They have gone off to be shared with four other arty ladies & so their journey is complete. As it happens the piano itself was gifted to a kindergarten in Canterbury in the 1960's, later it was sold to a family, who eventually moved & couldn't take it with them...David fancied ownership & consequently hauled it over the Southern Alps where it resided with him for quite sometime. Heavy & cumbersome at the time of his leaving it then appears to have met it's demise, yet not quite fully caste off, the keys journeyed north with the intention of becoming an art installation...which, indeed, has now been fulfilled. 

How extravagant to pick a whole bowl of violets!!

 If you pour boiling water over them 

 & leave them to steep for an hour or two

 strain, add honey, lemon juice, gelatine & a tiny splash of rose water you end up with the most divine jelly. You can find the recipe here.

 We ate it for breakfast with rhubarb & kefir cream & a little fresh coconut grated over the top.

 Heavenly!

And so are these gorgeous grape hyacinths & bluebells.

I wish you all fragrance, good friendship, some jelly & a very happy week!

Much love

Catherine x0x0x