I had some more work done on my tattoo [much to my mothers disgust, but it is a spiritual thing for me..].. a locket.. Joe has the key. in a few weeks, a celtic cross will complete this part of my tatto-ing.
then a busy weekend just gone
first of all was a visit to my favourite little shop [or one of them].. Frou-Frou. I am quite good friends with the owner Parisa and Jacqui her gorgeous assistant. these girls have a style that cannot be found anywhere else. they just moved shop to bigger premises and the grand-opening was SaturdaySunday dawned bright and gorgeous. National Permaculture day. Joe and I took ourselves off to visit some of the permaculture gardens that were opened.. but not before breakfast in Katoomba.
Common Grounds Cafe. owned by the Twelve Tribes of Israel. a religious community. who dress in lovely clothes and have a simplicity about them. they remind me of Little House on the Prairie. the food is delish. cooked with love. and that is important.
before we started on the gardens, we ducked into another junk shop. outside there is all manner of bits and pieces for renovating. Joe foraged for a while & I looked for a round coffee table. My taste in decorating Villa Maria has changed quite abit since I moved. it is looking very Italianate now.. blue velvet lounge. Heavy italian dining setting and I have even sold the green welsh dresser and replaced it with a cream and pine one. I found a lovely round coffee table to match Villa Maria. seems like she is still decorating herself.. it is perfect! all I had to do was wait til it came along.then off to the gardens.. we visited three. all different. the first one had a chook pen and we chatted for quite sometime with the owners about the delight of being chicken owners. I exchanged phone numbers with a young girl just starting out. she lives around the corner and wants me to help her and her husband get a garden going! wow. I am happy to share what I know.
then to my favourite of all time. Daysprings in Hazelbrook. I know the owner well. She sometimes holds day workshops called 'Spirituality in the Garden' - a day of reflecting as you wander around her garden and eat her harvest.. following is a collection of photos from my day there yesterday
in the garden everything is used. old tins, tablecloths and other bits. that is what permaculture is all about.
french sorrel. [I could swear this was beetroot.. but no, was assured it is the sorrel] she had some for sale. I bought a plant and now must find what I can do with it.. another green for my liver tonic garden!
she had ducks. I would love ducks.. and I think I have just about persuaded Joe..
tea pots tucked amidst the English Spinach. creating a little bit of whimsy
amaranth.. I want some!then to the next garden in Glenbrook.. a neater garden than the last but still full of lovely ideas.
a pyramid created to net vegies and fruit. Joe will make me some of these for my garden. birds and possums are a problem here and it makes me weep [and angry] when I go out in the morning and plants have been eaten.
everything is used. old dish draining racks and shelves from a fridge, protect young plants from pests.a fun time has been my last few days!
one last thing. a downside of blogging.
something is beginning to bother me a little..
a few times now, I have had comments from someone who lives very near. [they may even know where i live or we may pass in the street. I don't know. I am very open in the way i blog and I am not going to change that]
only once or twice have they commented, but both times the comments have been to correct something I have said or disagree with what I have said. never anything positive.
I refuse to publish these and would prefer if the reader would just stop reading. yes, i know everyone has the right to their own opinion and I am fine with that but only if they comment at other times.
I know a friend or two of mine have had similar happen lately when they blog.. people taking it upon themselves to harass a blogger for her words.
there are some very odd people in this world.and that is it.. what will be next at Villa Maria?...
28 comments:
As usual, some beautiful photos. You are blessed with some beautiful countryside surrounding you. It's shocking when someone comes to your blog with negative comments. I know. It's happened to me. Like you, I don't publish. I refuse, though, to allow them to censor what I say on my blog, and it seems that is what they try to make you do.
Mary
I wish I was as lucky as your young neighbor and could have you come round and teach me about gardening. How wonderful for her! All the gardens look so beautiful.
beautiful pics garden looking great :) i love the pyramid !
i agree if you cant fnd something possitive to say then dont say anything!! dont change you are you and your blog is your blog if they dont like it they can go elsewhere x x x
Oh Robyn ages ago I had gardens similar to these and loved it!... chooks, teapots and all, and it made my heart jump for joy to see them on your post. I tend to concentrate more on reading and artwork these days,and where you find invading creatures a challenge to gardening where you are, here in South Australia it's the lack of rainfall and large water bills (when we are not on restrictions that is!) I do love a good garden wander though, particularly when someone else has done all the work. Such a newsy post today and interesting look into your community. Big hug.xx
Ohhh la la I just love the type of shoppe's you mentioned.It be fun to play dress up have tea in the garden one day, then the next day we could put on our overalls,work in the earth and make mud pies. Funniest thing I have been wanting a duck too!
xx
Beautiful and fun photos. I really enjoyed your post. You can block that person that always leaves negative comments. I'm sure there is a way of doing that. Have a great week and thanks for sharing your fun time. I had fun too. Take care.
Sounds like a lovely garden tour! When I lived in Winnipeg, there was a Christian commune which operated a cafe called "Common Ground" too. The interior was full of the most beautiful hand carved wood. They all dressed like Little House on the Prairie folk too. Wonder if it's part of the same outfit as yours? I never heard them called "the Twelve Tribes of Israel" though. They also made soy candles and votives to support their community (in quite a big way -- those candles were everywhere!)
I've got a lawn full of dandelions! I wish I could send them to you! LOL!!!
I know what you mean about negative comments, one of my blog friends had one recently, and it was about a recipe! Who makes mean comments about recipes!
Hope you have a wonderful week!
youre doing the right thing not publishing those comments.... I guess some poeple are just bored or something to make comments that arent nice to other bloggers!!
I loved this post cos it was so long and a bit of a good read!!! We used to have sorrel in the garden my grandma used to grow it, and Iused to eat it raw... had quite a nice taste and she used to make sorrel soup out of it.
Does the tatooing hurt at all?
Oh Robyn, I so love your posts they are full of informative goodies and inspirational too!
My old mum used to say " if you can't say anything good don't say anything at all", maybe if we keep drumming out love beats your neighbour will catch onto the rythmn!
Love Sue x
Oh dear! clicked before I checked my spelling so eager to reach you! Damn!
Sue x
That was such a peaceful post. :-) Just the refuge I needed.
C
XX
Yes Miss R, there are some very odd people in the world. Seems that only being "smarter than" someone else can satisfy them. These "odd" people must have never been told the story of Thumper, whose momma taught him "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all". Thumper's momma was a really wise rabbit!
I am chuckling at your garden defenses. LOL Not pretty maybe, but whatever works!
Some bloggers are just plain mean.And there is no need for it at all. if they don't like any blog then they should keep away from it in my opinion. But you are doing the right thing in not publishing them. it's just a shame that you have to put up with the comments first.
It does sound this blog notwithstanding that you live in a lovely sharing neighbourhood.
Something I wish I had!
Bah on negative comments! I had one - of the "How Dare You"? vein - just today. But I rejected it, hah! Yes I do dare!!
So here is something positive: Thanks for dropping by my new blog. It was so good to hear from you after such a long time. Of course I would love to re-connect. However, I am going back to my old blog so that is where you will find me. I am combining the best of both. Hugs from Julie at Celtic Lady, www.celticanamcara.blogspot.com
PS - Added you back on my sidebar under your new blog! I must take time to peruse it further.
Hi Robyn, wow you had a wonderful day to judge by the pictures.
Negative comments are so awful and even more when they come from someone you might know in real life.
It's always hard when you people you know start reading your blog.
That is why I stopped blogging too. You see I still come by to visit though, I made a new account ; )
If I were you, I wouldn't care about those people and just delete the comments they give. If you don't have anything nice to say, then go read another blog ; ) Take care
Hugs from The Netherlands
btw: I can't wait to see your tatoo !!
Hi there....I found you over at 'Moontides"...so glad I did. Loved your topics today...I am also thinking about getting just a "little tatoo". I'm a lot older than you but it is one thing I have not done...and I think I'm going to doing it before I leave "this good earth"..
I'll be back again.
Jo
oh its lovely to be back blogging and to come here~i always feel i have been standing under a gorgeous refeshing waterfall when i come here!
i am growing sorrel in my garden, i love it in salads :)
I love Frou Frou, will be very happy to visit the new premises next time I am in Springwood. Common Grounds Cafe is now on my list of must go tos. Love the garden photos. Sorry to hear about the negative commentor.
Hi Robyn, this is Solsticedreamer's other half here. I thought i would pop in and say Hi and to say I am looking forward to seeing your garden and how it develops. If you want some dandelions i could've sent you loads lol.
dear beautiful flower,
may your day be heart warming....
happiest of mothers days!
come, we are all in the garden,
where there is a vision waiting for you.
xoxoxoxoxo,
rebecca
missing you my darling friend.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
A beautiful post, Robyn! I so wish I had a garden like that...sigh...
I can't understand people like that either. A little diplomacy can go a long way...maybe they should try some.
Your tattoo sounds wonderful!
Love,
Serena xo
my darling...missing you, hoping your absence here means you are in the garden, filled up to the brim with life and deep contentment.
xoxoxoxox,
r
The garden tour is incredible. I would eat my way through it.... It's lovely to share your life from where I sit in my city apartment!
Mark negative comments as spam. It alerts Blogger; they go into your spam folder where you can delete them. Meanwhile, remember that it has nothing to do with you; it's about the commenter who, in the end, must be pitied for having such a sour outlook on life.
xoxo
Happy, mellow days - and yes, that looks like beetroot not sorrel. I giggled at the thought of you nurturing dandelion seeds - they are everywhere in my garden!
Hi Robyn, stopping by to say Hi..!
xx
Haven't blogged for a month, and I enjoyed the break, but felt the need to reconnect today. Hope you are well. Everything looks like it is growing well there.
I hope you get a duck, I find them so entertaining.
hugs
xx
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