Blue and White Delights

These Two are a match Made in Heaven.

Think blue sky, white clouds. Mediterranean Sea and whitewashed Greek hilltop houses.

The oceans, sailors, and their navy blue and white striped tops. Fresh and clean, bold, always a success.

Smart, timeless as a white shirt with blue jeans.

There is an infinite variety of pattern and design, especially in old crockery and fabrics.

With china, mismatched makes it all the more charming.

Most of the older ware can't be safely washed by machine, but it's worth owning some anyway!

Like this lovely piece of BURLEIGH Ware.

Or this stunning Victorian dinner plate. These pieces have been picked up in vintage stores , garage sales and flea markets for a few dollars over many years.

More white and bluetiful.

Remember if you like this it can be collected slowly with very little cash

"Discontent with what you have and are, will direct your thoughts inward and generate depression"

Chase away the blues by  giving thanks for everything you are and have.

Simple joys like bright orange slices on a blue plate brighten a day at home or a picnic in the garden

Moroccan Dessert Oranges: Slice the oranges over a plate to catch the juice.

Make sure there is no bitter pith left on them.

Sprinkle with a little cinnamon and mint, and orange blossom water if you have some, and a smidgen of castor sugar. Chill. Eat slowly with a fork - This has a very exotic flavour that goes nicely with almonds as a finish to a Moroccan feast. Or use as an extra healthy snack.

 

Daniel 10, 18 -19

One in human form touched me and strengthened me.Don't be afraid He said " for you are deeply loved by God"

Lavender and Lemons. More Complements!

"Mere  Colour, unspoiled by meaning and unallied with definite form, can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways."  Oscar Wilde.

 Lavender and Lemon are two of those colours that speak, with or without pictures.

They speak of sunshine, relaxation, countryside, prettiness, happiness, springtime and even summer.

Painting by Ben Nicholson showing just how evocative colour and light can be.

Of course both lemons and lavender have gorgeous aromas too which means they are useful for many things in the home and in food creation.

Homemade Lemonade:
Peel the zest from 3 lemons or 2 lemons and 1 lime.
Put it in a bowl and add 2 cups of boiling water and some sweetener - honey or sugar or artificial sweetener. Squeeze the fruit and add the juice, let it cool. Strain it.
You could have no sweetener and add sweetened tonic water or diet lemonade later when it's cooled.
Add a sprig of lemon balm or mint and plenty of ice. Some Angostura bitters add a pleasant touch.

English essayist John Lubbock said:
 Happiness is a thing to be practised, like the violin.


"I am the Light that has come into the world so that all who believe in me won't have to stay any longer in the dark" The Message. Jesus' words. John 12.

Red and Green-Opposites Attract.

             Opposites on the colour wheel make each other zing.

    Everyday objects found around our home.

Red apples with green leaves, chartreuse pears and cerise cherries. Scarlet skies  over emerald seas, minty taste with tomato paste, ruby ring by a  jade vase, grass  growing - fire glowing, vermillion loves viridian.
 Green eyes and red lips, rose red in a sage bed, Granny smith meets Rome beauty. Blood drops shed in an olive grove, sea glass  found on a carmine rock.

Red planet  glows with green light, grasshopper  caught by Robin redbreast, redcurrants sour as gooseberries,  cucumber cools a hot  chilli.
 Claret  with a squeeze of lime, pistachio sorbet and raspberry gelato, rouge cheeks - verdigris.
 Green beret and a red badge of courage. It's a red-letter day don't pine away. Greengage plum by a poppy patch, red fox in a verdant field,  bottle green dress with scarlet shoes...
  Please add more !

    Art deco vase and hand painted vintage plate, knife and spoon.

From Tricia Guild's Painted Country

Zucchini, blanched for 1 minute then left to cool, then grated. Added to the centre of a red cabbage  or radicchio leaf, sprinkled with a little olive oil and a squeeze of lemon. Topped with toasted pine nuts and garnished with coriander/cilantro or other fresh herbs. This makes a lovely extra side salad.

The Message: 1 Peter 2
Tell others of the night and day difference He made for you -
from nothing - to something,
from rejected - to accepted.

Oldie but a Goodie Idea for Table Flowers

This is not new.

Using several jars or bottles filled with a flower or flowers is as old as your nana. But you can make it totally your own. It always works providing you follow a few basics.

Here the layout is random but holds together because of similar bottles and similar coloured blooms.

This little group works because the jars , though old and mismatching, are all similar in height and are plain glass. The sprigs are similar too. Save your old and pretty jars for long outside table displays or even an outside wedding.

Sit the jars on a row of coloured fabric or in this case tiles. The colour should be in the arrangement somewhere or complementary  [opposite ] to it on the colour wheel. These were the only flowers in the garden, spirea and periwinkle.

At night you can alternate the containers of flowers  and leaves with candles.

For a change, hang the bottles from a branch indoors or outside. These are really Christmassy and could be cut down at the end of the evening and given to the guests. Any party with a theme, for e.g. birthday,  wedding and so on would be brightened up with these little beauties or similar. Name tag them for a personal touch.
Great Idea: Buy one bunch of flowers and split them between many bottles, one bloom in each.

Psalm 7 I'm thanking God, who makes things right. I'm singing the fame of heaven - high God. The Message.