Friday Smiles

Hello Everyone,

I haven't joined in with Annie's Friday Smiles in forever! It's been a hard six months with not a lot to smile about since the last time, but finally things are looking better, and once again I can see I have much to be grateful for and plenty to make me smile. 

For example:

I think there is nothing better than being able to line dry the washing. I just love that fresh air scent on my bedding. It dried in no time at all today, which is just as well because it was so gusty I had to rush out and bring it in before it took off and ended up in the Clyde Estuary! 

If you have seen my last post, that's this week's WOYWW post, you will know that I am in the process of making over my very neglected back garden. It's too windy to work in the garden today but I did nip out to check all is well and was delighted to see the pansies are blooming beautifully.

 

Also the auricula, brought here from our previous garden when we moved in 2022, have not only survived but are beginning to flower again.

Admittedly, they do need to be split and re-potted, but that hasn't stopped them looking just lovely.

What else has made me smile? Oh, yes, this little visitor to the summerhouse.

Silver is fascinated by bees and had to be shooed away from this one that had got itself a bit confused. I was able to waft it back out to continue it's pollen gathering mission. 

Talking of Silver:

She's absolutely loving spending time outside with me. As long as I'm pottering around, she's there. It's her self-imposed task to guard against intruders, i.e. other cats! She's very territorial.

And finally, a few images that made me smile.

Substitute comments on blogs for texts and that's my problem in a nutshell!

 

I'll leave you with this last one. I hope it makes you laugh, like it did me. 

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone.

Take care, 

Elizabeth

Friday Smiles

Hello Everyone

Friday again! My how the week flies. It's time to join in with Annie's Friday Smiles over on A Stitch In Time.

We took a trip to the EM's favourite fishing village, Portpatrick, on Sunday. It was a cloudy but dry day so the photos aren't the brightest but here's a few taken there and on the drive down the coast.

On a summer's day this view of from the coastal road, just south of Girvan, looking down on a beautiful bay which is popular with walkers, is simply stunning. 

The following shots are of Portpatrick.

Of course, after such a long drive we found somewhere for a cuppa and bite to eat. We chose the 'Port Pantry' and we had a table in a very cosy wee corner. We had a warming bowl of potato soup with coffee and cake to follow - delicious.

On the wall next to our table I discovered this article written by the Sunday Post's Scone Spy.  Unfortunately my photo is not at all legible so here's a link to the full article.

I borrowed the photo - taken by Jamie Williams, Sunday Post - showing how very welcoming our table was.

The weather has been unseasonably warm this week and we continue to spot unmistakable signs of Spring in our garden.

And finally, unbelievably, we've been spotting bees buzzing about the place.

Here's one I caught on the Skimmia. This one was clearly just basking in the warmth of the sun.

So there you are - I've had a lot to smile about this week and I hope you have had an equally good week too.

Take care and have a lovely week ahead.

Saturday Smiles

Happy Saturday,

Hope you are enjoying your day, and your weekend so far. I've been busy these last two days so not had much time and even less energy to post here. Even missed Annie's Friday Smiles but thought I'd catch up today, so here goes with the things that made me smile this week.

On Sunday we took a trip to nearby Bellisle Estate to see the recently restored Conservatory.

The first conservatory was built in 1879, it was rebuilt in 1955, closed in 2005, rescued again in 2010 and finally reopened in July 2016. It is now filled with beautiful flowers and plants and is looking fabulous. However, a new tiled floor, in the style of the original, is being laid so, unfortunately, it's temporarily closed to the public, opening again at Easter. Because of that, we had to make do with walking around it and peeking through the windows to see how the work is progressing.

This is one of the side doors to the conservatory - it has a very intriguing sign attached.

And here's the explanation:

Being under the flight path for Prestwick Airport we are used to all sorts flying overhead but this has got to be the most unusual to date!

We also spotted these very welcome signs of Spring.

Snowdrops

Crocus

Just what we need after all the bad weather we've been getting.


Yesterday I had to go into town and was delighted to discover this fabulous, newly opened, vintage shop,

I like nothing better than a good rootle around shops like these.

Looking at what the EM refers to as yesterday's cast offs.  I tell him that there's treasure to be had in a shop like this, and I was right.

I couldn't resist these beautiful hand embroidered cloths. I can just imagine the time it took to stitch all the lazy daisies, the roses and the bluebirds.

And having just rediscovered the pleasure of hand knitting I was delighted to find these three patterns in a stack of old books and leaflets. Now I just need to find time, and the yarn, of course, to knit them up :)

Finally, found online this seemed appropriate.

Wishing you a very happy week full of reasons to smile.