Having real friends is better 

than having more friends.

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I am certain that I am possibly the luckiest girl alive. I am surrounded by so many loving friends, and they bring happiness and joy with them when we meet. This week I was so happy to catch up with friends of mine, John and Jane, whom I hadn't seen for ages. What a beautiful catch up we had, such a strong feeling of 'belonging'. Love you two heaps.

My holiday time is chipping away slowly and even with the heat we have had, the progress in the yard is coming along nicely. This is the beginning of my "All roads lead to Rome" path, made from the stones from Neville and Chris....(more beautiful friends).

More work continues on my path as it will continue into the back section of my Italian area. Here I have pruned the Bougainvillea to just a single stem, as instructed by Harry and Anne.

I'm stoked at how the creeper is humming along too. Awesome!

I found this cute hanging light in Bunnings. At night time the light changes colours, it is lovely to watch as it turns.

lol...Milo is walking to Rome...and into mischief.

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As you lovely ladies know....I never tease anyone. I made this little wall hanging using some leftover squares of pirate fabric and stitched the word 'Pirate' onto the top of it. There are little pockets to hide valuable treasures in it. I made this out of inspiration from the two pirates in my life from the gym. Did I mention the names Ian and Alan? lol

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A while back I made some beanies and must have put them away somewhere special (forgetting all about them actually). I decided to dress them up a bit using some crocheted flowers. I'm so glad I had a go at learning to crochet.

Oh Milo is so precious

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These are my latest creations and very handy indeed. Lovely hanging tea towels with crocheted tops. The orders for these little gems have gone through the roof.

  Another scrap project are pot holders with hanging tags on them.

 My wonderful neighbour Lorraine had no use for this yarn so she gave it to me. I immediately turned it all into winter header warmers for girls. I've tucked them away for next winter's stock.

I will share a few more photos of my plants.... Society garlic, growing nicely.

 The always beautiful Chain of hearts.  

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Now my lovelies, hubby has just told me it's going to be a very hot day, so it's time to go out and water the garden before the heat sets in. Special kisses to Verbena and Ale, and to all my blogger friends.

Warm wishes and see you next time.

Ciao, Anita.

Happy birthday Heather.

Your life does not get better by chance,
It gets better by change.

Good morning wonderful world, good morning to everyone! Did you girls have a lovely week? I hope so. My week was pretty groovy I can say. Darling Heather the feather had a birthday on Friday and we went out to a local cafe to celebrate. Just look at that little face, butter wouldn't melt in her mouth? lol She could charm the dew right off the honeysuckle!!
I wish you all the best of everything Heather. Love you xx.

 I happened to mention to the lady at the cafe that it was Heather's birthday. So this is what she had done on Heather's plate. How lovely, thanks Sherree.

My beautiful week has been jam packed with creating, crocheting, knitting, relaxing and teasing having fun. On the advise of my darling niece Lisa, I decided to turn my hand at making some Teenage Mutant Ninja turtle beanies. I have no pattern but an eye for copying.
I used a basic beanie pattern and added a few rows of red, blue etc and then changed back to the green. Made up some eyes and a tie at the back of the beanie and there you have it.

I did a little tidying up time in my sewing shed and came across several beanies that I had knitted up ages ago and done nothing with. I decided to add some crocheted flowers to the side of the beanie and it really made it look lovely. I did say that over these holidays I would use the time to restock and I'm on target.

More booties are popping up as well. I had made several baby beanies before I remembered that someone had told me that people will often want a set of things, so instead of just knitting up a random pair of booties I now will make a beanie or a top to go with it. Good advise I must say.

I have also spent a ton of time in the garden these last few weeks, regardless of the heat we've had. I came across something so amazing that I thought I would share it with you. A little while back I posted about purchasing these beautiful pots and pedestals and I then planted cuttings of geraniums. So  these cuttings that have not been in the pots that long have grown and incredibly this is what I have found in them. Can you see the perfectly made Willy wagtail nest?

For my Italian bloggers, the Willy wagtail is a cheeky but protective bird here in Australia. When they have chicks they will attack anything,as all Mother's do!! lol It is quite something to see them swoop at birds twice their size, and even humans if you get too close.

I will show you some of my Italian garden and how it is growing. I want my bougainvillea to grow on a single stem, just as I had seen throughout Italy. This is a picture after I pruned the other branches away.

Peeking through the archway. The gap in the ground is where my Cypress tree no longer exists....thanks to Milo. But I have asked Anne and Harry for replacement plants.

Here is the culprit sniffing around the second bougainvillea plant. This plant is slightly taller than the other one and has flowers. Very pretty.

Well my dear friends, the day is young and I'm planning a mixed day. Before it gets too hot outside I plan to clear away the leaves that have fallen on my garden path and cut back a few branches that need tidying up. I plan to do some sewing today as well. 

I hope your day is filled doing all the things you love to do, and remember to make each day count.
Ciao, Anita.

Some hearts understand each other,

even in silence. 

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Good morning my wonderful friends! Felice Anno Nuovo = Happy New Year. I have to say I leave 2016 behind as having been a not to bad kind of year. If a year comes to an end and you have your health....it's got to be a good thing right? I have been doing fun things as 2016 winds down. We had fun yesterday hanging out at Chris and Neville's farm, enjoying the peacefulness, view and laughs. We went for a bumpy ride out to the rock pile and find just the 'perfect' rocks for my garden path. Thanks for the fun afternoon guys xx.

 

 In our hearts we are just kids!

A walk on the farm.....

 Yes Neville....the truck is red, I noticed! lol

 After enjoying some quality time at the Watson's farm the drive home was just as sweet. For miles we see the sight of the bales in the paddocks.

Some years ago I decided that surrounding myself with positive people who were good for my soul was the path to take. It was to be one of the best decisions I have made. When work broke up for the year, the gang and I decided to get together for brunch. We laugh together, banter, pull pranks on each other and love together. Each of these darlings bring such happiness to me, they're amazing.

              I am very lucky actually....there are many wonderful people at my workplace.

More loveliness....a beautiful Christmas gift from my favourite niece Lisa. I was just so wrapped to receive this delicate cup and saucer set. It's adorable thanks Lisa, I love it. It sits proudly on my antique tea trolley.

Here is Milo opening his gift on Christmas day. He sure did know what to do with his wrapped gift.

An indulgence of pavlova on Christmas day is something I could not refuse. I added cream and berries to the pavlova and I enjjoyed every bit of it. lol

I promised myself that these holidays would be spent restocking for the markets and here is the start. I've decided that perhaps the Marvel characters would be a good place to begin, so here is Captain America's beanie....

complete with the star on top.

complete with the star on top.

A wild thought came into my mind as I was sewing the head ties. I remembered how my customers love being baby beanies with matching booties, so I thought I would make up a little skirt to match some of the head ties.

These are newborn sizes for babies. I think they're sweet.

A trip down memory lane here, I take a secret photo of my favourite boys walking through the gorgeous island of Burano near Venice....

A look at the incredible textures and patterns of an ancient wine counter at Pompeii..

Definately one of the oldest things I saw in Italy (lol!)....oops! Is that my husband? Thanks for taking us on that wonderful trip to Italy old fella, you're the best.

Well, I'm off now to enjoy this beautiful day I have been given. Today I want to finish my garden path before it gets too hot. I will show it to you when I have completed it. I wish you all a happy day and love to you all.
Ciao, Anita.