Saturday 26 April 2014

Catching up


Well, trying to, anyway, but not doing all that well. The last few days we have been in the garden, clearing, digging, weeding, planting up some of the flower pots etc. Today we got some of the potatoes and some tomatoes in the ground. And now it is raining, yuck.

But even in the rain, it is so lovely up here on our little hill top. The view over the valley is always different. Some days in the mornings we are above the clouds and the valley is filled with a layer of cloud 




and some days we are IN the clouds, and the early morning walk takes place in a world made all mysterious 





And then the clouds lift, the sun breaks through, and the view from the kitchen window shows a different world again with just the slightest haze giving everything a pearly shimmer -




A few days ago, whilst taking the dogs out for their morning walk, I came across a mess of feathers on the path. I was so sad to see that the feathers were those of a hoopoe, such a beautiful bird. I don't know what killed it, possibly a bird of prey, but there was nothing left of the bird except a lot of feathers. I picked them all up carefully, cleaned them and dried them as they were wet with the morning dew -



I'd like to make a collage with some of the feathers, kind of to honour the bird whose death gifted me with these beautiful things.

I was so happy when the post lady drove up in her little yellow van and delivered my swap ATCs from Kimberly. The theme for the swap had been, Pink, Black and Bling, and I was over the moon with the ATCs I received in the swap.

I was so lucky to receive one of Kimberly's ATCs -


She is a wonderful swap hostess and her ATCs are always such a delight.

Next, Sylvia's oh so stylish and elegant ATC -


And Jane's absolutely gorgeous ATC -




And Kimberly had sent them so beautifully packaged, personalised and with the cutest yoyo flower brooch -



The weather forecast for the next few days is for rain, rain, rain, which is so disappointing. I was looking forward to a brocante / vide grenier tomorrow, but it might not happen :-(. Ah well, I might actually get round to measuring, packing and listing a few of the things I found at the last one!

Have a wonderful weekend wherever you are, and as always, thank you for visiting.

Toodlepip xxx

18 comments:

Kimberly at ArtJoyStuff said...

I am looking forward to seeing what you create with these gorgeous feathers that you have rescued from certain decay Liz. So glad your ATCs have arrived, thanks for swapping!
enJOY a lovely weekend,
Kimberly

June said...

To me, it looks like you live in heaven Liz!!!! I always dream of England and wonder why my great-great grandparents would ever leave there. To think I could be living in such a beautiful place as yours ~sigh~
What a wonderful swap my dear!

Rita C at Panoply said...

Liz,
Your landscape photos are mesmerizing, very storybook looking. I was just in my garden landscape this morning and saw what appeared to be the fur only of a bunny rabbit. Can't understand why one would have burrowed a nest in the middle of a suburban lawn, but we are on river's edge, where red-shouldered hawks prey. :(
Have a good weekend. Rita

Judys Lace Creations said...

What a lovely post Liz.Gardening is so good for your health and happiness.
Bird feathers are truly things of beauty aren't they?
Judy x

Sophie said...

Wunderschöne Fotos der Landschaft.
Und fantastische Werke...

Liebe Grüße
Sophie

Jane and Lance Hattatt said...

Hello Liz,

You obviously live in a beautiful spot at the top of the hill. The mood changes which you capture in these images are wonderful. One can surely never be bored with such a delightful and constantly changing ambience.

The bird feathers are strikingly beautiful. One can but wonder what you will create with them. No doubt, with your creative flair, it will be a work of joy!

Viola said...

Tolle Fotos, liebe Liz! Traumhafte Landschaft! Und sehr schöne ATCs hast Du bekommen. Einen wunderschönen Sonntag wünsche ich Dir! Liebe Grüße, Viola :)

suziqu's thread works said...

Oh those photos of the views of the landscape below your home this time of the morning are SUPERB! Is that Poppy I see racing down the lane towards you?

I'm glad that you have recovered from your cold well enough to achieve all that planting and it looks like you managed it just in time for the rain.

Those Poopoe feathers are absolutely beautiful. You have been treasured a gift from nature with these Liz.

Hope to catch up soon!
Sending light as a feather hugs to you sweet friend,
Suzy

Dorthe said...

Dear Liz,
Your magical world in the mornings are fantastic,-here next to the sea,we have almost the same, on some dayes when warmth and cold meet!
So sweet swap gifts you recieved, they are wonderful all, and Kimberly are surely the most sweet and wonderful host, I just saw she shared her TUT. for the yo-yo`s .
Hope your vegetables grows with the rain, and the flowers will fill your gaRDEN very soon, dear friend.
Happy sunday to you!!
Hugs,Dorthe

Dorthe said...

OH forgot, to say that the feathers are so beautiful, and yes a gift ,as Suzy writes, from nature. Enjy creating with them ,Liz.
Dorthe XXX

Marrianna said...

The feathers are beautiful, the landscape is wonderful, and the ATCs are delightful. I'm very impressed with the special wrapping the ATCs came in. Now that is real attention to detail. Thank you for sharing.

Anni - My Creative Life and Mixed Media Books said...

Your photos are so wonderful Liz and the feathers are really beautiful, I'm sure that you will do something fantastic with them.
Anni

Anni - My Creative Life and Mixed Media Books said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sonya Badgley said...

Liz your photos of the landscape you get to enjoy are breathtaking! Such a lovely place! And I'm sure the beautiful hoopoe feathers you found will be used to create something wonderful. I always enjoy seeing Kimberly's ATC swaps! Beautiful,each and everyone!
Love,
Sonya

WinnibriggsHouse said...

Oh to wake up with such a view. Beautiful! As are those feathers. Nature can be so cruel, yet so rewarding. Love the ATCs. Not something I have ever done, but I bet its great to let your imagination run wild doing something like that.

WinnibriggsHouse said...

PS. I had to come back again as I am ashamed to say I thought the Hoopoe was from somewhere like Australia! My DH a real country boy made me google it though and I was amazed to find we get them here! Well that's something new I've learned already this morning!

Betsy said...

LOVE the feathers! the ATC are such fun! and what a great sharing to participate in!
Your countryside pictures are just amazing! So beautiful!
I feel more relaxed just looking at them!
hugs,
Betsy

pearshapedcrafting said...

How sad to see the Hoopoe feathers! My SIL in Poitiers has them in her garden - so lovely to watch! Fascinating though as those feathers are so beautiful - such a lovely idea to make a collage in it's honour! Look forward to seeing it! Chris