Friday, January 26, 2018

Friday Flowers...

Friday Flowers...



I spied these pretty pink blooms on one of my walks this week.
They are just so cheerful
set against the grey cedar fence they seem to glow...


These colourful primulas are perfect for the front porch.
They are a welcome sight with just the right amount of "happy."


There are many different varieties of these plants available.
Did you know that the only ones with a scent are the deep amber yellow variety?
I always purchase some of the yellow ones as their scent is quite lovely.


I've been searching for a vintage silver champagne bucket for quite some time and this week the stars aligned and I found one in a second hand shop for a reasonable price.
I wasted no time and popped into the local flower shop and bought a new orchid where it now sits on our dining room table.

Flowers are such a tonic for the grey gloomy weather...
we have had a few patches of sunshine which raises ones spirits.
At my weekly bridge afternoon many of the women were lamenting about the weather...it seems to be a common complaint.
Some were eager to share their travel plans as they are booked on flights 
off to warmer sunnier climates.

Travel to a sunnier spot is not on my radar...
so I add colour in my daily round and seek out "pops of colour" on my walks.


a lovely blue green mix in this sumptuous yarn...


I have been learning a lot about knitting with my new sock project.
The heel flap, turning the heel and the gusset have been a wee bit challenging but thanks to You Tube knitting tutorials I have been able to work through the pattern.

 Do you challenge yourself by learning new things?

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~


28 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why not treat yourself to a sunny long weekend somewhere? Palm Springs? Vegas? Los Angeles? All very affordable and if not hot, at least sunny!

Anonymous said...

Ha! I had to smile at your question about learning new things. I started a unit with my 6th graders this year-one I had never done before...I had them making hand dipped candles and weaving baskets. A local artisan has volunteered with the basket-making. It has been an experience in patience to say the least. Neither task provides the instant gratification students expect nowadays! I am sure you have felt the same as you created the sock as well. I know that my own mom, who was a wonderful knitter, could manage the most complex Irish patterns but she never attempted socks. I applaud your challenge and tenacity. Carol in VT

Tomato Thymes said...

Love your photos of flowers and the silver champagne bucket. So clever to use it by placing an orchid in it. I bought flowers today at our Kroger’s for an arrangement. They had them on markdown.

Taste of France said...

I adore primroses. We have them all over. Such happy color in winter.
France has had its wettest winter in ages. Down here in the south, we don't mind the rain because we're more worried about drought. Plus the sun comes out from time to time. Still, everyone's mood changes on the really nice days. Everybody gets out for a stroll. I go out in the rain, too. There's no bad weather, just bad clothes.

Anonymous said...

This January I am beginning the study of German at the Goethe Institut. I have taken to it like a duck to water and love the challenge.

I am also beginning to learn to play the violin.

Both have "homework" so my days are full of good things and laughter. Did you ever try to pronounce some of those super long German words? Great fun!

That yarn is such a gorgeous colour. The colours of the flowers certainly bring on the "happy". Thank you for bringing some to my day.

Honey Bee

Jeannine said...

Thank you for those lovely flower pictures. So cheery. I bought one yellow primrose at Aldi last week. Not the deep golden that you mention, more of a lemon yellow. What a great find - that champagne bucket! Your sock looks great and I love the yarn colors. Great job!

Ellie's friend from canada said...

I bought several auricula primroses to add to the garden as perennials. I am looking forward to seeing how they are doing. I decided that the deep yellow primroses would complement the blue hepatica. Yes, I like to learn new things. I have been learning Italian. I am teaching myself also how to use the new camera.

Pondside said...

I have learned a startling amount from YouTube, when I think about it. Good for you for tackling socks!

Patricia said...

Your primulas look very attractive there on the porch, such pretty flowers. I don't think they would last long in our heat, unfortunately. What a great find with the silver champagne bucket, and what a good use as an orchid pot. Very stylish!

KSL said...

I've got the flu and have been working on that huge, heavy blanket for my daughter, motivated to finish by your knitting. I absolutely love that yarn that you're making the socks with! I'm going to look for it online - it would make a great scarf I think?

DaniBP said...

I just bought some primula yesterday for my kitchen windowsills! Lovely to have the colour at this time of year. I do like your arrangement of primula for your front porch.
Bravo for knitting socks, that seems very difficult! If I could knit I would make socks my project, just such a useful hobby.
These days I'm working on my French and enjoying it. I'm also doing a "study" of Mary, Queen of Scots.
Have a really lovely weekend xx

Madame Là-bas said...

I was going to put some primulas in the parking lot gardens but I've had a cold and it's ben too wet. Maybe I'll get some for the library. I used to have flowers in the library all the time. I'm trying to learn about all the innovations in the Applied Technology curriculum and the terms that have come into use in the last few years. I really like the colours of your yarn. Are the socks for you?

BuffaloGal said...

I love the repurposed champagne bucker with your new orchid! I have been inspired to pick up knitting again after a 25 year "vacation". I signed up for a "lace" class and am finding it quite a challenge. Perhaps I was a bit ambitious! In any case, I'll persevere.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I am not planning to travel anywhere right now...will continue to make the best of our weather by seeking the "sunshine" in the simple small surprises that pop up on my walks!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Oh those projects sound like fun! I bet the students loved making something new and different and who knows how many will continue to explore crafting on their own. I once tried to teach a group of 20 students to knit a quilt using simple garter stitch squares...it was a test of my patience and not my most successful idea!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I hope that your floral bouquet will provide you with many days of cheery colour...
I copied the idea of using a champagne bucket for the orchid...I think it was in Veranda magazine.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I saw the pictures of the Seine in Paris and the bridges are almost under water!!!
Our forecast this week is for rain every day with threats of flooding...we are trying to get out for our walks when the skies lighten up a bit...we are used to this weather as it is our normal wet season. The cheerful colour of flowers and plants are the bright spots in our homes and gardens right now!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Honey Bee you are impressing me with your new hobbies and endeavours...
Good luck with your lessons and homework!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

The socks are progressing well...I think they will be more of a sock to wear at Yoga or around the house with my slippers on cooler days...as they are not thin like most of my other socks.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

The bright yellow and blue flowers will look fabulous planted together! Very much in the French style...Are you planning a trip to Italy by chance?

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

The socks are definitely a learning opportunity...may not be keen to knit more but I have learned some new techniques which I can transfer to other knitting projects!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

No the primulas are not fond of the heat...they wilt quite quickly.
I cannot take all the credit for the silver bucket and orchid combination..I saw it in a display of an elegant home in Veranda magazine but I liked it enough to use it in our humble home.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Oh I hope that you are on the mend...having a project on the go helps to pass the time when one is forced to stay home.
The yarn knits up quite nicely...I'd love to see your scarf when you get it done. The Beehive wool shop has an online store and that is where I purchased mine but in their local shop...good luck....hope you find some.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Socks are a challenge for me but a really portable project....many of the women in my knitting group travel and they like to have a project on the plane and trains.
Oh your studies sound so interesting...I need to work on my French again too.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Hope that you are feeling much better Madame.
I used to have flowers in the library too... primulas or african violets or a floral arrangement at the check out desk...it brightens up the space.
The socks are for me!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I love knitting and hope that you will enjoy it after your hiatus!
Lace knitting looks wonderful but oh my...I don't think that will be a project for me...I am not that savvy.

Ellie's friend from canada said...

Hi, Not sure if the yellow auricula primulas will bloom in sync with the blue hepatica. That is the plan. Do you grow hepatica outside? I love them. Easy to grow (although I'm not sure if they's like so much rain) but one could try). They eventually form lovely clumps. They are not native here but I think in eastern North America.

To answer your question, a dear friend of mine has a home in Italian. I dream of going to Italy. I don't think it will happen, though. Still, I like to dream.

marmielu said...

Yay for sock progress! I would never have made it through without YouTube sock videos. I really like that yarn!
Mary Lou