The joy of Completion

I have, dear souls, completed the summer dress I started last weekend. My dear seamstress friend did spend the morning with me overseeing the completion, and finishing, of said garment. As, always, I find her tweaking of a garment invaluable for a tuck here, a correction there and one has the perfect fit. I feel myself most fortunate to spend time in her company, for not only does she have a quick mind and sharp wit, she is a most diligent teacher. If she asks to see something, one really does feel that twist of anxiety, but knows that a job well done will be praised and, those a little less than perfect, will elicit the most practical and helpful of advice and guidance to make it right. As she was taught by her Mother, I am being taught by her, that good finishing of a garment is de rigeur. Once complete, one is required to press the garment one final time, then don it and stand, twist, turn and sit under the gaze of the perfectionist. It is however this attention to detail and perfectionist stance that ensures one is left with a garment that one is proud to wear and, importantly, will last for many years, if cared for correctly. One's wardrobe has grown exponentially since we commenced our sewing soiress and most enjoyable they are too. Oft times, it is peaceful and quiet with all bar the combined thrum of two or three machines bent on the production of a garment apiece, other times there is a tuition talk and, at others, the delightful chatter and laughter of people enjoying the company of like minded people. A simple, but practical pastime, spent in the presence of like minded people, how very civilised, my dears.  

Busy, busy.....

Well, dear souls, once more one has been busy and productive, aside from one's professional toil. Painting, sewing, gardening as well as the ubiquitous garment growing upon the needles. Windows have been thrown wide to take the very best possible advantage of the glorious weather we have been experiencing and, oh, such a glorious time 'tas been. One really does enjoy being busy, for one has a proclivity for getting things done. The garden has well and truly burst into life and the fledgling yew hedge has put on such a spurt of growth that there is a palpable difference in height. The delightful and architectural thistle, recently planted, has also put on growth and already 'tis attracting bees in good numbers, much to one's joy. We are unfurling from our particularly long winter to enjoy every moment possible of a British summer. As long, my dears, as the temperature does not suddenly increase exponentially, for that would just not do.

My dear seamstress friend and I spent a delightful day cutting out garments and sewing over the weekend, whilst the male guardian was at his professional toil. Three garments cut out to practice one's cutting skills and a new summer dress commenced in a most becoming fabric. My dear friend completed a garment in half the time it took oneself to complete the top of the new summer dress. One can only dream of such expertise and speed. 

Another day was spent painting, painting, painting and we are nearing completion, whence the production of the soft furnishings commence. Regular watering of garden planters now feature as a regular requirement with the promise of great rewards in due course. 

No doubt the Australian contingent of the family are lamenting the decrease in the temperature, marching as they are t'ward winter as we do Summer, with June in barely a week's time. It is, however, notable that temperatures largely appear on par in both countries. One does so like the temperature we are currently experiencing, so comfortable in which to work, do you not agree.

Productivity

The male guardian and I have had a most productive time over the few days of the weekend, going hither and thither, cross county's and back. 'Tas been busy, it has to be said but, as the saying goes, "if you want something done, ask a busy person". The upper floor of our dear home is beginning to take shape and these last few days have seen a fresh coat of paint upon ceiling and walls of a most becoming and restful shade. Fabric for one set of windows has been chosen from a rather delightful outlet specialising in fabrics and awaits one's ministrations, along with delivery of some blackout fabric, for 'tis most important when someone undertakes night duty to reproduce that darkened environment in which to partake of restful sleep. Since I last undertook a soft furnishing project of this type, new devices have been produced to ensure a smooth rise and fall of a roman blind, so much nicer than fiddling with hooks, string and the like. My dears, the joy of an hour, ahem, or two, spent considering fabric is such a delightful pastime. Oh, I did enjoy myself but the choice, dear souls, the choice really was so difficult. Bolts of beautiful fabric did so dazzle the eyes, one felt like a child in the proverbial sweet shop, however, one finally made one's choice, purchasing enough to create two roman blinds. An added bonus was the dress fabric section; I do believe a return visit will shortly be on the cards.

The garden has also received our ministrations; the lawns neat and tidy, some new containers purchased and filled with an assortment of potential, a few new plants selected and each spot for them carefully considered before planting. Oh, the delights of a garden, however, residing in the country as we do, we are oft visited by the local wildlife. Once again, we have been visited by a member of the Brock family and well, where do we start. As a species they are most strong indeed but also have an inherent foraging tendency that has seen the estate lawns come to resemble a forest floor after the wild boar have been through. No, dear reader, 'tis not a good look for the lawn, for it has been left pockmarked and cratered in their wake. Typically, they have ignored the actual orchard, where one would not mind, and gone straight for the lawns. Ah, well, dear souls; the joys of living in the country are many and varied I do believe. Infinitely smaller than the Kangaroos that visit my dear twin sister's garden and for that I am most grateful. Imagine the size of the holes if a badger were the size of a kangaroo. Oh, my, my, we are thankful for small mercies, my dears. 

Glorious Bank Holiday

Dear souls, what a glorious Bank Holiday we have had the good fortune to experience. Vast blue skies, not a cloud to be seen  and warmth such as we have not seen for many a month. The annual May Fair, for which the local village is renowned, will have had a most advantageous benefit from such glory for 'twas most busy when the male guardian and I did show our support. The crowds were plentiful, the artisans many and there were some most happy faces indeed returning to their carriages, purchases a plenty.

May is a beautiful month here in this county. The hedges and banks are full of frothy cowparsley in abundance, the wild garlic in all its pungent glory abounds, fields are green with tractors busily to ing and froing across them. There are new leaves emerging in all their acid green splendour and apple blossom in the orchard. The wildlife is at large full of the joys of spring.  Oh, such a vast glorious landscape of sheer natural beauty. 

Work continues intermittently on our small estate; the male guardian and I are pacing ourselves through the ongoing phases. The delight in completing each section is immense and the knowledge of a job well done, most rewarding. In between the various works, we are enjoying the estate gardens and endeavouring to keep them in order. The draw of ones garden on a sunny day really is immense and one I do confess has gotten the better of us at times. Meals al fresco, or wiling away the hours, what is not to like. Simple pleasures, my dears, but ones that give such happiness.