Tuesday, May 05, 2009

All the 4's...

Gulp, I'm another year older today!
It does seem that the older I get, the faster the time flies, but the months and years of my fifth decade have been largely enjoyable ones...My girls are older and more independent and I am beginning to discover who I really am...

Last year was a tougher one, so I've recently learned to take a step back from working so hard; to limit the time I spend on my PC and sewing machine, and to enjoy the company of friends and family much more. Time is precious and moments need to be savoured...housework can often wait til tomorrow...
Our home is one in which we feel comfortable; not due to expensive furnishings and finishing touches, but to the souvenirs surrounding us that serve as a reminder of a relaxed holiday, vintage trinkets bought for pennies on days out together, family keepsakes, or gifts from friends and relatives.
**

I've had a lovely Birthday so far and been spoilt...I had several pressies to open this morning...

A beautiful old poem in an oval frame, entitled 'The Rose'.

A sweet vintage embroidery of a crinoline lady in her garden. And this fabulous wax and plaster half-doll in a satin dress.
A German china wall pocket, barbola brooch and a glass tea pot stand printed with roses.

This healthy wisteria plant from my friend Debbie, is to replace a passion flower that we lost during the heavy snow earlier this year. It is a rare variety called 'Black Dragon'.

I've had some very pretty cards this year too- some were from my lovely customers and bloggers, which was so kind! Thank you!
**
Hubby has ordered a simple little wooden summer house for my Birthday, to go in our back garden. I can't wait for it to be delivered in a week or two. It will mean a lot of work leveling the plot and making new paths, but I am really looking forward to having the retreat to decorate!

Call me bonkers ;-)) but in my mind I have it finished exactly like the pretty card above - Of course I'd need to wallpaper the walls in a dainty floral paper, but I can't really see hubby agreeing to that! - Not the most practical option in a garden retreat... I'd have shelves holding floral china, giving the spiders plenty of options for building webs in and around! And rugs on the floor for the woodlice to munch on! Quilts and eiderdowns would soften all the Lloyd loom chairs and rosey cushions would add extra comfort to prolong each visit; ideal for mice to build cosy nests in! Of course the birds would probably be completely confused by all the flowery furnishings too and would build their homes amongst the framed prints and tea cups lined up along the shelves!
I suspect I shall have to scale down my dreams of my ideal haven (which realistically would probably only last a few days before the wildlife moved in; not to mention my hens!) - but having somewhere to escape to for 5 minutes with a cup of tea, is equally as enticing!
I'm being taken out to dine here this evening...so time to get my glad rags on...

Niki x
UPDATE: 6th May



I can certainly recommend the food at 'The Moody Goose, at The Old Priory' - absolutely delicious! The kind of place where you are made to feel special.
And you all made me feel very special too! - Thank you for all your kind Birthday wishes!
Niki x

39 comments:

  1. Happiest of Birthdays to you, Niki!!!

    You've received very lovely and thoughtful gifts! I hope you will post photos when your wisteria is in bloom! ENJOY your new forthcoming summerhouse! We had one when I grew up and it was fabulous, sitting out there in the cool, gentle summer evening breeze. =)

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  2. A VERY HAPPY Birthday to you, Niki. Looks like you've had some wonderful gifts. I love that card too and really enjoyed your description of your perfect little retreat. Shame practicalities so often get in the way! Have a lovely night out tonight.
    Hen x

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  3. Happy, happy birthday! It's lovely that you took time to post about your day and all the gifts and happenings - now enjoy your evening out!

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  4. Have al gorgeous evening! Happy happy birthday and many happy returns.
    It would be lovely to see what you do with your little summer house.

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  5. Happy Birthday! What beautiful gifts and a lovely day you have planned! Enjoy your special day...you bring us so much joy here! Happy Day!

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  6. Happy birthday Nicki your retreat sounds divine apart from the wildlife lol have a wonderful evening best wishes Pat.

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  7. Hi Niki

    Lovely post - what lovely prezzies! Enjoy your meal this evening.

    Sue x

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  8. Happy Birthday! You posted the prettiest photos. Lots of blessings to you!
    Susan

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  9. Claudette4:16 pm

    Hi Nikki!
    have a most marvellous birthday, you verily splendid lady. Anyone who inspires such life-style envy (in myself) and creates such nonpareil goodies deserves a day of abundance!
    Claudette

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  10. Happy Birthday to you
    Happy Birthday to you
    Happy Birthday dear Niki
    Happy Birthday to you

    Hope you had a really good day. You've had such pretty gifts

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  11. Happy Birthday Niki~ I too belong to the 5 decade club, and just like you... it seems that time flies too fast. The summer house your hubby has sent for sounds divine! I say, put all those lovlies in it... if even for a day or two. (: The wisteria is a gorgeous plant. Please show us photos of both summer house and wisteria when they are in? (:
    XX Vicki

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  12. Happy birthday! Mine is this Saturday. I love our flower of the month, the Lily of the Valley, don't you?

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  13. Happy Birthday Niki, enjoy your evening out.
    Carolyn x

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  14. A very Happy Birthday to you Nikki! Does this mean you are officially "vintage"? ;-)

    It's funny that you should receive the pretty card with the china shelves - I received the same card for my birthday - obviously our friends know us well!

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  15. Happy Birthday! Yes, the older I get the faster time goes by.
    Glenda

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  16. Many Happy Returns Niki! Your presents are divine, can't wait to see the summerhouse all decked out!
    Lucy x

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  17. Anonymous8:37 pm

    Hi there, I've gave you an award over on my site.xxx

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  18. A very Happy Birthday. Looking forward to seeing photos of the summerhouse in situ. I'm sure you will manage to adorn it with lots of feminine touches. That looks a particularly nice place for a meal.

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  19. ummmm moths nearly ruined my work room carpet so I know where your coming from LOL.

    Have a lovely birthday Niki .... if its all the 4's your younger than me... :0)) and I thought we were the same age lol enjoy
    best wishes Ginny xx

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  20. Happy Happy Birthday Niki, hope you're out enjoying a wonderful evening
    Kimx

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  21. Happy Birthday Niki! hope you have had a fabulous day..I love the sound of your summer house, how exciting! x

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  22. Have a blessed day! I am out of my 5's. But I love each year, you do the same! Happy Birthday to you...sharon

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  23. Well, Happy Birthday to you!
    You received some of the most amazing present, your loved ones know you very well, Hope you have a wonderful day Pinkie

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  24. Happy Birthday Niki...I was 45 a few weeks ago and was reminded on someones post recently that I am half way to 90!...I best get on then as I have so much knitting to fit in the next 45!!

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  25. happy Birthday Niki and many happy returns! and you got so many lovely things! such a bless girl! have a great bday celebration!

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  26. Happy Birthday for yesterday!
    Hope you had a wonderful day.
    ;-)

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  27. I hope you had a very lovely birthday, and I hope you have lots of fun decorating and filling up your little retreat with lovelies when it arrives.

    Sue xx

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  28. HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIKI
    Love the pressie you got, too sweet. Think my favourite is the wisteria though, I have heard of that variety, must see if I can track it down over here as it sounds very intriguing
    Alicia

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  29. May sure is an eventful month for quite a number of bloggers! We are also celebrating too! Happy Birthday greetings from Tokyo!!

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  30. I just found your lovely blog! That's so pretty!
    I'll add you on my blog list! Come visit me!

    Happy birthday!!!
    Greetings from Italy, Federica.

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  31. Hello Niki
    Happy belated birthday! I have enjoyed catching up with your posts. Yes I had a lovely time on the Isle of Wight thank you. It looks like you had a wonderful evening at the Moody Goose. The presentation and the food looks so delicious!!! I love eating out. I had heard of it but have not been there yet, now that I have seen the photos it has become a must go to! The vintage embroidery of a crinoline lady in her garden is very nice! We lost of our wisteria and have to replace it. It is such a lovely plant to have growing up against a house. By the way the flamboyant mules are fantastic! You must have had so much fun doing that.
    Isabelle x

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  32. Anonymous8:37 am

    Hiya Niki, a slightly belated Haooy birthday to you. It sounds like you have had a great birthday and you certainly did get wonderful pressies. I look forward to seeing the little garden house!

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  33. A belated Happy Birthday! can't wait to see pics of your garden getaway...it sounds like it will be beautiful.

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  34. Best Birthday Wishes to you, Niki!

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  35. Anonymous11:33 am

    Hi there, I am hosting a book swap over on my blog. It is a permanent feature, which will always be on my blog, it is not a one off, like the rose theme swap I'm hosting. I have listed a load of my books which I am willing to swap, take a look, there may be some you fancy. If you would like to list books which you no longer want, and are willing to swap, just contact me at rosehyacinth@hotmail.co.uk, or leave a comment on my blog, with your name, the name of your blog and the books you wish to swap, and I will type them up and post them on the swap page, so the more and more people who participate, the wider the range of books there will be to choose from, and remember, it will always be there on my blog.
    Take Care
    Love Melanie xxx

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  36. Happy Birthday Niki, your birthday meal looks very yummy indeed...
    Jan

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  37. A little late, but a Very Happy Birthday Niki! Looks like you had a faboulous day.

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  38. HappY Birthday Niki! I hope it was lovely!
    I just ordered your book and can't wait to dive in!
    xo

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  39. Hi Niki,
    I'm so pleased you had a wonderful time at The Moody Goose, the photos look great - what a wonderful place it is!
    A belated Happy Birthday to you! The photos of your gifts and cards look great. Can't wait to see your summer house!
    Have a very happy and restful weekend.
    Denise xx

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Thank you for finding the time to visit me...
Niki xx