A Stroll in the Garden

The weather (man) certainly has been playing with our summer. We have been experiencing some really unseasonable weather - extreme heat! normally we are around mid to high 20 Celsius ... this year we have been seeing temps reach 40 plus Celsius (with humidity).

It's been a real labour of love to water our beautiful gardens, it can take anywhere from 2-4 hours, thankfully we are able to water them with water from our stream.

Pour yourself a cuppa tea, coffee or perhaps make that ICED tea or coffee and lets take a stroll of the gardens from early ion July.

The Butterfly garden is doing amazing ...

Finally was able to capture a photo of the Butterfly garden bird house - tenant....

These are all in the Butterfly Garden... the Lavender did brilliant with all the heat..

Beginning of July the roses were brilliant ... with all the heat they are not as happy....

Are you experiencing a change in temps, where you live, this summer? How are your garden beauties handling it?

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Look Who Turned One!!!

On July 14th, 2011 my brother and his beautiful wife welcomed Matthew into the world!

 It's hard to believe that 12 months have passed since I became Auntie Celia.

July 2011

November 2011

December 2011

July 2012...

Wow ... where did 12 months go? 

My Sister-in-love is not only an adoring wife and caring mother, she is a hostess extraordinaire. No detail was overlooked for Matthew's 1st Birthday. The celebration took place at Willistead Manor, with delicious food and yummy desserts (I may have been a little too busy eating to remember to take photos... oops.)

Seriously ... how adorable is this cake???? and the bottom was chocolate and the top was vanilla ~ wrapped in sweet fondant (yes, my eating healthy took a  holiday..lol)

Small guests were entertained with face painting....

After some great food and face painting, it was on to the gift opening, with a little help from mom and dad...

As mommy and daddy helped with opening the gifts ... it was clear that Matthew was all about the books!! 

Then it was time for Happy Birthday singing and CAKE!!! I think Matthew was a little overwhelmed at all the attention he was receiving...get use to it little man, you are a wonderful blessing and a real Prince!

HMMM.... what's this?? 

At first Matthew wasn't sure ... about this huge mini-cake placed before him... after staring at it for a few moments and some direction from a much older playmate ( a 2 or 3 year old) ...Matthew tested things out. Hmmm ... not bad.... and before you knew it, that SMASH CAKE was smashed ; and it was making its way to his sugar waiting taste buds!!

Happy 1st Birthday Matthew!!!

No Formalities ... It's Summer Time!!

One of my favourite things about summer is the various opportunities for impromptu gatherings with friends. A couple of week-ends ago one such gathering took place at our country home with dear friends and their darling little boys.

Our back patio/entertaining area is a work in progress ... but that does not stop us from having a great time with friends. The work in progress is also great for keep things informal.

A garden themed tablecloth is quickly placed over the wrought iron table and the table is set.

A round blue scalloped place mat - reminds me of the delicate petals of flowers found in the garden; next a outdoor garden themed plate with flowers and garden inhabitants; topped off with a round dessert plate and napkin secured by a watering can napkin ring. 

Mr. G BBQ'd some fabulous steaks and a delicious Caprese salad (a summer time staple at our summer time meals) was served along with baked (on BBQ) sweet potatoes and corn. This great meal was completed with....

...wonderful sweet delights!!!

Pastries from a local bakery.....

and a small red velvet Canada Day cake, from the grocery store. 

While our friends and Mr.G. enjoyed their sweet delights with espressos ...

and some cognac .....

I enjoyed a wonderful cup of ginger green ...steeped in a single serving silver teapot...

and sipped from one of the Versace teacups, a collection which Mr. G started for me a couple of years ago. The cups size is perfect and I love the winged handle.

The inside of the rim is equally ornate.*

Our friends' eldest son Lucas is 2 years old and I would say a real cupcake eating expert! Super cute and well mannered. Our little furbabies were delighted with him as a playmate.

Not one tasty bite of this scrumptious red velvet cupcake with deadly icing was wasted... 

His little brother Andrew is tres cute!! and we are certain will be giving Lucas some competition in the cupcake eating department soon!!

Do you find summer is filled with wonderful impromptu gatherings of friends at  your home?

What is your favourite thing about entertaining in the summer?

* this teacup may have meant with a breaking ending that day...stay tuned for a future post.






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