Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I hope you enjoyed the festive period in whatever way you chose to.

I remember before the year 2000 that it seemed like an age away, and it felt like it took forever to get there.  Since then time seems to have been on fast forward and now it's 2012!

I wish for the courage, wisdom and faith to make this year whatever I want it to be and I wish the same for you. Here's to a fulfilling year :D

Scenic Sundays - Llanthony Priory, Monmouthshire

The ruins of Llanthony Priory in Monmouthsire are set in a picturesque valley near the Black Mountains in Monmouthshire.

Taking a Break

I've been fairly distracted for the past few months - finding it difficult to keep focused on all the different aspects of the business - partly because there are fairly significant changes in the pipeline here at Fairfield Gardens HQ (more on that another time), but also because I'm expecting my second child, who is due any day now.  I've tried to carry on as normal, but with everything that's going on, and the school summer holidays as well I think it's time to admit that I need to take a break.

I'd like to thank all of our customers for your continued support.  Orders can still be placed via the website, but it might take a little longer to get them sent out to you.  There will also be a short hiatus to the newsletter.  I hope you'll bear with us for a little while.

If you're a regular visitor to the blog, you may have noticed that it's been somewhat neglected over the past couple of months, and that is likely to continue for a little while longer I'm afraid.  I do plan to post updates occasionally, but probably not as often as I'd like to.

Well, that's all for now.  See you in a little while :)

Scenic Sundays - Patterns at the Beach

I spent yesterday at the beach at Southerndown near Bridgend, South Wales, with my husband and son.  It's a really picturesque place.  The rocky beach gives way to golden, flat sand when the tide goes out, leaving lots of interesting rock pools to investigate.

Apart from the obvious, albeit beautiful, sea vista, I am also drawn to the patterns and textures that you can see on the beach - in the sand, the water, the rocks...

Calendula Watch

If you've read the blog before, you'll know that I'm rather partial to Calendulas.  I've been growing them for a few years now, but last year was the first time that I did it in earnest and got an amazing crop of flower heads and petals to use in our soaps (see my previous post Bright and Beautiful Calendula).  I'm aiming to reproduce, if not better the haul for this year.  The first flowers were harvested at the start of June, and so far the running total of harvested flowers is 148. With another couple of months to go before the plants run out of steam it's looking good for another bumper harvest, unless the weather decides not to cooperate!

Scenic Sundays - My Own Backyard

I've been lucky enough to travel to many different places, but it's easy to overlook what's right in front of you. At this time of year especially, the sights in and around Cardiff are as good as any I've seen.

Taff Trail, Pontcanna

Pontcanna Fields

 

River Taff, Pontcanna

Whitmore Bay, Barry Island

Roath Park Lake, Roath

Lilies - My Back Garden!

Folksy Friday - Lemons

I've just listed a new item in my Folksy Shop - Lemon Hand Scrub.  So these Folksy Friday selections are all lemon themed.

 

 

 

1. Gin Bottle Chopping Board by Number8Glass

2. ACEO Bright Lemon Watercolour by Wild Lemon

3. Oranges and Lemons Bangle by Laura Faye Crafts

4. Rustic Country Fruit Wreath by Cranberry Charms

5. Gin And Tonic Citrus Cufflinks by Birdcage Creative