Hello bloggers, hope you are all well and not sweltering too much, I have been enjoying the garden this week, though it is truly a work-in-progress and will never be the old English country garden of my dreams. Sigh the garden in our English house is full of roses and the like…but you can't have it all in life, right?
And I've been thinking about that a whole lot lately. I've had a few emails this week along the lines that I've inspired them to get off of their pretty little behinds and make the best of what they have, even with tight budgets, far-from-perfect homes and all the restrictions that real life brings.
And I am far from the guru on doing that all the time…it's not easy especially if, like me, you have that whiney, stubborn little streak that nags away in the back of your mind, bemoaning not having that perfect sofa or Italian kitchen. There've been lots of times when I've sulked and moaned to myself and sometimes out loud about not having what I want and not having it now. Pathetic I know.
The camelia is a case in point of making the most of what you've got. When we moved in here, it was the height of summer, the garden was sooooo bad, full of thigh-high weeds, no beds, soooo neglected and sad. But the bones are so there and I could see that, just about - a huge, I mean huge old Moreton Bay Fig tree, a couple of orange trees (which at the time we thought were limes) and the one camelia stuck in the middle of the top lawn. But I didn't like it much then, I felt it stuck out like a sore thumb. Along with the electric blue bench that I squeeled and whined about. I had visions of taking to the Camelia with an axe, it looked so wrong plonked there.
And then the winter came and it bloomed and by that stage we'd tidied up some and I'd shoved in a few beds, added just a few plants and thrown around the odd vintage bench and peely chair…and oh-how-pleased I was that I didn't do the axe-job on it.
Yesterday I sat out there in the sunshine after spending the morning pulling weeds and digging holes…a carpet of Camelia petals + winter sunshine = making the most of it.
Do you have any little areas that you could make the most of? I know that suggesting 'making the best blah blah blah' whips up images of smug little Martha types humming happily, please that's so not what I'm on about…if I can make this garden ever so slightly pleasureable, the garden that had a dead rodent in it when we viewed it, then anything is possible. Anything.
Enjoy your weeked girls, no whining (I'm gonna try, Mr BC will be struck down!) see you next week…got some interesting things to show you!
oh and poor old me, I have only 11 little votes for the Eye Candy Luxe awards, how about you hop on over and vote for me and my endeavours in making this tatty old cottage habitable? (click the box and then scroll down, I'm right near the bottom!)
oh and p.s thanks for the plate stand help and all your tablescaping love, I so knew what an idiot that table-setting-pirate was…
Sorry I tried to vote for you but could not find you on the list. Marilyn
You got my vote, one of my favorite blogs!
Michelle
Beautiful spot! That sweet chair looks absolutely perfect there! Just as Michelle said…yours is one of my favs as well!
Smiles,
Rachel
What a gorgeous tree!
The camellia looks lovely. You are really lucky to have an old, established one. If you have clay type soil you could grow rose. Not sure how they do in sandy soil though which is why I haven’t splashed out and bought any either. I know it is wonderful to get new but I am learning that new to me – off the side of the road or garage sale, etc – is just as special. Love your blog.
Great photo and lovely winter sun.
I have a little back corner that could do with a make over!! Maybe this weekend and I could do a post on ot next week.
Been busy creating to make things for my shop. I have had enough of unemployment in our household and am opening a web store. Check my blog for a post about it and a giveaway tomorrow.
Alison
I voted
Feeling similar unsettled feelings about our cottage – but it is because I am inspired by yours!
Have a lovely weekend, and enjoy that winter sunshine
I bet you are so glad you didn’t take an axe to that camelia now, it is so lovely and looks perfect with the chair underneath it. I love our garden, but it could do with a jolly tidy up!
I am so unsettled about my home right now, mostly because I want everything to happen now. I need some sort of instant (or almost instant) gratification everyday, even if it’s just rearranging the mantle in a pleasing way for the umpteenth time.
Little steps do get us there, eventually. Remember that when you’re basking in the sun, under those lovely blooms.
Voted because you reminded me. But voted for you because you were my choice.
You got my vote too – your blog is most definitely top eye candy in my eyes! Can’t believe your lawn, especially when you say it was full of weeds. My garden is so neglected, I have to strim the grass every so often because you can’t get a lawnmower to do it (even if I did have one). I keep meaning to do something about it, but weeding is about as far as I get, and now I have a little fox family hiding in the brambles down the bottom, so I can’t exactly go in there with the chopper, can I?!
Hey Good Luck Sarah
Your garden looks so relaxing. I think nature is sneaking a bit of colour into your world and that camelia is fabulous colour to brighten up the winter!
Me again!
Yes we have had some sunny warm weather here in N Ireland, but not too hot. Some rain today but still mild – heading down to shell hunt on the beach later.
Cath Kitson bags – are you getting the “real thing” or are they the Tesco ones? I just have the Tesco ones!
Love love love my camellia. Mine looks similar to a rose although it is much less high maintenance – my kind of plant! have a lovely weekend!
I love the petals all scattered and pretty.
You just can’t always see the beauty right away.
The Ugly Duck turned Swan effect.
I need to help our deck find its inner beauty!
lol
Becky K.
Hospitality Lane
What a lovely garden! So tranquil and fresh. I just voted for the blog, have a happy weekend!
Hello Sarah – may I come on by and sit under that gorgeous tree? I can see myself sitting there with a good book – well, I would probably take a nice nap. Oh…and I voted for you today! You’re up to 41!
Blessings,
Marie
So pretty garden photos.
I voted for you!
love
Alison
x
Hi Sara!
Thank you so much for the sweet words that you left behind!! You are too kind, hugs!!
I think you are doing a great job with your garden, to me it looks pretty English and wonderful
And I love your tree!! What a pretty shape. The thought sitting under it having a wine and reading a favourite magazine, lovely 
Have a splendid summer, greetings from Norway!
Aina
Modern Country
We have camelia bushes in our backyard, but honestly I have never seen a camelia tree. I’m glad you didn’t take that axe to it! Your yard is lovely. Okay, I’m going now to vote…
I’ll go vote right after this!
And you really have been an inspiration to me!
I love your garden spot. I have NO backyard to speak of, it’s all deck and pool, so I would love a lovely little spot like yours.
But as you said, I make do, and on a very, very tight budget that is not easy, but I’m trying to create a tiny little oasis here and there for myself.
On my way to vote!
What an idyllic spot to set and drink a glass of sweet tea while enjoying a good book!
I think you did this post just for me! Camilia’a are my favorites and the ironic thing is, I have never owned one! Thanks for visiting my blog…it led me to your beautiful space.
That perfect little chair under that beautiful tree…I want to live where you live!! I just came in all hot and sweaty from spreading “pine straw” over our front lawn…here in Georgia we have tons of huge trees on our front lawns where grass won’t grow….no sun….so we get dried pine needles…well we have to buy them by the bales…and we spread them on the ground under the trees….labor intensive…but it looks better then just dirt!! Have a great weekend..
Sue @ Rue Mouffetard…
lovely!
When I was little, I thought that camellias grew on trees as we had one that was even larger than your beautiful tree! But they are bushes!! Its a really old Camellia bush! It is so bautiful.
Just goes to show, you need to view your garden for a full year before making drastic changes. How lovley your camelia is.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Stopping by from the Blog Hop nice to meet you! Checking out all the different blogs. Have a Happy Fourth! What a beautiful site to relax! I enjoyed your blog.
It’s like a gorgeous outdoor blanket of camelia petals. I’m still waiting for our camelias to grow a bit more. The strong wind in Sydney of late took all the blooms off the tree, but that’s winter for you
Ok, heading off to vote for you now.
Love it! Keep up the good work both on that gorgeous house of yours and the blog!
very very pretty
TTFN~~Claudia
I have the same color Camellia in my yard, not where I can sit by it. It is the first thing that blooms in my yard in January here in Northern California. Unfortunatly as the weather changes it wants to bloom earlier and earlier!
What a beautiful spot to sit and enjoy! Happy weekend!
Oh I could sit under that tree and read a book all day – lovely. Happy blog hopping
Hands down you have my vote! Your blog makes me so happy!
Can I share that gorgeous spot under the tree one day? Wow…what an inspirational oasis!
Hi there, dropping by from the blog hop. Beautiful photos!
http://www.atticgirl.blogspot.com
Most definitely voted for you. You are my favorite blog. I check everyday to see if you’ve posted something new! Congrats on the nomination! You really deserved it. I hope you win.
Wonderful blog, I voted
Hopping in from the blog hop to say hello. Have a fun and safe Independents Day 
What a beautiful tree
Good thing you didn’t chop it down!!
We’ve got a few “make the most of it” areas in our house — namely the bathrooms. One was all pink when we moved in, the other all green. UGH!!!
We’ve done a mini-makeover on the ensuite — painted the vanity, replaced the counter & sinks & faucets, added a backsplash, and painted. The guest bathroom just has a new paint colour and some brushed metal accessories. Neither is my dream room, but both look much better now
Kelly
O – glad the little red camelia didn’t get the axe, it is lovely
I will have to wander over and vote for you!
This is a beautiful blog! I love beach cottage style. I’m definately coming back! My art says how much I love the ocean!
Jennifer
I love this post. I don’t see you as a Martha type
but I think it is so inspiring to create beauty where you are sometimes. I know it can be easier said than done but people like you are the inspiration for that! xx