Sunday 9 April 2017

March the month of the flowers

March this year was one of the saddest months I have ever experienced.
It is not only the remembrance of my dad who passed away 19 years ago and I still miss him so much.
It was also that we had in the family more doctors' appointments and tests to do.
And there were also some more sad things which I am unable to mention in public right now but I will share in due time when things clear up.They were events that proved to me that there is so much hatred in this world, so many mean people around us unfortunately.
So in order not to make this blog post morbid I will focus on the beauty around me as I try to catch it and feel it through my senses and my camera lens every day.
March is the month of flowers for me.The month started with a walk at the park and as the sun was shining and the trees were blooming I felt so relaxed.


 While walking around the park I spotted little red and white bracelets hanging from the trees. They were probably made by volunteers for people to take and wear as the custom is here for March.

So I took one too and wore it all month along with the one I made for myself. I made a similar one for a colleague at school.
The LOVE one is the one I got from the tree.The butterfly one is the one I made and the next photo is the one I got from a colleague.
That day at the seafront the horizon wasn't very clear but still the athletes were training and made such a difference.
As winter this year was exceptionally bad all of my plants were frozen to death! So I cleaned the balcony, threw away all old plants and pots and rearranged things. I also planted a few new plants to add colour and freshness to the balcony.




 So every day I go out to the balcony and look at my plants.


 I talk to my little gnome gardener.
 I take lots of close ups.

 I even use my macro lens to reveal details. Doesn't this look like velvet?




 My pansies planted inside an old pot that had broken have grown a lot.Now the gnome gardener is sitting under them in the shade.

 Look at all this colour and detail. Pity these flowers don't last long.
 But I love looking at them from inside my bedroom.
 And  I love using them as prompts to take more beautiful photos. Doesn't this Maria Kanteraki doll look great with my flowers?
 And this beautifully smelling carnation looks so great with my daddy's photo.19 years in the end of March since he died and I miss him all the time more and more.He loved flowers.He planted them everywhere.He wanted a house with a garden and since he couldn't have it, he opted with a flat with a balcony and filled it with plants in pots.I didn't get his green fingers or my mum's and definitely not his talent in pastry making.He made amazing cakes, his strawberry birthday cake was my all time favourite. He made delicious baklava.I never managed to make it myself but still I am the confectioner's daughter!
In March we spent a weekend of performance at the town of Kastoria with the Teacher's association Drama Club.You can read all about it here in this blogpost.
 March is the month of the National Holiday on the 25th.I put the flag out.
And we ate the traditional cod nuggets made by my mum with the family.
 We walked the seafront more.

 We also had one more performance for the Social Clinic. Unfortunately not many people came.
In March I only had time to attend one theatrical performance. It was "Skinothysies" by the group ProvaTaMesanyhta where my friend Christina takes part. The performance was excellent. I especially loved the talented Giota (the girl in black).She is an amazing actress. My friend Christina made the lovely costumes. 
 I wanted to congratulate her for her whole effort as she is so talented and stitched this little sheep for her. The pattern is free from La Comtesse & le point de croix.
 With school we spent a day at the park and it was such a bright day.


And of course I spent some time at Koumpi Coffee and crafts cafe making lavender sachets for Syzoe with the guidance of Anna of In My Closet.
 These are the ones I made and gave to the charity.
March at school. Our talented Art teacher made these lovely Kyra Sarakosti dolls for every class.
You can read about the custom of Kyra Sarakosti (Mrs Lent) here.


She also made lovely decorations for Spring but I unfortunately didn't take photos of them all.

We celebrated the 25th of March at school too. Some children were dressed up in traditional costumes.

Barca in March was as always very very sweet.

She seemed to enjoy the sun so much.She missed it too as much as we did.
In March I read


and loved all books.They were bought from Merimna bazaar last year.
In March I stitched lots of Easter eggs.These two I found as a pattern in an old Cross stitcher magazine. They were for cards but I adapted them into ornaments.

 I also stitched this for an exchange organised by dear Kaye of Kitten Stitching. I don't know if this has been received yet. I found the pattern for free at Snowflower Diaries blog. I adapted it into a framed ornament.
 I also stitched an Easter card from pinterest.
 Here are a couple of photos of the sheep.

 I also stitched more eggs. This pattern is from a Hama beads pattern which I adapted into cross stitch.
In March the mail brought a card from beautiful Skiathos island and two cross stitch magazines from the Netherlands from my dear friend Frieda.
Also I received a gift for Barca from the talented Katerina of beh1nd. Barca really loved it.
I also received another gift, this lovely frame in which I put my wedding photo with the men of my heart!
I didn't attend my ceramics course in March due to other responsibilities and chores. But I went one day and brought back home some more of my things that were ready.One more dish, a set of coaster and some little items that I will use in future.
In March I bought Daphne's Diary again.
In March I gave away these chairs I had collected from the curb to people who will make something beautiful from them! I am eager to see what they will make. I am in  a decluttering mode.
 This was my desktop during the month. Geninne always catches the spirit of the season!
 I hope you had a great March and that you are enjoying Spring as much as we do here!

10 comments:

Linda said...

Loved all of the photos Ariadne. Lovely stitching.

Linda

Mii Stitch said...

Hi Ariadne,
I hope health wise, things are not too bad & can be sorted.
I am just worried about the other things. I hope your beautiful beach house hasn't been subject to vandalism like in the past?
You have had another busy month.
The country celebrations looks like fun :)
Plenty of stitching this time too and beautiful ceramics as always.
Take care xx

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

The close ups you took of the flowers are gorgeous! And I know how you feel about some months bringing many sad memories. I feel that way in the Fall. I love the idea of making pretty little bracelets and I may do some research to see if I can figure out how to make some. Love this post...filled with beauty and love. Have you read Boys in the Boat? I just finished it and loved it! Hugs, Diane

Lillie said...

Such a lovely gorgeous tree.
Your potted plants bloom so beautifully. Gorgeous colors too.
Lovely choice of Easter design you have choosen to stitch .
Happy reading !

zina said...

a post full of aroma and Spring!!!

Kaisievic said...

Wonderful post, Ariadne, despite the medical stuff (which I hope is all better soon). Your patio flowers are gorgeous, such beautiful colours and such a lovely way to honour the memory of your dear father. Lots of lovely stitching going on and I am so glad that you enjoyed the Easter Exchange, I hope that your package arrives very soon. Happy Easter, xxxx

Barb said...

I always enjoy your posts. They are so interesting and I feel that I learn a bit about your country and culture. We share one thing in common. When I get discouraged with the way people are acting, I look to nature. Flowers always make me happy. You have some lovely pansies. I have two pots of them in my front yard. I will be thinking about you and hope that April is a much better month!

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

I am sorry that you are having a difficult time right now but I hope that writing this post has helped cheer you. There are so many beautiful things in here. I love the idea of the bracelet tree!
Lovely egg stitching too. I keep intending to make an Easter tree but not this year!

Brigitte said...

So sorry to read that you are having a tough time with people who are acting the way they do. And a sad time with your memories of your father. But I'm sure that seeing all your flowers and displaying these wonderful pictures here on your blog might be a bit of a consolation for you.
I love the tradition of wearing these bracelets throughout March. And the traditional cod nuggets prepared on your National Holiday look so delicious.
A very interesting post again, Ariadne. Thanks for sharing all this with us.

mpiskotoupoli said...

Άλλη μία ανάρτηση γεμάτη υπέροχες φωτογραφίες!!!Καλημέρα Αριάδνη!!!