Can you believe that it's Monday already?
Where did the weekend go?
I'm happy to say that we made the most of it whilst it was here, but even so a three day weekend would be perfect wouldn't it?
But let's not let it get us down because there's lots to be happy about...who knows what is installed for us in this coming week?
But let's not let it get us down because there's lots to be happy about...who knows what is installed for us in this coming week?
So chin up, put a big smile on and let's get started...bring it on I say!
I've wanted to show you for some time one of my leaving presents from a friend when I left Melbourne.
Well it was part of a leaving present actually, but it just captured so much in one item.
Well it was part of a leaving present actually, but it just captured so much in one item.
It is a Monet apron purchased by my friend from the Monet exhibition held earlier in the year during May to September at the fabulous National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.
Isn't it exquisite?
Claude Monet (1840-1926)
Monet's Garden is a stunning exhibition devoted to Claude Monet's iconic garden at Giverny. Renowned as the 'father of French Impressionism', Monet was inspired by his direct experiences of nature, culminating in the ravishing depictions of his lily and flower gardens in the rural property at Giverny, northern France.
“My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece.”
I'm a little wary of using the apron really...either to paint or cook in it, as I don't want to spoil it.
It covers so many things about me that my friend captured in one go.
My love of art, Monet, gardening, the colour, cooking and baking all wrapped up in one.
Wasn't she clever?
So that's why when I wrap it around me it's like having a huge of all the things that make my spirit fly and I thought it would be perfect to enter for todays 'Happy Blue Monday'
Having mentioned baking if you want a winter warmer recipe for something seasonal then why not visit one of my old blog posts where I bake a Pear and Almond Cake.
It's from back in July 2010 when we lived in Melbourne, Australia.
Be warned there's a mention of Christmas...but then it is in the middle of their winter.
It's from back in July 2010 when we lived in Melbourne, Australia.
Be warned there's a mention of Christmas...but then it is in the middle of their winter.
It's so strange to read my old posts from back then...how I've changed.
You can tell mostly by the photographs.
Now why not pop across to see Sally and the other Blue Monday posts?
I'm sure you'll have a very happy Monday if you do.
I'm sure you'll have a very happy Monday if you do.
Happy Blue Monday to you all.
I hope you have a great week!
Hi Nessie,
ReplyDeleteAs soon as I leave this comment, I'll post your photo for you. (You neglected to select one.)
I love Monet, and I love that apron. It must feel like a hug from your friend!
Happy 1st Blue Monday!
Please consider returning and leaving a comment for me.
Morning Sally,
DeleteWow you were quick...I've posted my photo (I just had to resize it first) and left a comment too before your arrived.
You are absolutely right...it is like a hug ;D
Thanks for popping by my place and hosting the blue Monday get-together.
xoxo
Thinking of it as a hug is wonderful. It's just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it just Jeannie ;D
DeleteIt really is too nice to use.
Thanks for popping by and leaving a comment.
It's great to see you here
xoxo
What a great present for the so many reasons you mention. I'd be reluctant to wear it and get it dirty too. You could just put it on if you have to answer the door and who ever shows up would think you were very busy in the kitchen :-)
ReplyDeleteDarla
Now Darla, who knew you could be so devious?
DeleteI couldn't possibly just wear it when someone came to the door...quickly squirting furniture polish behind my ears!
Could I??? ;D
Have a great week with lots of creativity...that's what I hope anyway :D
xoxo
look at you all bundled up in that beautiful apron, its a beauty! Such a perfect gift,
ReplyDeleteIsn't it just Laurie,
DeleteIt's really well printed on thick cotton too.
I'm very careful when I put it on...only using it for clean jobs because it is too nice to keep in a draw ;D
I hope you have a wonderful week.
xoxo
Another nice idea, Blue monday! I love the apron and I learned a new word (Apron) :-)
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Holland.
Hallo Kleurrijk, ik hoop dat ik vind u ook op deze maandag ochtend?
DeleteWell that's hoping I've said something polite (hehe) ;D
See we're learning something new everytime we speak!
Here's another word for apron...'pinny' (which is short for pinafore) I like this word better than apron because my Grandmother always wore a pinny!
Greeting to you too...I hope life is good in Holland today
xoxo
Beautiful apron and you are tiny!!!!
ReplyDeleteSandy
Hardly Sandy. I'm seriously working on it getting ready for winter.
DeleteIt appears I'm stocking up for hibernation.
Not a calorie is safe at the moment, especially those encased with chocolate! ;D
Have a great week and thanks for stopping by
xoxo
What a beautiful hug from your friend! Cooking might be better way to use it.....easier to wash than paints. Our first chilly morning here....69 in FL.
ReplyDeleteYou haven't seen me after a cooking sessio Nan...it's not pretty!
DeleteAre you serious...it's chilly at 20 degrees! I'd give my high teeth for that temperature. We're only 13 today which is 55 degrees if my research is correct.
Now that's chilly but I know it's going to get so much worse soon ;D
I'll be checking out sunnier parts for a warm up and FL sounds just right.
Pop the kettle on :D
xoxo
That apron is a dazzler!
ReplyDeleteMother in Blue
Isn't it just. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteHappy Blue Monday to you :D
Creative photo for HBM ~ dazzling!
ReplyDeleteJust like me!!! HA!
DeleteThanks for your comment.
Happy Blue Monday :D
I have seen many an apron, but none as pretty as this. Your friend really blessed you with it. Looks very iice on you.
ReplyDeleteAww thanks LV
DeleteI know my friend will be so surprised when she sees everyone's reaction because I haven't told her I was going to post it.
I'm very lucky to have met so many lovely friends when I lived in Melbourne.
I'm keeping them close to me mentally even if 12,000 miles seperate us physically!
Have a great time this week. Happy Blue Monday to you :D
xoxo
Wow, thats a beauty! I wouldnt want to get it dirty!
ReplyDeleteYou sound like an Aussie there Karen..".you beauty" is a very well used comment over there but I've just checked and you're in Canada!
DeleteI will be keeping it clean but just airing it now and again...just to show it off! ;D
Thanks for popping by...Happy Blue Monday to you!
xoxo
Go! I love that apron!
ReplyDeleteHehe...I do too ;D
DeleteThank's for stopping by.
Have a good week...Happy Blue Monday!
Oh this is so nice! 2 wks ago I got a postcard from France of Monet's garden. Last week I was reading on a blog about photos from Monet's garden and now I saw the design on an apron! 3 colorful weeks of Monet for me :D Thanks for the treat!
ReplyDeleteYou've certainly had your Monet quota this week haven't you?
DeleteBut I can't see that as a bad thing. They say things come in three's so maybe that's it now? ;D
Thanks for stopping by...Happy Blue Monday to you :D
How thoughtful and lovely. The perfect gift in my opinion. You can just wear it and smile or uses it and be careful. I too love art by Monet. Lucky you.
ReplyDeletexo, Jeanne
Thanks for your lovely comment Jeanne,
DeleteI too thought it was a very appropriate and personal pressie ;D
What isn't there to like about Monet?
Happy Blue Monday...although it's Tuesday now so maybe I should just say have a great week instead :D
Thank you for visiting me earlier, Neesie! I've only one recipe with pears, so am going to look. Yesterday it went up to 92 degr. F (close or in the 30 degr. C) . Am still walking in shorts and sandals at home.
ReplyDeleteAww...now that sounds nice...92 degr...can I nip over for a warm please? ;D
DeleteThe pear and almond cake was a hit so I hope you like it if you try it.
I'm now thinking I should make it again.
Enjoy your warmth...don't worry about me over here...I'll be fine as long as I have the fire lit!
Have a great week and thanks for stopping by :D
What a thoughtful gift, Neesie. The apron is very pretty!...Christine
ReplyDeleteIt was indeed wasn't it and one I will appreciate ;D
DeleteThanks for popping over Christine.
I hope you have a wonderful week with lots of fun :D
Just the right apron for Blue Monday. Thanks for the visit and comment.
ReplyDeleteJoy
It was my pleasure Joy ;D
DeleteI hope the week has started well and just gets better...have fun!
Thanks for stopping by...I appreciate it :D
Gorgeous apron! Happy Blue Monday, Neesie :) Thanks for stopping by my my blog and leaving a sweet comment! Spring greetings from Australia♥ ~Pernilla
ReplyDeleteThanks Pernilla but could you possibly send some spring warmth through...it's starting to go chilly here and I'm not sure I like it? :(
DeleteHave a great week whatever you have planned...enjoy! :D
Perfect apron! I hope you're staying warm over there. Have a fabulous week! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to Rita, but it's not even cold really...I know there's a lot more to come.
Delete12 degrees for this time of year is quite mild. Eek!
Thanks for popping by...I thought you'd like the apron ;D
Here's to a great creative week...I've got plans in my head...just need them to come out onto paper now! WIsh me luck :D
xoxo
wow, what a spectacular figure you have Neesie. I'm totally jealous about both how great you look in that apron and how gorgeous the apron is! I love monet too!
ReplyDeleteAww now don't start Jenn or you'll have me blushing ;D
DeleteBut let me tell you I'm taking this UK winter malarky seriously...I'm packing in the calories just in case I have to hibernate.
No chocolate is safe within a metre!
I'll email later today hopefully...in the meantime it's lovely to see you.
Chat soon xoxo
Wow, that apron is gorgeous, too nice to cover in paint. Sounds crazy you saying about the cold as it's 30 deg here and I'm used to you being the same time of year. We've been running around like crazy, will write soon, I promise.
ReplyDeleteLuv Von
I know...aren't I a lucky bunny Von? ;D
DeleteNow I don't need you to brag about your weather...that's just cruel as I sit here slowly shutting down with hypothermia!
Well maybe I exaggerate a little, as it's 12 degrees and really quite mild.
Ahh...here comes the sun...see its not so bad...oops there it goes! :(
I know you're so busy so don't worry about writing to me, especially if you're going to tell me about how beautifully warm, sunny, springlike it is...I'm not jealous in the least as you can probably tell from my writing!
Chat soon but in the meantime take a rest and enjoy the spring xoxo
Hi Neesie
ReplyDeleteI love that pinny it is perfect for Blue Monday, now Tuesday! As you can see I'm a tad behind this week. The Monet exhibition has been big here but now you're back in Europe you'll be able to pop over to Monet's Garden for real - that is a good photo op, you in the apron in Monet's garden!!!
Have a great Week.
Wrenx
Well hello there Wren,
DeleteOh I've been so worried about you. I wandered where you where and even thought you might have flown South for the winter??!!?
Then I remembered that you're already there ;D
Hmm...visiting Monet's garden...wow now there's a thought. Why didn't I think of that? You are one switched on wren!
But I'm not sure about wearing my apron around the garden though...I think I might get lots of strange looks!
Have a great week yourself...it's good to have you back!
xoxo
A gorgeous apron, and such a thoughtful present. Last year we went to a wonderful Monet exhibition at the Liverpool Tate Gallery. I have seen so many prints and reproductions in books, but they are so small and not true to colour or texture, and I was absolutely knocked for six by the amazing, enormous canvasses. It was a really memorable.
ReplyDeleteYou look so beautifully slim that I bet the apron wraps right around you on both sides and meets at the back!
Hi Jez,
DeleteI can imagine the huge canvasses knocking your socks off.
I regret that I never managed to go to the Melbourne exhibition. But now I'm over here then maybe I can see the real Monet gardens. Now that would be a treat!
Hardly is the answer to your last question Jez, I'm packing in the calories by the minute, so that I'm ready for winter. I'm taking no chances and building up a good few layers! I'm truly devoted to my mission. Chocolate doesn't stand a chance! ;D
Have a wonderful week and thanks for stopping to add a comment. It's always great to see you xoxo
Oh well, you just HAVE to go to Giverny and visit Monet's garden! I've been there three times now, and as the garden changes every week you can go as many times as you wish. there's always something new to see. It was great to go there last year with my parents (I rented a fantastic house in Normandy for a fortnight, brought Yorkshire friends the first week and my parents and my husband's Mum the second) as Dad loves to sketch and enjoyed sitting in Monet's garden making drawings just like Monet himself.
ReplyDeleteTwo links if you have the time to take a glance, all in Swedish but anyhow:
http://vardagsnjutning.blogspot.se/2012/07/monets-tradgard.html
http://vardagsnjutning.blogspot.se/2012/07/en-sagolik-idyll.html
And now I will check your cake ... I suddenly feel like baking ...
That definitely sounds like it needs to go on my list of to-do's!
DeleteThanks for sharing and the links....I'll visit it regularly until I get to see the real thing.
I hope you like the cake...let me know how you get on and if you like it :D
Have a wonderful weekend and apologies for taking so long to get back to you.
xoxo