POLKADoT Farm

Rome certainly wasn't built in a day

We are just back from a super break in Rome. We had the most wonderful weather, beautiful food and spent 5 glorious days wandering through the ancient cobbled streets. Narrow alleys led us to Roman monuments, Baroque fountains, and historic buildings. The city is like an open air museum, every corner turned, awaited a new artifact to be discovered! It is hard to list a favourite 'sight' or building, but I really enjoyed the walk leading us through the city to the Vatican. The picture of the angel above, stood proud on one of the bridges that crossed the Tiber, on the way to the Vatican.

It was also lovely to catch some sunshine and warmth before our winter sets in. I love the autumnal yellows against the crisp Mediterranean sky. So its back home, and busy busy busy now in my art room, as I've lots of stock to paint. So this week I am concentrating on my cake plates...heres a sneak at one of my Christmas designs.

Crisp Autumnal Morning

Today has been a glorious day. I love to wake up to bright blue skies,with the sun shining through the crisp air, and watch the steam rise, as it heats the frosty ground.

 
 Today Duncan finished sowing the winter crops. Over the last few years we have only managed to put Spring crops in the ground in March, but as the Autumn has been so lovely, he has sowed 5 fields of winter crops, 2 oats, and 3 wheat. The Oats are actually starting to peak through the soil already (below)

After a lovely walk on the farm this afternoon, I have been busy indoors painting my new Christmas Platters for the Christmas fairs I have in November & December. I'll put up a few pics of them next post, and I'll leave you today with a pic of an autumnal floral arrangement that I collected on my walk today. I love the contrasts between the deep reds of the rose hips & rowan berries, and the rusty oranges and lime greens/yellows of the foliage. I have 18 people coming for dinner tomorrow night, so I have hung it at my door as a kind of 'arrangement'!

 

An order of t-lights for Ealain...

I have recently started stocking a wee gallery in Drymen called 'Ealain' with my glassware. She has a lovely selection of gifts, and beautiful pieces of artwork, so i'm really pleased to have my glass in there. I first put a selection of t-lights and vases into Ealain mid September, and she has nearly sold out of all my t-lights already, which was lovely to hear! So today, I packed a box full of newly painted t-lights, and whisked them on their way to Drymen. Fingers crossed they do as well!

Oh I do love to be beside the seaside

I've just spent 10 days down in Galloway at my mums farm, where I grew up. I will always class Galloway as my home home, purely for the childhood memories, as well as my whole family on both sides living there. As much as I love my new home and surroundings in Stirlingshire, I miss Galloway dearly. Apart from my family, the biggest thing I miss is the sea. Everything from paddling in it, to taking walks along it!

 

Whenever I'm home I always try and pop down to our local beach, Rigg Bay, situated near the small village of Garlieston. It has to be one of the most special places in my heart. I have so many fond memories of spending my childhood days there, from pick-nicking there on sunny days to walking along the rugged coastline on a brisk autumnal days. 

The two most special recent events for me, that are linked to Rigg Bay ,are Duncans proposal on the beach in May 2007 and secondly, our wedding which was held yards away from the beach in the surrounding walled gardens in May 2008.

I can't wait to take our baby there, on long walks, and let the sea air fill its lungs. I hope I can capture many memories for them, like my mum did for me x