What a beautiful weekend we just had and to make it even better I took an extra day off work. We have had no rain in a few weeks now and it is great. Below are some photographs from our recent visit to Belvedere House and Gardens outside Mullingar in County Westmeath. The walled garden is my favourite. You can also explore the house itself. While it was busy when we visited most people were relaxing along the lake shore. We have lovely scenery and lakes everywhere at home so when I get away I enjoy exploring gardens and architecture.

Oh what a fabulous day we had here in Ireland, sunshine and blue skies and I have an extra long weekend too. I spent most of the day in the garden-mowing and weeding... can't wait for summer now with lots of flowers... below are a few pretty flower arrangements I photographed at an agricultural show here in Ireland last year... which is your favourite?? I'd have to choose the one with the hydrangeas....

Hello all, sorry for the lack of blog posting. Other social media (aka Instagram) was where it has been happening along with my garden. Lots of gardening taking place at All things nice... I now have lavender, sunflowers, blue hydrangea, roses and lots of other pretty flowers. The weather last night and today is playing havoc with them... it is sooo windy. Yesterday was a lovely warm day so I got the garden mowed, but then it just changed and we had rain all day long today. Anyways it is such an Irish thing to keep talking about the weather...

I have also been busy cleaning and tidying the house and getting my sun room in order. I'm now enjoying spending time in here. It is eclectic but just what I want... In comparison to my living room which is very colour coordinated in greys, white and blue... Sorry about the dark photos but the weather hasn't been good for photographs today. Hope you all had a lovely weekend and have lots planned for August....

Autumn is well and truly here now. The days have got shorter and there is a chill in the air. As we didn't have that good of a summer here in Ireland I am glad Autumn is here. I love Autumn time with the beautiful colours of the leaves and the crispness of the air. It is also an excuse to keep cosy at the fire, read lots of books and blog more. Do you like Autumn time?

I have featured a few posts already about Autumn time setting in and how the weather had turned really cold, well it is the total opposite now. Autumn has turned out to be lovely and warm with sunshine and no rain. I mowed the lawn yesterday evening after work. I don't think it will need to be mowed much more now as there isn't as much growth. My Gladioli are in full blown again this year, they seem to be the one flower that does well for me. I picked a lot of hydrangea from my mother's garden and have dried it out. I love putting it around my home over the winter months. It dries really well and keeps its colour. I just cut the flowers off, put them in a vase of water and do not re-water them at all, the water will dry up and the flowers will too! Very simple. Hydrangeas are one of my favourite flowers and my dear grandmother had a garden full of them- they were so pretty and remind me of my childhood. I have set one hydrangea in our garden but as the garden has not yet established itself, I have no blooms yet- perhaps next year...

The countryside looks so pretty at this time of year with all the beautiful autumn leaves and berries. Do you like Autumn? What is your favourite flower?

I haven't been out shopping in a long time now, but I still love to take a look online at all the lovely home accessories on offer, here are a few lovely items I saw on the Marks & Spencers website. Our nearest M&S store is about an hour from my house so I don't get to it too often and it doesn't stock any of the homewares :( I also love Next home accessories but again I don't get to the shop too often. The first set of images are all ways to update your home with a few choice picks. Check out the adorable gingham teapot and cups and saucers, the pretty table lamp and  red cushions- they are some of my favourites.

And for some inspiration these folklore trends are really in. Again the cushions are really fabulous!

And finally some lovely summer blossoms- all things floral which I love!!

 *All images above from Marks & Spencer