Skip to content
December 17, 2014 / diannegray

Hello Smiley Face!

I planted sunflower seeds about a month ago and my first sunflower bloomed this week.

To get an idea of the size of it, you’ll see a black smudge just above it slightly to the left – that’s a bee.

Sunflower

ย Here’s a close-up for those who can’t see it

bee

I’m taking a blogging break for the holidays and wish you all a happy, safe and loving season.

I also want to take this opportunity to give a big shout out to all of you who have read my books this year and written reviews. It takes a lot of energy to read and review a book and each review is very much appreciated.

Stay safe, have fun and I’ll see you all in 2015!

103 Comments

Leave a Comment
  1. Pagadan / Dec 17 2014 7:44 am

    Love the sunflower. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy your break and the holidays!

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 17 2014 12:07 pm

      Thank you. The sunflower is enormous and it’s head is now starting to droop. I might need to stake it ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Like

  2. nrhatch / Dec 17 2014 7:57 am

    Love it! Have a wonderful break full of friends, family, and fab festive fun.

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 17 2014 12:08 pm

      You too, my friend! (but I’ll still be checking out your funnies) ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Like

  3. avwalters / Dec 17 2014 7:57 am

    What a great thing, to see a fresh faced sunflower from here, in the depths of winter.

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 17 2014 12:09 pm

      I’ve never grown them before and now I’ve got a tribe of them – they’re absolutely beautiful ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

      • avwalters / Dec 17 2014 1:17 pm

        You cannot help but smile when you see a sunflower.

        Like

  4. John / Dec 17 2014 8:06 am

    Have a great holiday, Dianne and that is a monster flower!

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 17 2014 12:10 pm

      I love the monster flower, John and am glad you do too. Have a wonderful Christmas ๐Ÿ˜€

      Like

  5. JackieP / Dec 17 2014 8:16 am

    Great pic! Have a happy and safe Holiday and New Years. See you next year! xxx

    Like

  6. Carrie Rubin / Dec 17 2014 8:20 am

    That sunflower is exactly what I needed to see in my gray December. (Ohio is gorgeous in the fall, not so much in the winter…) Lovely! Happy Holidays to you, too!

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 17 2014 12:12 pm

      The sunflower is a freak and it puts a smile on my face every time I see it. Have a wonderful time with family and friends and a safe and happy new year xxxx

      Liked by 1 person

  7. davidprosser / Dec 17 2014 8:29 am

    Happy Christmas Dianne and a wonderful New Year. The Sunflower is magnificent.
    xxx Huge Hugs xxx

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 17 2014 12:13 pm

      I just love your hugs, David ๐Ÿ˜€

      Happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year to you too, my friend xxxx

      Like

  8. Theo Fenraven / Dec 17 2014 9:02 am

    Same to you! Enjoy the break and the holidays.

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 17 2014 12:13 pm

      Thank you and I wish you the very best for this silly season, Fen. Stay safe and enjoy xxx

      Like

  9. Jenny Ackland / Dec 17 2014 9:28 am

    Gorgeous Dianne. Love a sunflower. Happy holiday season to you, all best for 2015. xx

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 17 2014 12:14 pm

      Happy holiday season to you too, Jenny! Stay safe and relax xxxx

      Like

  10. ramblingsfromamum / Dec 17 2014 9:51 am

    Gorgeous sunflower. Tiny wittle bee ๐Ÿ˜€ enjoy your break, well deserved. Wishing you your family and ‘mum’ a very special Christmas and look forward to seeing you in 2015. Hugs ๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿ˜˜๐Ÿ˜˜

    Like

  11. EllaDee / Dec 17 2014 10:22 am

    I know everything is bigger and better in sunny Queensland but that sunflower is spectacular.
    We’re taking a break too, and as we’ll be at TA it will also be a blogging break… no internet coverage.
    Wishing you and yours all the best for happy holidays and good weather ๐Ÿ™‚

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 17 2014 12:17 pm

      You too, my dear. Have a wonderful time at TA and ‘check the serenity’ ๐Ÿ˜€

      Looking forward to e-catching up next year ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Like

  12. on thehomefrontandbeyond / Dec 17 2014 11:10 am

    Merry merry to you Diane!

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 17 2014 12:17 pm

      Thank you! – have a lovely time with the family and friends ๐Ÿ˜€

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Jacqui Murray / Dec 17 2014 11:33 am

    That is a massive flower. That may be the biggest I’ve ever seen.

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 17 2014 12:18 pm

      HUGE. I smile every time I see it, Jacqui ๐Ÿ˜€

      Like

  14. Coffee2words / Dec 17 2014 11:55 am

    Have a great christmas break Dianne! See you around in 2015

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 17 2014 12:06 pm

      Thank you! Stay safe and keep up the great work with all your reviews xxxx

      Like

  15. pommepal / Dec 17 2014 2:34 pm

    Wow Dianne that sunflower is magnificent. It is a tribute to your hot. rainy, tropical climate, and your tender care. I have carefully nurtured a packet of sunflower seeds from birth to all of 3inches in about a month. ๐Ÿ˜ฆ I urge them on each morning. I will tell them about yours and try to shame them into faster growth. Have a lovely holiday and I look forward to “seeing” you in 2015

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 19 2014 7:13 am

      I’ll be wishing your sunflowers a burst of growth before Christmas! This is the first time I’ve grown them and they are doing much better than I thought they would ๐Ÿ˜€

      Have a safe and happy Christmas and New Year ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Like

      • pommepal / Dec 19 2014 10:41 am

        After all the rain and HOT weather they are now racing ahead. Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year to you too Dianne

        Liked by 1 person

  16. bulldog / Dec 17 2014 3:21 pm

    Have a good one Dianne… may all you wish yourself come true…

    Like

  17. Gallivanta / Dec 17 2014 6:32 pm

    Have fun. Old slow poke me is still reading!!!!

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 19 2014 7:15 am

      Enjoy ๐Ÿ˜€ Have a wonderful Christmas xxxx

      Like

  18. anotherday2paradise / Dec 17 2014 11:30 pm

    What a huge and beautiful sunflower! A very smiley face indeed. Happy holidays to you and your family, Dianne. See you next year. xx ๐Ÿ™‚

    Like

  19. starproms / Dec 17 2014 11:30 pm

    Lovely sunflower Dianne! I thoroughly enjoyed Souls Child and will write a review on it presently.

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 19 2014 7:16 am

      That’s so nice of you. I really appreciate every review ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  20. jannatwrites / Dec 17 2014 11:53 pm

    I love the sunflower! Maybe I’ll try to plant some in the spring ๐Ÿ™‚ I hope your holidays are enjoyable and relaxing!

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 19 2014 7:17 am

      You too, Janna! Have a lovely time, stay safe and enjoy xxxx

      Like

  21. Britt Skrabanek / Dec 18 2014 1:08 am

    That sunflower is gigantic! Love it! Happy Holidays to you, Dianne. Enjoy your time off. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Like

  22. Jill Weatherholt / Dec 18 2014 2:25 am

    I love sunflowers! They seem like they’re smiling. Beautiful, Dianne!

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 19 2014 7:19 am

      They just seem so happy, Jill. Every time I walk outside and see them I just want to smile! ๐Ÿ˜€

      Like

  23. Roy McCarthy / Dec 18 2014 2:42 am

    No sadder sight in late summer than the last couple of sunflowers in a field refusing to die and bravely still turning their faces to the sun. Happy holidays to you and your family Dianne!

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 19 2014 7:19 am

      Thank you, Roy. Have a lovely Christmas and safe and happy new year, my friend xxxx

      Like

  24. Sheila / Dec 18 2014 4:36 am

    That’s amazing and I love how you captured a bee there! It makes me smile to think the creatures are alive and well and buzzing around there. Hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 19 2014 7:21 am

      There were a lot of bees that day and I’m really glad I managed to capture one in that shot. I didn’t realise until after I’d taken it. Take care and have a wonderful Christmas, Sheila xxxx

      Like

  25. jmmcdowell / Dec 18 2014 5:50 am

    Enjoy the holidays, Dianne!

    Like

  26. Yolanda M. / Dec 18 2014 9:36 am

    Wishing you a very Merry Christmas Dianne and a New Year filled with love, laughter and happiness โค ps. love sunflowers we always had a few in our garden in Africa – they always make me smile ๐Ÿ™‚

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 19 2014 7:22 am

      That’s lovely, Yolanda. This is the first time I’ve grown them and I’m so glad I did. They really lift the spirits. You have a wonderful Christmas as well and a safe and happy New Year xxxx

      Like

  27. prior / Dec 18 2014 9:37 am

    have a nice break D – and this coming year I plan to read at least one of your books – ๐Ÿ™‚ it is going on my 2015 list and I look forward to it.
    Happy Holidays and your gigantic sunflower is wonderful. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 19 2014 7:24 am

      I really hope you enjoy reading one of my books – I’m very flattered you’ve got that on your list for 2015 ๐Ÿ˜€ Stay safe and have a wonderful holiday and a safe and happy New Year xxxx

      Like

      • prior / Dec 19 2014 10:34 pm

        Hope you have a great holiday too

        and some extra emots:
        ๐Ÿ’žโœŒ๐ŸŽ„๐ŸŽโ›„โ„๐Ÿ’ซ

        Like

  28. Minuscule Moments / Dec 18 2014 12:35 pm

    Dianne My all time favourite things, a Bee and a Sunflower. It does not get any more gorgeous than that. Happy Christmas and enjoy the warmer weather up there. I will definitely be reading more of your books next year.

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 19 2014 7:26 am

      I didn’t realise the bee was there until after I’d taken the shot, Kath – what a bonus! ๐Ÿ˜€

      Have a wonderful Christmas with the family and I love the fact that you’ll be reading more of my books, you’ve made my day xxxx

      Liked by 1 person

  29. Sheila Morris / Dec 18 2014 1:54 pm

    Our thoughts have been with our Australian sisters and brothers this past week – I like the sunflower image and would wish that renewing for you, your family and your nation as the New Year begins.
    Our love to you all – Slow and Pretty and the Pack at Casa de Canterbury

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 19 2014 7:30 am

      What a lovely group you are at Casa de Canterbury ๐Ÿ™‚ I wanted to write something a little upbeat after the week we’ve all had here in Australia xxx

      Have a wonderful holiday and a safe and happy New Year, my dear friends xxxxx

      Liked by 1 person

  30. artistinsa / Dec 18 2014 8:57 pm

    Absolutely beautiful! So huge!!

    Like

  31. the eternal traveller / Dec 19 2014 7:24 pm

    Have a wonderful Christmas and all the best for 2015. I look forward to reading more of your posts next year Dianne.

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 22 2014 6:39 am

      Thank you so much. I’m hoping next year is a little brighter for everyone (and the sunflower is a great sign for that!) ๐Ÿ˜€

      Liked by 1 person

  32. Bonnie / Dec 20 2014 9:49 am

    One of my favorite flowers…from one of my favorite people…happy and joyous holidays to you Dianne!

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 22 2014 6:41 am

      Awww – thank you so much, Bonnie! Have a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year ๐Ÿ˜€

      Like

  33. cestlavie22 / Dec 23 2014 2:16 am

    Oh my goodness that is a HUGE flower! Merry Christmas!!

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 23 2014 7:37 am

      Merry Christmas to you too, my friend! ๐Ÿ˜€

      Like

  34. restlessjo / Dec 23 2014 9:24 am

    I bet that means you’re about to become productive! Another book in the offing ๐Ÿ™‚ Have a great Christmas, Dianne, and my very best wishes for 2015.

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 24 2014 6:23 am

      Thank you, Jo! You have a wonderful Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year xxxx

      Liked by 1 person

  35. Kate Johnston / Dec 24 2014 1:03 am

    Wow. That’s incredible. The principal of my son’s school is also a farmer. He brought in one of his sunflowers that was over eight feet tall! Merry Christmas!

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 24 2014 6:25 am

      Those sunflowers can grow really big! They’re amazing ๐Ÿ˜€ Merry Christmas to you too, Kate ๐Ÿ˜€

      Liked by 1 person

  36. Hazy Shades of Me / Dec 24 2014 1:10 pm

    Did I read that right? You just planted the seed a month ago?! Oh my! How amazing is that?

    Enjoy your break and I wish you and your family health, peace, love and joy. :))

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 31 2014 6:58 am

      I picked it yesterday and got all the seeds out so it’s now time to replant (although I may just eat some because they’re very yummy!) ๐Ÿ˜€

      Like

  37. beeblu / Dec 26 2014 10:29 pm

    Wow – it’s ginormous! My favourite flower of all. Happy Festive Season, Dianne. ๐ŸŒป๐ŸŒป๐ŸŒป

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 31 2014 6:59 am

      I’ve got all it’s seeds now and they’re huge. I’ll replant soon ๐Ÿ˜€ Happy New Year! xxxxx

      Like

  38. Mia Hayson / Dec 28 2014 7:28 am

    Happy holidays! That sunflower is huge! How does it not collapse under its own weight??

    โค

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 31 2014 7:00 am

      It did collapse – the head began to droop so I picked it and got all the seeds out yesterday. Now I’ll replant them ๐Ÿ˜€

      Have a wonderful New Year, Mia! xxxxx

      Like

  39. reneejohnsonwrites / Dec 29 2014 7:16 am

    Hoping 2015 is as cheery and bright as that sunflower! Happy New Year!

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 31 2014 7:01 am

      Thank you so much, Renee! Happy New Year to you too, my friend xxxxx

      Like

  40. Kourtney Heintz / Dec 30 2014 12:49 am

    Wow that is one giant sunflower! Hope you had a great holiday. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Like

    • diannegray / Dec 31 2014 7:01 am

      I did have a lovely holiday, Kourtney. Wishing you a happy and prosperous New Year, my friend! xxxx

      Like

  41. agjorgenson / Jan 6 2015 10:32 am

    What a treat to see, while we are in the midst of freezing cold!

    Like

    • diannegray / Jan 7 2015 6:32 am

      It’s amazing how the temperatures can be so different across the miles xxx

      Like

  42. Gracee G. / Jan 12 2015 11:01 am

    Just Beautiful!

    Like

  43. Maddie Cochere / Jan 18 2015 6:02 am

    I love sunflowers. I planted them in our backyard one year. At the end of the season, I brought a huge one into the house to harvest the seeds. I was completely horrified and freaked out by the number creeps to come out of that flower – earwigs, ants, spiders, worms … it was like something out of a sci-fi movie.

    See you when you get back!!

    Like

  44. Daphne Shadows / Jan 29 2015 1:52 pm

    I have this thing with sunflowers where it takes me back to my childhood, to a murky association that I THINK is good. So, I like sunflowers even though they aren’t amazingly gorgeous to me. I don’t like yellow much but I find sunflowers beautiful because of what they mean to me.

    Liked by 1 person

  45. Luanne / Jan 30 2015 2:53 am

    Come back to your blog!

    Liked by 2 people

  46. roughwighting / Feb 4 2015 4:50 am

    I think that’s the biggest sunflower I’ve ever seen! How lovely, to plant and see what you have sown. Like this blog – come on back!!! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    • diannegray / Feb 19 2015 8:04 am

      I’ll be back soon, my dear! I miss you and thanks so much for dropping by ๐Ÿ˜€

      Like

  47. pommepal / Feb 18 2015 8:52 pm

    Just touching base with you Dianne, I’ve been think of you and your sturdy RUC, hope the floods and storms have not caused you any damage. We’re all battened down for a severe weather occasion due to hit tomorrow. Oh well I guess that is Australia

    Like

    • diannegray / Feb 19 2015 8:03 am

      That’s so nice of you to ask about me! We did have some minor flooding last weekend, but the RUC is very high so we were all good. The creek is fantastic and flowing very swiftly! I hope you’re safe and battened down for Marcia. My son is a fireman in NT so he’s on alert at the moment as well. I find cyclones very scary and I’ll be thinking of you xxxx

      Like

      • pommepal / Feb 19 2015 10:06 am

        Pleased you are ok, we are not too bad at the moment, Marcia due here tomorrow. Have put all my pot plants in a safe place!!!

        Like

  48. restlessjo / Mar 7 2015 2:48 am

    You must be working hard, Dianne. ๐Ÿ™‚ I’ve seen the occasional comment around the blogs when you’ve had a spare moment so just popped in to say hi and see if there was any news. Bye again! Take good care x

    Like

  49. Sheila / Apr 4 2015 3:56 am

    I’ve been thinking about you too and I’m happy to hear you’ll be back soon! Hope you’re having fun with the creatures.

    Like

  50. Minuscule Moments / Apr 9 2015 4:05 pm

    We are all waiting for you Dianne…..

    Like

  51. prior / May 19 2015 2:32 pm

    I was also thinking of you dear writing gal Dianne – sending you a blog hello ๐Ÿ™‚ โค

    Like

    • diannegray / May 19 2015 2:50 pm

      Well hello there! I need to get back into blogging – I’ve been very lazy with my writing lately ๐Ÿ˜€

      Liked by 1 person

      • prior / May 19 2015 2:54 pm

        well I know you know this – but sometimes pauses are good – and I think of the analogy of flowers – some bloom longer – some are dormant longer – you know? and we we cannot always pour out – sometimes have to chill and compost the soil – or just endure a cold season – oh who knows. anyhow, with that – take your time coming back – and let it happen naturally (keeps us in for the long haul that way) but I was thinking about you this week (the dragonfly post actually – funny how that happens) and so thanks for the reply. โค

        Like

Leave a reply to Sheila Morris Cancel reply