Molly in her pj's

Molly likes being rugged up during winter. Not only does she sleep inside on a heated bed with blankies, but she likes to wear her stylish bespoke jumper knitted by my mum.

She acts all tough barking at people and other dogs out the front but I think she looks funny ( and very stylish) in her stripey mohair and wool pj's.



We are excited to have booked in the floors to be sanded this coming Monday. It will make such a big difference. We can't wait to see how it comes up.

Things are happening!

We have had some wins at Molly's Maison over the last few days. YAY!
I am very excited to see my little peas are finally (only 7 days but I haven't been patient) emerging through the soil into daylight. Woohoo!
I'm not entirely sure why I find this so exciting.

Also, inside we are achieving a few things. We have cut the replacement skirting and picture rail which was not easy as every wall seemed out of square. They are being painted now and will be replaced for a final coat soon.

I finally have one window finished and have started n the next. So much sanding and scraping has been happening that I am having obsessive thoughts about it. Strange. I also feel a little bit like a dentist searching for plaque. Anyway...

Molly's Maison Masterchef

I have always considered myself a hopeless cook, despite early on in my life I thought I might like to be the "Carefree Cooking" lady off tv. I got totally addicted to Masterchef in its last 2 weeks and maybe that inspired me to get in the kitchen a bit more.


The other night Lyn and I cooked roast lamb with garlic and rosemary ( all for him with me being a vego) along with scalloped potatoes and roast vegies. The piece de resistance was desert, a Tiramisu, my very first attempt at cooking it. It's yummy! I put in a dash of Baileys which was very nice. I'll finish it off tonight.


The pics aren't great but I was a bit impressed with my Masterchef efforts!
Obviously this is a before shot...





On the home front, I have finished painting ONE window! I have two to go!!

Lyn has painted the fireplace and we are doing the cornice as well. Not a fun job.

Simple things

I popped down to Bunnings this morning and came home with a mini greenhouse, seed raising mix and some peas. It is such a simple thing but I am excited to be able to grow vegies out in the back patch. I read in the paper the other day that many seeds are best germinated like this, hardened off and then planted into the patch. I can't wait to see them grow, plus there is nothing like fresh peas straight from the pods! YUM!!

Getting a workout

I have been madly digging up the side patch. It really is great exercise. The weather was so lovely today that I got stuck into it. I still have a bit to do but am well past the half way point. The lilac is relieved to be planted. I also planted some broad beans out in the vegie patch so will be looking forward to those germinating.
Molly was helping.

My daffodils are stating to come up in the front bed. I can see the buds coming and can't wait for them to flower. I love seeing the garden grow.

Peonies in the garden

Well, nothing much happening. Has been so drab and I haven't been feeeling the best.

I did begin digging up the side garden bed out front but it is exhausting. The poor lilac tree will die before I get it planted (hope not).

Out the back I managed to plant two new peonies - Sarah Bernhardt and Felix Crousse. They are tiny shoots on tubers at the moment and as usual I will need to be incredibly patient in waiting for them to grow and flower.

Here is what they should look like...

Sarah Bernhardt

Felix Crousse

Retail Therapy

Well, I have to admit to not a lot of action in Molly's Maison re renovations this week. While we have got the rest of the cornice up (with some patching up to do) and I have ordered the replacement picture rail and skirting from a local joiner - that's about it. Still need to get on and do windows.

But, for some light relief thought I would share a couple of recent purchases...
The first is a cushion from Cherish by Bec Burrows. She is a local lady and I bought this vintage floral cushion from the recent Mother's Market. Great market. Anyway, whilst I certainly do not need any extra cushions I thought this one would fit nicely in the house.

On another outing to the Craft Fair I discovered fabrics by American Amy Butler. Really lovely fabrics in great prints and colours. Well, whilst I know this is not ideally suitable for upholstering my french chair I am doing it anyway (as the chair probably wont be used too often). The extra bit of pink I thought might go in with something else as a cushion (another one...)