Almost Spring

Despite the horrendous weather, there are new signs of growth in the garden. My rocket is emerging in between the broad beans and peas down in the vegie patch and my nectarine is out in blossom.
The fruit is the tastiest I have had. Nothing from the supermarket compares.

Keeping watch

It was nice to see a bit of sunlight streaming through the windows this morning.

The Birthday Girl

Today is Molly's 5th Birthday. She has had a lovely day, showered with gifts and treats. Whilst not really keen on posing for photos, she did enjoy her birthday 'cake' for dinner.

At the moment she is snoozing in front of the fire - it has been an exciting day.

Fancy flowers

I have been filling, sanding and painting the last of the lounge windows. It's such a horrible job and I get about as much paint in my hair as I do on the actual window sill.

Hopefully I have sorted out the curtain dilema ( at a cost) and have been promised them in two weeks.

Here is the fascinating Fritillaria Melegris flower I brought home from the market the other day. Also called 'Snake's Head'. I am amazed by the patterning, it's quite unique. The name is derived from the latin word fritillus, meaning checkered dice box. It is a member of the lily family.

Something different!

To the market

My replica bourgie lamp finally arrived the other day. I just haven't been able to get a good shot of it. Just look at those lovely window sills. I really like it, especially the shade part of it. Strangely, the cord is black. Lyn can change it for me if I really need to.

I went to the market today to look at plants and came home with a couple. The flowers are just stunning at this time of year so I treated myself to some freesias. I love their scent. I've sat them alongside some of my french glass paperweights.

Curtain dramas

Ugghh, am so frustrated by curtain people who after 8 weeks rang to say they didn't have enough material to make my curtains. Not happy.

Have to find new fabric now which is, of course, going to cost more and break the budget further. Fun fun fun.....

Meanwhile, here is a stunning curtain piccy taken by my buddy Steph whilst she was holidaying in the Loire Valley, France. How luxurious is this curtain?

Marimekko design

We saw a program on Marimekko on SBS the other day and it got us thinking that this amazingly bright silk screened pattern might be nice as a piece of art for the lounge. The Unikko pattern was first designed in 1964 and has been popular ever since.

Who's a clever cookie?

I arrived home from work yesterday to discover that Lyn had made me a little seed organiser doo-dad. It has been made with scraps from around the house. I'm quite impressed. I am a little obsessed with seeds and germination at the moment so it's great. Much better than the dog food container I had been using as my seed holder.

While I am bragging on his behalf the other day he constructed a workbench for his shed, complete with a sunken area for the drop saw so the timber you are cutting can sit level across the benches on either side. Very clever.

Garden update

It is still drizzly and cold but I ventured out to see what's happening in the garden.

The broad beans are poking their way through and the peas seem happy to be planted out.




When they grow a bit bigger I'll need to put in some stakes and string as a bit of a frame for them both, but that's a while off yet.

Inside, an orchid that I have had for a few years is flowering for the first time. It's called Ripe Cherry Dazzle. I love the colour.

I bought some more seeds so in the spring I can get basil, coriander, butter beans, delphiniums and hollyhocks growing. Can't wait!!

Retail therapy in a replica way

It has been so cold, grey and rainy that I haven't been able to get outside to do any gardening or take an update pics for that matter. So I have done a little retail therapy instead.

I have been eyeing off this small replica Ferruccio Laviani Bourgie Lamp from Matt Blatt for a long time and as I couldn't find anything local that I fancied for the new lounge room, I splurged ...

Mine is in clear. I cannot wait for it to arrive!!

Lots of new things

Lyndon and I went for a quick trip to Melbourne last Thursday and whilst we were away the last coat went on our 'new' 100 year old floor. It has taken a little adjusting to, but the results are good as you can see.

Lyn was a very creative person today and made our new tv cabinet. We had searched everywhere but couldn't find anything we thought suitable. I like the simplicity and the castors. We might limewash it but haven't decided.

One of the things I like about Melbourne is going to Ikea. I love love love Ikea. I bought a new set of couch covers, some lovely storage boxes ( in our new tv cabinet) and a gorgeous little glass light. I couldn't photograph it very well but it's so lovely! And only $16.95!! I love Ikea...

It's nice to be able to start enjoying our 'new' room.

Gardening update tomorrow hopefully :-)

PS We went to see Wicked! whilst in Melbourne and I thought it was absolutely amazing!! Not suprising as I am a big Wizard of Oz and musical fan. Do yourself a favour and see it - it has now gone to Sydney.

Seedlings and floors galore

Before shots above and below:

During shot:

Finally we have started sanding the loungeroom floors. The 'before' pictures really don't show how scungy the floors are.
The guy has been working on them for a couple of days and when he leaves today we are hoping that we might have one coat of varnish on them. The wont be perfect as they are nearly 100 years old. There will be a bit of character.

My next post will have the after shots but I reckon that wont be until Sunday.

I am very excited by how well my pea seedlings are doing. I am trying to toughen them up a bit by leaving their roof off now. I think only one is yet to emerge. They look great.

Plus, the daffodils are starting to come out which is lovely. Molly seems to not see them as she walks straight over the garden. Thankfully they have a little flex in their stems!

See you soon!

Wall buttons

This is a lovely marine inspired wall pod installation by my textile friend Penny Malone. She just won a highly commended prize at the Wangaratta Contemporary Textile Awards.

I have one of Penny's 'buttons' which is lovely (will post when I have found it a good spot to live. Penny is OS at the moment but when she returns I hope to add another to my collection.

They are hand stenciled images on linen. Lovely!