A bed for roses

We've been working our the back digging up a new flower bed. It's a win-win situation for Lyn and I as he has less lawn to mow and I get to plant more roses!

There's quite a shady bit at the top near the house so I plan on planting ferns and then some camelia and fuschias. I've got some spring bulbs and the plants I got a couple of weeks ago to plant down the sunny end. These include a hot pink salvia, and echinacea, Japanese wind flower and some Gay Feathers. It's exciting. We (mostly Lyn) installed a irrigation system to make watering easier.

I'll post the end result later (it's gone missing temporarily).

Here it is, ready for lovely new plants! Going to Glenorchy market for a look tomorrow as I might find some garden bargains...

A pretty cuppa

This lovely Royal Albert 100 years celebration mug inspired by a 1930's pattern was a gift from one of my oldest and best of friends, Zeta. We've been friends for as long as I remember, born a day apart and grew up a street apart. Zeta and her soon-to-be husband Steve came to visit us and see Molly's Maison for the first time the other night.

We shared the most lovely French Champagne and I made dinner and the very naughty Malteser biscuits. Here is the recipe.

It was so great to see you Zete X

Family vegie competition

Hmm...the things families do.... :-)
Yesterday my sister hosted the inaugural family vegie growing competition. There were entries called in the sections of biggest tomato, most flavoursome tomato, longest leaf vegie, longest non-leaf vegie and heaviest vegie.
Below are some of the entries...
Lyn and I didn't have much growing at the moment so I had to enter some ugly looking cucumbers, butter beans and some insect-munched-on silverbeet. We only got 2 3rd places. Oh well. Mum and Dad had the best tasting tomato...

Lyn's parents had the heaviest vegie but also took home some other prizes...

My sister and her husband Adrian won some prizes as well. They had the heaviest tomato at almost half a kilogram.

It was all a bit of fun for a Sunday lunch. I might mention that if we had held a bread making section yours truly would have been champion - I made a yummy Italian style cheese loaf for lunch - yum!!!

A dog's life

Life is great when you are lucky enough to be Molly.

We've just come back from a visit to dog's beach at Kingston. Molly loves the beach with a passion and so Lyn and I have a good time watching and laughing at her. My car is full of sand now but at least Molly had a great time and we all cooled off a little.

She is now pooped and very content....

Diary of a cucumber

I was really amazed at how quickly my cucumbers were growing so thought I'd chart the growth. I think I'll check every day and see how much it has grown.

My tomatoes are growing well but are a lot slower than everyone else I talk to. I can't wait to eat the first one.

I reckon we'll eat our first corn this week. It's looking good!

Pumpkins are coming along well.

Above is my totally overgrown patch. Once I get the rest of the pinkeyes out (had them roasted last night- yum!) I think I'll plant more carrots and beetroot.

PS really, what was I thinking posting those seriously unflattering photobooth pics???!!! At least I know I will have brought a smile to a few faces :)

Fun things

I'm a shy little petal, aren't I?
Here's me having a little fun in the Photobooth at the Barn Market yesterday. I also went to the Odd+Even Market which was very nice too. I met Catherine from Little Glowing Lights (a lovely blog) so that was really nice.
I bought some great plants for the garden that I am yet to dig out the back, ran into some friends and kept pretty cosy despite the dreary weather. Did I mention that I also worked?
Anyway, have a good week everyone!

Alexander McQueen

I've woken up very early this morning to discover that the highly talented and creative fashion designer, Alexander McQueen, has passed away.
He was more of an artist than fashion designer in my mind and one of my wearable art inspirations.
These are images from his Spring 2010 Ready to Wear collection. I'd love to see these close up, they really are walking art works.

Images from style.com

Introducing Harry Horse

I discovered Harry Horse up at the Willow Court Antiques in New Norfolk the other day and decided to go back yesterday to adopt him.
He came out from Manchester, England, part of a deceased estate and probably around 100 years old, give or take.
He's well carved but I think maybe a home made creation. He's a bit banged up here and there, he has his original horse hair tail and old roofing iron nails for eyes. I was thinking I might like to do him up a bit ( yes, I know, naughty me) but having seen him in the house I now like his rustic character.

Not quite Black Beauty but definitely handsome!

Yummy pretty things

I love these 'Scentimental' roses in the cute little Cath Kidston jug.

Homemade lemonade scones, homemade jam and a nice cuppa in Spode Blue Italian cups. I don't use my tea pot and cup and saucers enough. Yum!