Sunday, August 28, 2011

Spring is on its way!



Hello friends, I had planned on this post being my Friday Flowers post the other day, but got a bit caught up in things and ran out of time.


This is the blossom on my nectarine tree out in the backyard.


It's so pretty and a sure sign that spring is well on its way.


I grew this tree from a pit that came from a friends' tree quite a few years ago. The fruit has the most amazing flavour. Much better than anything you get from the supermarket.


This is apricot blossom. Our tree has been in for two years now and it has really grown into a big tree. It has so much blossom on it this year.


Thanks to everyone for Molly's birthday wishes in my last post. Surprisingly, her birthday ball is still intact, though a little smaller. I'm sure it wont last too much longer. This morning she went to the pantry as usual to request a treat. I handed her one of her regular bones and she spat it back at me! She wanted one of her birthday treats. That dog is waaaayyyy too spoilt for her own good!
To my US bloggy friends, keep safe from Irene.
xx

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Our Birthday Girl!


Hip Hip Hooray!


Molly girl is 7 today!


I took these photos on Sunday, sitting in the sun on the front lawn.


"Throw the ball for me Mum!"





We just had the very exciting pressie opening. The floor is now littered with scraps of ripped paper.
She now has a new ball to destroy and some lovely, smelly dog treats.
We might go for an outing to the pet store later and most definitely a nice walk.
We love our little furry girl just SO MUCH!
Look at that beautiful face. What's not to love?
xx

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

A pretty table


I was sitting reading the newspaper at the dining table on the weekend and couldn't help myself, I had to get out the camera and take some snaps of the table setting.


The light was so nice and luckily I had borrowed the DSLR from work again.


Pretty daffodils...


Gorgeously fragrant freesias from my garden...


There's those pretty Dinosaur Designs vases...


I love a pretty mixed up combination of prints with flowers.




I know it was a couple of days ago now, but how disappointing was The Block for all the contestants? All that hard work, blood, sweat and tears and the contestants walked away with little (apart from Polly and Waz).
Didn't they all look gorgeous at the auction? I'm sure they'll all go on to do great things, they were such a likeable bunch. My biggest question is what will I watch on tv now?? It's a disaster.
**
I'll be back in a couple of days with a very special birthday here at Molly's Maison.
Someone's turning 7 years old!
xx

Friday, August 19, 2011

Friday flowers... for a friend


Thank goodness it's finally Friday, but it's another sad day for our bloggy friend Jane who's father passed away on Wednesday.
I am lucky to call Jane a friend outside of blogland as well. It's such a sad time for her. I don't have the words really, so these Friday Flowers are for you Jane. We are all thinking of you and your family.
xx

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

The Snow Queen's Garden goodies


I ventured out on Sunday to The Market, purely to do some reconnaissance work as this is the market I'm having a stall at in November.
But, I did come home with a few little things...


How cute are these little hand stitched decorations by Natasha of The Snow Queen's Garden?
Remember my Russian inspired felt Matryoshka doll  a while ago?


And how sweet is this snowy owl?
I also acquired the doll below for Mum. She says it's too nice just to bring out at Christmas so is on display in her lounge room. Mine are too :)


So beautiful, yes? Absolutely.
I hope you are all having a nice week. I'm super pooped and am really looking forward to the weekend and a few days off.
Take care xx

Friday, August 12, 2011

Friday flowers...pretty violets


This pretty patch of violets are growing in the garden at work.


Aren't they beautiful?


They're such an old-fashioned flower, but that's what I love about them.


This feather was sitting amongst them.




The feather below was sitting on the ground next to me as I took the photos. I always feel if you discover a single beautiful feather it's a sign of something. I'm just not sure what!
I once helped save some magpies at work and when I went home I found a big magpie feather in my courtyard. I really felt like the birds were saying thank you to me! Or maybe I had just gone to the birds?


Anyway, I digress...
I looked up the meaning and history of violets and it tells me...
The Greek word for violet is io. Io is a character in Greek mythology and the daughter of King Argos. Zeus loved her. However, Zeus was concerned that Hera would discover them and so he turned Io into a heifer and then created the sweet-scented flowers that we now know as violets for her to eat while in her heifer form.
During the Middle Ages, violets were a symbol for humility and modesty not only because of the blooming habits of the flower but also because of their association with the Virgin Mary. Shy people are often referred to as shy violets and the reason is clear when one looks at a blossoming violet. Often the flowers are tucked away beneath the beautiful dark green heart shaped foliage and only peek out from under their hiding spot. The retiring behavior of the flower made it a fitting symbol for Christ’s mother.
Violets also have a unique method of reproduction, known as cleistogamy, which is found in very few flowers. In other words, violets self-pollinate. Naturally, the ability to create seeds without the interference of a bee or another plant reminded believers of the Immaculate Conception.
The violet is also a symbol of immortality, resurrection, and spring. These qualities are found in another story of Greek gods in which the violet plays a role. The god Hades fell in love with the maiden Persephone. One day while Persephone was walking through a field of violets, Hades carried her away to his land of death. The world mourned her death and became barren until Hades relented and agreed that Persephone could walk on the earth from spring through fall.
The scent of violets was the favorite perfume of Josephine Bonaparte. When Napoleon returned from banishment in Elba, Josephine was dead. He picked a bouquet of violets for her grave before then being exiled to St. Helena. When Napoleon died, violets and a lock of Josephine’s hair were found in a locket. Later the violet became a heraldic symbol for Napoleon and those who came after him.
If you send violets to someone you are sending them a message of love, humility, modesty, resurrection, spring, and the immortal soul.
So interesting! All that for such a small, shy flower :)
Anyway, yay for Friday. Have a lovely weekend friends!
xx
Info from here.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Production line + thank yous


There's been a bit of a production line happening here at Molly's Maison Crafting Central.
I've ordered lovely 100% recycled cards and envelopes to zuzsh up and some notebooks as well. I love waiting for parcels in the mail. I did also use the exercise to acquire a couple more Divine Twine spools and some more washi tape. All in the name of craftiness!


I also wanted to say a big thank you to the two lovely winners of my recentish giveaway who were very sweet and posted about their wins this week.


Kym form Kyandra
and
Please go and say hi to them.

Uuggh, how is this weather? If it's going to rain then I'd rather it did than have this persistent, damp drizzling caper going on for days.
I am just a bit over it! You lucky people in the northern hemisphere :)
Though I suppose it wont be too long until spring is here and then hopefully the warmer weather.
Oh and on another note, can I say, what's with this "let's make a remake of Dirty Dancing" caper?
Do these people not realise you cannot improve on perfection?
What are they thinking? If it aint broke, don't fix it I say!!
Do you agree? Ok, so I realise not ALL of you will be die hard DD fans like I am, but some of you must be!
Hello?
xx

Monday, August 8, 2011

Bush walk


Yesterday Mum, my sister, my niece and I took our dogs for a walk in the bush.


It was a fire trail in a local water catchment area.


It drizzled almost the entire time.


Great patterns wherever I looked.


Gus and Molly haven't always been very good friends but they behaved surprisingly well yesterday. Not one argument.


Look at this monster that emerged from the big puddle of water.


My little niece picking flowers. She enjoyed jumping in the puddles too.


Some sort of heath flower. I brought a bit home too.


Wherever there's a picture of Molly there's generally a stick as well.


I had to put this dirty, wet creature in my car and bring her home. Yuck. 


So long as Molly has fun, that's the main thing.
It's so grey and miserable outside it looks like a good day for some housework (hmmph) and some craftiness.
How about The Block last night? The girls just missed out. I really liked their kitchen with that fab big table. I love a big kitchen table. Gosh, Josh and Jenna improved their rooms from last week. A good effort. I'm wondering what the heck I'm going to watch when this has all finished?
Have a lovely week friends!
xx