Friday 24 May 2013

Iffley, Goomburra

 
Fifty years ago, my Nana and Pop left this home and took their family to a different place.  A place with further opportunities for farming.  A place that was my home.  A place that has allowed my family to be successful in their farming venture.
 
I have spoken about this home before here.  I had never visited this home.  The home of my family for generations before.  I have heard of it for the whole of my life and have never quite fathomed how my Nana left it.  What a sacrifice of love and devotion to her family.
 
 
 
A little while ago, the  family who live here were in contact with my Dad.  They were interested in the history of this home and of the people who have lived there before them.
 
We were invited to visit.  I was so thrilled.
 
And so, we visited.
 
Tears flow now as I remember this day.  It was wonderful.  To see my Dad walk the farm and tell us the stories.  Some of it I had heard many times in my life.  Some of it new.  All of it wonderful.
 
My Dad was brought home to this place as a baby in January 1942.  My Nana had moved here as a bride in 1940.  My Pop lived here his life with his parents.
 
This is our family home. 
 
Not that where we have been for the past fifty years is not, it is in the original history of our family arriving to Australia and taking up this land in the Goomburra Valley that holds my attention and my heart.
 

 
We strode accross these paddocks and saw where the animals had been kept and the buildings that had housed them.  Many of them built by Pop and Dad.  Many of them older than that.
 

 
The Wisteria that I have been told of over the years, magnificent in its stature, growing on the arbour built by our family.
 
Oh to see it in the Spring - I may have to take a little trip!
 
 
 
 

 
Stories of a young man helping his father build a barn with timber cut from the farm and allowed to develop in age to be used and of the barn up the road which is identical built to help a family member.
 

 
 
 
Yards and fences built by the hand of my Pop. 
 
I wanted to stay forever.
 
The method the same as the one my Dad used on the fence around my vegetable garden.


 

 
Eva and Mike so kindly invited us into their home.  I could almost not contain myself.  I felt tears slipping down my cheek constantly as I remembered my Nana and the wonderful woman that she was.
 
We went from room to room and Dad told me where each precious piece of furniture that I own had once been in that beautiful home. 
 
I imagined the card afternoons, the birthday parties and the dinner parties.  All in a different era when the ladies arrived and left their hats and gloves on Nan's bed until home time.
 

 
These handles all original to the house, I couldn't help but touch and remember those who have lived here and are no longer with us.  Worn with time but beautiful forever

 
Iffley, a moment in time etched in my heart forever.
 
 

Tuesday 14 May 2013

High Tea...

 
 
Mother's Day been and gone.  One probably one I wouldn't like to repeat.  Thankfully, we had celebrated the weekend before - so - that will be my 2013 memory of Mother's Day.
 
The beautiful pink ruffle cake creation above, made by my lovely Mitchell and Amie - they are such a clever pair. It was beautiful. 
 
 
Even this celebration was a little topsy turvy.  It had been planned as a 3.30 High Tea which ended up as a 1pm lunch/High Tea! Not to worry though as our big boy surprised us with a visit from Darwin to celebrate with us and also to see his little sister in her lead role in the school musical.
 
The other reason for our early celebration was to spend time with my Mum and Dad before they jetted off on another wonderful trip.  This time to the east coast of the USA and then up into Canada.  Thinking of them tonight as they head off into Amish country - I should have requested a quilt maybe!
 
 
The food, flowers and table setting came together in such a rush - I surprised myself with how lovely it all looked.  I really must do it again soon.
 
 
We set a long table for 13 guests and enjoyed the company of my family for the afternoon.  It always comes to an end far too quickly.
 
 
I think I scrounged together enough roses from the garden to make five little vases for along the table.  Lovely assorted vintage vases and jugs were just the thing!
 
I love the mirrored cake stand below - a very lovely and thoughtful gift from my Sister Inlaw for Christmas.
 
 
Mother's Day for me was actually spent working at our shop from 6 a.m. until 2.30 p.m. - it was a long, busy day - I really wish people would turn up for their shift and do it happily. I will admit though, it is only one out of six - one too many though.
 
 
 
 
It is so hard to believe that we have celebrated Mother's Day already - the year almost to the middle.  What a busy time.  All good, but way too busy.
 
So May means dreaming of Spring even though Winter hasn't happened yet.  Busy planning and planting a Spring garden.  I so look forward to having a pretty garden in the Springtime!