A sweet little stool...

I've had this sweet little stool stored in the shed for awhile now, just calling out for a little makeover.

Such a fun project.  Quick and easy.  Just a quick wash and sand and a few coats of paint!!

I've been able to put it to very good use as a little side table on my front veranda.  Perfect!

Another little completed project for Lorea House.  It's always lovely to create another little area to enjoy.

Trestle Table Love....

I have had the most beautiful couple of weeks. Not all wonderful. But lots of beautiful moments to make up for some really awful ones. 

I've had an idea in my mind for a little while now. 

I didn't end up with an outdoor table when I moved to my new life. I managed to save my lovely chairs that I painted quite awhile ago now.  

Bringing an idea to life is such an exciting thing to do.  

Planning, shopping, working it all out.

A trip to the Toowoomba recycling centre is always a fun thing to do.  

So many beautiful old doors to choose from. I found this one. Perfect for what I had in mind.  Strong, heavy, chippy and oh so wonderful.

A lovely friend made the trip to Bunnings with me. We had found a great set of instructions on the net and had our list ready.  How good is a trip to Bunnings!   One of my favourite places to go. Dangerous even!!

Home with our bits and pieces the fun began.  

My friend owns all the gear necessary. What a beautiful afternoon of building fun we had. 

Perfectly worn and chipped from years in another life. 

Right at home under the tree at Lorea House. 

Such perfect little details a reminder of its previous life. 

Ready for a perfectly beautiful summer of memories. 

A Corner of my Home

Just to share with you tonight a little corner of my home.

A collection of my favourite things. The Box Brownie was my Dad's first camera. Very much treasured by me.  

My collection of glass cloches is also very treasured. The glass fishing floats from a favourite shop in Tasmania. 

A calming view from my couch.  My cosy little cottage. Filłed with love and friendship. My heart is full.  

I am so thankful.

Another New Beginning

With life being quite challenging this year, through choices of my own doing, I have made another step in my new life.

I found the most perfect cottage. Lorea House.  She is around 100 years old and inner city where I live. Beautiful high ceilings with pressed metal.  Fully renovated complete with a lovely kitchen and a claw foot bath to soak in. My furniture sits perfectly within her walls. 

I have mostly unpacked. Some cupboards still on order but when they arrive I will get more organised.  

I have made a start on the garden. I don't have a total vision yet but I've got a beautiful little yard to work with. There are also some beautiful old roses. I can't wait to discover what treasures that are still to be found. 

Complete with a mantle I am thrilled with my beautiful little cottage.

Here's to many happy days with beautiful people who fill my life with happiness and love. 

Oh My......

Can life get any busier or more crazy.  I'm not sure, but I am sure trying hard to keep up here.

 

It's been so long since I posted that I doubt anyone is still in my little corner of the blogging world.

 

 

 

January my baby girl begin her final year at high school. And what a year it is so far.  So proud of her and her wonderful achievements so far.

 

February saw a beautiful wedding in our family.  Mitchell and Amie had a beautiful day which I'm sure we will all hold dearly in our hearts forever.  Everything was just stunning.

 

Cameron and Alexandra were also in the wedding party.  So proud of all of them. 

February also saw Cameron move from Darwin to Melbourne - what an achievement by 23 years old - he has a lovely little apartment on the main tram line into the city - he loves it and so do I!!!!

I've been fortunate to have two trips down already - what a lovely city.  So grateful for a bed to sleep in when I visit - we also visited for the Easter weekend.  It was just wonderful.

 

So much to see and do. 

 

 

A beautiful drive into the Macedon Ranges was also a lovely Easter Monday outing.  I can't wait to see more of the beautiful towns there.

So, this year is not only flying by but is extremely busy as well. 

A constant flow of activities, all of which are not really mine, but others.  A busy shop continues to fill the days as well.  I just look forward to moments in the garden and moments where I can just enjoy a little time enjoying a cup of tea and a little magazine reading.  I am truly easily pleased!

Carnival of Flowers 2013

 

Two months have disappeared since my last post and now Spring is here!

 

Goodness what a busy time. 

 

We have prepared and entered our garden in the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers once again.

 

This year we were awarded with

First - Outdoor Living Area

First - Family Friendly Garden

Second - Cottage Garden

Third - Design Concept Award

 

We are looking forward to sharing our garden with all who choose to venture to our little corner of the world.  Today is the most glorious Spring Day - almost perfect. 

 

Citrus Fruit Harvest....... Making Marmalade

 

 

My house currently smells all citrusy!  Delightful.....

 

This morning in the rain I went out and picked some of the fruit that was ready.  Since it was a rainy day I couldn't really paint and certainly not garden.

 

 

 

I don't think it really gets much better than fresh fruit covered in raindrops.

 

 

 

My tiny cumquats weighed in at 200 grams! Not much to work with at all.

 

 

 

The limes weighed in at 1.2kg - so that was a little better going.

 

 

 

 

This is the most limes I have ever harvested - two is the biggest crop before this year!

 

 

 

I've finished up with six bottles of lime marmalade and 1 1/2 bottles of cumquat marmalade.

 

I also made two bottles of lemon butter and used one whole lemon!  I've got a bag full of them still to go - so had better come up with some ideas so they don't go to waste - like last years harvest did!  Maybe some lemon delicious pudding will be the order of the day.

 

 

Still to pick is the orange tree - yum - I love making orange marmalade. I think there might even be a orange and almond cake in there somewhere too.   Hopefully now to just get the time to enjoy some more kitchen fun.

 

I love getting to fiddle with baking and cooking when I get the time.  I loved today being able to use my lovely big boiler that belonged to Nana - beautiful Bakelite handles and knob - and of course the juicing with a lovely old depression glass juicer.  I will admit though that the cutting of the fruit was much more up to date - my wonderful new food processor!!

A corner of my home....

 

 

Just a little corner of my home today......

 

 

 

 

The roses have been pruned and this is what was left....

 

 



Another garden job finished and now to wait for the Spring to come.  I love being able to bring blooms inside and enjoy them in my home.  How much fun to play with displays too especially with a new to me vase!!!

Pumpkin Soup...

 

I love beautiful winter foods.  Comforting, nourishing...

 

I particularly love Pumpkin Soup.  I had never really made it before a couple of years ago.  My Mother's recipe seemed tedious with all the cutting of of the pumpkin.

 

 

Then I found the Donna Hay recipe for Roasted Pumpkin Soup.  It is so easy - pop the pumpkin in the oven to roast and you are more than half way there.

 

One word - yum!

 

Donna Hay Roasted Pumpkin Soup

 



Ingredients

1 x 2kg butternut pumpkin
1 onion
Olive oil for drizzling
sea salt
3 1/2 cups chicken stock
1 cup cream
1 tbs honey
sour cream to serve

 

Preheat oven to 200 degrees celcius. Cut pumpkin in half lengthways. Scoop out seeds. Place pumpkin {cut side up} & onion on baking tray. Drizzle with oil and salt & bake for 1 hour, or until golden and roasted through.

 

Once pumpkin has cooled slightly, scoop pumpkin into a saucepan. Scoop onion into saucepan.

 

Add stock to saucepan. Add cream and honey. Puree with a stick blender. Turn on a medium heat. Heat through. Serve with a dollop of sour cream.

 

 

I make it for the Bakery along with a Beef and Vegetable soup - full of beautiful vegetables and pearl barley and split peas. 

 

Beautiful comforting, deliciously warming, winter foods.

 

What do you love to eat in Winter?