A Long Weekend in the Garden

In Spring 

with the warm weather

I remember that we have a garden.

On Thursday I borrowed a stack of 

garden design books from the library,

and I've been poring over them,

my mind filling with plans.

Even my old gardening books have come out for an airing.  

On Saturday we enjoyed a family lunch

in my parents'-in-law's garden

(where our new trestle table and chairs worked a treat)

to celebrate my father-in-law's 85th birthday.

Sunday some of us weren't feeling so great,

so a quiet afternoon ...

Then this morning I decided that the murraya hedge 

couldn't go another day without a good trim

It's not perfect now, but as good as I can manage,

considering the obstacles.

And really, how long does one want to stand 

at the top of a wobbly old ladder on a public pathway?

Although I did get to chat with some friendly locals.

The celery I grew in a bowl 

is really growing at last.

And from one of the gardening books

I've been thinking again about focal points,

and axes ...

and the importance of having places for the eye to be drawn,

and so for now have moved a seat 

to this empty spot where the 

murrayas would never grow 

for some reason.

\

Tara Dillard says that a bench as a focal point 

always suggests repose,

even if it is never sat on.

One day I'll have a nicer bench there,

and perhaps an arch or pergola over it.

We had lunch on the verandah 

(another area I have plans for)

and played badminton in the front yard,

to the sound of the ukulele.

A good weekend.

And just as I was about to press "Publish" 

the doorbell rang,

some local relatives were walking by

and we invited them to stay for dinner.

I love spontaneous hospitality,

it's so stress-free!

An extra good weekend.

Fifties & Floral Fashion

It's been a big week here.

A big month, in fact.

Emily finally finished her dress, 

a major project for her Year 9 Textiles & Fashion Design.

And then there was a fashion parade.

Requiring new shoes,

nail polish, suitable underpinnings

and a cute new haircut.

All at the last minute, of course.

Coming on top of Emily's 7 other assignments, 

my Stampin Up! activities

and music exams ...

 .... it's all been a bit of a whirlwind.

But she's done well.

Her dress, complete with boning, 

invisible zipper and other tricky new skills

fits well and looks great.

She will love wearing it.

And, like most other items in her wardrobe, 

has a fifties/floral vibe to it.

Photos taken late at night, 

after the parade.

A Little Bit of Sunshine

A dark miserable morning here.

But now the sun is coming out,

now and then,

shining right on the banksia roses

that climb over our verandah

and making them glow.

Op Shop Score - Vintage Case

Look what turned up at the op shop this week!

A sweet grey-blue case 

in good condition

complete with rusted locks

and starry interior

and some happy vintage fabric!

and a saxophone book for Emily.

All for $12.50!!

Woohoo!!

Now I have the fun of deciding what to 

keep in my new old little case.

It's actually just the right shape to hold DVDs

vertically.

but I won't do anything so mundane.

(despite having put DVDs in another vintage case!)

No, I'm thinking something more fun for me.

Perhaps sewing supplies?

Or my latest thought is painting/drawing supplies.

I love that it opens from the top 

so you I keep everything upright

if carefully packed.

Any thoughts???

The After-School Onslaught

Pretty picture inserted for calming effect on self

It seems that after school every day 

I am bombarded with requests and demands. 

 Real ones.  

Not like when they were younger 

and they just wanted an iceblocks for afternoon tea. 

For example,

 in the first ten minutes after arriving home today

(and in between "get out your lunchbox",
"why didn't you eat all your lunch ?" etc)


I was bombarded with:

 I need mini donuts and chopsticks
for guides tomorrow night. 

 *

When are we going shopping to buy shoes 

for my fashion parade on Tuesday night? 

(like I haven't already spent quite enough on that outfit already) 

*

 Did you phone the laser tag place so we can play there on last day of term 

because I need to give out invitations NOW! 

*

 I need a present for my friend's party on Saturday. 

*

 I need to sew my dress this afternoon 

(just when I have the house tidy and sewing machine 

away for tonight's cardmaking class) 

*

 Why did you take my paddle pop stick out of my lunchbox? 

(apparently so important that it came as an SMS during the day as well!) 

*

 Can I go to Jess's house to watch movies in the holidays? 

Me: what movies? 

Her: Chick flicks. Because I'm an adult now. 

 And finally... 

 Can we watch Get Smart? 

 At last, one I can answer.

***

 Do other people's teenagers do this too? 

 Or have I created an environment of high expectations and reliance on me?

Sunny Saturday

A beautiful Spring morning.

A tidy living room.

After my big Stampin' Up! night here last night

Sunshine streaming in.

 

Colourful freesias from a friend.

Saturday.

Life is good.

Spring Blossoms

 

The first day of Spring.

Which I have celebrated by making  a string of paper blooms,

using the Stampin' Up! Blossom Punch.

A good activity for a somewhat miserable afternoon here.

Overnight the weather was very wintry 

and our house is still oh so cold.

Emily spent the cold wet night under the stars

at the Great Guide Sleepover at Taronga Zoo, 

overlooking Sydney Harbour,

with 1100 other girl guides.

Brrr!

Just being home was enough

to give me a cold.

So she and I are having a quiet afternoon together,

I am crafting,

and she is sewing her textiles project,

which is looking more and more 

like a real dress every minute.