Steamed pudding

Our eldest son is up from Hobart to take his Dad golfing at Barnbougal. It's rare for us to spend one on one time with our boys as they love to catch up.
Last night it was just the three of us and I felt like I could really chat to Nick.
I cooked a roast dinner and my Mums steamed pudding. Full on calorie fest. Nick played his fantastic new guitar for us, and we shared a very nice bottle of wine.  The boys will all be here later and i'll enjoy every minute of it.  I've had a great weekend.
 The wedding was a magic start! 

How will you celebrate?

How will you celebrate? I'm planning to watch the Royal wedding in front of the fire. We will toast their good health and happiness with a glass of fine bubbles. Do you like my little souvenirs? I purchased the magnet and pencil at Buckingham Palace shop.  There was absolutely no Princess memorabilia in2009. I suspect the shop will be brimming this year. All happiness to William and Kate.

Puppy re-union

Our son Alex and his partner have a gorgeous spaniel called Millie. On Sunday three of her puppies came to visit. They were all so well behaved and I'm sure Millie was happy to see them.
Millie had 8 puppies, all went to great homes. 

An ANZAC day reflection

Last night I watched Compass on ABC. It was about women who have been affected by the loss of loved ones through war.
All of the stories were sad but the most profound for me was a very beautiful older lady who said she had not held the hand of a partner for over 60 years.
Anzac day is such a sad day.
My husband is sick today and it has really made me stop and think about those who have suffered loss.
The fire is very comforting today. 

Rose rescue

I am sometimes offered old rose bushes, usually from people wanting to start new gardens of the no fuss variety. I always take the bushes, and feel a sense of pride when they kick off in their new surroundings. This is a bush from a very old garden. It was destined for the tip!! If you study my header picture it is the dead looking stump in the pot!!  From the same garden I have a coral colored 1950s rose flourishing against an old fence. Recycling of a different kind, but just as satisfying.  Many of my roses tell an interesting story.

Hope you are enjoying your Easter break. 

Painting and gardening over Easter

Hope you all have a safe and happy Easter. I intend to spend my days in the studio and a little gardening.
 It is great to have 4 days off work.
 Doesn't happen very often in my profession, so  I'll be making every minute count. 

A wonderful surprise

Imagine walking into your office to find this box!!
The lovely people at Hilbarn awarded me this box for my contribution
to their competition (to name their van).
I love the winning name. Maurice( with French accent).
I will enjoy this magnificent produce. Thankyou Hilbarn. 

The garden studio

This lovely rose garden leads to my studio through those french doors.

In summer i paint with them open and we enjoy cups of tea on the porch looking at these beautiful roses.

This lovely garden is called Elsies garden in memory of our beautiful Mum.

The little statue in  the pic is very old, we just paint him white. My Mum asked me to call him Philip and I did.

I dont know if Jude knows that!

Soon the roses will all need to be pruned right back but at least i will be able to get in and weed then.  Its a prickly business with roses.

I love this garden, it brings me such pleasure and the perfume is divine.

Every picture tells a story

A few years ago a few of my girl friends and I  had a reunion weekend at Low Head. We hired a large cottage at the old Pilot station and had the most wonderful time catching up. We had a long hike along the coastline. I did a series of quick sketches and over the next few weeks did little paintings. I gave each friend a painting and am happy to say all of them hang in their homes to remind us of that great weekend. This picture belongs to my  childhood friend Anne.

Friday nights

After a busy week, these days we like to pull up an old couch and sit by the fire. Can you remember doing this when you were small?  I can. We had a lovely Grandma with a lancashire accent. My Dad would run a quiz and of course there were easy questions for me!!
Those fires are imprinted on my memory. Perhaps why I have to keep an open hearth.  I hope you have memories like these. 

I love tea pots

Today i visited Cathy from Re Cycled Relix and purchased cheerful and very colourful handled cutlery for my retro picnic set.

I just had to have a pretty vintage tablecloth and a small toffee tin.  If you saw my house you would wonder why I collect more things.

Whilst there, I fell in love with the little tea pot with blue lid.

I think I need it!  Mind you I have lots of tea pots. Perhaps we could pop this one on a shelf at the shack for those cosy cups of tea by the fire!

Just the thing after a brisk walk on the beaches..

last year whilst on holiday in SA, we stayed at a retro shack with no tea pot. I went on a hunt through McLaren Vale and could not find a tea pot to donate to the shack.

My how lucky we are to have you Cathy. I think I could find something for every need in your great shop.

I recommend Cathys shop, its a treasure trove of memories and surprises. Be warned...........you wont come out empty handed!

Le Cafe

I love lunch dates with my husband.
One of our favourite little haunts is this cute cafe on St Georges Square here in Launceston.
The owner is an artist - I love her work.

The cafe is French inspired and for half an hour we sit and chat and could be in Paris!