Flowers from Grace

 Grace asked me if I would like to take some of her camellia's home. I am so glad I said yes. 

Camellia Japonica Debutante towards the back of the vase.

Basking Seal by Peter Swanson

Grace also gave us this piece of Pottery that she bought on holiday in St. Ives Cornwall. She is starting to distribute some
of her cherished possessions for keepsakes to handpicked  recipients. I am happy to add it to our display coffee table.

Flowers for Grace

Today we finally caught up with Aunty Grace to celebrate her 90th Birthday. I went for a hunt in the garden to find as many flowers as I could to put together a special posy for her. As usual at this time of the year I am doubtful that I will have enough, therefore I was delighted with the end result. My starting inspiration was the Hakea Laurina.

Hakea Laurina, Virburnum Tinus, Abelia, Camellia, Pittisporum,
Francis Dubreuil rose, Salvia Limelight (after flowers spent),
and pink daisy.

Hair loom pieces

 Eliza Harper (nee Jarvis) Grandmother of Phyllis Dorothy Kemp (nee Stratton) lived in India for some time as governess to 3 girls, who's father Colonel Bird was stationed there in the Army. This silver brooch and ear rings were given to Eliza by the girls father.

The back of the brooch contains locks of the girls hair. The girls were drowned when the ship, in which they were returning to England, was wrecked. 

These pieces have pride of place in our display coffee table.

Late Autumn

The cherry tree in the foreground and the maple just behind are providing
a great display.

Another cheery cherry

12 years makes a difference

New gravel paths 2012

2001

Sango Kaku

This is the latest maple that we have planted. I had it (Acer Palmatum Sango Kaku Coral Bark) on my must have list after we saw it at the Mt. Lofty Botanic Gardens and thought the red trunk and stems were quite striking particularly when bare. Much to my surprise I found it at the Stirling Market. The autumn colour has been an added bonus.

On The Wire

I have been inspired by vines trained on wires for some time now. To my surprise Rod has really taken to this idea too and has planned, procured and installed the stainless steel wire in a diamond grid design ready for the vine. Not sure which of the many Jasmine vines will be best for my application I have settled on Jasmine Polyanthum.

One of the pictures that have been a source of inspiration.

Rod's installation.

Jasmine Polyanthum ready to do it's job.

Stay tuned for growth reports.

Going Native

I have been wanting to make some improvements to the native garden and a sale at State Flora kick started my plan. There is still weeding, trimming and mulching to do.

Eucalyptus caesia Silver Princes

Native Violets planted in an introduced hollow log.

Scleranthus biflorus planted with some introduced rocks.

Brachyscome formosa Piliga posy

Left = Kennedia prostrata, Middle back = Anigozanthos flavidus
Red form and Right = Anigozanthos viridis

Also planted but not shown = Hypocolymma angustifolium, Crowea exalata White Star, Leucophyta Brownii, Scaevola Misty Blue, Boronia filifolia and Ajuga Australis. 

New Boots

My new fun boots which live at the laundry door for wearing to the
rabbit house or down to the veggie garden or herb garden. Not for
digging like today when I planted a few plants. Oops!

Knitting with Fiona

This knitting bag with wooden legs was made for me and given to me by my Sister-in-Law Fiona. Fiona was a very creative person who enjoyed making presents for Christmas and Birthdays. I am a knitter so this present was very well received by me, but it holds very special significance to me because Fiona was taken from us tragically in a road accident. I was lucky enough to be given her collection of knitting needles and yarns which I treasure.

The bottom of the double thickness fabric bag is filled with Lavender (something
I have only recently discovered or rediscovered?).

The bag collapses for storage and moving from place to place.

The Knitting project draped over the side shows yarn that belonged to Fiona.
A work in progress.

Just add cheese

A new recipe that is easy to do, it looks good, smells good and tastes good too. Each puff pastry rectangle is topped
with a slice of brie cheese. 

Winter is coming

Fun guy

Travel finds for my collection

Our trip to the Blue Mountains was also successful for hunting down china for my collections.

Royal Doulton Raby Plate purchased from Katoomba Vintage
Emporium

Sadler Sugar Pot with Lid purchased from a Second hand shop
in Katoomba (Aly has given me this for Mothers Day)

S. F. & Co. Small Tureen and ladle purchased from Echuca
Antiques

For Inspiration.......

A 10 day trip to the Blue Mountains has provided many ideas for future projects

Camellia sasanqua for Autumn flowering

Metal work detail for gates

Topiary conifer

Attractive red berries on Nandina Domestica

Hydrangea with dark tinting to the leaves

Cornus alba sibirica for it's striking red branches

A woodland walk featuring Autumn colour and dense azalea border

Waratah (seeds bought)

Emerald green Diosma clipped into tight balls

Stone paths with sunken grout

Contorted shaping of Maple tree branches

Unexpected Surprise

Back in October we were excited to discover that Xanthorrhoea johnsonii
was producing a flower stalk.

The bend in the stalk continually changed direction, probably in response to the sun.

As we have heard that flowers are only produced once every 7 years or after a fire we were feeling quite fortunate.

 
The flower stalk grew quite quickly compared to the slow growth of the plant. We have collected some seeds but there is not much hope of substantial size plants in our life time. Or is there?