Nature's Art

Inspiration started with this photo Rod took of a dead tree in our  woodlot.

On closer inspection we actually had 3 dead saplings which we then cut down and into various lengths so that we could arrange in a staggered formation.

Insects created these beautiful patterns under the bark. Once the bark
peeled the art work was revealed.

Sticky stuff

Rod and I made Plum and Apple jam using Plums that Neighbour Sandy sent our way before leaving on a Cruise.
 Rod softened the fruit in the pressure cooker before adding the sugar to cut down on cooking time.
It is also a way for him to let off some steam.

And Again -before & after

Summer 1983

Spring 2010

Before and After - Can you notice the difference?

Summer 1983

Summer  2010

Flowers for Briget

Aly asked me to pick a bunch of flowers for her boss - Briget and to include orange
 flowers as this is her favourite colour .

Green ivy seed heads, alstromera seed heads, seedless agapanthus heads,
 white flowering agapanthus, abelia, Graham Thomas roses, Darwinia citrodora
orange daisy, salvia and more

Interesting foliage and seed heads more than make up for the lack of flowers in my
Summer garden.

Ashwell

This copper sign which has pride of place at our front door was originally used on a property that my father moved to with his family. The family brought with them their own property name 'Kim Bolton' so the existing name on the newly acquired house was obsolete. My Father held on to the sign taking it with him on every subsequent move until one day when we told him we were looking for a name for our property he asked what we thought of 'Ashwell'?  We were delighted with the suggestion as we had a number of Ash trees which we had planted that were doing very Well. When he presented us with the sign we couldn't wait to install it. From memory it was painted white but Rod burnt off the paint, polished the copper and mounted it onto a back board of Cedar to match the door.

Lush ferns in terracotta pots near to the door were chosen to give a bit of a Queenslander feeling to our weather board house.

Going Grey with Grace

In April, Rod and I took Rod's auntie Grace to morning tea to celebrate her 89th Birthday. Afterwards we returned to her home and she took us through her garden and encouraged us to take any cuttings that we would like.  Most of the cuttings that I took have gone on to become treasured garden plants which  indeed is an encouragement for me to get back into propagating in a bigger way. This grey plant is definitely one of the standouts but there are several other succulents plus tansy, lemon verbena and Chinese lantern bush. My introduction to gardening was instigated through sharing cuttings with my neighbor and then friends. Not only does it save money but it also gives extra meaning to the plants.