Granite Island

This garden area came about after purchasing the 'Love Seat' off Gumtree. Just like the lady I bought it from, I found the placement of the seat is not straight forward. You can't put it up against a wall because you need to be able to approach it from the front & back and it needs to be positioned to make the best of views in each direction. It called for a garden design to ground the seat as a rug anchors a coffee table indoors. Firstly I needed to create a level spot. Cut and fill was the order of the day. The overall shape an exaggerated eye. I then dug out a hollow on each end so that I could plant Sacred Bamboo. My thinking is that the plants will eventually give some screening to the seat and create a feeling of seclusion. So that the sacred bamboo does not escape I have lined the hollows with terracotta roof tiles. Basket Range sandstone has been used to retain the high side and also edge the lower step off point. Once the outer stones were in place I spread a concrete pad to create a base for my artwork. Using black granite I have created a circular design under the seat. My inspiration coming from the beautiful paved paths in Rhodes. Filling in between the granite I have used River Pebbles left over from our Xanthorhea garden. When I purchased the seat it was a dirty cream colour with speckles to give it a weathered look. I have painstakingly painted it Metallic Charcoal - much more pleasing to the eye. I am delighted with the finished project and proud of the proportion of the work that I undertook myself. Thanks to Rod for mixing the concrete, mortar and advising 'a bit more to be cut away here' and 'that stone needs to move a bit to the right' and 'that looks pretty level now'.

Cutting and filling a level spot

Planters lined in terracotta tiles, set into concrete

Creating the design on paper first

Numbered pieces of granite to help recreate the design in situ

A tedious paint job, but worth the time and effort.

Wiping off the excess mortar to reveal the River pebbles underneath

Scrubbing the granite and pebbles to remove residue

Nandina domestica added to planters on both ends

Not even a wobble when the seat was placed in position.

Australian Fall

The Manchurian Pear is the first of the deciduous trees to turn. The result is beautiful coloured carpet underfoot.

Most recent acquisitions

Royal Grafton

Purchased in Guildford whilst on holiday in WA.

 Alfred Meakin & 'Cream Petal' Grindley

The bowl and plate were purchased on Ebay. The sugar and
 creamer were a Christmas gift from Aly.

 'Gold Lace' Queen Anne & Royal Albert

Rod bought this cup and saucer for me for our 29th Wedding
Anniversary. We saw it whilst in Guildford. I have sat it on an
odd plate.

Royal Albert

This one I purchased from an antique fair held in the Burnside
Town Hall. 

Easter is approaching

Easter Lillies / Belladonna Lily - Amaryllis belladonna

Pumpkin Time

These pumpkin vines appeared from the compost mixed into the vegie garden.

Butternut - our favourite!

A good size.

A nice rich orange colour. Ready to roast with garlic and olive oil added.

Served in our new Eternal Beau bowls.

Roasted Pumpkin Soup.

Hang ups!

The framing of this print by Jen Penglase- Prior has been a long time coming.

Rod and I have a tradition of purchasing a combined gift, usually something for the house or garden to mark each wedding anniversary. In September 2011 whilst spending a few days in the Clare Valley to celebrate our 28th Anniversary we stumbled across Jen's gallery in Mintaro. I recognised her work in pastels immediately from a studio that we had stumbled upon in Aldgate several years ago. This signed, limited print has been made individual with the addition of gold leaf.  Dragging our feet some what we have only just instigated the framing which is our combined gift for the 29th Anniversary which was back in September last year. The reflection on the glass makes it hard to see the apple which floats in shadowy darkness.

We Didn't Do It

Our cow is a replica of the life sized 'We Didn't Do It'  Design cow painted by Wendy Binks for the Cow Parade in Margaret River. We purchased it from the souvenir shop at Lake Cave  Margaret River. A postcard of the same series of designs is shown in the background.W

Cow Parade figurines are based on a unique art exhibit that has been held in many cities since 2000. Cow Parade consists of life -sized fibreglass cows whimsically painted and decorated by professional and amateur artists. This exhibit has been shown in Chicago, New York, Stamford (Connecticut), West Orange (New Jersey), Kansas City, Houston, San Antonio, London, Las Vagas, Margaret River (Australia) and Portland (Oregon). At the end of each auction, many of the cows are auctioned, with the proceeds going to charity. Millions of dollars have been raised. These beautiful and hilarious replica figurines have captured the essence of the original full-sized cows displayed in the exhibits. Handcrafted either in glazed ceramic or resin, these figurines display quality and attention to detail.