Laundry Decor

 A cold rainy day was the inspiration to get the antique items down from the pelmet over the laundry door and give them a well needed dust.

Antique Iron

Not Antique but still the part, two brass pegs.

Soap dispenser from the days before washing machines.

Antique Brass fire extinguisher.

Antique Copper and Brass insect sprayer.

Antique timber and glass wash board.

Antique cane laundry basket.

Sorting, salvaging and storing seeds

As far back as 1989 I started collecting seeds which I bought, swapped, collected from my own garden or was sometimes given by friends. A few seeds soon became a box of seeds. Empty film containers were the perfect receptacle for storing the different varieties. 

Sorting the empties.

Flower, herb and vegetable seeds.

Some were still in their unopened original packets.

Out of the box and onto the shelf. Flowers down one end.....

....vegetable seeds down the other end. The tablet containers
were the more recent receptacle for storing current seeds but
take up too much space. I will still keep large quantities such as
oriental poppies in the larger tablet containers. 

Film is certainly a thing of the past for most
of us. I will be sure to hang on to these canisters
which may become quite rare.

These red faux leather boxes sit in front of the canisters and
hide them from view.

 I have collected a large container of mixed flower seeds and another one of mixed vegetable seeds. I do not want to waste time and potting soil trying to get these extremely out of date seeds to grow, but I will scatter them in an area and see what happens. I'll keep you posted.

Colour my day

Since a session of trimming dead branches off our big old stringy bark we have had two beautiful Crimson Rosella's visit our bird feeder on at least two occasions. The view from the dining room window has been very enjoyable.

Another purpose for our hieroglyphic totem poles.

We wonder if the sawdust that was caught on the top of the
bird feeder was what attracted the birds to stop off for a visit.

One stands guard whilst the other snacks.

We will try and keep the seed fresh and stocked in the feeder so that we can enjoy more visits.

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