Guerilla Gardening

I have been reading a lot about guerilla gardening where people reclaim public spaces, some big some small, to grow vegetables and flowers and breathe some life back into places which need a fresh breath of air.

I am really lucky to have a garden, it is so secret and hidden away behind our garage that often people have no idea it exists at all. The perfect place to steal some tranquility and time out. I go there if I need to think - it must be the equivalent of a man's shed. Come to think of it, it would be the perfect place to sit with a good book and a glass of wine in the early evening; the children would never find me!

Do you have a favourite space?

Blue x

Yellow Circles

Have you ever noticed that some days are filled with one particular colour? Yesterday was yellow here, from giant circles of massive pancakes cooked by a Boy, to smiling sunflowers opening up and finally an amazing sunset of yellow light flooding the sky. What colour is your day?

Blue x

Easter Eggs from the Bay

Due to the time of year, I often think of our passionfruit as a type of Easter Egg. They start ripening around late Feb and we are inundated by Easter time. The kids fill their t-shirts and then rush inside to gorge!

None left for me!

This year I've had two plants die from some random disease (perhaps I need some of Blue's fish guts?) but my remaining two plants have been prolific - actually managing to keep the kids satisfied for the first time ever.

I've put some of the excess fruit into egg containers to send to family in colder climes - it's always  nice to get an unexpected treat in the mail.

Of course there is no substitute for good chocolate and I can't wait to get my share come Easter!

Which came first the Tomato or the Egg?

Every year I am always surprised and caught out by which vegetable plants decide to take off and which dwindle off and fall by the way side with barely a small offering. This year the star of the show have been the tomatoes which have been amazing, particularly a variety called Cherokee which are huge, almost black and heavy and warm from the sun.

I think they must like all the seaweed and fish skeletons I have been cramming into the soil. Are you a neighbour like me? I rush round to the boats I see coming in with a catch and requisition the fish remains after they have been gutted, and then I plant them in my garden. And....it really works!

Happy weekending,
Blue x

A few of my favourite things

I think it's true - most women are multi-taskers... we simultaneously prepare meals, offer advice on the phone, stack the dishwasher and help children tie their shoe laces.

In the same vein I often have multiple projects on the go - making my daughter's headboard, decorating a lampshade, building a cat scratching post (in lieu of my newly upholstered lounge suite).

Isa the teddy bear seems to approve of the headboard

Cricket is yet to see the attraction in the scratching post

The last of my dwarf beans leaning on the trellis

 

It dawned on me yesterday that most of my projects use the same three things that I must confess I have come to love (really!):
1. Cable ties - awesome for fixing chicken coops, tying garden trellis to stakes, fixing toys
2. Selleys Aquadhere PVA glue - sets clear and rock hard, works on any surface, can be used outside too
3. Staple Gun - no explanation required!

So when in doubt - reach for one (or all) of the above - and you will find they become a few of your favourite things too. 

Sparkle and bling

Downward facing dog???

The sparkling blue water in the newly erected pool not only keeps the husband busy,

it also serves as inspiration...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

 A blank canvas such as this lampshade can be easily transformed with some shiny beads and a sketch. Admittedly I am going blind gluing the tiny cobalt balls in place. However the end result will make it worthwhile.

There are so many options out there for transforming something plain into something stunning and unique.

I went to Nicky's Bead shop to get some great advice. The selection of beads, crystals and supplies was overwhelming which really just means I'll have to start another project soon!

Making and Baking

Good day and good morning, it's the last day of school holidays here and so our lazy days unfolding as they happen, with no particular plan, are drawing to a close. 

 We had a day of busyness, swimming and boating and then returned home to making and baking to get ready for school. What did we make..........? New scrunchies (hair ties), fabric covers for school books, purple lavender bags and a celebratory cake to mark the occasion of a first day at High School.

Good luck for the New School Year!

Blue x