Slowly But Surely

For several months most weekends and recent holiday time was spent in the garden. The purpose was to finally create the garden space that we have always wanted. When the children were much younger they repeatedly asked us to make a yard with paths that wound their way through beds of flowers and trees. Almost 20 years later we are starting to realise their wishes. The first step required the replanting of tired garden beds. Step two, the construction of a retaining wall to enlarge the level garden space to make it more useful for passive garden activities or alternatively, for the ambitious, active recreation ventures such as boccie. Next weekend the new terrace will be levelled and turfed thereafter. A hedge of either rosemary, curry plant or nandina will border the terrace to reduce the risk of me running the ride on mower off the edge. Not desired but highly likely. So I'll play it safe. Under the peppercorn tree we will lay a free form, compacted granite, pathway. This should provide all weather footing. The transition has been slow and will require many more months before the dream is realised. It is good to know that the journey has started. On the weekend we took our first breaks under the peppercorn tree, starting with breakfast. Worked all day until it was almost dark. Sunday mulching and weeding good therapy in the warm sunshine. It felt like Spring.

Stepping Up!

The much anticipated steps have been installed at the bottom of the terrace. Routed timber shavings neatly swept and gathered into a bucket. Shavings then sprinkled over garden beds, hopefully, to deter bugs and pests from their would be floral meals. Poles measured and then cut to size with the chainsaw. Guided by the two workers long screws bit deep into the timbers. With each screw bedded the steps began to reveal their elaborate design. A very wet concrete mix poured into the extra holes. All grey and very, very soggy. So soggy in fact that the mix had to be bailed of extra water. Next, we'll need a backhoe to level the terrace. I took pictures of the view that I'll soon enjoy as I tread those timbers. Long and hard work but it has been worth the wait.

Lemons!

Lemons, lemons and more lemons. Who would have guessed just how versatile those little yellow fruits could be when used in each dish of a three course dinner? Congratulations Helen and perhaps a little help from her friend @ Google. All three dishes were most interesting and refreshed the palate with each tasting. Soup, never had it like this before and so too mains and dessert. To think that that lemon tree is on its last legs is sad; for the abundance of fruit it has supplied this year has been quite extraordinary. Buckets of lemons have been picked while still more hang on the tree. With all the rain we have had I am not sure how much longer it can retain its heavy load. Sharp thorns await hapless birds so they are deterred from its lemon bounty.

Bastille-Viva la France

Lots of red, white and blue, for both apparel and table dressing, essential for this night, in order to remember the Bastille and the events leading to the French Revolution. It is that time of the year where we gathered for celebrations with our friends. This year I dressed as Marie Antoinette but without the wig for I had forgotten to go to the costume hire shop and organise the appropriate head dress. To ensure that I understood the implications of attending as one, who some consider, to be central to the revolution, I did my research. At the ripe age of 37 Marie met her death at the guillotine. It has been reported that her final words were uttered to her executioner. Her comment; "Pardon me, sir. I did not do it on purpose." What was she apologising for, you might ask? Not her life's misdoings, not her extravagant lifestyle but more simply, she had accidentally stepped on the foot of the executioner. The evening by the log fire with friends chatting about recent travels and new adventures was most convivial. Our hosts had set us a fine banquet table complete with samplings of delightful French wine with delicious cuisine to match. I will endeavour to rehearse, more successfully, some appropriate French phrases for next year. Frequently, thoughout the evening, I could only recall my recent Italian lessons and hence, was confusing every other French reference. Merci for a most pleasant evening.

Spicer's Hiddenvale in July

Winter at Grandchester is cold but not that cool that you want to remain indoors. The valley has a feel of calm serenity. The verandah of the restaurant is a pleasant place to stroll and also offers a welcome seat for quiet drinks or coffee. A number of antiques dot the main entry way to Cotton's Restaurant. They provide a inspiration for what one meets inside. The attention to detail is obvious. Once again we enjoyed our visit to Hiddenvale and look forward to our return. Restaurant dining at Cotton's is always a fine experience and the menu changes piqued both palate and interest. Since our last visit the pig has delivered four piglets who revel in guests' attention. Personally I looked but felt no strong affinity with them. I am left to wonder, what will be new next time I come back to Hiddenvale? There is always something to crow about!

4WD Spicer's Grandchester

Michael's, red, 4WD was packed with morning tea, picnic rug, chairs, thermos and crusty bread before setting off for the hills. We had been told to expect some amazing views and indeed we weren't disappointed. The car jostled and tussled us as Michael navigated the steep track and ruts to the top of Sunset Boulevard (aptly named if there at sunset.) We left the car to walk the last few hundred metres to the lookout while Michael went ahead to set up our picnic. The climb to the top of the ridge was well worth the time and effort for the valley below was a spectacular sight. The ploughed and planted fields, checkerboard in style, lay below us as might an artist's canvas reveal itself. The surrounding solitude welcomed our arrival. Photo opportunities to be sure. Just wish that my humble photos could do justice to the vista. Not so.

It's Probably Genetic

When one of your daughters does the ironing in pearls and stilettos there are those who know me think that it is probably a genetic inheritance issue. Saturday was a day for observing family. What makes a family tick? Is it the shared words and actions or more simply nurture verses nature? I do consider it important to dress smartly; especially since a young girl on her horse asked me to stand up from under the enormous sombrero that I was wearing to shade from the sun whilst weeding. She explained politely and succinctly that her horse didn't know what I was and I was spooking it as she made her way down the street for her horse riding lesson. Could I please stand and allow the horse to see who or what I was crouched by the garden bed? Never let it be said that I would not comply with such a sensible request and allowed a horse to throw its mount. I guess then that I should not be alarmed or surprised that a daughter dresses to impress when ironing but I am resolute about horses and I did not see one in the loungeroom where she was ironing. No need for pearls and stilettos needed here. This brings me back to my original question-What makes a family tick? All answers most welcome.

A Bird, A Cat and A Rat

When do children change and become someone so different from the child who you remember raising? Whilst Skyping my daughter in Queensland our call was interrupted when she suddenly left her chair and begun pushing various lounge seats across her floor; first one way and then another. All the time she was calling, "Come out rat. Where are you?" Not to miss a beat she resumed our conversation explaining that the cat had delivered or should I say gifted her a live rat. She proudly revealed its dimensions and was not at all perplexed that she had been unable to locate it since its delivery. She looked down at the floor to see a little bird also still alive and laying at her feet. She bent to retrieve the bird to release it to its more familiar environs, outside. Not a moment later her white cat reappeared after a two day absence. Not a word berating its holiday or reappearance. I recall when our children were young the screams when our two new puppies yelped and sent them terrified to chairs and table tops. So scared were they that we had to relinquish ownership of them, back to the pound. I must add a footnote to the puppy story. They were not abandoned without care and thought for we packed their little, blue, matching, food bowls, evidence of their full immunisations and lastly the toothpaste and their toothbrushes that we had purchased at the vets to ensure their hygiene. My but we have changed.

Families

Families are often full of interesting combinations of characters and personalities but today I was beginning to question the 'norms' of the one in which I find myself. Let me explain. One of my daughter's has recently become engaged to a fine young man, who, for all intensive purposes, appears to be 'normal.' As I was leaving to go shopping this afternoon the same 'normal' young man was making his way to the garage with a large, bright yellow, lego container. It was round in shape and it had eyes and a mouth stencilled onto its surface. In Sam's other hand he held a newly purchased electric saw. He was grinning enthusiastically and mentioned that he was going to wear the lego container this evening. I pride myself on my flexible attitude when it comes to quirky ideas but for one moment I did pause as I placed my hand on the car's handle and wondered if I should stay and watch or slip away unnoticed before an ambulance was required. OH&S hat on, if you'll pardon the pun, I suggested that he remember to use safety glasses when cutting the brittle plastic. My husband located the safety glasses and we reversed casually down the drive. Shopping expedition concluded and there was Sam to greet us and all so keen to demonstrate how he would be wearing the lego container that now resembled a helmet of sorts. Eating and drinking will be challenging as I pointed out to Sam. He noted that a straw may be useful. Blog world I must ask, "Is my family normal like yours?"