Layering Up

We've already had a couple of light frosts that have wiped out the pumpkins, zucchini and tomatoes but we are still covering the chillies trying to limp them a little further.

The "summer" doona is not quite warm enough some nights but we aren't ready for the deep fluffy Scandinavian downy, "winter" doona.

Adding a light layer, like this lacy piece in wool is a Goldilocks "juuust right".

It was crocheted for me by my grandmother when I was 9 yrs old and was designed as a bedspread for a single bed but it is generous enough for topping our queen. It is pure wool and washed seldom and only by gentle hands but looks almost as good today as 40 years ago. Variegated wool was quite big in the 70's. It's not a complicated pattern, just a repeated hexagonal motif, I'm not sure is grandma had a pattern or adapted it from a lace tablecloth pattern. If anyone has this pattern I would be grateful.

My Autumnal Things

Boys on tall shoulders and black clucky chickens...

Golden ripe quinces and wild mushroom pickin's.....

Tall banks of dahlias in which to hide in...

These are a few of my favourite things

Easter egg baskets and cloths for the dishes

Bright orange pumpkins for soup so delicious...

Adding light layers and memories they bring....

These are few of my autumnal things.

The Doll Maker and Artist

A wee while ago I posted about my Matthew Simms doll 

here

He is a regular at Evandale Market on Sundays and I took another couple of photos of his work.

As well as his doll making with willow wood (all dressed by him too) he writes and illustrates books, paints small works and I see now he has added sewing shepherd smocks to his repertoire.

I also found this facebook page if you wanted to see more images

here

It hasn't been updated for some time but his work is fascinating.

A Preservers Apology

I know it's been a while but I have some stuff to deal with...

Wheelbarrow loads of stuff.....

The frosts are about to hit

Gotta' go, be back soon with more reno ragings

xxx

Of Friends and Flies

We have had so many lovely visitors this past month and lots of happy meals and summer fun. The children have returned to China and Dad is thoroughly worn out and back in QLD. During the past month I also had visits from two separate school friends from 40 years ago who holidayed in Tasmania recently. Our garden saw us through it all with sun-warmed peaches and salads galore. Fresh corn on the cob and of course the obligatory zucchini glut. 

Autumn is on the doorstep again and there is a subtle shift in the garden even though the days are still hot and we barely need a quilt over the sheet. Lots of jobs await and working in the cool of the morning in the garden is a joy.

Lots of flies still enjoying the warmth too.

I have a spray bottle of water to which I add a few drops of essential oils of lavender, pine and sandalwood. I spray this on the gauze wire doors. I'm not sure it is terribly effective deterring the flies for long but the scent is fresh and the caught cross-breezes a little bit cooler as they waft through the misted wire.

I do love this time of year the best. If you plan to visit Tasmania, take note, Feb-March are the sublime months of stable weather and a community abustle with festivals and music and art events. 

Memories Of Blue

(Scroll to the bottom and hit the play button so you can listen while you read)

My father is visiting from interstate in a couple of weeks so he can visit with all the family here one last time and meet his great grandson, Julien.

Julien was also his father's name.

The blue china on the dresser is called "Envoy" by Royal Doulton and very popular after the second world war and often sold by door-to-door salesmen. This is the set that my grandmother used everyday and the one that my father grew up with. It holds memories for me and must do for him too I'm sure. I've also mixed it with some of the white Hutschenruther china that he gave me for a wedding present.

It's so good to be getting familiar things unpacked and the Matthew Simms doll has finally found her home. I bought her just before we moved thinking she would fit so well with our Georgian cottage. 

Matthew Simms is a local artist/eccentric and he paints and makes these extraordinary dolls by hand.

Here is an extract from his site

"With a hand saw I cut blocks of willow wood, split them and stack to season. 
Then I cut the dolls to shape with an axe, finishing off with a rasp and pocket knife.  
The legs and arms are put on, clothes made with a hand sewing machine.  The clothes, in almost every instance, are silk, linen, cotton or wool.  These dolls are not copies, nor are they unlike dolls from history."

Memories Of Blue by Vangelis

Tools Of The Trade

A beautiful find this old tool box.

A bit of a clean up, a little light sand, not too much as I want to preserve it's integrity and some nourishing oil.

Over the years it may find many uses but for this next incarnation....

it's holding MY tools of trade!

And rolling pins are so beautiful why would you hide them away!

I have the original little turned one my mother had starting out and a French taper of maple, a massive Huon pine roller up for the biggest jobs and tiny Indian roti rollers.

The perfect spot for seasonally abundant herbs, handy for happy cooking.