Love the ugly

In a previous post I bemoaned the fact that we have the world's ugliest gas heater and I longed for one of those sleek gas fires.

These last few days however I've learnt to love the ugly. It's been cold and wet and every evening we turn on the heater for a warm and cozy room. Admittedly the rest of the house is still freezing but that doesn't matter. I can enjoy my cup of tea on the couch toasty warm and bathed in an orange glow.

I feel so shallow for judging my heater for its (lacking) looks. It really is what is inside that counts!

T

Lost World Weekend

via Worendo.com

I promised to reveal the most beautiful countryside in south east Qld and here it is:  The Lost World Valley.  Even the name is wonderful.  It perfectly describes how you feel when you arrive at Worendo cottages: removed from the real world as time slows down.

We stayed in the Wild Lime cottage which is down a steep driveway from the main house.  From Wild Lime you feel totally secluded.  No houses or roads in sight, just rolling green hills and beyond the big, green mountains.  No mobile phone or tv reception (though there is a tv with dvd player).

 

Last time we'd stayed here it was bright and sunny and the countryside felt cheerful. This weekend however the skies were overcast and the mountains dark and forbidding.

R teaching the boys manly stuff - lighting a fire... grrrr

We lit the fire and spent the days reading on the window seat and playing Scrabble, occassionally venturing out for a windy walk.

The boys also got to go horseriding for the first time at a neighbouring farm.  They both loved it and want to go again.  Shame it's such an expensive hobby!

Alex on Arrow

Eoin on Tiffany

There was also feeding the chickens and petting the lambs.  There is a flock of black sheep that wander around the property, including around the cottage.  Sure to delight any child.

 

I'd bought the boys the dvd of the children's classic "The Secret Garden" to watch while we were away.  It's 'G' rated so I thought it'd be fine for them, but they were both in tears by the end.  In a way I was glad that they could be so moved by such a simple film (no animation, fight scenes, superheroes or other boy stuff), though of course I didn't like to see them upset.  It just goes to prove the power of a good story.

 

So it was a wonderful weekend and we hope to go back again next year.

The only bad point was the trip to the doctors today to get a tick removed from Eoin's tummy - ouch.  Note to self:  remember not to take the kids walking through long grass in the countryside!

T
xxx

Wintery days

Well, winter has definitely arrived in Brisbane. Cold nights and chilly, windy days have got us all scrambling to find our scarves and jackets.
My slippers fell to bits yesterday and they were only two months old. I suspect the fact they were only $8 had something to do with it. I couldn't resist this pair yesterday.

Expensive but at least they'll last a season (and how can you resist leopard print slippers?)

Our new house also has the world's ugliest gas heater that I've had covered up with a beautiful hand woven fabric since we've moved in. But I must say the weather has suddenly made it a lot more attractive and is keeping me toasty warm at night. I think we'll hold onto it and maybe in a few years we can upgrade it to one of those gas fireplaces.

 

It's a long weekend this weekend and we're off for our annual weekend in the countryside. We're staying in the most beautiful spot in SE Qld (seriously) and I'll share some photos when we get back. It's totally secluded - no mobile or tv reception, no neighbours and the nearest shops are 30 mins away at Beaudesert - forced relaxation!

 This is a photo from our last visit there exactly two years ago.  I find it hard to cope with how quickly the boys are growing

T
xxx

Books: Katie Ridder and Ben Pentreath

I've just spent a delightful couple of days reading 'Rooms' by Katie Ridder. That girl certainly isn't afraid of making a statement. I did find some of her rooms overwhelming but her combination of colours and patterns are undeniably boldly brilliant.
Here are a few of my favourite rooms.

I particularly love her kitchens.  She is a woman after my own heart, white cabinets, white marble benchtops, french cafe chairs .... perfection.

I love the tiles in this one

In other exciting news one of my favourite bloggers, Ben Pentreath is releasing his book 'English Decoration' in September. You can preorder signed copies here.

Ben leads a charmed life in London running a design shop and consultancy. On weekends he escapes to his home in Dorset that is when he's not working with clients in Scottish castles or houses in Moscow! Yes, I admit that I'm living vicariously through his blog. A highlight is his wonderful photography and the way he finds beauty even in the small or mundane.

Happy reading everyone.
T
xxx

Miss my weekend

I took a week off my part time job last week to do a 5 day course. The side effect of this is that I've spent the whole weekend doing all the tedious, boring stuff I usually do on my days off: washing, vacuuming, mopping, more washing, giving the cat a bath (I know..what can I say), cleaning the shower. I'm still procrastinating over cleaning the toilets.

Truthfully, I don't feel like I've had a weekend. Thankfully it's a one off and I'm back to normal next week. What I'm wondering is how do mothers that work full time cope and still stay sane? I honestly don't know how they can. Even if they have a cleaner how do they manage with after school activities, homework and cooking a dinner that doesn't invoke toast? When do they get to sit on the balcony and read? To just be still? I need those moments of stillness.

My neglected deck

So even though I sometimes dream of going back full time so that I actually have a career rather than a job, I don't think I could sacrifice my weekends for it. After all, what's the point of work if not to live?

And on that note, I going to forget about the rest of the washing and head out to the Paniyiri with my boys and enjoy this beautiful afternoon.
Yasoo!

T
xxx

Bookish weekend

The bookcases finally where installed on Friday. The guys from Maytain Cabinets did an absolutely brilliant job. The bookcase itself is gorgeous and they left everything clean and tidy - they even bought in my rubbish bin!

We quickly put our books up on Saturday, though I envisage a bit of rearranging in the future.
I still have to have the new light fittings installed and the plasterer in to do the cornice and ceiling repair.
It was great to finally get all our books out of the cupboard they'd been stored in since we moved.  Nothing like books to add a bit of warmth and colour to a room.

The boys surprised me with a little posey of flowers this morning from Grandma's garden.

They slept over last night so R and I walked up to our local Indian for a yummy meal and then went to Astro Pete's for some stargazing and astronomy chat. I got to clearly see Saturn, it's rings and two moons and some galaxies. I always find it immensely humbling and awe inspiring to stargaze.

Time to get ready for our mothers day picnic at New Farm Park.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and mothers day.

T
xxx

Tropical lighting

I picked up my new lamps from A-M at Cape Cod Designs last week. I've been waiting for these for awhile as I'd missed out on the first shipment and then had to wait weeks and weeks for the next. But they were well worth the wait. I love those pineapples!

I'm not 100% sure about those shades I got for them. I was so eager to get them set up that I pretty much bought the first shades that I found, but I reckon they'll do for now until something better comes along.

 

We've had the most beautiful weather this last week and over the long weekend.  It's such a wonderful time of year to be outdoors.

T

xxx