Bicycle Fun

Anton brought around the finished product on Saturday evening which was very exciting for me.  Thank you Anton!  I just had to give it a ride the following day.  It was fun.  I also decided to purchase this cool brass bell from manufactum.com which I look forward to adding.  I figure that it's got old school cool factor to match Grandpa's bicycle.  The next accessories will be front and rear lamps though I really have to start thinking about Helen's bicycle!

Rattan Wreath

Christmas is nearly upon us once again, I can't believe how quickly this year seems to have gone.  The decorations are well and truly up at all the retailers and along the city streets.  I decided to forego a store bought wreath by grabbing a few bits and pieces from my crafty stash and quickly put this simple wreath together. I think I quite like the result actually, some crafting cane, some remanent twine and ribbon and bits of shell with holes worn through. Of course it's shells and rattan once again, very predictable of me I know!

Fabric Love

How beautiful are these fabrics! Ok, so I have a weakness for all the rattan in the styling as well but the upholstery is definitely on the wishlist for all the rattan furniture I seem to be accumulating.


http://www.thibautdesign.com/

Sunday in the Gardens

While in Toowoomba a couple weeks ago we had enjoyed a continental breakfast on the verandah where we stayed followed by a morning stroll through the Toowoomba Japanese Garden.  I enjoyed watching the families of ducks, Helen especially liked the little ducklings.  A lone white duck put on a bit of a display washing itself while the turtles seemed to be rather interested in watching us.  It was a rejuvenating Sunday morning.

The Great Gatsby

Ok, so I'm definitely in a reading groove now.  Last night I finished reading The Great Gatsby which I thoroughly enjoyed.  I love the sense of excitement and glamour of the parties as well the mystery that exists around the gentlemanly character called Gatsby.  Feeling inspired to keep on reading and perhaps something a bit closer to home this time.  I think my next book will be Cloudstreet by Tim Winton.

Crime and Punishment

Last week I picked up Fyodor Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment again after having put it down almost a year ago.  For a long while I had thought I wasn't much of a reader and never would be however it would seem not so.  Every time I picked up this book I was disappointed to have to put it down.  I suppose it was a completely different world to immerse myself in. One of a completely different place, time and condition and yet very human.  The book does paint a very morbid but real picture of humanity. Why I picked this book to read as opposed to any other I'm not sure, perhaps it was the bold and geometric cover. Anyway, I am certainly thankful to have read it.  Now to decide on the next read...

Evening Blaze

Another thing I really enjoyed about our stay in Toowoomba, sitting by the fire with a glass of wine.  Soo cosy and novel for me.  Of course there is no need for a fireplace in Brisbane with our benign climate. Here the fire is dying down a bit... perhaps I should have taken a photo while it was actually ablaze.

Picnic & Vacy Hall

It has been a hectic two weeks and once again the weekend is upon us.  Last weekend James and I made a trip up to Toowoomba to attend Lachlan and Bec's engagement picnic.  Perfect weather made for a very enjoyable afternoon in the park. We stayed overnight at Vacy Hall and just loved this historic mansion full of nostalgic grandeur. I had to snap some of the details to remember it by. The expansive verandahs furnished with an abundance of cane and rattan furniture were just beautiful as were the hydrangea at every turn. A perfectly set breakfast on the verandah with silver and linen was an indulgent start to Sunday morning.

Blue & White Ginger Jars

Did I mention that I have a slight fixation with blue and white ginger jars?  This pair was a steal at $20 each.  Ah, the wonder that is eBay!