Lovely fence

I found this lovely flowering fence line on a recent walk.

Both of the houses have back decks so can enjoy the flowers and it gives extra privacy as well.

Another auction item

I went to another auction in Wooloongabba. I am doing some research to see if any of my lithographs etc have any value. I also have a painting that I am thinking of selling.

I as surprised to see how many items sold for just $20. I bought 2 very interesting vases and this is one of them.

I love the crackle effect

This was made in China. It has a timeless shape and quite solid. Not sure how old it is.

A lovely Gold Boat

I have just arrived back from a week on the NSW South Coast. I found this wonderful piece of art work on the coast at Bulli north of Wooloongong.

Just wonderful

I think that this is one of the best pieces of public art on a shore line that I have seen.

On Sunday walk along the river

I Love walking along the river especially with a soft afternoon breeze. Mark dropped Charlene and I down to the river where the Bulimba ferry comes across from Oxford Street. We walked all along the walkway passing 'Eve's on the River' and look at what we saw.

I thought it was a ram - but only a girl would have a handbag like that

I loved this. Fits right in with the 'Wool Stores' buildings behind in Macquarie Street.

Then further along almost to the Power House.

Keeping in the Aussie theme - a Holden Ute

A great afternoon walk. Past the Power House, then New Farm Park. We found the river again behind the New Farm Bowls Club up to Sydney Street, then along Moray Street back to the apartment. A great fun 60 minute walk.

This is NOT a budget meal but a favourite

I saw Maggie Beer cook chickens with ver juice on a Master Chef program. Absolutely the best way to cook chickens.

Delicious

Maggie suggested serving this with Parsnip mash with small cubes of fresh pear folded through at the last minute.

An amazing flavour burst

Of course we have to have potatoes and beans. The beans are steamed but still firm. then wrapped in bacon and grilled. The dressing made from soy sauce, brown sugar and garlic is spooned over while they are grilling. Bakers potato is a very simple French peasant dish of fried leeks and thinly sliced potato cooked in white wine.

Very effective together

The table

This makes a great family meal.

I don't want to get up this morning

Maxi didn't want to move this morning so I started making the bed around him. He was completely unperturbed.

Just leave me here.

Another of my favourite subjects - Street Art

In this case Park Art. We walked to places we wanted to see during Brisbane Open Day. After the Windmill on Wickham Terrace we cut through a park -the one with Jacob's Ladder on the side - to get to Ann Street and the Masonic Temple.

I saw this sculpture.

Not sure what this is

The park is all green no flowers that I remember so this is the only colour. I think it is very effective.

Brisbane Open House

On the weekend of 'Open House' I visited the Masonic Temple. Traditionally women as in wives of members were only allowed in on special occasions, and then only in certain rooms. They have become much more 'user friendly' in recent years. In fact the men on duty during the open house were akin to a comedy team. All dressed up in suits and aprons and making jokes etc.
I had been in the temple years ago. I persuaded my friend Carol to come to a Mozart (love Mozart!) concert and play that was held in the main hall. I don't like being denied entry to anything and was determined to get inside.

This floor facinated me 

The floor is lovely but the carpet surrounding it looks like it belongs in a suburban pub!

Star of David?

Ceiling in the main hall

behind the choir

I climbed up into the choir stalls to get this picture. A lovely view from there.

Interesting chairs

In the centre of another interesting floor

What happens on these floors

Revisiting the Prado Exhibition

Some friends and I went back to the Queensland Art Gallery last Friday night for 'Prado Up Late'. the up late sessions on Friday nights at the gallery are very good with lots of atmosphere.
We listened as a local jewellery expert Margaret gave the history of the jewellery worn by the subjects in the painting. This was fascinating as she even knew the names of particular diamonds worn by the women featured in the painting and where they are now.

After we went to the specially set up Spanish Tapas bar for drinks and great tapas.

Delicious

I love this way of eating and sharing food with friends. All of the meat, cheese, olives etc was authentic Spanish food.
A fun night.

Little Corella Pears

I don't usually buy these pears as they are usually quite expensive. I found this little lot on the back table at my fruit and veg shop.

$1.85 bargain

One went onto the cheese platter for the Riverfire picnic. Two went into lunch time salads slice very thinly on the mandolin. Another was quartered and eaten as an afternoon snack. The rest were simmered gently with just a little water and cinnamon to be added to my mid day yoghurt.
On the premise that we should be eating 2 pieces of fruit per day here is 4 days supply for $1.85.

My first Florence Purchase

The first time I visited Florence was 1996. I was in an absolute daze with excitement. It was so overwhelming that some of it was a blur.

So cheery

My best shopping memory was buying this wall plaque in the town markets. It hangs in my kitchen and brings back lovely memories every time I see it. I also bought black leather gloves that have not been as useful. I only get to use them when I travel in winter (out of Brisbane).

Geese at Pullenvale

This is another of the reasons that I enjoyed my day at Pullenvale. GEESE!

I remember Joy's geese at Slacks Creek. Arthur and Martha - mean mean birds. Then there was the gaggle of seriously viscious geese that guarded the Paxton Chicken Abattoirs. Mum would send us with a message to give to Dad when he worked there, or we would walk through the bush to walk home with him. The geese would not let us out of the bush across the clearing to get to the buildings. We had to yell out for someone to come and get us. Mostly we took the dogs for protection but even 'Big Judy' the bravest dog in the world would not tackle those geese.

See the gosling

Surprisingly calm

Gorgeous setting

Such lucky geese

Heritage sign at the farm

There were 2 more geese at Coomera for a time. I remember them being mean also. When we went to visit they would not let my dog Leroy off the patio. Only Charlie brown the cat seemed to get on with them - from a distance!

Old Pullenvale Farm

My friend Michelle asked me to accompany her and her husband Stephen to an auction at Pullenvale. I have never been to Pullenvale and with the rare opportunity of being 'driven' somewhere I gladly accepted.
The house had been lovingly restored and sold so now the unwanted contents were being auctioned off. All of those things left in old houses by the older generations of this family that lived there.
I have only been to one auction previously which scared me at how fast things went. This time I understood the operation and I had a catalogue. I ended up buying a mat for $20, but really I was more interested in the garden and it's furniture.

My favourite

This bench went for a ridiculously high price. When the bidding reached $300 I stopped listening.

The largest wooden bench I have seen

I loved this

I adore garden settings and have never seen one like this before.

Hiding in the garden

I would have loved to take him home but he was not for sale.

The garden was tropical but low maintenance.

A great day.

Last Saturdays walk

I walked to the Oxford Street round about and back. I loved the spring flowers. Being an older area of Brisbane the flowers are all the old fashioned varieties.

A whole garden of these

I love this softer colour

Always this colour in our area

Beautiful bloom

This old style house has a fence full

This looks like holly

I have been told that this is a holly bush of some kind, but I'm not sure of it's correct name.

The bouganvilla always looks good at this time of the year - it seems to be everywhere.

New old plate

Since the Cornubia garage sale/clean out last year, I vowed not to buy any more things for the house. I stopped for a garage sale on the way to the supermarket of a very old house.
I saw a painted plate amongst all of the brik a brac.
The family had sold the house as the old lady had died, and they had to clear everything. The plate was the only thing I bought ($1). It is hand painted and I thought about someone painstakingly painting and designing this. It is actually a bit old fashioned but something about it appealed to me.

Just looks peaceful