My house feels like spring

I have been doing some serious gardening this past week to get things under control before rain (hopefully) and heat. I am hoping for another good crop of Agapanthus.

My nastursims look lovely right now so couldn't resist doing an arrangement.

I love this bowl with the shells in the base

My local supermarket has a special on tulips. I couldn't believe my luck. 4 bunches for $12.

So pretty and fresh

Then today is also 'Daffodil Day' so I couldn't pass these up.

Just right for the kitchen

The flowers inspired me to change all my winter decorations for lighter spring looking items.

Date and Ginger Cake with Caramel Glaze

I made this cake from the recipe in 'Delicious' Magazine June 2013. It had 3 ingredients that i love. Dates (I can't survive with fresh dates in the refrigerator), ginger and caramel.

The photo in the magazine was also gorgeous.

Fabulous

I was so excited with the result. Not only did it look amazing but I do believe that it is the best cake I have ever made.

I made this to take to Michelle and Stephen's for dessert.

Delicious magazine have a current competition where you upload a photo of something that you made from the magazine. I have done this. Will be fun to see what happens.

Willow basket

I have a real 'thing' for baskets. I don't have very many as I have no where to store them. I bought a picnic basket years ago with a 2 piece folding lid etc. I saw myself at lovely picnic spots with a basket full of goodies. Unfortunately it takes up a lot of room in the car boot and is horribly heavy and awkward to carry when full of food etc. It has only been used a couple of times but I can't bear to part with it.
I spent way too much time in Fortnam and Mason's in London drooling over their picnic baskets.

I have a large square rectangle basket with a handle that sits in the bottom of the wardrobe, 5 large baskets that go on top of the wardrobe full of bit and pieces. Another square basket with a handle sits on top of the kitchen cupboards that does get more use for carrying - as it is not as useless as the proper picnic basket.

On Friday I went to the Op Shop on Oxford Street and came away with a willow basket for carrying flowers. I have always had the romanic idea of picking flowers from my garden and placing them in a basket.

All ready to collect flowers

I have lovingly dusted, washed and oiled this - now where will it live? there is no room inside and it will get too much sun outside. I am still working on this.

Shelly Beach - Manly

I really love Shelly Beach at Manly in Sydney. It is a quiet cove just off the main manly Beach with no waves.
Just wonderful deep water and hardy anyone seems to swim there. Jonelle and I go there every time we visit Manly. We only managed one swim this visit because of the weather.

So quiet and peaceful

On the walk to the beach some lovely little art works have been attached to the rocks - I just love them.

I love this one

An octopus hiding on a ledge

Deep sea divers

The divers are a little hard to see. they actually sit in a depression in the rock that fills with water - so clever.

Sea snail

There are many more but some are hard to photograph because of the tiny size etc.

Today's walk - Newstead Park

It was warm today but as my neighbour and I were on an errand across the river we decided to walk in Newstead Park. We could see from our side of the river that there had been lots of work done on a new walk way. Walks along the river are my favourite.

Newstead house was closed for a function, but we had not planned to go in there anyhow as we had 'Val' the rescue dog with us.

The water lilies are in bloom

This fountain has the fattest gold fish I have ever seen.

Along the river

The breeze was blowing and the plants are delightful. Lots of plaques dedicated to the American Navy who were stationed here during WW11.

Then we came upon this

What a delight - made my day. Then in the path around the tree were little images in the cement.

Lots of these images

Different street art

No not our family

I couldn't believe this. I know this is not a relation but when I was growing up there was no other Robbins family in Brisbane. I know because I used to search in the phone book. Finally some turned up but of course not related.

As soon as the weather is cooler I plan to take more interesting walks.

Cake carrrier

I am not really sure what to call this item that Graham bought home that belonged to his Grandmother. I am saying a 'cake carrier' as this is what I used it for. It has been sitting on top of the kitchen cupboards for more than 6 years I think.

I thought that it was ugly. However whilst looking for something to transport the cake I made for Jonelle's birthday to Dahrl Court, I spied this.

I am sure it is from the 50's

I discovered that it was wonderfully designed to carry an iced cake in the car. If the plate that the cake is sitting on touches the edge of the container there is enough clearance so that the icing does not get damaged. This will now be looked after and cherished.

How 'things' end up in my household

After Graham's grandmother died ( a few years ago now) he would often come home from his weekly visit to his mother with an ornament, bowl, wall hanging, small cupboard etc.

No ceremony - they would just appear. I realised that they were obviously things that meant something to him.

This ashtray appeared one day.

I just loved him

He is a little battered, but I was intrigued. I had never seen one of these before. I gave him a prominent place on the bookcase and he held a tea light candle in the ashtray.

Low and behold not 2 weeks later I was at the Cannon Hill markets looking at the bric a brac stalls and look what I found.

This is now mine!

I couldn't believe that within 2 or weeks I was in possession of 2 of these ash trays. Mine was very messy so I painted and patched him the best that I could. I added the rhinestones also as something has obviously been stuck there previously. If I remember correctly he cost a whole $2. They both now sit on the bookcase and hold tea light candles. Such joy for a small amount of money.