Sorting and Sifting...

My friend A-M popped in to help me fine tune this here blog. Who knew there's a ton of info to grasp when one ventures into blogland. Learning never stops, doesn't matter how old we are.

 Well we set to like only women can and created miracles (after tea, cake and chatter of course).

Very nice mani there A-Me and I so want the ring! 

Of course this set off a chain of events for yours truly because I realised my system left a bit to be desired if I was to become an efficient Miss and create posts in a timely fashion without trawling through squillions of pics. Hence over the last two days I've spent, oh about six hours sorting hundreds (felt like thousands) of photos into new folders...click...drag...click...delete...and so on until I had morphed into a robot.

Do you update your photo folders etc on a regular basis to enable easy blogging?
Must say I feel quite chuffed now it's organised, just wish I could be enthused to attack a pile of paperwork that's staring at moi.

But not right now. I need a drink!
xx

Warm days and a Rose garden

Today is 25C. It's Winter. That's just silly. So I channelled my black and white kitchen decor and threw on a light cotton dress over a tee and leggings.
Good old stripes and I'm feeling all nautical and summery.

Very exciting news, we planted four rose bushes yesterday. Red of course, white, yellow and pink. Do you notice the mesh around the garden? Isn't it attractive.
This is to deter the resident bush turkeys from destroying the mulch and the bushes need to establish themselves without said turkeys rearranging our hard work.
Look at the little bud..yay.

We are finding interesting garden ornaments from previous owners buried here and there. Like these cherubs which need a good scrub. One can imagine garden fairies drinking from this.

The Boss would like me to inform you she has been to the beauty parlour and is not impressed. The girls do a fabulous job but she gets attached to her hair and goes all sulky on us afterwards.
Someone is a princess.

A friend is popping in so what the heck lets eat cake!

Enjoy the rest of your day, night or whatever it is in your part of the world.
xx

A New Summer Frock

Around this time of year with spring just around the corner my thoughts turn to summer frocks.
I prefer to purchase Australian made if possible and Cue fits the bill. While not all garments are manufactured here I find their cotton and silk items usually are. During the atrocious heat and humidity of a Queensland summer I can't bear fabric against my skin that does not breathe.
Frocks are my go-to every day for comfort and decision making ease. Finally I have learnt that it is sensible to spend a bit extra on a quality garment for durability.
At the beginning of every season I do have an internal debate with myself about the pros and cons of jumping in and purchasing or stalking the stores or online for reductions on the frocks I have in mind. Due to my size being popular sometimes it's best to bite the bullet and pay up to secure the garment and be ready at the starting blocks for summer in all it's glory.

Photos don't do it justice unfortunately. Not for a moment did I venture in search of an orange pattern but experience has shown it's worth spending a few minutes in a cramped fitting room cubicle trying on because I can be pleasantly surprised as I was with this little number. So home she came and I have no doubt she will be on high rotation.

Might pair her with these tangarine sandals from last summer.

Love the black piping detail on the bodice and the zipper detail is quite attractive plus a boat neckline wins hands down everytime.

During last years winter sales I picked up a cute leopard print Cue cardi in camel shades and would have snapped up the grey version too but my size was unavailable. Lo and behold look what was hanging on the sale rack last week in my size thankyou very much!

This little number I did stalk over a few months and pounced at the appropriate time. A floaty 100% silk number from Collette which included a perfect fit black petticoat. This will be perfect for many occasions and especially for travelling.

A few more fabulicious frocks I hope to bring  home and I will share if I'm successful. My summer wardrobe shall then be complete.
xx

Kitchen Corner

Today my plans were scuttled due to the sniffles and so I wandered around this morning feeling sorry for myself until I happened upon my kitchen corner. This spot is beautiful on a sunny morning.
First thing every day I boil the kettle and brew green tea in a teapot. I cannot start the day without this fix. First item I pack when travelling is a supply of green tea. Unless of course I'm visiting Japan because to pack green tea would just be silly.

The sun streams through my kitchen window and fills me with delight. I'm a summer personality and glum overcast days are not to my liking.
Do you have a tea arrangement set up in your kitchen? Tea is my poison and am known to imbibe several cups a day.

These delicate orange beauties jumped into my shopping basket yesterday. See I need to get me some roses growing quick smart.

For the sake of a nice photo the stainless steel kettle was removed. The framed postcard I purchased in Paris and knew these two ladies would fit very nicely at my tea station.

Sigh.....Talk about glam..those were the days.

I don't eat pineapple upside down cake for breakfast although it would be nice. Baked this oldie but goodie last night for dessert and because the colour matches the roses it is included in this post.
By the way this cake is a favourite with everyone. And dead easy to make.
In fact last nights dinner was also very retro with a 70's mainstay Coq au Vin as the main course. My daughter remarked on this step back in time and laughs when I pull out my dog eared recipe books from that era.
What can I say..I'm a child of the sixties.

I love this jar. Mind you it is empty as the lid is not airtight but oh well, it looks pretty.

Mr Owl sits on my window sill as a reminder to 'Be wise Annie'. Do you think the eyes express his concern that he has a monumental task which burdens him greatly?

The cute picture below is from the front of a greeting card I kept. Love it to bits because the pooch is a little princess and don't we all like to be a princess and precious sometimes. For the life of me I cannot remember the giver but perhaps they were trying to give me a hint? Maybe it was my husband. Must ask.

Time to boil the kettle AGAIN and partake of a good strong brew of Irish breakfast tea and a piece of leftover cake. Must confess I belong to the group that enjoys tea sipped from fine china.

Now a comfort movie or two might be in order and perhaps a mani with my fav shade to give my sorely neglected nails a treat. I will be wise today and take it easy.

Hope your Friday is being kind to you.
xx

Japan

Browsing through photos of Japan tonight and recalling the absolutely wonderful experiences my family has had the privilege to enjoy in this delightful country. Every time my feet hit Japanese soil I feel at peace.
Without doubt I love this country to bits and believe the generosity of the people and their customs has influenced my life for the better. I long to return.

My heart aches for those still suffering the aftermath of the dreadful earthquake and tsunami in March.

So here's a few random pictures from our collection
xx

Friends and Eating out

Today was overcast and raining and perfect for holing up in a trendy cafe with my blog friend A-M. of 'The House that A-M Built'. We solved the problems of the world and more. In fact I think we could talk underwater if pressed!
A-M's blog was one of the first I followed many moons ago and it's now a daily ritual.  How she conjures up fabulous posts every day just amazes me. Really.
The photo above shows my huge salad and that is A-M  hiding behind her sticky date pudding. Both of us are camera shy. And I wish I'd chosen the pudding too.

My day seemed to revolve around food. My husband and I went to our favourite Thai restaurant for dinner and so my warm and toasty Goat cardigan made an appearance to combat the night chill.
As I'm new to blogging and thus mastering this taking a photo of myself and the outfit I'm wearing situation, the photo below took quite a few attempts before I was happy with the result. My husband was downstairs wondering what on earth was taking me so long to get ready..
Oh just fixing my lippy dear...

Curry puffs, chicken satay, prawn red curry and coconut rice followed by deep fried ice-cream with caramel sauce. Beats me why the ice-cream never melts.

Don't you adore going out for a meal?  No dishes to wash or dishwasher to stack.
Gotta love that!
xx

Entertaining

A spot of entertaining was in order over the weekend and of course roses featured. This rose garden I am planning is actually a plot of weeds at the moment so I must activate my deeply buried gardening gene and get it sorted. Or I run the risk of going broke from purchasing cut flowers.
You know I actually enjoy gardening once I'm outside but fear that after battling drought conditions living on acreage for many years it was hard and a little soul destroying trying to cultivate lush foliage only to watch it curl up and wither. After three years my visions of a cottage garden evaporated and only the hardy drought tolerant Aussie natives survived.

Do you gain pleasure from setting out a table for guests? I learnt so much from my mother who was a superb hostess and while I'm far from being superb at this art I have fun displaying little bits of bling, a candle or two, a lovely tablecloth and pretty crockery. My parents vintage Noritake dinner set is a must along with some jazz music playing softly in the background. Funny how our musical tastes change over the years because I've never been a fan of jazz but nowadays it soothes my soul.

Not for the faint hearted this crockery...it is non-dishwasher proof. I figured I should start using my finer pieces because quite frankly how can I enjoy them if they are stuck in a cupboard.

Now that my children are grown and we are done with renovating houses I really wish to embrace the finer things in life and enjoy the beautiful bits and pieces I own. It will be a little tribute to my Mum and her generation who went above and beyond when it came to entertaining. Plus guests get a kick out of the effort involved which makes it all worthwhile.

Do tell....What tactics do you use for entertaining?
xx