Banksia roses and granny blocks

I was in desperate need of a play with colour today. 
This is the first block of a new quilt that is made up of granny blocks....somehow seems appropriate! I am going to use the left overs from Bertie's quilt with a few bits and pieces thrown in. 

Couldn't bring myself to show you the whole block...it's all a bit wonky. It was my practice block! My family would say....but they're always wonky!!!!!

We planted a number of tiny tubes of yellow banksia rose along the fence line of the rose garden some years ago now to disguise the outbuildings and tank. They served their purpose well and have thickened up beautifully. Bill usually attacks prunes them with the hedge trimmer whenever it takes his fancy. We have pruned them at all different times and they still continue to flower ....albeit just once. I have often regretted not planting them on all three fences around the rose garden to add that unifying element.....but no, I wanted one of everything so ended up with a bit of this and that. I am still learning.

And now....

They are going to be given a trim tomorrow to remove all the dead wood. I have already seen new signs of life so this might encourage even more.



Thank you Denise for the geranium cuttings and seeds. You are very kind.

And then there is this little man who makes our hearts sing!!!! When we have Facetime each week , he likes to put the ipad on his train and take us around the house with him. Amy is talking to him here as Sam is videoing.

Gardening days and things to plan

It was such a perfect day for gardening on Sunday.  I potted up some daffodils and hyacinths. The tulips are in the crisper in the fridge having their early winter. They will be put in my beautiful new pot in a few weeks.

 I used the remaining part of the old sewing machine that was in the gazebo as a potting bench. It worked a treat.
Joanne found a fabulous new idea for it which I love. It's the black one......

Perhaps a writing desk for our new room.
 We have decided to incorporate what was the old gazebo into an extension of the house, connected to the meals/rumpus room.

We would need to remove the wall between the meals and rumpus room and the outside walls of the meals/rumpus room. It would become one large space in the shape of the old gazebo...rather like a conservatory with a "pitched" roof.
The builder and the project manager were here this morning to talk about it all with us.
It may become stage 2 in the rebuild with the garage and sheds being part of stage 1.
Sounds amazing though!!!
 But of course there are all the costings to be done now. 

Bill had the trusty, rusty trailer on the job today collecting old bits of timber and wire.

And just to finish on some colour........

I love my morning cuppa time and using pretty old things including teacups and teapots.
 I have been trying to give up having coffee at home. Filter coffee and plunger coffee have all been given a run but none of them taste like I want them to (ie bought coffee) and buying coffee everyday just wouldn't get passed my financial manager, so it's been tea for me instead.
I do love the ritual of it all though whether it's tea or coffee.