Solitary Musings

Hello dear friends, what are your plans for the upcoming Easter week? Have you got anything special planned? A holiday perhaps or maybe that long-awaited long weekend break? 

Well, for me, we usually gather for a backyard barbecue at home or at my in-laws or sometimes hubby and I would go for a weekend away somewhere in the country. This year I'm totally on my own. No husband or daughter to spend my Easter long weekend with. My daughter is studying and working as a casual teacher in Sweden and hubby is on a European history tour with his year 11 -12 students for 3 weeks. The thought of my husband being away brought some anxieties. Lots  of things to take on; the garden, chickens, birds, the dog on top of my demanding job. One week on, I realised that being alone wasn't that scary after all. In fact, I am using this as a breathing space to reflect on my spiritual journey and solitary thinking. I managed the household without too much drama and enjoy some tea time alone. I have been experimenting and testing my ability in baking and cooking(with my dog as critic) playing with the ingredients which are readily available from our garden. 

Thank you dear friends for visiting and I really appreciate all your sweet messages. Wishing you all a happy and safe week. 

Mr Lincoln and some African Daisies.



One of my op-shop finds; Royal Swan Flamingo cup and saucer, made in England.





An addition to my tea pot collection; Maxwell and William Kimono





Two cups of flour, some butter, a couple of fresh eggs, three overripe bananas, our home grown apples, sprinkle of sugar and a pinch of care. Equals a delectable tea cake.



Dainty teaspoon, almost out of grip but its message makes my heart leap.

An old silver knife and fork with a handle made of ivory, a little rusty but retained its intricate beauty.

All that chopping, peeling and whisking,  were all worthwhile. As I was rewarded with this another perfectly baked banana, peach and apple tea cake.

A little bit of modification and some common sense, to create something so simple yet so delightful.

Nature has its way of showing appreciation after the rain,  the vine of Panama Red passionfruit is teeming with golden green succulent treasure.



Some blemish-free banana peppers, not so sweet, not so fiery. Rich in vitamin C, full of flavour specially when stuffed when herbs and something cheesy.

Birds eye chillies, please don't underestimate, they make look tiny but once tasted, its intensity could last for days.

Yellow pear tomatoes, must be the last crop of the season. As the weather is now cooling down, as we go deeper in Autumn.

Rosemary, Basil, parsley and thyme. I've gathered them for drying, in preparation for colder months.

Recycled olive oil tin, it matches the table cloth I purchased from a vintage store in Amsterdam.

My rose garden never cease to amaze me, as they continue to offer the best of their ability.

All living things great and small, if only we stop and look closer.

Just a quick hello

A quick update with what has been happening in my garden in the last couple of weeks. We have been blessed with continuous rain and the garden is blissfully rewarding us with so much produce. Summer crops have been replaced with cooler weather veggies. I have a stack of books lined up which I planned to read, fortunately I'm about to start my third. I'm trying to spend less time on the web and more on getting my hands dirty. But I can't let a good photo-moment get away as I go my merry way.  Below are some of the shots I have handy. 

Thank you dear friends for visiting and leaving your kind and sweet comments. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend ahead.  

Citrus or orchard butterfly sheltering under the pergola.

Roses in abundance

There are things in life which are hard to live without, tea, flowers and books are a few of them.

I'm happy picking and filling my basket with these goodies.

Pale-pink rose, snapped of its branch looking radiant against the tradescantia and catmint.

Our driveway is lined with these yellow daisies.

Surprise-surprise this foxglove continues to delight

I believe that in every drop of rain, out comes a beautiful bloom.

Hubby celebrated his birthday, and I was inspired to decorate this store-bought sponge gateau choc cake.

Since he was tiny, this blue tongue lizard has been a constant visitor to our property

Mandevilla or commonly called sun parasol, is a climber which trails along the deck. Perfect for spiders to create their little homes.

Australia has variety of native flowering plants, and this Grevillea Superb is one of them. Native parrots and birds alike feed on their nectar.

This Calamondin is teeming with little round golden fruits, I picked some before they all fall to the ground as they can get water logged.

An Emperor mandarin, plump, sweet and juicy. Prolific yet susceptible to fruit flies. We are lucky to yield a dozen a year.

Can't help but be happy, as I keep watching of these apple trees, fecund and abundant with fruit for my tart tatin recipe. 

Red Shahtoot mulberry- might look a little hairy and creepy but its sweetness tops every berry in the scenery.



I've searched and searched from far and near and at long last I found the perfect Vintage French Roses Toile fabric to re-cover my gold leaf-plated lamp.

And as always, my hands are full and preoccupied but I dare not forget my love of flowers and share them with friends whenever possible.

Well, my friends I'm signing off for now, as I go and search for that next book. But I will be back soon to update you with what's happening in my nook.

Thanks to these party people: Terri of tea time Tuesday http://artfulaffirmations.blogpsot.com
Martha http://marthasfavorites.com
Sandi http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com

A good rainfall on 1st day of Fall

I would like to say thank you friends for your birthday wishes and sweet comments. I was so touched by your kindness and thoughts. I am truly grateful for your friendship. Although we are miles away, your friendship seems close to me.

We are truly delighted for a good amount of rainfall in the last few days. And the forecast is even getting better, as more rain is heading our way, which means cooler weather and a greener, happier garden. Listening to the pitter-pattering sound of the rain, mindful of my fingers while peeling, coring and chopping some of our home-grown fruit and vegie as I prepared them for pickling and preserving, I can't wipe the smile off my face as I was full of anticipation to see the end-result of my hard work. I don't know about you, but I find this process therapeutic and relaxing.
Hope you are all enjoying some good weather.  Thank you for stopping by.




I will be joining;
I'm joining Sandi for Tea Time Tuesday http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com
Martha of Martha's Favorites http://marthasfavorites.com
Terri of Tea time Tuesday http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com
Bernideen's Tea Time Blog

I took photos of our table grapes when they were still brimming with sweetness and blushed with the darkness of anti-oxidants. Heard it through the grapevine; friends and family came by and took their fair-share - a bucketful each day before it all got eaten by feathered friends.



Myriad recipes come to mind, when I realised a basketful of apples were picked from our yard.

Somehow pleased with myself.

Everything looks happy except this little doggie

Everywhere I looked I see lush greenery

The birds are happy to see this bath not empty, as the rain fills it up each day

This dovecote is useful to all creepy-critters and crawlies

Time to recline and enjoy some down time.

One of my market finds, love the rose scented candle made by a lady who lives up the coast

A blue H&K Tunstall vase, purchased from a junk shop, filled with Mr Lincoln and Tropical sunset flushes.

Thought I'd use this Wedgewood tea tin as a vase. Trying to be creative? Maybe not.