Hello again

A very belated Happy New Year dear readers and a warm welcome to some new faces as well.

There's been lots going on here, I'll do a bit of a catch up post soon. In the mean time here are a few of my most recent flea market / op shop finds. Some thing lite and easy to get me in the blogging mood again.

More vintage sheets. You know a girl can never have too many of these, well that's what I tell myself anyway!

Two never been used vintage pillow cases and a baby wrap to make into not-paper towels

A plastic coated apron for soap making (love Snoopy), nut roll tin, woollen blanket to use for a quilt back, cute Holly Hobbie trinket box and a vintage toy pattern booklet.

Are you an op/thrift shop addict like myself, found any bargains lately?

Bye for now

Lisa

Happy Holidays

Wishing you all the very best for a wonderful Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.

A big thank you to all my lovely followers, for taking the time to stop by and read my ramblings. Your comments always brighten my day :)

Cheers Lisa xox

Christmas has landed at my place

We don't usually have a tree or really celebrate Christmas. When it comes to Christmas Tony is scrooge in disguise. Nothing would please him more than to have Bah Humbug in lights across our house and have a display of Santa being stuffed head first down a chimney. Do you get the picture. He likes the gifts, the festivities i.e. food and drinks just not the christian ideal.

Growing up as a Catholic, Christmas and other holy days were important to our family (Mum, me and my sister) and always observed. My Dad, well that's a different story he was an atheist and held other spiritual beliefs. After my Mum passed away Christmas was never really the same and I do struggle with this time of the year. Friends use to invite us to their Christmas breakfast every year, as we were the orphans. It was lovely, but I eventually stopped going cause it just made me more sad that I have no immediate family near by, my lives sister is 2000kms away. Anyway enough of the sob story, there are many much worse off than me.

To my surprise, this year Tony suggested I put up a tree. I think he must be feeling a bit guilty. What to do, we don't have a Christmas tree any more. It was donated to charity after sitting untouched for years. Then I remembered seeing a few blogs with fallen branches used as Christmas trees. I love Brydie's Cityhippyfarmgirl as well as Veggiegobblers Festive Fallen Branch Friday.

After a bit of searching around the backyard and the local parks I gathered enough sticks to make my tree. Tony's comment when I first started was 'Why don't you just buy one'. No no no I want to make it!!!



Here it is, my bundle of sticks. I must say I rather like it, some of the ornaments have come from swaps and some are older than me. Due to a large black dog who shall remain nameless a few decorations had to be moved, he thought they looked like nice toys.

I hope you're enjoying the festive season and not feeling too overwhelmed.

Cheers Lisa

Look what I won!

In October I purchased a few raffle tickets to help support a wonderful charity that rescues and rehabilitates neglected and abused horses. Charlie's Angels Horse Rescue
On Monday afternoon I received a phone call telling me that I'd won the raffle. To be honest I'd forgotten about it and couldn't remember what the prize was. To my delight I've won a overnight stay at a beautiful B&B, with a 2 course dinner, wine, full breakfast and late checkout. How good is that!!

Wiikirri Bed and Breakfast Retreat is in a town called Blackbutt in the South Burnett region of South East Qld. Famous for its beautiful scenery, wineries, cheese makers and of course peanuts.

My Mum grew up in the town of Kingaroy not far from Blackbutt. As a child I spent many a holiday visiting my grandparents and my Aunt and Uncle's farm near Nanango. Sadly its been many years since I last visited my Aunt so this trip to Blackbutt will provide the perfect opportunity for a catch up.

Now to decide when to go on our weekend away and what to do with the animals.

Cheers for now
Lisa

Christmas cheer

I recently took part in a Christmas ornament swap at the Down to Earth Forum. This is the second year I've participated in this swap and its always lots of fun. My swap partner Becci sent me the most wonderful bundle of goodies.

As you can see I was very spoilt

This is what I made for Becci, little patchwork pillows scented with dried orange peel, cloves and cinnamon and some 3D card ornaments made from last years Christmas cards.

Keeping in the Christmas theme, on Sunday night Tony and I went to see the RocKwiz Christmas show at the Tivoli theatre in Brisbane. For those who are not familiar with RocKwiz, as the name suggests it's a music quiz show, with more of a rock / alternative edge. It was a fantastic night, lots of laughs and great music.

It seems that we're in a bit of a comedy spell at the moment. Early in November we saw the wonderful Barry Morgan (last post), then on Saturday night we went to see the Kransky Sisters and Topology. I think that's my socialising over for another year.

Just in case you're wondering who The Kransky Sisters are, here is a clip from one of their performances.



Very funny ladies, with a slightly bent view on life. Last time we saw them they arrived on stage in their Morris Major car. This time it was on Brisbane City Councils City Cycles wearing plastic strainers as bike helmets LOL.

Cheers for now

Lisa

Oh, Barry

Nothing simple living about this post, just a bit of comic relief.

As a treat for my birthday Tony and I went along to the Powerhouse Museum last Sunday to catch Mr Barry Morgan from Barry Morgan's World of Organs in Adelaide. Regular viewers of the ABC's show Spicks and Specks will be familiar with Barry and his wonderful organ. I have to say the show was hilarious, almost like being in an infomercial. Heck there was even a set of steak knives throw in for the person lucky enough to purchase Barry's wonderful Hammond Aurora Classic.

Check out Barry on Spicks and Specks sharing the love.





To top off the night our car got locked into New Farm park, my fault for being in a rush and not reading the signs. We managed to get out, just had to drive along the walkway / bike path to the road. Beats paying the $40.00 council call out fee for opening up the gate. Shhh....don't tell anyone!

Have a great weekend
Cheers Lisa

Under attack

Just when I thought all was going well in my tomato patch.


Yesterday I discovered that my Rouge De Marmande tomatoes are being devoured by some caterpillar beasties.....argh!! Initially I was a little worried about the plant as I think it has some type of disease (black spot, wilt?). We had a busy day on Sunday and I didn't get out to the vegetable patch for my usual daily check. Monday morning came around and I was out there watering and checking when I came across this.


Anyway after a bit of a chat with google, I sprayed all the tomato plants with garlic and chili spray and today I'll get some Dipel and try that.

This year I have eight tomato plants growing, two of which I purchased as seedlings. The Tommy Toe is at least 2.5m tall and still growing, fruiting like crazy. The second one purchased is a Pot Prize, such a sturdy little plant. The rest are all volunteer tomatoes, the Rouge De Marmande from last year. I wont be growing it again as I think it is best suited to cooler climates. A Roma tomato and two mini pear shaped tomatoes, I know they are from a Diggers plant from last year plus a mystery tomato.




Summer is really upon us now so I don't know how my tomatoes will fare with the heat. I'm thinking I might invest in some type of shade netting to put over the garden beds. It's so disheartening seeing all the plants wilting away from the heat.

On a positive note, check out my tropical apples, this year is it's first proper crop. On last count there are about thirty apples on the tree. Whilst they look lovely, taste wise they are a bit on the tart side and appear to have been stung by some type of insect. I'll have to look into a suitable type of organic spray, any suggestions?


How is your garden growing?

Cheers Lisa