Warming up for the gift fair in Sydney

Just re-ordered Est after a busy Christmas with Carolyn's product; they sell so well as as small gift just to say i am thinking of you at Christmas time or a Chris Kringle present. When they arrive the scent wafts through the whole store.

We are re-stocking Lilli and Lulu as well. We have quite a few customer orders so i have topped things up with some other items.

A florist stand makes a great display shelf for stock in store.

Another angle of this shot.............

The vintage birdcage is something else and would certainly make a statement on a veranda or in a gorgeous conservatory.

Thanks Leeann

I was pleased when i saw that Leeann from Fabulously French had listed me as one of the blogs that make her smile....well her blog makes me smile as well. As a thank you i have posted a photo that i have in my store (now sold) that reminds me of Leeann....i will be disappointed to see it go because everyday when i look at it, it reminds me of her. I look forward to going to where she lives in France and meeting her in person and staying at her 'Fabulously French' accommodation. Thanks again Leeann i love reading your blog as well.

In the garden

Well today i have a lot of things i want to do. Get into the garden, do some washing after a day down at the bay catching up with friends and a general tidy up around the house before Australia Day. Aussie Aussie Aussie oye oye oye.....yea i know but i am as Aussie as the next one and i am very proud of that. I find during the holidays with the children at home and friend popping in the house gets messy very easily; but if you keep on top of it, it isn't so bad. Some more photos that Amy has taken i am getting so many that i am going to buy a hard drive to load them all on to because i think i am rapidly running out of room on the computer.

This photo is an old oven we thought one day we may incorporate into a pizza oven......anyway Amy found it and took this photo of it sideways.

An old piece of rope holding a tyre up in the bush that the kids swing from.

The girls in action once again....

A view from down in the valley. I am so pleased with Amy's photography that i think i may do a collage board of all of her shots that i love.

Here we go again.....

Well ,we all must be crazy; yes another puppy. We saw this litter of pups at the market and could not get this little girl out of our minds. So after much deliberation and searching for solutions of who was going to take on the parent role, we worked out that Chloe was ready to be the mum. With Chloe working nights made it a possible. So what did we do, we made a phone call, and guess what, she was still there. Well we don't regret the decision at all; she is absolutely beautiful and we have had healers before ,so we know what we are in for. The only main hurdle that we have discovered is that she is stone deaf. So we have made some signs for her to learn different commands, and that seems to be working so far. She seems very loyal and wanting to be near us at all times, i guess she is relying on our sense of hearing for her. Apparently they become very good dogs, but we realise it is going to be a lot of work.

Home again from the beach babies.....

We have just returned from our summer holiday at the beach. Wow was the weather beautiful, amazing even. Every day we spent lapping up the sun surf and sand.....how Aussie. Sorry to do this to all those freezing European bloggers knee deep in snow. Oh well we all have our turn at the seasons and i especially enjoy them for the changes they bring.

Whilst skip spent a lot of time enjoying his new toy; the boat i read and lazed in the hot sun. Such a beautiful beach and such beautiful surroundings. We are so lucky in Tasmania with all the fresh food beautiful wines and gorgeous scenery.

I hope you like these photos of the beach that Amy took.

A quick sneak at the Christmas decorations inside the main home because i realised that i hadnt posted any pictures of them and its not long and i will be taking them down for another year.

Had to do some adjusting to my front door wreath made the hessian banding with joy written on it just to jazz it up a little.....

Our rather small tree. I guess the one at the store is a big enough undertaking so i go quite small at home. Note the Marley & Lockyer tags that i added this year.

A french portrait i picked up from the market only small wish it was bigger; maybe i could get it enlarged.

A comfy chair in our front lounge somewhere to sit over Christmas and read a good book.

Fun with friends and family 2010

A day at the races on New Years Day not only proved to be a hot one but fun to be had with friends. As 2009 rolled on it gave me time to reflect and realise that we don't spend enough time with our mates. We are so busy earning money to pay for our mortgages and our unrealistic interpretation of what we think we really NEED. Yes need that is the word; how much food did we throw out at Christmas because we thought we needed that much. My New Years resolution is going to be around what we need and what we don't need. I think we get lost in a society that doesn't understand the importance of friends and family and time that we need to share with them, and instead focuses energy on what we supposedly need. This year my shop does not open again until the 15th of Jan because i want to spend time with my beautiful family and friends and if my customers get cranky well i am sorry.....but yea my family come first.

Amy a gorgeous little friend.....its so nice that my daughter does not age discriminate. I am so proud of her for that.

Amy and another friend at the races; pulling funny faces. They are truly beautiful.

As you can see..........hope you enjoy these special and personal photos.

Ready to dash off to the cup.......

More Chrissy photos

Slow cooked con fit of duck salad; it was the nicest duck i have ever tasted. Well done Sue.

Who is doing all the work Chloe or me?

Wow our back area has never looked so good.

The sink in the barn great for washing up..........

Our vintage tractor Dexter.....I wont be posting anymore Chrissy photos i think you have seen enough so back to other more interesting shots. Oh thanks Amy more great shots from you with your new wis bang camera.