Small improvements, major joy...

Right after we moved into this house Lovely Husband and I did some plumbing work on our kitchen sink - changing the stiff and dripping 1970's taps to a smooth, dry mixer tap. The incredible joy I felt every time I used the new tap lasted for months, it was like a major kitchen renovation in my mind. This lampshade installed by Macgreg, has given me a similar feeling. Cooking dinner has never looked so bright and cheery (and large shadow created by own head has vanished). The old lighting was totally useless and the improvement was simple and soooo satisfying. I was the witness to this job, looking on in awe and loving him like mad for making my day...


While work on this sculpture (by Alex Knox) is on hold for a couple of weeks, Macgreg and I are attempting to get a few things done around the place.



We inherited this house with a rusted and leaking roof that needed a huge section of iron replaced. I was the apprentice roof plumber to Macgreg on the recent chosen day. No photos to show as I was completely freezing, rather cranky and was just wishing it was all over and done with. Up on the roof, bending metal with a small tool in Winter for hours on end was not my idea of fun. We are a team though, and I felt the need to contribute to the ongoing house improvements, not just leave the crap jobs to Macgreg. New iron on roof, not much joy, enough said.


Much joy has been felt by all (actually, mainly me) by the replacement of the old tracks and rollers on the kitchen sliding door... Hadn't been changed in forty years and was completely worn out- heavy, noisy and bumpy. We have 2 more doors that need doing - I'll be ecstatic when they're done.


We also inherited a leaky pool with the house. Had a guy come out to detect the source of the leak and now we are in the midst of fixing the problem. Not a lot of joy yet, particularly for Macgreg who will be down the muddy hole chipping away at cement and sleeving pipes etc (that's plumbing talk, he he)




We have also done some re-fencing lately, which I can say I was a big part of the actual doing, not just the support team who mainly watches and makes cups of tea. The joy in this job comes from the addition to our family of a small, gorgeous dog who we are all completely in love with. It's a bit like having a new baby - everyone cooing and cuddling him - but without the sleeplessness and sore nipples. Our fencing keeps the dogs in and the rabbits out of the vegie garden area.


New front door handle - brilliant. (it's the little things that make me happy)




The joy of having an inside laundry is obvious. A recent and much enjoyed improvement to our lives.


And lastly - the crochet border is finished on the marriage blanket. The blanket itself is 7 winters old but now it's finally finished. Although I can't claim to have done all the crocheting myself as Macgreg had a go one night when I was out.



Stay tuned for more joy as we tackle a fairly major building project - Sunday's bungalow... Supposed to be done by Xmas..hmmmmm.

More Good Things About Winter...

I'm re-teaching myself crochet for the 5th winter in a row - I always think I've forgotten how, then after a short study of the book and a few stitches it all comes flooding back.
Other good things - Husband's weekend frittata, sneaking into the movies with Sue, sleeping in on the school hols under fab new doona, researching the east coast for prospective camping adventure in Dec and starting back at yoga this morning with the lovely Annie.

Meet 'Blue'...

Had to do a post about our new family member! 'Blue' is a 16 month old Blue Heeler x Jack Russell who was in need of a home - one with another dog, kids to play with, room to retrieve a stick and a family to adore him... which we all do. Bella is flirting like mad too. He is such a sweet, little dog. He sometimes sits on my lap when I'm on the computer and he makes for Olive's bed at night knowing he'll be cuddled til morning. He picked up my undies off the bedroom floor this morning and threw them across the room - other than that, a model dog!

Winter Sun...

I can just cope with Melbourne Winter if I have - a few woolen undergarments, regular casseroles, soups and curries, great novels to escape with, kindling, fruity reds, fluffy, soft scarves, episodes of 'the Modern family' to watch in bed, a good pouffy doona, projects to knit and occasional sunny days even if it's still freezing cold. I've never lived before in a house so well positioned for the winter sun. We all gravitate to spots where we can soak up a few rays to warm the bones...


What about sunbaking in bed?



Mmmmmn roll on Spring...

Visit to Heide

Despite the rain on Sat afternoon Macgreg and I made a trip to Heide Museum of Modern Art. Something we'd been meaning to do since we moved to Eltham - only took us 18 months to get there...We'd both been there a number of times before in much better weather, to see particular shows and to picnic on the beautiful hillside. Our main purpose this time was to join a tour of the 'Sunday's Kitchen' exhibition, as Kate had given me the book for my birthday. I also wanted to see Simryn Gill's show 'Gathering'.


We wandered around the original farmhouse, saw some great paintings and only casually listened to the tour speaker talking of life and routines of the Heide folk. Afterwards we headed for the gardens. We checked out which vegies were growing and the state of the grounds... Then headed into the galleries. I really enjoy Simryn Gill's work, she has a unique perspective and is a prolific artist using many different mediums - and her work makes me laugh. I was snapping away with my digital camera at my hip until the security woman told me off. With an upcoming blog on my mind I only took a couple more after that.




After a brief rest with feet up in the gallery shop we wandered a little longer in the gardens. I'm usually inspired by something I've seen in an exhibition and while the work we saw at Heide was very good it was the colours of Autumn/Winter that excited me the most.
(Sunny tells me that blogging about Nature is boring - it might be my age but sorry, I can't help it)

New surroundings...

Since my last blog in 2007 we have made a big move to an acre of land, with room to breathe, ride a billycart, throw the frizbee, have a decent sized vegie garden and a few chooks. It feels good. I have taken many photos since living here and I thought it was high time to get back on the blogging horse and post a few. Big hello and warm welcome to my dear friends who don't reside in Melbourne but who do tune in here from time to time. xxx

Country life...

We arrived late one night to find 2 Eastern Rosellas in our bathroom, one dead on the floor, the other died the next morning. We figure they must have flown in down the chimney and then couldn't escape. We all felt very sad for them imagining their suffering. Olive and Macgreg gave them a good send off, a peaceful spot to lie. Took ages to clean up the house as they had poohed ALL over the place.... When we dont inhabit the house for a few weeks the small creatures move in.