Gifts, Birthdays, Mess

Look, look, look what came with the parcel man today!

From Victoria, whose art I really admire. It's a beautiful piece of work which I'm honoured to have.  It's of Clare and Ally (and Suska the dog) dressed as princesses (one of the Twelve Dancing, and Clara ,from The Nutcracker) for Book Week.  Lucky, aren't I.

Speaking of Clare and Ally, they've just had their eighth birthday. We made this stupendous cake which started out as a castle but was so loaded with lollies and the like, well, you wouldn't recognise it as that.

See what I mean?

But it was "all good".

Hmm, but their room is something I'll tackle with them this week, now that the birthday and all is done. Look at this (or maybe you should avert your eyes).

A bit of sorting and tidying is in order, I think.

Now for some peaceful sunlight.

Now that the days are getting shorter there's sunlight all the way across the kitchen in the late afternoon. The tall windows require ingenuity to keep extreme heat out, and cold out (thick blinds and curtains) but it's so worth it. So I can gaze at patterns of sunlight on the floor, on the wall, across the furniture.

This place was an absolute dive when we bought it. But like our first place, it meant we could still pay for it even if neither of us had paid work (because that's been the case in the past). Heck, the first house was four rooms plus lean-to. No bathroom, outdoor dunny (bonus!), rusted out wood stove in the "kitchen". Paper-and-hessian wall lining. Good living, but got really squeezy when bub number three (Leah) came along. And I really wanted more room to grow vegies.

We'd fixed up number one house slowly, over four or so years, and were fortunate to get a buyer who really wanted it.

So to house number two, this one. We're here for the long term. All the work over the last twelve years has kind of custom-made it for us (contrary to teenage opinion - why haven't we got a TV Room, a Family Room, a Pool, a Spa, a Tennis Court, a Boat Mooring with large motor boat, and so on...) I must say this comes from Giles and Leah. I think Linsey remembers the "poor years".

Well, this is rather a ramble. Not  what I intended.

Cheers.

Comments

[Victoria]

I'm glad it got there and you like it!
I like the girls room. I always like pictures of kids rooms and girls rooms are always much more interesting than boys rooms, although I can't wait to clean out my girls' rooms when the holidays are over. GREAT cake.

[Lazy Cow]

Happy birthday to your darling girls.
Absolutely divine artwork. That Victoria, so talented.
I think your girls' room looks great. There's a place for everything. (What I've JUST started these holidays is the 'one new toy in, one old toy out rule' and it seems to be working. Plus, while they were watching a DVD today I got rid of a two shopping bagsful of stuff. I'm sure they won't even notice).

[Maggie Pie]

I've always admired the photos of your home and garden -the girl's room is no exception. Happy Birthday to Clare and Ally. That candy-castle cake is a beauty! So is Victoria's gift.

[Kate]

I think it's the best way when the house fits you and it's not a case of not feeling comfortable in your home zone. A feeling of peace when all basic needs are met.

[Lazy Cow]

I couldn't email you back with the details of the shoes as you haven't linked your email?
Anyway, the boots are Camper, bought them 2 winters ago and have worn them every day it's been cold. I think they have similar styles in stock (I got mine from the Camper store at Chadstone, but there is one in the city and other stores like Giallo stock the brand too). They were - gulp - $370 and I agonised over it for weeks. But cost per wear, they've been worth it, and I justified it by making it my 10 year wedding anniversary present from my husband!

[bex]

Beautiful work from Victoria!
I recognise that from a photo on the blog. That was the first time I visited here.
Hatty Dirtday to the girls too! Xxx

[Claire Falkingham]

What mess? Looks perfect!!!
Really enjoyed your post re the old laundry building, great photos, haunting!