Christmas Day all wrapped up!

Clear blue skies at Moonta Bay, South Australia.

All ready for some family holiday fun!

All the presents have been wrapped and unwrapped!
Now that it is Sunday, 26th December the day after Christmas.
I have managed to complete all of my shopping without venturing
into a major shopping centre. I shopped locally and through
Etsy.com for all my special gifts that were sent to me.
Remember the Gecko that I picked up at the Adelaide Markets?
He made a perfect gift wrapping surprise.
www.zuluzen.com.au available at the online shop also.



I love Peacocks and this beautiful print from kiintage at Etsy was just perfect.
All ready for Decorating our new main bedroom.
The prints are done on a page from a Vintage dictionary.
117 year old antique page!




Print number 2, I am spoilt!
Both prints are from kiintage at Etsy.
www.kiintage.etsy.com




A lot of Artwork from Krista Smith.
Ready to gift wrap for all the family.
Her store on Etsy is full of great gift ideas.
www.saturatedcanary.etsy.com
I love all of Krista's Artwork, I have a collection to enjoy;)



I have a love of the idea of a white Christmas with lots of Snowmen!
While we enjoy a 30 something Celsius degree day;)
Sharing the day with our family in Adelaide was great.
I love having them close by so we get together often.

Peace, Happiness and Joy to all of you and your families.
Best Wishes, Sue xOxOx

Travel Australia, look and you will find....

Blink and you will miss a surprise in store for you!

All Welcome!

If you are lucky you can travel Australia and find some places that

are special surprises because of the people you meet and the times you share.

Curramulka or just plain Curry to locals can be a hot, dusty place this time of

the year. We are lucky that we have family who live and work there.

The signs welcoming you and greet you here at Curramulka with

fancy dressed emu done beautifully by a local artist.

Curramulka means Emu Waterhole in local aboriginal language.

Each time we visit here for a BBQ and family gathering we know that

we are going to enjoy good country hospitality that you don't find everyday.

This time our visit over the last week has been to visit and farewell a very

special Curramulka local who was the greatest pleasure to know and love.

Some people spend a lot of time looking for the meaning of life and search

high and low without a clue. While others quietly make the difference by

actions and sharing with others.

Time to say goodbye to our dear Brother-in-law Ray.

Cheers to you and thanks for the friendship you have shared with us

and many others through the years.

Many thanks to all the people who joined us in celebrating his 63 years

and who helped to make this day special.

Here's to friendships shared.

Love Sue and familyxxxxx

Hit the Road

Beautiful Graphics from the Graphics Fairy.

After all the Christmas preparations are done and we all start to think about

enjoying some Summer Holidays here in Australia this bit of wisdom reminds

me of what it is all about. Hope you find it interesting too.

Lie in bed or explore a creek bed.

Go to the Movies or make your own.

Take a nap or a risk.

Keep Dry of get Wet.

Stare at the Horizon or find a new one.

Get take-away or take yourself away.

Behave or be Brave.

Live life or love life.

Count the candles or blow them out.

You've got mail or get a life.

Go to work or go play.

Mow the lawn or catch the Dawn.

Get points or get satisfaction.

Worry or Wonder.

Climb the wall or a Mountain.

Read the Menu or a Map.

Deplore the world or explore the World.

Take the freeway or find your own way.

Hit the remote or Hit the Outback.

Not bad advise for a Land-Rover Advertisement!

Whatever you do today don't loose sight of the big picture.

Have the best day,

Sue xOxOx

Decorate the House Festive Style

I hope you all had a lovely week-end. Ours was busy but fun.

This week-end was time to start decorating the home for the Festive Season.

I would rather not put things up early, I get a bit sick of picking up bits of tinsel for weeks!

But what is a home without some glitter and spangle this time of the year it is a must have?

This year because I am home sweet home I have made it my mission to make a

Christmas Banner. With a sad lack of Mantel places to hang it I found my

craft cubby/bookshelf does the job OK.

First I decided that red and white check would be the pattern and colours.

The Spotlight came to the rescue and gave me some ready made graphics to play with.

Now I have found my long lost Pinking Shears to make a zig zag edge I was on a roll!

A bit of green ribbon to add to the festivities.

Rev up the sewing machine and away I go creating the Banner.

All went well but because my pictures were on the larger side I had to expand the

size of the V's and now they look less dainty and more like elf hats!!!!!

Added some pretty coloured bells, thank you again Spotlight Store

who now know my name.

Now please look closely at the fabric because it holds a childish surprise for those of you

who are young at heart like myself.

Tiny tiny caterpillars having a bit of a Picnic on a Sunny Summers Day!

Well it is Australia and we have already had some Beach weather so

what could be more perfect?

More tinsel, wonder how long this will stay on the fence?

School Holidays have already started so it may not stay on for long.

I took a photo of our Candy Cane hanger on the door but it didn't turn out!

Anyway it is red and silver and I love it a lot. That I would like to leave up longer

but it would look strange;)

I love to collect flowers while I walk the dog, yes, they were hanging over the fence.

The colours are my favourite and I am a lavender girl so I have all the shades

covered and some blue as well.

The ones at the back have just started flowering and they look like thistles?

When the bush is not flowering it has the best silver leaves, very pretty.

I will be doing some investigating so that one day we can have this pretty plant also.

The purple Hibiscus is from our front garden.

This tree has been flowering all spring and was loaded with flowers.

Now it is time to be trimmed back and has started to flower again but much

smaller flowers that I adore even more! One storm this poor tree fell over.

It is trying to get away from a very large (and Ugly!) tree next door.

Hope you all get to enjoy a nice week.

I am sending all my best wishes for dear ones who are not well and in Hospital at the

moment. I see those nurses have a special touch with decorating and caring for you also.

Hope you will be feeling much better and enjoying yourselves at home again soon.

Lots of Love, Sue xOxOxO

Baby Elephant Steps

Seasons Greeting to everyone.

This is a great Vintage Postcard from The Graphics Fairy.

I think it has a good message to remind us all to keep in touch with those we love.

Yesterday I did some screen printing for a special order of my Mother and Baby Elephants
Design. I am going to call them Baby Elephant Steps because of some good advice
given to me last year. I love that each one turns out with it's own personality.
Unique.



I have collected a variety of tea towels to print on.

All washed and Ironed and ready to add to my etsy store tomorrow.
Have a great week,
Sue xOxOxO

Retro Wedding Invitations 1980

Today is our 30th Wedding Anniversary!

This is our Wedding Invitation from 1980

I am so glad that I kept a copy and that I could find it!

Hymn Sheet and Place Cards.

My Mothers printing office made these up for me and they are still special.

30 years has gone by so fast! That's a sign of getting older?!

With all the highs and lows of relationships you start of being young and full of

wishes and dreams for your life.

If you are blessed you have wonderful children to share it with you.

Family and friends join you for the ride and help you to feel a part of something

very special.

Many thanks to everyone who we love very much for being part of making those

dreams come true.

Sue xOxOx

Day trip to Victor

Today we did a day trip to Victor Harbor and it is a nice drive from Adelaide with the

freeway. We were visiting friends who live near by. This photo was taken at the

sea-side at Encounter Bay. This Tram has been pulled by Clydesdale horses and takes

tourists over to Granite Island.

GOING!

Here is this wonderful looking and strong Clydesdale it was happy to let everyone

give it a quick pat before it heads along the causeway towards the island ahead.

GOING!

As soon as the horse took of the sea gulls took flight.

This is the action shot.

GONE!

Away they head towards the small Island. The weather was overcast and very windy!

I have been to Victor many times over the years but this is the first time I have

seen the tram leave.

We enjoyed a very busy week-end.

Best Wishes to you.

Sue xOxOx

Happy 30th Anniversary, Honey

On Monday the 29th November Anthony and I are celebrating

our 30th Wedding Anniversary.

I am busy making a fun personalized card just for him.

Hope he likes it ;)

Have a great weekend everyone,

Sue xOxOx

Jacaranda Heaven

Most of the Jacaranda Trees are in full bloom now.

When I took this photo the weather had come up windy

so the blossoms have started to fall to the ground like confetti.

Then we got a very wet afternoon after two hot days.

This is one of the streets lined with Jacaranda's.

It only a side street so I have to remember to go out of my way not to miss

this pretty sight of this group of trees flowering all at once.

Close up the blossoms are very pretty to look at.

Usually I take some cuttings to display at home but they only last a little while.

Missy our Dog loves to be out walking, that is when she is not sleeping!

She needs her exercise because she has short legs and likes to eat a lot!

For Summer we get her fur all clipped to keep her much cooler,

she looks like a new dog.

Here she is waiting for the boys to come back home with the removal truck.

It's Moving Day for our Son he and his partner are getting a home together.

Happy time but a bit sad also, they grow up fast.

Empty Nest time, lucky he is not going far away though!

Hubby is being extra handy and is half way through laying Timber floor boards.

In the photo they look a bit lighter coloured than in real life.

Nice, fresh and shiny. Will be all finished before Christmas.

Meanwhile lots of moving around of furniture and boxing up gear.

Having a bit of a tidy up of all the cupboards while we are at it.

Here's to new beginnings and happy times!

Best Wishes, Sue xOxOx

To Do List..........

While the To Do List this time of the year looks long and never ending

it is time to have some fun and get in touch with your creative side.

So I am fishing out all the decorations and admiring new finds like these

extra cute wood ornaments that keep going year after year.

Some will need a little TLC with glue and spare part issues but with all

the commercial spangle out there this time of the year I love to admire

the trusted oldies but goodies.

Soon it is time we sat down and do some Christmas card writing and posting.
In the mean time enjoy my virtual Christmas cards above that I had fun putting
together for all that visit this blog, family, new friends and dear stick by me friends.
The whole idea of sending cards is to keep in touch and tell everyone you are thinking
of them at this special time of the year and spread the good wishes for the coming
New Year.
Enjoy,
Sue xOxOx

Jacaranda Blossom

Time to bring out all the Christmas Decorations from storage.

These Christmas Balls are Vintage and they are perfect!

Our Roses are loving the warmer climate now and are displaying bunches of flowers.

This tree looks very grand and dressed ready for all the festivities!

The rich golden yellow is just eyecatching.

My Favourite time of the year is when we get the first few Jacaranda tree blossoms.

You know that any day now that all the Jacaranda's will be loaded with flowers.

These trees line all the streets around my area.

I think I am really lucky to be able to enjoy such a beautiful sight.

The tree across the road from my home is only a little tacker but I am watching

it grow bigger and stronger each day. Jacarandas are my favourite tree.

Usually they look pretty bare with all the frond type leaves falling in winter.

Then all the green comes back and in no time we have blossoms!

When I visited Brisbane a few years ago the trees were hard not to notice.

They only flower for a short time and are gone before Christmas.

That is why I have never noticed them in this area before because we

used to come to visit around Christmas.

Some things in life are well worth the wait!

Have a great week everyone,

Sue xOxOx

Christmas Pageant in Adelaide

While the rain keeps falling the Garden Princess is happily dreaming of all the new flowers ready to bloom....

Sending Everyone Warm Summery Christmas Wishes Aussie Style with my Koala's

in the Gum Tree.

This morning we watched the 20010 Christmas Pageant here in Adelaide.

Every year I watch to see what new floats have been created and wait with everyone else

young and old alike for Father Christmas to arrive back in town for another busy Festive

Season. Our Pageant has been going for 78 years now and I have been a big fan since

I was old enough to know what all the fuss was about.

When Santa arrives in

Adelaide he resides in the Magic Cave at John Martins and nowadays at David Jones

Department Store where all the Magic is put into one spot until Christmas Eve when

he drops into every bodies homes to bring something extra special. You can visit him and

have your photo taken with him and if you have been good you get one of the Christmas

Stockings full of little treats to take home.

Even as an Adult I have continued to watch the Pageant and when we lived in the

Northern Territory kind relatives sent us a video tape of all the action so my children

wouldn't miss all the fun. Now I look for different things as an Adult I enjoy the backdrop

of old Adelaide Buildings and have a soft spot for the Pipe Bands that take me back to my

dear Papa's roots Scottish bagpipes, tartin and kilts. The police horses with mounted

police and this time I noticed real Camels!

The 235 clowns kept the crowds happy.

A lot of the floats are based on Nursery Rhymes and lots of Kangaroo, Koalas, Possum's

and Platypus's to make it have a Australian feel. I am happy to admit that I enjoyed it

just as much as all the littlies in the crowd! Although as a little girl I never did get to be

one of the princesses riding on the horse floats Nipper and Nimble but never mind as you

can see above that I can keep dreaming and be a garden princess to my hearts delight!!!!

Hope you all have a great weekend and as we were informed today

42 Sleeps until

Christmas;)

xOxOxSuexOxOx

Gecko Love & November Time

More Beautiful Evening Sunsets in Balmy November to Enjoy

Missy and Buddy Front View ;) and our garden in full bloom



Gecko Love we miss you little guys!

Lots of things to be happy about now November is here, already!

What is not to love about the weather, warmer and longer days with daylight

savings here in South Australia. Perfect weather to walk the dog, we are back

to having just Missy which is easier. The Sunsets are still amazing.

Our Garden is just full of colour and new surprises each week.

Two weeks ago we got to check out the Rundle Street Sunday Markets.

The sweet looking Gecko above is lovely and will come in handy for gift giving.

That is if I can part with him! Tracy-Lee Wilton sells these and lots of other goodies

at her stall and online at Zulu Zen

http://www.zuluzen.com.au/

If you are lucky enough to be in Adelaide you can see these Handcrafted South African

wire art, tableware and jewellery.

Hope you all had a great week-end everyone.

Cheerio, Sue

Dog Greetings

Come Home Soon, We Miss You is a photo of our dog Missy in the White and Black

Fluffy outfit. Buddy is my Mum's two year old poodle that we have been dog sitting. They

are both waiting with wagging tails doing overtime when we get visitors at my house.

I made this into a card for someone special who is in Hospital and appreciates lots of

wagging tail attention.

This is Buddy who is my shadow at the moment while Mum is away.

I am trying to take some photos of the new pink flowers but he is keeping

a close eye on me at all times. So this turned out to be such a sweet snap

for Mum to keep when she arrives home.

Hi to everyone, be back soon.

Sue

Beach Weather

There is a Old but lovely photo of my two girls busy at Stansbury Beach in South Australia.
I just love this quiet little beach. When our children were growing up we lived here just next
to the beach and even if the weather wasn't sunny and warm we still enjoyed lots of fun
family times.

Because I don't live so close to the beach but in the city I still like to think of it often

I saw this lovely old illustration for sale on a delightful Etsy Store called Paddyridge

Vintage in Chicago but easy to find online at http://www.paddyridge.etsy.com/.

What a great find and I new it had to be mine. I will put it in a nice frame and day

dream of fun and sun at the beach.

On not so sunny beach days especially! The little girl looks familiar, probably a good

mixture of similar looks to the beach girls in our family.

We are having a very busy family week with lots of coming and going. Family visiting from

the country and a quick trip from my daughter from Darwin, Northern Territory. She has

a busy time planned with finalizing lots of Wedding Plans all ready for September next year.

All being well she will get some time to relax a little in the middle of all the running around.

This great sunset photo was not take on some tropical location but from the back of our

home in South Australia! Last night the sunset was so beautiful and peachy looking that

we couldn't resist a quick photo shoot. The palm trees are in a yard two doors down.

The little Tropical area we have in our garden isn't quite so fantastic, the palms are

struggling at the moment. But the rest of our garden is springing to life with lots of flowers.

Yesterday the new bottle brush native bush finally flowered and soon it will be covered

with flowers. Or should I say bottle brushes as that is why they are named that.

Hope everyone has a great weekend just like I intend to enjoy all the special moments

with all my family.

Sue

Beautiful Western Australia

Last night I happen to catch the new show Iron Chef Australia and was excited

to see that they were featuring a WA Chef contestant who runs a beaut restaurant

in the heart of Perth. Sorry I did not run and put pen to paper and get the name

of the restaurant but I know exactly where it is and since this is only our second

trip there as a couple. We were staying close to the city centre and came across

this unique little restaurant that caught our eye mainly because it had a netting

frame around the brick walls that accommodated 1000's of pots full of fresh leafy

green herbs of all types. It was amazing to see. Because we were just doing some

shopping we had a quick peek inside and decided it looked very interesting and

alternative. Something to explore another day. You could see that they had a

roof top garden too, that concept of a country style garden in the middle of a

busy city really intrigues me.

When we visited Perth in May on Holidays we had a great week relaxing and

enjoying some late sunny and warm weather before Winter kicked in. This

time we just pottered around and did our own thing. Last time we did lots of

tourist trips here, there and everywhere. So we tried to find new things and

revisit other fav spots more leisurely this time around. We walked our legs off!

Wandering for miles. The Swan river surrounds Perth and all the pretty

gardens.

The photo of the Gum nut babies was taken late one afternoon on our way

back from the wharf. We had just spent the most relaxing time on a Captain

Cook Cruise down river to a Winery. It was a Luncheon Cruise with wine

tasting on board as well as later at the Winery. This is my type of Cruise, no

packing, no customs, no seasickness on the open sea. Plenty of scenery to look

at, good company, excellent food and a very talented crew who entertained

us back into Perth. Next time we go we will invite our friends who live there

to come along and enjoy.

Kings Park in the central park lands overlooking the water views is something

we love. Lots of Native plants and trees. We got to see the seasonal difference

as last time it was spring wildflower season. The last photo shows the huge

Boab Tree transplanted from the Kimberley area. It is much bigger than it looks

in the photo. In Australia the boab is found only in the Kimberley and the

neighbouring area of Northern Territory. Really something to see. When you

hit the road to outback WA it is fantastic to see them doted along the landscape

all the way to Broome and beyond. Truly Magical!

We venture to Fremantle for the day by trail. Nice new and speedy. Everything

is so easy to see without having to drive. Bus trips around the city are FREE.

Plus if you do book a bus tour you usually get a Welcome to Perth tour of the

city FREE to! The day we went to the Art Gallery it was closed but we did the

Museum that is big enough to keep us busy for ages. Perth has two Malls for

shopping and one of the arcades are very old world English. Lots of old

buildings and architecture to look at and appreciate.

Next visit we hope to Fly/Drive so that we can see some more of the coastal

towns and treasure hunt without worrying about excess luggage! The good

thing about traveling is you can always plan to do all the things you missed

next time and reminisce often.

Here is to lots of happy travels to everyone!

Sue