Time for change…

I arrived back home from extended travel in January, that was 6 months ago, now I’m sleeping in the same bed every night. My days and weeks have become structured. I have enjoyed watching the garden change through the seasons.  See the garden in its summer glory here. It is now mid-winter, but in Queensland that means slightly cooler days and nights and no humidity, ideal for working in the garden.

Back in January I planted vegetables and tomatoes in pots.

The tomatoes have done very well and kept us in a steady supply.

But, annoyingly,  the birds also found them. A bird net over them solved that problem.

I keep the salad greens and herbs in pots so I can move them around to follow the sun. They are now down the far end of the garden in a sheltered area, protected from the winter winds, and they get all day sun.

The raised bed for herbs, in the front garden keeps on keeping on.

So that is my vegetable supply and my entry into Jude’s (earth laughs in flowers) weekly/monthly garden photography challenge and for July the theme is “the edible garden”

But while you are here I will take you for a garden walk to see what is happening in July in my garden.

Today winter has arrived it is a rather grey and dismal sort of day, showers are forecast and the temperature is only about 18c degrees, but until this week we have had some warm sunny days and this flowering shrub is bursting into flower. I inherited this shrub when I moved in and don’t know its name but it has a most beautiful soft scent and flowers twice during the year.

I wonder if you remember the bat plant, the most unusual plant in my garden (see it here) It is a true tropical plant and look at it now.

It certainly does not like the cooler temperatures. (this is for you Sue)

The compost bin is full and quietly decomposing. It has been a busy time of pruning and mulching as this year there has been plenty of rain and the growth has been phenomenal.

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After that wander around the garden I would like to invite you inside ( joining Ailsa’s Travel Theme, Indoors), through my front door. (Joining Norm’s “Thursday Doors” challenge)

Come into my very untidy “studio”. That is possibly a rather pretentious term for where I now like to indulge in my new passion.

So for a while I am going to be loving and leaving you all.

I took my first tentative steps into  the virtual world of the blogosphere in 2009. Since then it has become a major part of my life, journaling my daily and weekly happenings, joining in challenges, searching through thousands of photos in my archives to find the perfect submission for the themes. Taking photos with the ever-present thought of “will that be suitable for a post”, and, of course, making many dear friends from all over the world in this wonderful virtual world of Word Press. Enjoying the connection of “chatting” and commenting with other bloggers and the community spirit of friendship.

Now I want to take a break, spend more time practising art, trying and learning new techniques. Immersing myself in the flow of creativity, reading more books and of course spending time in the garden.

I’m sure I am going to have withdrawal symptoms, 7 years of regular posts is a major commitment, so I will occasionally pop by to say “G’day” and keep in touch with my blogging buddies.

The hammock hangs forlorn and unused waiting for summer.

Maybe I will find time to do some house-work, but I will not disturb this spider I think they do a good job of catching mosquitoes.

So that’s it for now. I hope you all have a really great weekend. Bye for now…

 

Thursday Doors : Teavine House…

A friend told me about this restaurant. It is in the country and not a place that you would just stumble across. I’ve never seen it advertised, so it is one of those places that survive on word of mouth. It would have to be good.

I liked the look, Queenslander style with large open decks.

The door was open with 2 elegant inlaid panels.

We were welcomed by Chris, the smiling and friendly owner of this delightful French Provincial Teahouse. It specialises in high tea. The range of teas was impressive, 15 blends from all around the world, a page of choices. I chose Peony tea because I had never heard of it before, it was light and flowery, quite delicious. Served in delicate, exclusive fine china on lace table clothes it was an impressive start to our meal.

We also ordered lunch and while waiting I looked around.

It wasn’t long before guests started to arrive.

I think it was a celebration.

Our lunch arrives and a photo is worth a thousand words…

Notice Jack is straight into his stuffed chicken and flower salad. Mine is a vegetable stack piled high with a variety of goodies, I found asparagus, mushroom, capsicum, kumera, courgette, onion and egg plant, home made pesto, fresh salad, small roast potatoes and crusty bread.

This is just one of the deserts that tempted us…

But we resisted them…

After lunch we looked around the garden area.

This looks like a very special High Tea function. I checked their web page and this is what it said.

History of High Tea

According to the legend of Queen Victoria’s ladies in waiting, the Duchess of Bedford is credited as the creator of Afternoon Tea.  At first, the Duchess had her servants sneak to her chambers with a pot of tea and bread.  The Duchess then invited friends to join her for an additional afternoon meal.  This menu centred around small cakes, bread and butter, sandwiches and assorted sweets and of course tea.  This practice was quickly picked up by other social hostesses.

At Teavine House, we specialise in the experience of High Tea “a cup above the rest”.  For centuries, Tea Houses have been important venues to socialise, for special parties and to conduct special business affairs.  We believe the experience of High Tea opens up conversations and helps people to connect.

Our dedicated team at Teavine House are committed to making your special occasion memorable.

I loved the attention to detail that made the atmosphere quite special.

A boutique gift shop next to the restaurant beckoned, so I had a look around.

After a memorable meal it was time to move on to the next stage of our day out.

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Thursday Doors is a weekly feature allowing door lovers to come together to admire and share their favorite door photos from around the world. Feel free to join in on the fun by creating your own Thursday Doors post each week and then sharing it, between Thursday morning and Saturday noon (North American eastern time)

Thursday doors : Ramshackle

I have driven past this place a number of times and it intrigues me. So one day last week I pulled in to check it out.

What a gorgeous Bougainvillea cascading like a snow storm over the sign. That is quite specific and look what it is describing…

It looks deserted but I spy a door…

That explains it, the day was only Tuesday. But I decided to have a look around.

The gates are padlocked, but there is no glass in the front window, just bars. So I peer through…

This little dog peers back at me. As a guard dog he is not doing his duty as his tail is wagging and he looks very friendly.

There is a notice taped on the wall.

I decide I will have to return…

Today we went for a coffee. What a very quirky, unusual and rather way out place.

Branches decorate the ceiling, wine barrel table, sticks twine around a post with a bongo drum waiting to be played and that looks like a stainless steel door going nowhere!!!

I spot another two doors just for decoration. Can you see them?…

The area was filled with a very eclectic collection of chairs, tables and what I can only describe as “stuff” most of it I think has come from op shops or the tip.

We ordered chickpea crepes stuffed with smoked salmon, mushroom, spinach and capsicum, sprinkled with feta cheese and drizzled with balsamic dressing. There was only two other selections, Pita bread with a salad filling or eggs cooked as you liked…

Jack settled down with his book, while I prowled around taking photos. We were the only customers…

Out the back was an extensive vegetable garden area.

I rather coveted this old wheelbarrow with a large lavender bush in it…

Bright designs decorated the walls.

This must be the most unusual café on the Gold Coast. No glitz and glamour here.

I went to Google to find out more and this is what I found…

This is copied in full from their web page (all the spelling and grammar I have not corrected!)

The story of the project

I used to drive past this location and think what a great place for a business of some sort,but I never imagined in my wildest dreams I would have the privelage of doing something so awesome here as this. From the moment I saw a car out the front and enquired if they were the owner i have been on the most amazing faith journey culminating in this dream i aptly named ‘ramshackle’. The wiki definition explains it perfectly ‘shabby ,derelict, delapidated, tottering,  jerry built, among other words. I really think wiki got it just a little wrong though. It should also say words like ‘amazing , cool, potential, quirky and eclectic. But oh well maybe wiki hasnt yet visited this cool awesome space full of such potential. A place that when you walk in you can feel ,see, imagine a future. You can see just how many lives it can entertain and even change for the good. How much culture can fit into one tiny part of a big flourishing area of the Gold Coast. That demands more than just tourism and begs for some personalization and sense of community.
Ramshackle can be a place for young and old to come and make their own. Leave their mark and express even a little part of themselves.
I am writing this presuming you have seen ramshackle. You have been inside. Because this is how you see what im saying for yourself. Ramshackle is a little place you have to experience to see and feel the vision for the place. But since many who read this havnt let me paint a picture. An 80 year old treasure with an ugliness that is beauty. Because its there anongst the tourism and glam,yet is the size of 3 house blocks really. It comprises of two seperate plots of land the size of 2 house blocks and the property to one side on yet another. Wooden and in a state of disrepair it it tells a story of so much that has Occured in this building. In recent years a nursery ,a hippy joint and a flourishing cafe and night spot. More recently the habitation of a family of homeless squatters who left their artwork around the joint,lol.   By gone days have left various pieces on the property such as old weights that weigh a ton. Rusty and defunct. But more important than anything my vision is to make a kitchen from a seperate shipping container rather than try and revive an old gutted kitchen. This will be offered to food artisans to entertain us with their culinary expertise. The house will be a gallery for local art and artists to display their hidden talent. The outdoor undercover area for casual seating ,eating with coffee cart delivering 100% locally roasted and 100 % organic,fair trade beans. Richard Silipo has been in the industry for 25 years. The only roaster on he gold coast. Then the two back yards for more casual dining. One on rugs and the other on revived chairs saved from the tip. Ramshackle has a bell tent in the back yard for massage therapists and other uses.
basically ramshackle  about opportunity to the unknowns out there that shoild be known. To give the dreamers and avenue to realise their lirpose and dream. Why? Because this was me. I have held a dream inside my heart for what seems like forever. This is a home for hearts that dream. But i am half way. There is no kitchen or grease trap. I have exhausted my funds and now its up to the community. For those who cone in breathe in the vision and see it in your minds eye. Now you can ontribute to make it something that exists.  I need your help. Not just to dream and see as i do. But to put into action your belief and faith for this cute little joint. Will you help ? $5 or $10 or more if you wish. I promise I will keep going and bring this to pass. Do t you think we need a bit of ramshackle goodness in our lives?”

The food was tasty, but the menu limited and it was VERY pricey, $34 for one crêpe and 2 coffees…

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Thursday Doors is a weekly feature allowing door lovers to come together to admire and share their favorite door photos from around the world. Feel free to join in on the fun by creating your own Thursday Doors post each week and then sharing it, between Thursday morning and Saturday noon (North American eastern time

Thursday Doors : Mooball…

Can I put this in Norm’s “Thursday Doors” challenge? Technically I think it is a gate. But I couldn’t resist taking its photo and I had to go through it.

I’m sure all Australians will know where I am going, but I wonder how many other people who visit this post from around the world will know where I am hurrying to.

Today we went for a country drive and I am in the quaint village of Mooball. With a population of approximately 300, they have embraced the idea of the cow in the name of their village and everything that doesn’t move has been decorated with the black and white splodges of the Friesian cow.

Even this old tractor has been given the treatment.

They also have a collection of motorbikes in a shed alongside the café. Jack was quite taken with this one…

But he had to leave it behind, it was too big to get on…

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Thursday Doors is a weekly feature allowing door lovers to come together to admire and share their favorite door photos from around the world. Feel free to join in on the fun by creating your own Thursday Doors post each week and then sharing it, between Thursday morning and Saturday noon (North American eastern time)

Thursday doors : Sand Safari…

What a surprise I got when I went to see how the sand sculptures were progressing along the beach front at Surfers Paradise. I was happily wandering along taking lots of photos (I will be putting them in another post soon) and this was one of my favourites.

The irrepressible Donkey from “Shrek”, I loved his cheeky expression. Then I noticed the 3 mice peeping at me. So I moved round a bit to get a close up of them. Look what I found…

A very realistic looking door. So I went round to the other side.

Another door.

Not a real door, but so life-like I thought I would show them in Norm’s door challenge this week.

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Thursday Doors is a weekly feature allowing door lovers to come together to admire and share their favorite door photos from around the world. Feel free to join in on the fun by creating your own Thursday Doors post each week and then sharing it, between Thursday morning and Saturday noon (North American eastern time),