A wonderful, wonderful day in Olinda...

My darling husband and I spent a wonderful day in the Dandenong Ranges yesterday.  We particularly went to visit the beautiful Cloudehill Nursery and Gardens and the adjoining Rangeview Gardens.  We had heard about the Cloudehill Gardens a number of times and had been meaning to go and see them for some time now.  As we are both on leave at present and the weather has been lovely we thought it a perfect time to spend a day visiting this beautiful part of Melbourne.  I took many photos, (252 to be precise!) Oh how I love digital cameras!  Here is just a sample and I have provided a link to my Picasa album for a few more...

Cloudehill has series of outdoor rooms or compartments, around 20 in total, surrounded by walls of stone and brick or in some cases gorgeous green clipped hedges both high and low.  The flowers at this time time of year are like little jewels in the crown of this beautiful garden.  This is all set amongs the most magnificent old European beech, magnolias, maples and tree rhododendrons.  I fell in love with these gardens and I know I will return many times.

The Rangeview gardens which adjoin Cloudehill have a very different feel, whilst still being surrounded by the glorious old European trees it is described as being a, Magical "WILD" garden and this is certainly how we felt about it.  With earth paths descending down into the valley you feel like you are entering a land of fairy tales where you might just see fairies, elves or hobbits flitting about!  Under the canopy of the gorgeous old rhododendrons, magnolias and beeches you see a twisted writhing mass of branches all competing for a spot of sunlight.  I can imagine that some might find it a little spooky however the expectation of maybe coming across a resident wombat or Australian lyrebirds would surely spur them on...

Take Care

Lanlizzy

Here is a link to my Picasa album if you would like to see more.
Cloudehill Rangeview Gardens

Family are precious...

I'm feeling just a little sad today, one of my nieces, my little star, Miss B (19) flew off to USA yesterday, she was chosen to go and work at Disney World in Orlando Florida.  She was very excited and will be away for six months.  I am happy for her to be doing something that she wants but saddened that I missed the opportunity to farewell her at the airport, to give her a big hug and kisses.  Stay safe my gorgeous girl and enjoy the adventure...

Her sister, my gorgeous girl, Miss P (11) will miss her I'm sure...

I've had another niece and nephew, my gorgeous girl, Miss A(or Princess A, 7) and my beautiful boy, Master C (11) come to stay.  They have come to stay just before Christmas for probably the last four years, maybe more whilst my sister and brother in-law attend a Christmas party. Unsure if this was going to happen this year my nephew asked if they could come to stay any way.  He is such a creature of habit and this is one habit that I was pleased to accommodate!  I so love having them to stay...

Along with this beautiful bunch I have another nephew, my handsome man, Master J (17) brother to Miss B and Miss P.  Unfortunately without a recent photo seen here with his grandmother at his Deb.

I am so fortunate to have these gorgeous people in my life...

Take care

Lanlizzy

Christmas Day in Melbourne...

Well if you live in Melbourne you know that the weather on Christmas day is never a sure bet...

We started with 25 degrees and the sun shiny brightly. We travelled the short distance to my sisters where the beautifully set table in the back garden was drenched by a sudden down pour of rain.  The sun came out again and all was well.  We shared a lovely meal with family and friends and as we watched the grey clouds roll over decided it was time to go home and check on our furry family.  We walked in the door as the large rain drops began to fall and then stood and watched as it turned to hail stones...

I stood under the cover of the Laserlite roof over our deck, taking photos as the hail fell and bounced all over the lawn.  Then as the rain and hail began to penetrate my supposed safe place, I took cover inside...

The view from my study looks out over the valley,  the hail appears like snow to cover the front yards of our neighbours and the hill's on the other side cant be seen...

Our back deck quickly became covered in hail...

When the hail eased I ventured out to survey the damage...

The lawn will survive as the hail melts away, however the Laserlite roofing over the deck is not so lucky.  The hail had penetrated alright, we now have added ventilation in the Laserlite roof...

Its amazing how much damage a little ball of frozen water can cause...

These poor leaves have been cut to shreds...

and my poor little lettuces have been pummelled...

We lost a some of the mulch on our front garden, we watched as it was washed down the hill but all in all the damage to the garden was not too bad.  Let's hope that we are over the worst of it!

Merry Christmas and Take Care,

Lanlizzy

Its been a while...

but the garden is looking lush at present and I so love that overgrown look...

Red flowering vine on my decking, beautiful velvety petals (not captured very well I'm afraid)...

Our Giant Bird of Paradise has 3 big beautiful blooms...

It's smaller and more colourful sister looks so pretty against all the green...

The Bromeliads bring a smile to my face with their bright pink leaves...

Our tomatoes are growing nicely...

And I have a new camera that I am having fun playing with in the garden...

I'm not sure what these tiny little bubbles are under the leaves and along the stems of my Virginia creeper but I'm sure they are not good for it!!!

Take Care

Lanlizzy

Our gorgeous girl...

Well it's more than a week since my last post as we have had a few things on our minds and decisions to be made.  Our gorgeous girl Rosie had been diagnosed with cancer a little while ago and after an operation to remove the cancer, we started a course of chemotherapy hoping that she would make a full recovery.   Two weeks ago on a trip to have a chemo treatment another lump was discovered, this time in a lymph node.  We have now started on another type of chemo and will be keeping her in our prayers as usual.

Our gorgeous girl...

In my garden this week...

Maggie decided it was a good place to have a rest...

My red rose is about to bloom...

As is my Bird of Paradise...

The creepers are about to meet!
Creeping Boobialla to the left and Virginia Creeper to the right, create a lovely effect on the sleeper steps...

The tomatoe plants have almost doubled in size since their last photo shoot...

In my creating space this week...

This week I decided I'd give my string quilt a rest and start on something that will grow a little more quickly, so here is what's on my table and design wall at present...



I have been collecting Kaffe Fassett red and pink fabrics for a few months now (since I started patchwork!), but I already have quite a collection and so thought it was time to use them.  This quilt will be for me,  I just love the combination of red and pink together.  I was looking for a pattern that would allow the quilt to grow quickly and also allow me to mix and match lots of fabrics.  I think the disappearing nine patch works well.  Here's how it looks on my design wall ...

I have 52 blocks so far and am not sure how many more I will do, I think I'll just keep going and hopefully I'll know when to stop!

Take Care

Lanizzy