Sunflowers

Sunflowers!

Don’t they make you smile, my memories of the French countryside are of endless fields of sunflowers. Our small tribute, has been four sunflowers that my son planted along our side fence, what a great success.

For a start they grew and screened our ugly fence. Then when some promising blooms started to erupt we were all excited.

In the past two weeks we have enjoyed their huge yellow faces and now the local Crimson Rosellas are having a great feast, slowly picking out the sunflower seeds one by one.

Greedy birds!

If I don’t get in soon, I think we are going to miss out on those sunflower seeds!

Secret Santa – home grown gifts

Thank you to my secret Santa from work who gave me this lovely gift!

The present had to be under $10 in value and they did a great job fitting a lot into this box, including:

• 3 packets of seeds
• Zucchini
• Beetroots
• Beans
• Rosemary
• Chives
• Mint
• A cake of Seasol soap, and
• A bunch of roses.

A lovely gift and with all the home grown produce it is also a great money saver (for the giver and receiver), although I think my secret Santa was particularly generous as this must be a lot more than $10 worth!

I hope that I can come up with some equally creative, innovative and home grown or home-made gifts in the future.

More Stuff

As another Christmas lurks around the corner, I have been drawn to the thought of why do we need more stuff?

In recent conversations I have heard people complain about what to buy for those who have everything? In our society, incredibly, most of us have more things than we know what to do with and therefore don’t relish the thought of receiving more objects.

Fortunately we are gradually finding our way to more meaningful presents. Many charities including World Vision and Oxfam offer the chance to buy a goat, seeds, school supplies etc for people who are less well off materially.

Alternatively buying an “experience” for someone such as a theatre ticket, skydiving or dance lesson, can help expand their world without expanding their wardrobe or waistline.

Even better just spending time with those who would like to see you or who need company, can be a gift that is much more meaningful than things.

The Story of Stuff provides an interesting background to the way we make, use and throw away all our stuff.

Also as we head into Christmas, an example of why free (or almost free) toys can be best, see The Five Best Toys of All Time.

Farmers Market – Southside

I have grown to appreciate our local Southside Farmer’s Markets.

Initially the clash with our lazy Sunday schedule did not appeal. But now with kids waking us up at the crack of dawn,  we have become more enamoured with getting out, having a browse, picking up a few goodies and a coffee before heading off to the next thing.

In Canberra’s colder months we were market regulars and loved the incidental meeting up with friends. Favourite purchases included the honey mustard sausages, macaroons, foccacias and of course the fresh fruit and vegies.

Stall holders come from around the region and need to be selling fresh, seasonal or regional produce. This interactive produce map shows you where all the food comes from.

If you are looking for a different experience to the weekly grocery shop at one of the big chain supermarkets, then I would definitely recommend checking out the markets!

Retro Chic

I have recently discovered the joys of second hand shopping, also known as “op shopping”. Previously, the impatient, younger version of me would skim in and out of these stores as fast as I could, and then be surprised that I could never find anything decent.

Now, with children who enjoy exploring op shops, I have finally discovered the art of browsing. Amazingly, when you browse you also discover useful and interesting things. Recent finds have included a coin album for my son to house his growing collection of coins, the above towels and an amazing old 1930s dining setting which I am still kicking myself that I didn’t buy!

Anyway as I looked around my house, which is scattered with older pieces of furniture from my grandparents house, I thought it time to coin a new decorating term “Retro Chic”. Clearly shabby chic has been around for over a decade, and done to death, so it must be time for a new decorating trend.

My definition:

Retro Chic – the use of old furnishings and homewares in a new, functional and fashionable way. This trend encompasses environmental concerns by reusing older decorating items in new and unique ways and incorporating them with current fashion.

Let me know if you have any photo examples of Retro Chic as I would love to include them - the best photo gets promoted on this site!