Something Pretty

Just had to share my beautiful flowers!

Unfortunately I can't take credit for growing any of these - the roses come from my MIL's (mother-in-law) garden, and the funny spikey flower appeared quite unexpectedly in mum's garden! I have no idea what the second one is. Perhaps someone can enlighten me!

I would LOVE to put this gorgeous vase in the centre of my dining room table, but I doubt it would last five minutes before one of the kids sends it crashing to the floor. So for now it is on top of the linen press cupboard in the hallway. Every time I walk past it I can smell the roses. Just lovely!

Doing Something Just for Me

I was reading a wonderful blog this evening called A Tray of Bliss . It's author wrote about doing something special each day just for her. It got me thinking about something special I could do just for me, and also about some of the items in my home.

Most of us have what we call the "good" china. It stays locked up and hidden away only to be used when company comes over. And sometimes not even then. What a shame this is! I have a display case with some Royal Doulton and Royal Albert cups and saucers that belonged to my grandmother. They sit there gathering dust and never ever get used. This is so sad! Why are these wonderful items not being cherished enough to make memories out of them? Think of the wonderful memories that we can make using these precious items - a relaxing cup of tea in the sun, morning tea with a dear friend, mum or daughter. These items should be treasured and used as they were intended, not locked away never to be seen or admired.

So I challenge everyone: do something this week that is just for you. And break out the fine china!

My Lettuce is Sprouting!

In an effort to be more SS (Simple Savings - check out their website!) I decided to start growing some veges. As we are renting and have a dog and two kids that all love to dig, the veges had to be planted in pots / boxes. I had a long planter pot filled with potting mix left over from last year's disastrous attempt at cherry tomatos and a packet of lettuce seeds that I got for free off the cover of a That's Life magazine.

So, feeling all very self-sufficient (hey, another SS term!), I got outside with Becca and her plastic sandpit rake and turned over the soil in the pot. Then we sprinkled some lettuce seeds in, covered them with dirt, filled up her little plastic watering can and gave them a good water. We've been going outside every afternoon and watering. Then, yesterday afternoon, when I went to put the rubbish in the bin, there they were! A row of tiny little lettuce leaves sticking up out of the soil! Hurrah! My first so far successful crop! I dragged hubby outside to show him. Oh, I'm so excited!

I still have half a bag of potting mix left, so I think I'll head over to Bunnings next week and get another planter box, and maybe some carrot seeds this time. So proud of my little babies!