21 TODAY, 21 TODAY.....

Celebrating Duncan and Julia's 21st Birthday.

Casa Asturiana Restaurant, Sydney, Friday March 20th 2015.
We were so pleased many of Duncan and Julia's friends, from high school days and university, were able to join with us to celebrate their birthday.
Fran and Chris Goddard,  Percy's cousin attended, as well as our dear Sam
who was able to fly up from Tasmania making this a fun and memorable birthday weekend.

~  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  ~

Guests invitations were sent on vintage Spanish postcards setting the theme for the gathering.
Julia traveled to Spain this past January, her second trip, so we carried over the feel and fun from this trip into their birthday celebrations.

Kiss Me Cake specialty cakes, made these yummy chocolate and vanilla  mini cakes which set the colour theme for the party.

Great group!

Good on you Julia!   

Is that your serious face?

Toro!   Charge

Adam frozen in time.

Sparkling conversation had by all.

Duncan planning his next move.

That's right, I'm the BOSS.

Little Treats for Someone Sweet.

HAPPY  BIRTHDAY  TO  YOU.....

'Relaxed Chris' and 'Where the heck is my drink Percy' and  'She'll be right Sam'

Long time between drinks conversation.

Profiles are always better when it's not...me.

Tea Cozy - 2015 Version

About 10 years ago Martha Stewart made a tea cosy from 'fat quarters'.  

Add some wadding, ribbon a little sewing and you have a tea cosy.  

Of course, I threw out my old cosy on our last move - St Ives to Thornleigh.  

This year the CWA Branch Craft Project is 4 different tea cozies. 

So.... I thought I would re-invent / re-do good old Martha's version.  

January Auction - Louisa's little finds

 Once I read there was a Printers' Tray in the catalogue, I thought this is worth looking at. I've placed some darling metal number plates Julia picked up on one of her trips.  All with lucky # 7 in them.  And a tiny tied bundle of used stamps from Flywheel - New Norfolk, Tasmania.

Cornish Pottery - yay!
The only pieces of CP in the auction.  Now they have a new home.

Chimney pot # 1 advertised as Vintage...I guess so, vintage looking at least. I just like the ornamental look of them.

Chimney pot # 2  smaller and with touch up shiny paint, never mind.

 These two chimney pots came in a lot with a plinth - yuck!  So I've hidden that in a bush in the garden, not really me, but will suit very well as a stand for a water bowl for birds.

      Onyx, silver & seed pearls Pendant.            I thought it may 'go with' one of my onyx rings, I think it does.  

Happy with my little finds on this my first foray into the auction world here in Sydney.  Next time perhaps more Cornish Pottery, cast iron urns, and yummy jewelry.

Australia Day 2015

What is everyone planning for Australia Day?

I see it's flooding in Tas, so I do hope the weather picks up for you all there.

It's so hot here in Sydney, at the moment, so I do hope it cools down a little as the CWA Branch I am a member will be hosting a stall for the Hornsby Shire Council Australia Day celebrations.

Percy will be fishing in NZ.

I will be going out to dinner for my 24th Wedding Anniversary - with Duncan.

Julia will be making an Aussie moment in Spain while travelling with her friend, Maddie.

Whatever you plan, I hope it is a great day for you and your family.
Thinking of you all.  x

Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year

Dear Family and Friends,

     What a wonderful time Duncan, Julia and I had in Hobart.  I thank my youngest ones for the joyful, fun times we have together and so very grateful they both still want to 'hang out' with me.  I admit it is difficult covering everyone's needs, and this trip, at least, we managed to do that.  

     Thank you to my boys and their families for cutting into their Christmas schedule and making time for us.  Duncan, Julia and I have so many fond memories from this trip- the way Henry's eyes light up when Poppy comes to visit;  the full body hugs from Toby, such a friendly, confident, lovely young fellow; Poppy so contented and full of joy, then, Poppy the whirlwind, all wrapped up in a curly headed poppet.  

     Thank you to Percy for staying home and looking after our Martha.  13 years old or there-abouts, our Martha has always had issues but we love her and try not to stress her un-necessarily. Reading between the lines you will realize Martha is crazy and life, for all of us, is better when she is calm and quiet.

     We thank Peter and Loris for stopping over on their return trip from Darwin.  Words can not really express how wonderful it is to spend time with family.  Unfortunately our family is spread far and wide. Tassie, Victoria, Sydney and New Zealand.  Funny where life takes you, and funny how the older you get the pull to be nearer to family becomes stronger. Or is that just me?  

     Well the Percy Clark Family have had a calm year.  We moved into Morris Ave January 2014 and it looks as though we will be here for another 12 months - how wonderful.  Percy is settling into his new position, though I have the feeling the goal posts are constantly moving but he is managing issues very well. Duncan is an enigma, well that's what I say, as he only appears at meal times and then only briefly, or is in a panic rush out the door to the train and off to Uni.  Julia is full of life, enjoying Sydney Uni and all it has to offer.  Her planned trip to Spain in January worries me as much as excites her. Each trip I make to Tas renews my crafty/arty side and I feel 2015 will bring some changes for me.  

     It is the end of one year and the start of a new year full of hope and wishes.  

Wherever you are we wish you, and yours, all the very best for the coming year, you 

are in our thoughts always.    

Love,  

Louisa, Percy and Families...

                                                         

     

     

From Our House to Your House - MERRY CHRISTMAS

WELCOME

You know me...I love to decorate the front door area.

Tim's Akubra hats as well as lovely faux berries collected in the US

 welcome everyone as they enter the front door.

Henry meets Santa 2014

MERRY  CHRISTMAS  ONE  AND  ALL

This year I've gone for a 'woodsy' theme in the dining room. 

It would not be complete without a sweet little squirrel... or a minor bird nest 

from the tree in our front garden.

A sweet little make your own diorama we found at Salamanca Market.

At LAST I have one ! 

 I have been looking at these wonderful cheese boards from The Drill Hall Antiques in 

New Norfolk for a few years now, and at last I have one - the start of a new collection I think.  : )

Looking from our back door to the undercover area.  

Unfortunately a palm frond fell onto the trampoline this morning, I think it adds to the image of 

a Sydney Christmas.

Our house wreath from Woodinville is put to use in the under cover area.

Thinking of you all and wishing you a 

Very Merry Christmas 

and a 

Happy New Year

Picnic Day at Montagu Bay

Poppy and Henry having fun with the soccer ball.  

These two little cousins get along so well, wonderful to see.

(Henry is 4 and Poppy will be 4 in January.)