I have a problem!!!!!

Once upon a time 

I carried a book with me where ever I went...

I rarely watch television....

I don't play bridge....

I'm a total failure on the tennis court!!

I

read

anything and everything!

fiction (classic and/or tacky!)

nonfiction (beautiful, and/or dry)

These bookcases are, only three of seven,

 we have scattered around the house,

  then I have 6 large storage boxes full in the garage!

I used to read, on average, a book every two days

I am reading Jodi Picoult's

House Rules 

 at the moment 

and I

have been reading it for four days and I am up to page

81

Why is it taking so long?

because in the last three months

 I

 have

 become

 a

blogaholic!!!!!!

Each day I click onto my blog roll, with every....every intention

of just quickly

  running 

          down

                      the list 

                                                                         to see what everyone is up to

                                                                                it will only take 5 minutes!

(I started with a  list of 3

I am not game to see how many wonderful people I follow now!)

but I roll onto

Brabourne farm,

tongue in cheek,

a room for everyone....

...hang on that looks interesting...I like that photo...who's that?

click

http://tranquiltownhouse.blogspot.com/

comment on what a beaut photo....

glance to the side and...

whoa, that looks good...who's that?

Click

and so it goes for 

4

FOUR

hours

This is taking over my life

 so....

for all those who say they cannot resist

a new online site

so please don't put any new ones up!!

I know what you mean

but I will

not be happy until you are all as addicted as me!!

blogaholics want everyone to join them!!!

goodnight

Marketing Mr Rose.....

For many years 

I was in retail advertising and marketing

and I thought I was one of the best

(no false modesty here...I was pretty damn good!!)

Until now...

Until 

Mr rose

 Go here to meet his models, everyone of them a real, real person

 like you and me.

They work in and around the beautiful Mr Rose.

his incredibly beautiful mailings and his emails

 entice you,

 spoil you

 and 

intrigue you

AND YOU CAN SHOP ONLINE NOW!!!

dangerous territory!

Do yourself a favour go visit 

Somehow, some where I got right of the beaten track.

 This blog got it's name because it was going to be about

 the furniture we restore and the pieces we collect...

funny thing ...I haven't done any of that yet!

Hopefully I will get around to it one day!!!!!

Goodnight

Change of mind...

A girl can always change her mind!

Last night I fell in love with the quintessential timber country home...

Today I fell in love with this

The property, circa 1842 at Hobart in Tasmania, backed by Mount Wellington and gazing over the bay, is the last of the Greek revival villas, and the grandest.
Commissioned by Thomas and Catherine Chapman from Government architect William Porden Kay, the building is superbly realised. Originally on 600 acres, 3 miles from Hobart, This Colonial Villa is entered through an overscaled Tuscan portico, with tympanum over. The double columns are complemented by a light trellis verandah. Triple french' windows flank the front door, looking to the view garden, mountains and River Derwent. In the language of a villa, it is academic in its detailing, single storied, set in a cultivated landscape.

Internally, it is the apogee of Colonial artistry, taste and skill. The entry hall is a happy conjunction of Regency detailing and Italianate taste. To the four curved corners are niches, originally sporting figures of the seasons. The ceiling is barrel vaulted. The walls have reeded pilasters that extend through the vaulting. The end of the vault has a glazed lunette window, flooding the space with light. Four doors, to the principal reception rooms lead off this hall. 

There are many rooms beyond. What is in front however is the pleasure pavilion.

It was built during the difficult times of the 1840s recession. It is the last of this model of house, before the exodus to the Victorian goldfields and a shift to Victorian taste. It celebrates the achievements of Tasmania during its golden age literally with a drawing room panelled in golden Huon pine joinery. As rare then as it is now, the use of this timber was a first. Originally the furniture was Huon pine as well. Married with this are the original imported London mantelpieces, made from Italian statuary marble. To the drawing room the corners of the wall are curved, to further enhance the luxurious quality.

Celebrated in its day as a great achievement in art, photography and the press, the property is of National significance. The garden is documented in a series of art quality photos in the nineteenth century. The leading artists of the day painted it and were commissioned to fill it. Internally, the dining room contained a landscape painting by John Glover. Furniture commissioned by Chapman for its interiors from William Hamilton is now in the Tasmanian Museum.

Its importance as an achievement in Colonial Hobart cannot be over emphasised. Defying the economics of the day and the vicissitudes of time, it remains as intact, convincing and as fine a house for living as conceived. When so many others have been lost or compromised to obscure their intent, that this has not happened only enhances its rarity.
Warwick Oakman B Des (Hons)
Architectural Historian

images from here

Of course we are looking to move down!

we are looking to move into something newer!

we are looking to move into something I can paint white!

 But what are dreams for if not for this!

Goodnight

Home....sweet...home!

As a family

we are gypsies by nature

We have lived in 32 homes

in 5 states!

One daughter has lived in NSW all her married life.

One daughter has traveled all over the world

 and, has lived in the UK twice.

Our son can't decide!

Two days ago he said they might go back to Tasmania...

They did that last year, stayed three months and then

back to Queensland!

SO

as usual I looked up the real estate pages in Tassie

AND

Ohhhhh!

I fell in love

As daughter no 2 (Katie) said, even the furniture could stay,

except I would swap the lounge for something in white

linen with some red check cushions

We would only have to plant lots of trees

 and all those beautiful shrubs like peonies and azaleas

 that grow so well in Tasmanian weather.

Don't you just love it?

and this is the street it is in

Once upon a time I would have wanted one

 of the amazing stone Georgian cottages

but now I am getting to the stage where new (with character)

 is more appealing.

There is not the horrendous upkeep.

SO

all I have to do is sell our house and then wait for our son Luc

to say 

OK

we are staying this time

and then...

 this little gem

 is all

MINE

!!!!!!!!

pictures from here

Goodnight

Great expectations.....!

I prepared.....

I charged the camera battery....

I turned of all the lights other than the main

outside one....

I held the camera at the ready...

  I waited....

and

waited

and

waited

!!!!!

absolutely nothing

I had such  story to tell

about these incredibly beautiful things. 

Tonight they are not here!!!

Shhh don't tell, but I am going to cheat a bit and 

hop over to Flickr

This is what our back verandah has looked like for the last three days!

NOT

MOTHS

just tiny wee little  things that can fly through screens, into beds, onto chairs,

down your neck, up your sleeves

AND

 despite their beauty by camera

are, in real life,

monstrous...

man-eating...

viscous..

spiteful...

hateful creatures!!!

that bite!!!

nasty little pin prick bites that itch for days!!!

But now they have gone!!!

so much for Great Expectations

P.S to all those who sent their best wishes,

 Mike has gone home and just needs plenty of rest.

It was a scary few days so thank you all.

goodnight

Pretty in pink...

Today is Lise's birthday.

Mike is slowly improving

and her favourite colours are

Pink

Pink

Pink

Pink

&

PINK

so peonies for your birthday Lise

a princess bed to sleep in

a crystal chandelier

shutters and white lace

lots of Rachael Ashwell

a comfy corner and a good book

a cup of tea with Lily

a pair of pink shoes

a bright pink hat

shopping bags with all the right names

from Katie's travels

and a new dining room!!!!!

These are my wishes for you 

 BUT...

most of all, I wish you a safe trip home with Mike 

SOON

and I am glad this happens only once a year 'cause I don't like the pink type

Goodnight