A little garden project.

I love this planter box. It's a simple combination of Seaside Daisy and Geranium Pyrenaicum sown from seed to create a lush, wild,  meadow in a container. It should flower for around 6 months of the year and be reasonably fuss free.

Seaside Daisy is a no brainer, grows just about anywhere, but loves coastal areas. Geranium Pyrenaicum is a little harder to source. Grows wild in Turkey and eastern Europe.  I have not been able to find it here anywhere so I have purchased a small amount of seeds from the UK. 

I've never bought seeds from overseas before, am not even sure if your allowed to bring in seeds from overseas hence they may never arrive. I only parted with $5.00 so I'm not too concerned. However wouldn't it be lovely if they did arrive, and germinated even. 

I'm keen to make some beautiful pots for xmas presents this year.  If the seeds arrive this will be experiment No. 1. Fingers crossed.

Splashback Tiles - Part 1

Finally, my tiles dock in Australia tomorrow. I should be able to pick them up on the 25th. I've rung my tiler and he is ready to go. Not long now.

Cushions complete....

I've had these large cushion inserts  (70cm x 70cm) for a while. When I purchased this sofa I got a couple of extra metres of fabric so I could whip up some cushions and have never got around to doing it, until now. Being a cushion fiend I quickly tire of the ones I have already, fortunately it is quick and easy to make replacements. I now just need something colourful and contemporary to team with them. 

Spot of sewing.

Such a cold weekend, thought I would pull the old sewing machine out and blow off the cobwebs. After a few hours of mending clothes and patching up ripped knees I thought I would make Mack some warm flannelette duvet sets. A fun little project to test my very rusty sewing skills on.

Don't think I saved money making them (probably cheaper to buy). But it was quite satisfying to follow  through on a project and say "I did that. " 

Anyway, I've been rather absent on this blog recently. Not a whole lot to report on. The boys are keeping me busy and off the computer mostly. Hopefully I will have more to blog about soon. Possibly cushions (next sewing project). 

 Side A

Side B

Second set

New Sofa arrived today!

Finally our new sofa arrived from Urban Rhythm. It looks so much better than the old crappy futon sofa/bed. Now I just need to dispose of the old one on ebay, although I am tempted to just put it on the nature strip and be done with it.

Anyway, the arrival of the new sofa has got me thinking of everything on my wish list for the lounge room. And while I do need to keep in mind life with a soon to be toddler and new furnishings don't mix. I'm still longing to get this part of the house looking better.

Much has happened since my last post. The blinds in the family room have been installed. We have picked a tile for our splashback FINALLY (arrives in Australia in July) and of course the sofa has arrived. We are getting there slowly.

I have also had the urge to purge lately, although I haven't done anything about it yet. Clutter and stuff is creeping its way back into our house and I need to be ruthless and delete, delete, delete.

I will be back soon with some styling ideas I have for the lounge room. X

Pantone colour of the year 2014

As a long time fan of magenta I was surprised to learn that the 'Pantone colour of the year 2014' is 'Radiant Orchid'.  Interior designers everywhere are now showing us how to use this colour in all its splendid glory. 

According to Leatrice Elseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, Radiant Orchid is...

“An invitation to innovation, Radiant Orchid encourages expanded creativity and originality, which is increasingly valued in today’s society.”

"An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm."

Accompanying colours 

Steam oven a winner afterall.

So, we bought a steam oven when we purchased our convection oven. I was under the impression that a steam oven can and will completely replace the need for a microwave. Well after months and months of frustration I gave up defrosting in my steam oven and bought a microwave. I got sick of defrosting things in a puddle of water, then transferring that puddle of water across my kitchen floor and cabinetry every time I used it. Just all too much like hard work, this steam oven.

This week though, I have been determined to get some use out of this white elephant in my kitchen. I started with a bowl of uncooked rice in a cup and a half of cold water. I set the temperature to 100ºC for 35 mins. Well, to my amazement what presented itself was the most fluffy, moist, perfectly cooked rice I have ever been able to achieve. Never again will I cook rice on a stove.

Next I chopped up a few veg (broccoli, asparagus and mushrooms) along with two breasts of chicken. The book says 100ºC for 25 mins. OMG! Perfection again! I served this with the rice dressed with a little sesame oil, soy sauce and toasted sesame seeds. Delicious.

Next homemade dumplings un- BLOODY- believable. This steamer rocks!

And finally today a steam pudding. It was a hot 39º C day today however the steamer did not add any additional heat to my kitchen (unlike the convection oven). The steam pudding was moist and delicious and alot easier than boiling it on a stove top.

Obviously it is early days with this steamer but I have to say I'm pretty impressed with the results. Cooking a family meal with steam is surprisingly easy and fuss free. My goal for this week will be risotto, more dumplings and some salmon. I will let you know how I get on.