meet the new additions

 

I mentioned last time in my random post that we now have new additions to the family…

It would be rude of me not to introduce you!

{Names above each photo}

Yellow top right with the long poo trail {oops, excuse him!}: Chuck

White with reddish orange spots: Edward {named after my favourite vampire}

Orange on the left: Mango

Grey one: Silver

Bottom: Lemon

Closer shot of pretty Mango and his long tail

L –>R: Silver, Edward at top, Chuck, Stripe and Jarry in the background

Stripe zooming past… or is it Spike? Or Zip? Or Pip? one or the other….

Jarry and Chuck

A few of the white clouds – can you see them?  These are Click, Tick, Nick, Mick or Rick

Jarry again. I think he’s my favourite! Love his bug eyes!

Lemon

Silver

Edward

… and their home – right above my sink where I can talk to them and they can nibble on my finger, and they play the “starving fish” game with me!

So now, consider yourself introduced!

random things

{can be found here in my Etsy shop}

 

{can be found here in my Etsy shop}

I’ve neglected my blog a little lately.  So here’s the random catch up bits ‘n pieces, as they come to mind:

* Christmas ornaments are half made and glue is drying all over my lounge room.  There’s a dusting of silver glitter everywhere

* I leave things to the last minute, and go on a crazy mad rush trying to get my list completed

* I always ADD things to the list as I am creating from it.  Why on earth I decide I need MORE to do as I am doing other things is beyond me

* We have fish in the house

* Ask me about setting up a fish tank.  I’ll be able to tell you all sorts of things that, 6 weeks ago, I didn’t know existed.

* Like PH, chlorine, ammonia makes water cloudy, aquarium cycles, ammonia kills fish

* We have bully goldfish that pick on the sick ones when they’re on their way to fish heaven.  I put one in solitary confinement when he was particularly naughty. {Mango}

* Our goldfish have weird names.

* We’ve lost 6 goldfish, may they rest in peace… Eric, Barry, Larry, Gilbert, Fin and Jasper.

* The ones that toughed it out through toxic levels of ammonia, nitrite and low PH levels are Mango, Lemon, Silver, Jarry, Edward, Chuck, Zip, Pip, Spike, Stripe, Click, Tick, Nick, Mick and Rick

* Our son has a sense of humour when it comes to fish names

* When things are wrong with your fish tank, you spend hours and hours and hours at the shop getting advice, looking up information, and get even more confused than ever

* The whole population of Melbourne’s mosquitoes were in my kitchen tonight when I accidentally left the outside door open and the lights on inside, for half an hour

* Odourless bug spray smells awful

* My router stopped working for a few days. It sucked.  Now it works.  That doesn’t suck!

* You need an appointment to get your iPhone looked at.  I learned the hard way, after driving to the nearest Apple shop, almost an hour in traffic….. to have to turn around and go home.  And go back the next day with an appointment.

* If you lose your ticket in the parking lot of a shopping centre, and it’s a windy day, just go around and look under all the cars nearby.  You might find it 12 cars away and not believe your luck.  You might then think it’s your lucky day and you should buy a lotto ticket.  You probably won’t win the jackpot.

* Watering plants makes them thrive and grow.  Who knew?

* I love going out for breakfast, probably even more than lunch

* Seasol smells pretty bad

* Pigeon manure made into liquid is even more revolting than pigeon poo.  But it helps grow tomatoes

* Life drawing is hard after not having done it for 17 years

* My husband rocks

* My son is gorgeous, crazy, frustrating, and very very funny.  Guess he really is a combo of hubby and I

* Sore joints and muscles enjoy a product called Rapigel, “for horses and dogs”.  Yes, seriously, it says that.  neigh neigh woof

***That’s all for now***

Natasha xo

{* I’m flying under the radar this week, preparing for the Modish Market this Saturday, and I’ve made the two pretty and cool wreaths pictured to take along with me.  They were FUN to make!}

we remember

Today is Remembrance Day, marking the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War 1.

At 11am, on the 11th day of the 11th month, we observe a minute’s silence to remember those who gave their lives or suffered in war.

The red poppy is used as the symbol to remember this day, after a poem by John McCrae, “In Flanders Fields”. 

In Flanders Fields by John McCrae

“In Flanders fields the poppies blow
      Between the crosses, row on row,
   That mark our place; and in the sky
   The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
   Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
         In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
   The torch; be yours to hold it high.
   If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
         In Flanders fields.”

 

Today, my red poppy, whose seed was planted 10 years ago, and has not flowered for at least 5 years… opened up.  Just in time for Poppy Day….

Simply Christmas Giveaway

 

**UPDATE**ENTRIES ARE NOW CLOSED!  WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN TWO DAYS ON THE SHABBY ART BOUTIQUE BLOG!

Yes…. you’re seeing right, Christmas ornaments…!

Kerryanne is hosting “Simply Christmas” at The Shabby Art Boutique, putting homemade and home baked back into the Holidays!  It’s weeks and weeks of tutorials, giveaways, tips, hints, guest bloggers and wonderful ideas to help you prepare for Christmas this year.

I was really excited and honoured when Kerryanne asked me to participate!

So here’s my giveaway…. you’ll get this stash of ornaments, all handmade by me.

Green leather ice skate ornament with Swarovski crystals…

Christmas sheet music angel…

Set of three gold snowflake flower ornaments….

and a set of 9 silver mini framed vintage wallpaper ornaments.

To enter, just leave a comment below and be sure there’s a way for me to contact you if you win.

If you don’t have a blog, you can enter by selecting to comment “anonymously”, but please leave your email address!

Winner will be drawn one week from today at random.

And please be sure to visit Kerryanne’s blog and check on Simply Christmas daily {add it to your google reader!}

Today is my guest post over there.  I’d love if you come say hi!

Natasha xo

coming up roses

Photo heavy today ~ because whatever I say isn’t going to be much compared to the natural beauty of these Pierre de Ronsard climbing roses we have growing on our back verandah.  I often catch myself standing under them, staring up, smiling!

When I first started blogging, {I think it was my second post}, I had recently planted this area.  You can visit that post HERE to compare the photos.

Then last year I was gathering them by the basket full, you can see HERE.

I adore the fullness and lusciousness of them!

This next photo, I called my husband to come over and stand there… and just look up.  He knew what I meant.

We get to enjoy these beauties from now through to May next year.  And in a few years, we’ll have two more fully grown versions of these in the front yard, that we planted last week.  I can’t wait!

Before I go, I wanted to let you know about a giveaway of two of my canvas prints, over at the Modish Creators Market blog right now!  Click HERE to go to the Modish blog and enter the giveaway.

{comments on this post here will not enter you into the Modish giveaway of the two prints!}

And lastly, if you are looking for the Simply Christmas giveaway ~ it’s the post below this one!

Bye for now,

Natasha xo