Garden adornments

I remembered and found these garden ornaments from Beijing. I've put them tentatively in these positions, but they probably won't stay there.

I hope the house and garden do not look too 'miss-matchy', with heritage type latticey things going on, and then Asian-style bits in the garden. Oh well, they call it 'eclectic' don't they?

We so badly need a good rain - the ground is shrivelling and it's a struggle to keep the plants alive.

Something is missing from the top of these two - hope I find it, in some box or other still to be unwrapped.

And we finally had a big storm this evening, so here is the 'wet and glossy' shot!

Next-door's poinciana in flower

This is my second summer in this house. Next-door, where Andrew and Tracey used to live, there is a magnificent poinciana which flowers this time each year. It is again a beautiful display, and gives me joy just to gaze at it.

My first Alice du Pont flowers

Noticed the buds a couple of days ago, and the new tendrils winding around the lattice of this desparately-needs-a-paint-job balustrade.

And lo! Look at her! So pretty ;-)

And update a few days later: 

Crepe myrtle update

I wish my crepe myrtle looked like Jeanette's - which is flowering stupendously...

My li'l girl is still only an infant. We have a ways to go, we can only hope! I'm looking forward to seeing what colour she is. One day!

Update: Here she is 5 Dec 2018 (2 years on) - looking great and growing well. I love her frilly white flowers!

I live outdoors in the summer - latest verandah shots

I had the concrete sandblasted, painted and sealed. It's much better to sweep, and I think looks a lot cleaner. Not the perfect colour but it will do nicely for now.

Purchased the glass table and 4 wrought iron chairs today - they need the seat covers re-done,

but the price was a steal, and I quite like it where it now is.

The small wrought iron table and two chairs will eventually live under a tree, 

or in the shade around the back at some stage. 

I've just put them here for the time being.

Taffy relaxing. 

The wine is for me - I mowed all the lawns today, and swept all the surfaces. I deserve it. 

The wine, that is.

Heat affects

Took this one lazy afternoon when I was just home from work. Soo tired and did not even have the energy to put the basket of laundry away!

The girls were as hot and tired as I was - here they are all flaked out on the living room carpet, enjoying the breeze from the fan.

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Latest verandah piccies

It's by no means finished, and there is a mish-mash of stuff at the moment, but my verandah is looking and feeling better lately.
I had the concrete steam-cleaned, and sealed by Sam Prendergast (Ipswich) and he did a great job.

This process of getting it to look right is going to take some time, but that's ok.