GARDEN SCULPTURES -LIVING and the UNUSUAL

There are so many forms of garden sculpture
Some people might think Topiary is the go, or sculptures made of steel, but sometimes l look at a persons front door entrance, and l think of it as a sculpture. The way they have worked with their bricks, tiles or just an arty pot
Over the years l am always pulling things out of magazines just because l like them and don't want them to be thrown away with the magazine.

This is just a simple heart made of wire

l love this feature made from old bricks,it looks very arty, and the flowers look sculptured inside the bricks

This fountain, that looks like a door is great, so are the Mediterranean colours. They look old worldy before the garden is even started

The Topiary Fir ( Conifer ) Trees leading to the front door really make a statement. 

So do the pillars on this verandah, the steps and the unique tile work.

This no lawn garden looks as though it has always been there, and although sculptural, very relaxing.  

This may look a bit messy, but l like it and l think l'ts very old world looking

THIS TOPIARY BUMBLE BEE,  and the  LOCH  NESS  MONSTER -  are just  EXQUISITE 

This white pot with the lemon tree in it, to me is so simple and achievable,. The little pansy's around it make it so pretty. That's it, l have a large white pot this will be my next venture.

What a  lovely place to sit down in a cool spot     - with some special family or friends -,   .Even if the flowers in the water table bowl were just a day theme, freshly picked it wouldn't matter. although l think in this photo they might be permanent. -  We need some iced tea. or maybe a glass of Cienna. -

Isn't he so clever, l think l could make him from old guttering off the roof, and mayb,e fill him with some cacti - no, l think l like him just like that.

PARLIAMENT HOUSE and the WINDSOR

  We have just been to 2 of the most beautiful places in Melbourne, ( Victoria , Australia )

In a previous blog l have told you about  a book, my husband and our family had completed , his memoirs ,called 

"A Small Boy From Italy" 

l have also shown you our Invitation from Parliament House. We had entered our book in a competition (thanks to our local museum ). The 2011 Historian Awards 

Some photos inside the Queens Room at Parliament House

People starting to arrive for the Award Ceremony
There were over 160 entries, no, we didn't win, but it was such an honour being there

The beautiful mosaic floor in the foyer

 WHERE NO COUNCIL IS THE PEOPLE FALL BUT IN THE MULTITUDE

 Before we went to the Windsor  to stay the night, we went to this great restaurant called " The European "

We had a delicious meal,- l had Garfish, this was an entree, l couldn't eat any thing else

This magical photo is Parliament House at night time.
We are overlooking Parliament House from the 4th story of the beautiful "Windsor"
We are staying in the Superior Suite, so, so, spacious, like a small house, just a dream.

THE WINDSOR
 

 The toilets were unreal, after going down a carpeted staircase,everything was marble and wood, real flowers, and back and white checkered  tiles

Actually l hardly took any photos of this unique place.
There were over 100 paintings all genuine and beautiful.
  I'm an artist and l took photos of the toilet?
But l guess it will stay in my memory forever
 Comments ! 
Parliament House - Did we expect too much in this prestigious place ?Would our afternoon tea be high tea we have heard so much about
No, we helped ourselves to coffee and all flavours of tea, which was nice, but, 
we had a hard scone with a small amount of  jam and cream on it, and an uniced muffin, a serviette to put it on as there were no plates. We had to try and balance these in our hands as there were no tables, only the tables
full with coffee, cups etc.
Maybe coming from the country we expect too much !

The Windsor
As we had never been to such a glamorous place before, and the night in our superior suite, plus a la carte breakfast was a special gift to us, we were like kids in a lolly shop.
( Thank you so much Mary and George, l know you are very proud of your brother.)
The Breakfast and high tea were to die for, absolute perfection.
We were talking to a cleaning lady, and commented on fresh flowers etc in the foyer.and she said she was worried, as the new owners were cutting down on costs.
In the top class rooms they always had a bowl of fresh fruit, a chocolate on your pillow, and a vase of fresh flowers. That has all been stopped, and people had been commenting She said there is too much competition out there .I hope this beautiful place doesn't go downhill, as Australia has sold off nearly all our assets to other countries

FROGS IN THE GARDEN

We have so many frogs in our garden

We have recently placed a large water wheel in our garden, as you can see by the photo, its still under construction, (but that is another story )-- a loooong story.

Our grand daughter Sarah and her little friend Jasmine enjoying some froggy friends. 

As a child l would play for hours with froggies .

l can remember so clearly, going back to when l was 10 years old. My parents, my 2 sisters and baby brother

 moved to a Town called Moe for 2 years, and the house had a small forest behind it, with little creeks  running through it.

We made friends with other children digging in the soft mud making little water furrows,collecting tadpoles in large glass fowlers jars Taking them home to watch them turning into frogs, then taking them back to the creek to begin the circle of life all over again.

The frogs were our pets, we would play frog races, or just group them together, in our water furrows as our families.

We only lived there for 2 years and then went back to Drouin in Gippsland.

25 years later l took my hubby and children back to show them where l had spent 2 of my happy childhood 

years

It was all gone- No trees,no frogs, all pulled down to make way for very small housing blocks with houses crammed side by side.

I must admit I cried, that is why I love frogs in my garden and l have taught my children and grand children not to be afraid of them, and to have a garden when they grow up. Full of bees, frogs, birds, ladybirds, etc, to keep our world alive.

OUR OWN GARDEN WALK

Yes we have 2 garden walks about to happen in our garden, so hubby and l have been very busy.

My camera has been very busy,so l hope you enjoy our garden -- My  Blog Garden Walk --