This is what the garden looked like this time last year. It was about 100% lusher and greener. Damn you to Hell Dreadful Weather and Evil Leaf Destroying Varmints.
I've fertilised and mulched but frankly, I need more rain.
Meanwhile you know how I luff and embrace a pear?
Well so does the Queensland Art Gallery. Aren't they Gorgeous?
Went to lunch the other day to Pearl with Mr FF's friend from Back in the Day M and her daughter. It was lovely. I wore Pucci sourced on the cheap. Maybe from 2009. I can't remember. My talents lying elsewhere and all.
Anyway, this was Me:
Tonight I will be able to sleep knowing that my son's teeny tiny Baby Clothes have been ironed with what can only be described as Love by Me and put away.
I know that some people don't bother (Crosses Self) ironing but tell me, how does everything lie perfectly flat in drawers and look beautiful if it's (Crosses Self Again) Creased??
Behold the Magnificence of my lilies:
and my teeny nasturtiums grown from seed:
and Hooray for Day lilies.
This was the Tree last year sans complicated toddler repelling fence arrangement. I hate to introduce a sad note, but I preferred it.
It's almost a year since this one was Christened in what can only be described as a Superior High End Smocked Romper suit Arrangement. He was so perfect. He didn't even cry when the priest poured water onto his little forehead.
Let's re-live the post Christening Table Magic that my Friend M gussied up while we were at mass:-
But back to the Magnificence of My Tree.
I know.
It's Stunning.
And Calming.
And Good to lie under.
With a soothing ice cold drink.
Mr FF' sister bought this top for the Baby form Italy. It's so cute. I think it says I am the Star of the House? Anyone?
I have absolutely nothing else to report.
What's tricks with the rest of you?
xxxxx
xxxxxx
I don't love doing the ironing but I simply cannot put clothes away unironed so I resign myself to doing it. Maybe you could send Consuela around for me? Would love to outsource that job. Am currently deciding on a Christmas theme (I'm thinking red this year) and convincing my husband to put Christmas lights on the house. No luck so far.
ReplyDeleteI'd forgotten about Consuela. She does practically nothing. Being Ficvtitious and All.
DeleteMr FF is a talented ironer.
I also put my Christmas tree up early in The Season. Although I do tend to wait until November 1st, once the Halloween rush is over. I was wondering if you also get many comments along the lines of "GAAAAHHH you cant put your tree up before December 1st - its bad luck!!!!!" and what your response is? Awaiting your response in anticipation. Vicki
ReplyDeleteDear V
DeleteI've never heard that it's bad luck so I think it's what can only be described as an Urban Myth.
One of the laziest slovenliest filthiest women I know who is PLAGUED by bad luck puts her tree up in late December.
Make of that what you will.
x
But I'm putting it up earlier this year!!!
DeleteI think you are right. Actually google reveals that the xmas trees were originally put up only 12 days before Christmas because with them being real and all they would DIE! Lucky for me, mine is in for the long haul, being fauxtastic and all. Hooray for plastic.
DeleteChez Jill Ann, we do not put the tree up until two weeks before Christmas, at the earliest. Of course, we have a real tree, so I feel anything sooner would result in a massive fire hazard. It stays up until New Year's Day and is shedding needles pretty badly by that time.
DeleteA very nice Mexican lady I know tells me that in her culture, the tree stays up until January 6, which is Kings'Day, the day the wise men brought gifts to the Baby Jesus. The children in the family get presents on that day too.
My mother, who was of English ancestry, used to tell us how she would go to bed on Christmas Eve, as a child, with the house in its normal state. Then upon waking Christmas morning, she would rush downstairs to find a decorated Christmas tree (complete with presents) had magically appeared in the night. Astonishing to think that my grandparents actioned an entire Christmas tree after their child had gone to bed! They would also tape a sheet of wrapping paper over the fireplace opening, and in the morning it would be broken through where Santa exited the chimney. Even in her old age, my mom had trouble going to sleep on Christmas Eve....not hard to see why!
---Jill Ann
my mother always insisted the tree had to come down just after the 12 days of Christmas 6th January.
DeleteThe broken through paper is just a fanstastic idea.
In Scandinavia, they only decorate the tree a few days before Christmas. The 23rd I think? It's tradition for all the kids to stay out of the room, and then, once it's all decorated and lit up (usually real candles), they turn the lights off and come in to gasp. It's a lovely tradition.
DeleteAlso, they celebrate Christmas on the 24th and everyone usually goes to church (so beautiful in the snow), then returns home to eat and drink like vikings! Then they all dance around the tree singing hymns. (Actually, not sure of the order? Can never remember anything after sculling too much schnapps with them all!) But I do know it's a lovely way to celebrate Christmas...
All countries do it differently, and each way is lovely, I think.
xx
I don't do a lot of ironing. I used to, but with the arrival of each child, my standards have been lowered, and lowered. I find if I dry it on the line, most of the creases are gone. I then fold everything immediately when it comes off the line (I can fold in 5 different ways - it's a God Given Talent that I acquired when I worked in retail while at Uni), and it stays crease free. I iron about once a fortnight. I send out Mr AV's shirts. Pure cotton business shirts are virtually impossible to iron. Sorry, this has become an ironing essay. Your garden will recover. And at least yours is established. I fertilise mine like crazy and things are still miniature. Baby was totally adorable in his smocking. xxx
ReplyDeleteMr FF irons his own shirts and my work frocks.
DeleteI put everything in the dryer so am unfamiliar with this line drying you speak of.
FF L' s significant frien d irons her shirts for placement cos she cant. bless!
DeleteDear FF,
ReplyDeleteSeriously feeling your pain re garden, it was 35 plus degrees and the humidity was lucky to register, I fear for the garden particularly as we are at the start of our hot season. Clearly we need to re live thru the photos as I don't see how this summer is going to be kind.
There is nothing nicer than an ironed piece of anything. It just is the bomb. I do have rather a large amount here but be assured no one leaves here un ironed. And don't get me started on a tablecloths. They are superb items when pressed.
The lurggy seems to have passed from the youngest two to moi and therefore today was rather quiet - the barest minimu that can be.
Seriously loving the star of the house, he's super cute.
Have a great day tomorrow.
Belinda x.
I hope you feel better soon x
DeleteI have to confess...after waiting at a property to show it multiple times to rent. Eyeing off a magnificent crop of nasturtiums which seemed to be surviving at an empty property with no rain, I ripped some out and put it in a vase for a week so the roots grew. Its now growing nicely in my garden. :0
ReplyDeletelove this story
DeleteYour garden looks like a tropical oasis to me.
ReplyDeleteI never iron - hate it - I just pull clothes about as they're drying and think, that'll do.
are you trying to kill me?
DeleteAshamed to admit I don't iron.....but I garden, like a woman possessed. Would adore some tropical foliage yet, let's face it, as it was 9 degrees here today it really wouldn't thrive. Sigh. I have lots of nasturtiums though, once mine were in now they self seed every year....I wish my foxgloves & hollyhocks would do more of that. Your baby is gorgeous....such a precious gift. Rx
ReplyDeleteI long for cold climate plants....
ReplyDeleteI love telling you how I don't iron, EVER, it cracks me up!! Someone very wise once told me that near enough is good enough and will make you happier - bet you didn't think that would meaning me giving up ironing eh?! On a positive note I got a professional-esque steam ironer thingy as a wedding present. I promise to try and use it :) L xx
ReplyDeleteOk, I do think that near enough is good enough was wise advice....
Deleteand does make you happier.
But Lotus are you trying to KILL ME?
I also need an yellow and black and white necklace can you get your people to talk to mine??
Hi FF..I am so impressed with the smocking on that christening outfit.
ReplyDeleteI am new to blogging and a friend back home in Oz recommended your blog to me - I must say I absolutely love it..I read your posts just as I'm arriving at my own Coal Face I'm a lawyer too) and they cheer me up no end!
Thanks J.
DeleteThe outfit was sublime and he wore it only once! x
I iron, but I need to psych myself up for it and self-medicate with a cocktail and music while I'm toiling. I am always on the hunt for the Holy Grail of irons - very light, with powerful steam. or maybe the ironing version of a roomba robot vacuum? You could just throw it on a pile of ironing on the floor, close the door and walk away.
ReplyDeleteI love pears as well. With rocket, walnuts, Danish fetta and a lemon Dijon dressing; poached or dipped in lemon juice and wrapped in prosciutto with a rocket leaf so many many ways... I action tree approx 1 dec
ReplyDeleteI own exactly one item of clothing that requires ironing. When I am clothes shopping it is my first stipulation - no ironing required. My garden is suffering so badly that I have lost my entire lemon crop for next year to bronze bugs. They are evil. I am a great fan of pears too. They have many great qualities not the least of which they are a low allergy food which is handy knowledge.
ReplyDeleteFF I don't want to alarm you but in what can only be described as a hardcore coincidence my baby son is being baptized this Sunday! He will be wearing the white sailor suit I sourced from Gilt months ago. I fear it will be a bit big on him but there's no going back now.
ReplyDeleteI do iron but not the kids things, as a rule. They only get filthied up and creased to buggery anyway.
So, so with you on the rain. We've planted a lot of new things and I fear for them.
Oh I luff that fat bird. It reminds me of my favourite FF post, the Christening...and also our favourite Hungarian. I'm not sure why?
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the ironing FF. If I could swap all my household chores forever for ironing, I would do it. What's not to love - there's no cleaning, the clothes and linen smell fresh, you're just removing creases, and when you're done you get to wear beautiful clothes and sleep on soft linen that make you feel fabulous! Ladies, get yourself a Tefal steam generator iron. It will change your world.
Best, BB from Melbourne X
Agree with the Italian translation, but really I wouldn't know!
ReplyDeleteIs that a cheesecake? Now, I have a serious craving.
I am trying to get a garden started here at our Hotel. Sadly my prerequisites for a good plant include, drought resistant, child, dog and affected by alcohol proof (shan't use any other descriptors as the law says people can't get happy anymore) - they need to be very tolerant of urea if you catch my drift ewwww - I know!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog, it makes me smile - thank you :)
Rechelle, a lemon tree thrives while getting a "Golden Shower" and tolerates all the other prerequisets :)
DeleteVicki
Hi FF,
ReplyDeleteSeeing that lovely table set for the Christening reminds me that I saw a duvet cover design entitled "Fat Bird" ! They must read your blog. I remember laughing about your friend saying "I just luff that fat bird"
So nice to relive happy occasions..
I love ironing too. It's cleaning floors that gets me down.
Renie xx
When space is at a premium the vacuum pack negates the need for an iron. I salute mr FF for his ironing skills. Personally, mr eternity in this house washes and irons. I try to feel sad I am not allowed to partake of laundry duties but am really very pleased to escape the drudgery(sssh don't tell anyone, that's a secret).
ReplyDeleteHello FF, your garden looked beautiful. With all that mulching and fertilizing it can only get better. In a year or two your little baby will learn to Respect the Tree so you won't need the fence. It all looks lovely anyway, hope you're all well x
ReplyDeleteHi FF,
ReplyDeleteI have to report that as far as my home goes, we were quite lucky. We have no damage. We only lost power for a few hours while we were sleeping Monday night. We did lose tv and internet, but this might have actually been a blessing. It prevented me from watching the horror that is outside my neighborhood. Since we got the tv and internet service back, I can hardly drag myself away.
We have always had a land line phone ever since 9/11. They do not stop working during a power outage. I was able to keep in touch with my out of state college kids.
Right outside my street looks like a war zone. There are downed trees and power lines everywhere. It's Thursday morning, and there is no one working to get stuff out of the road to make it passable.
We had a lot of warning and prepared for the worst. But again, we had power most of the time, so we didn't lose groceries in the fridge.
We offered up our spare rooms to all of our friends. Some have taken us up on our offer. We have tons of food and wine on hand. Plus heat and hot water - both in short supply in NJ right now.
For us personally, the worst thing is the availablilty of gasoline. Gas stations that have power have lines of cars over a mile long. It takes hours to get to the front of the line to find out you can only purchase a few gallons.
I know we will recover and rebuild eventually, but it will be a long time coming. So many lost so much.
Dear Sheri
DeleteThank you for replying I was worried and I am glad you are safe. It is all v. sad. Reminds me a bit of the flood damage we saw here (altho smaller scale).
Take care and thank you for the update x
i remember your garden last year. so beautiful!
ReplyDeletei've been working in mine day and night it seems.
trying to tame bamboo and ivy that wants to strangle everything else out. i also made some cookies yesterday but i burned them. xo
I LOATHE both ivy and bamboo they are garden thugs!
DeleteGarden is sad this year J x
Dear Ms FF, We have a lovely lady here who irons beautifully. However, when we go back to Canberra, it will be all hands back on deck. Mr LiC is a champion ironer. He has an ironing press which has collected a bit of dust over the past three years. Ironing used to allow him to remain unmolested in front of the TV watching sport and also won him cups of teas in the breaks. I love putting my head into a basket of washing just from the line and breathing it in. Somehow, there is nothing so nice as the smell of washing straight from the line on a Summer's day except perhaps the scent of a baby's neck after a bath. Them were the days. love Lindaxxx
ReplyDeleteI think the key is good tv when ironing
DeleteI luff a baby's neck x
I love barbie and came across this barbie episode on you tube that made me think of your blog
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKDpnVPK4kI&feature=autoplay&list=SPB4C82F2A68D62AA8&playnext=2
OMG! thank you
DeleteI love a post like this, with everything from Pears to the cutest Boy in an Italian T-shirts, and nasturtiums grown from seed thrown in. My husband does all the ironing in the family because it relaxes him.
ReplyDeleteYou are lucky and thank you for loyally commenting all the time!
DeleteDear FF,
ReplyDeleteYour Italian is perfect Baby FF is indeed the star of the house...
PPx
I know. He is presently asleep and I miss him!
DeleteI'm a recent convert to the magnificence of the pear.
ReplyDeleteBut only coz of the beautiful pear tree we have growing down the back laneway. I have no idea what kind of pears they are but they are so full of flavour and juicy!
It didn't hurt that I baked this superb cake with them.
I might have directed you to it before, but being a baker I know you would love it.
http://cookingwithfreefalling.blogspot.com.au/2011/06/flourless-chocolate-cake-with-pear.html
Hi FF I don't want to kill you but my 4 year old saw the ironing board and iron at my mums house and asked her what it was... Needless to say she was not impressed! I'm also a line dryer and fold straight away! Not looking forward to 4 year old starting school next year with shirts as his uniform, may have to put my mum on the payroll.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I have succumbed to your Missoni shopping at Gilt influence rather than your thrift directive. (The shipping time to NZ is impressive) But I can't help but feel I am learning the wrong lesson.
ReplyDeleteEmily
I can only do ironing if watching something mindless like old episodes of Dallas or Dynasty, don't have to concentrate just look!
ReplyDeleteMy dishwasher is currently broken and I am having to wash the pots which I am finding curiously relaxing. I generally hate housework, as soon as I get everything nice a pet or a grandchild comes along and wrecks it again, soul destroying, also would rather be reading. Baby FF is the cutest x
I was ever so slightly the worse for wear one day after a fabulous previous day of celebrations. Trying to get ready through a fog the next day I accidently ironed my stomach - I now hate the iron!
ReplyDeleteFF have you ever been to Canberra? The pears at the National Gallery are particularly magnificent.
ReplyDeleteI with you on the ironing front, although I've given up on sheets. If I line dry them they are crease free enough for me to cope (just).
We could use some rain here too, but Canberra looks lush at the moment from all the winter rain.
thank you .. I knew Id seen pears ( of the art variety) some where
DeleteI think I inherited my loathing of ironing from my mother. She would always buy clothing that needed the least possible ironing and then try anything to avoid doing it. At one point we had an ironing lady who would come to the house once a week and iron basket upon basket of clothing. After a while my mum decided that the ironing lady was a silly extravagance so we'd all just have to iron our own clothes if we wanted them crease-free. I was probably around 8 at the time and as you can imagine, an 8 year old would prioritise just about everything higher than doing ironing, haha.
ReplyDeleteI'm certain that ironing an outfit makes the result look far more polished, and I have been known to iron table cloths.
Thanks for another wonderful update
xxA
FF, I would love to hear your advice on how to make friends.
ReplyDeleteI have not had a long term friendship since high school... and struggle to make and then keep friends.
I think my main issues are that I've been in a long term relationship where my partner IS my best friend. Also, my expectations of friends are too high I think as I know what I do and don't like ... Although I know that no-one is perfect, I don't have a high tolerance level for what to me seems like unacceptable behaviour. Is it normal to put up with things you might necessarily agree with (nothing illegal obviously) in order to maintain friendships? Things I am referring to are: back stabbing, b|tching behind your back, using you, only ever contacting you when they need something, inappropriate dressing sense, smoking.
Would love to hear your advice.
I've been thinking about this comment.
DeleteI don't have any answers really.
I don't think having a long term partner should preclude you from having friends. I suppose this is because I believe that friendship with people and long term relationships can co-exist happily.
My dad's parents were married for about 68 years before my Grandma died and were absolutely devoted to each other but they both also retained close friendships that were seperate to each other and that they nurtured and sustained.
We've all seen marriages end where the people are left essentially alone because they spent all their energy on their partners and then when they were single they had no friends on who to lean or hang out with once things came unstuck.
I tend not to find it hard to make friends I suppose.
But I'm not fussy- I couldn't care less about things like smoking or clothes or whether they are different to me. I don't have a single friend who's my twin and thank heavens for that.
Obviously back stabbing or being mean can be a deal breaker. But I suppose it depends on the circumstances and what's happening in their lives.
I actually do not mind people falling by the wayside and then contacting me when they really need me. I love being needed and I love being there for my friends. We are all busy- it's hard to stay in touch like you could when we were all single and childless and say 20.
I'd like to think I am a good friend, but like anyone I have many short comings. I hope I'm loyal and I hope I'm forgiving. We all make mistakes and none of us are perfect.
Everyone is different but my girlfriends are extremely important to me. This isn't right or wrong, it's just the way I am. They've sustained me through some dark and truly dreadful times.
I suppose I've met people through work, through other friends, online through this blog, through Mr FF and since having the baby, through the kindy.
One thing I am absolutely unafraid to do is trim my friendship tree. I'm too old for the truly Toxic.
My clever and thoughtful readers will probably have some good ideas for you.
x
Thank you muchly.
DeleteBy the way what I meant re: smoking and sense of dressing, what I meant for example is people who smoke in their homes so when I visit them I have to endure the smoke... And re: dressing style, as in people who don't wear enough to cover any of their "bits".
Yes, if my partner was to disappear, I'd literally have no-one. It's just that he is the only one whom I can get along with, whom I can truly trust and rely on. I really wish it were easier to find true good friends.
Thanks again FF.
For what it's worth, I completely get you. I have the same problem. I'm also afraid to make friends because I don't know what they might expect of me. I'm terrified they'll want to go clubbing or anything that doesn't appeal to me. I often feel disappointed when I've started to get to know someone but then they turn out to be the opposite of who/what I thought they'd be. If that makes sense.
DeleteI must admit I've never really wondered about what people expect from me in terms of friendship and on the whole I am not disappointed but maybe I have limited expectations. I'm after a bit of chat and if there's some laughter on top, well I'm happy.
DeleteCould this be an age thing? I wonder how old you are?
I don't have a lot of close friends either. A few years ago I came to the conclusion that some people are in their element and most comfortable surrounded by other people all the time, some people are in their element alone and some people lie everywhere between the two extremes.
DeleteA few years ago it bothered me that I wasn't very popular and didn't have a big group of friends, so I made an effort to make more and I just ended up emotionally drained and very stressed. The people I made friends with were wonderful but I felt like I couldn't provided as a friend for everyone at once. I'm back to only having a couple of close friends and I'm OK with that now. I do have a larger extended network of people that I only see once or twice a year. I really hope that those people realise that the friendships we have mean a lot to me, even though I don't see them a lot.
xxA
Great Post, the photos of Your garden's Flowers are Gorgeous...not to mention the photos of Your Dolci/sweet-stuff!
ReplyDeleteYour garden is Meraviglioso,so full of wonderful colours...like especially the Lilies colour, la Boungaville and also il Geranio,e le foglie di Menta!...Cheers, Complimenti!
...by the way Nice Art there at local Art-Gallery!...:)
and Yes "He's the Star of House"indeed !...Auguri!
Ciao, Best
Love those baby pics. Sorry your Mother Nature is not being cooperative. You know those beehive/pineconey looking flowers that you sometimes post photos of? They have always intrigued me. I finally saw one a few days ago while on vacation in Kauai. I will send you a photo of them. They are even cooler in person! It's the little things in life :)
ReplyDeletexo, A
love the photo you sent me thank you! x
Deletere friends-- dont expect too much as we inevitably disappoint them as much as we think they disappoint us. so best not to worry about it. just get on with it and be a great friend to them first. invite them over, feed them up, go out with them and just enjoy the ride without expectations...
ReplyDeleteSome things I am totally with you on pears, christmas trees, tomato and mozz salads. But I'm afraid I leave ironing at the door. Its not that I can't or won't I just tend to adopt and only where necessary approach.
ReplyDeleteCan I say, I love this blog and the comments. Esp when there's a bit of a on topic conversation.