"She seemed to come suddenly upon happiness as if she had surprised a butterfly in the Winter woods"(edith wharton)
it's trying to look a bit like christmas. . .
to start off with, I have decided to have a different kind of door wreath this year. Instead of the traditional 'faux pine' with apples & pine cones that I have had for nearly 20 years, I have chosen a live wreath made from native eucalypts. On Sunday, Joe and I went for a ride across the mountain, to Bilpin, the land of the mountain apples. To a gorgeous little barn called the Turpentine Tree, which is owned by a man who creates the most wonderful floral arrangements. He has wreaths made from gumnuts, from Banksias and from all kinds of native flowers as well as hydrangeas, lavender & roses. 
I chose a beautiful wreath which he wrapped up all nice and tight in brown paper & string, so that I could transport it home on the bike. A feat in itself. It wouldn't fit in the saddle bags so I had to hold it in front of me while we rode back home over the mountain. The wreath is plain, no decoration which is how I wanted it, well it actually had a big red bow on it but I took it off. We also hung faery lights across our verandah, which twinkle sweetly in the dark... perfect for midsummer when my faery friends will be out having a lovely time
Julie has shown us some of her vintage christmas decorations and even though I am not using all mine to decorate my home this year, I thought I would take a photo of mine.. they are a motley lot.. some moth bitten, some looking every bit of their age, but I love them. They are kept in my storeroom in an old suitcase that I bought them in many years ago at Boorawa, in country New South Wales.
I chose a beautiful wreath which he wrapped up all nice and tight in brown paper & string, so that I could transport it home on the bike. A feat in itself. It wouldn't fit in the saddle bags so I had to hold it in front of me while we rode back home over the mountain. The wreath is plain, no decoration which is how I wanted it, well it actually had a big red bow on it but I took it off. We also hung faery lights across our verandah, which twinkle sweetly in the dark... perfect for midsummer when my faery friends will be out having a lovely time
Julie has shown us some of her vintage christmas decorations and even though I am not using all mine to decorate my home this year, I thought I would take a photo of mine.. they are a motley lot.. some moth bitten, some looking every bit of their age, but I love them. They are kept in my storeroom in an old suitcase that I bought them in many years ago at Boorawa, in country New South Wales.
20 comments:
I really like your understated wreath. It is lovely. I think live wreaths are the best. You rode your bike over the mountain? That sounds like someone who really wanted a wreath!
I agree with dawn, I am likng the understated look more and more these days. I am tiring of all that sparkle and glitter, and going for a more natural look. I love fairy lights.... so sweet!
Robyn...your eucalypts wreath is so lovely and meaningful since it grows there. Its like what you posted about indigenous people using the herbs and plants that were available to them. Love the way the leaves are layered. I have a dried Juniper wreath(they grow in the high desert here.)How fun to have faerie lights in summer when the faeries are out and about!
Beautiful. Eucalyptus has such a wonderful smell - maybe bring some in the house.
It's a good idea to have a wreath made of native plants and the twinkling lights sound pretty too - they are appropriate whatever the toime of the year. Maybe you could use some native greenery inside too along with one or two bowls/vases of flowers.
I love the wreath, it's beautiful. That must have been quite a trip back, holding it the whole time.
Such a lovely case with Christmas golden oldies !! I love the little deer you've got there !!
Those light must looks so nice. I've got mine in my rose bow in the front garden, they look great too. I just love little lights.
Have a great day.
Oh, before I forget, I made a blogger account, so you can visit me there ; )
Thanks so much for the visit ; )
Riding a bike over a mountain sounds like being in heaven! I would just LOVE to be able to do those things.
Your door is pretty with the different coloured glass.
Hi, Robyn,
You have a cellophane wreath too!
My daughter has a thing about eucalyptus and potpourri so I can't have either when she is home. She arrives a week from tomorrow and I am very excited!
Still no decorating done by me - I am waiting for them to get my bathroom done and the dust to settle.
Julie
Your new wreath is lovely. Native plants and leaves make so much sense.
Your vintage things are great too, whenever I see decorations like that i think of childhood. Sadly ours never made the trip across the Atlantic..
hugs
xo
Love your wreath. I do so love the smell of eucalyptus. Sounds like you had a nice ride. Love Hugs and Blessings
Hi Robyn - love the natural gum leaf wreath (mouthful!) and got a giggle over my mind's eye picture of you coming over the mountain holding onto it. Turpentine Tree sounds like a wonderful place to visit, for the first time my white hydrangea has gone crazy with blooms - pretend snowballs in summer. Will be putting some of my decs up this weekend Smiles *!*
Absolutely LOVE the wreath!
The wreath looks so naturally beautiful, it doesn't need any other adornments. Wonderful idea to decorate with something that's native to your area, that makes it all the more meaningful, I think.
Love the peek into your suitcase - what sweet treasures of Christmas past.~xOx
Sound beautiful.
Swampy and I both love your door...as well as the wreath!
we will be heading up the lane in the next few days and collecting greenery for my wreaths...one for front door and one for back (which acts as our front door!)
Blogger ate my comment, client waiting..I'll be back!
xo
I like the plain ones best. Eucalyptus would be fragrant and wonderful. xoxo
I love your wreath, and I bet it smells divine. Vintage ornaments are the best, such sweet memories we relieve when we take them out each year!
Sending you hugs across the miles...
I don't know where my comment went earlier...weird!
I am just finishing my work day, if you can believe it!
Loved that wreath, and the fact that you biked it home! Way to go!
xoxo
Gillian
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