Red hot summer on it’s way

We had a short visit to the city on the weekend. Mr FH’s mate was having a dinner at the casino to celebrate his 60th birthday and we had the pleasure of attending. It was so lovely to have the opportunity to dress up a little. I took these photos (on my phone, after a few champagnes!!) of our meals. Mr FH had the Black Angus steak with mushroom ravioli and I had the barramundi (the safest option I thought seeing I still have only a temporary front tooth!!) and it was beautiful. I forgot to take snaps of the entree – Mr FH had pumpkin soup and I had spinach tortellini – yummy…..I love Italian food!! Our dessert was a cherry ripe cheesecake. We had such a fun night and didn’t get to bed until nearly 3. These late night take a little more getting over than they used to!!!



While in the city I made a quick trip to Target as our second little granddaughter turns 2 on Friday and I just wanted some extras to go with her birthday present. I quickly was drawn to the homewares department and was so taken by the great display of picnic ware and china they have ready for summer entertaining.  Not long now and we will be enjoying lots of outdoor wining and dining!! I have never liked summer too much until we bought the beachhouse and now I really enjoy it. With our pool at the back and the beach at the front of the house life is pretty good. Much nicer than the long hot days on the farm where the risk of fire is always on my mind.










I really love the white china with the hearts!!!! The blue and green glasses are just gorgeous- all melamine so perfect for using near the pool. How good would these last plates in the black and orange be for a Halloween table!!!
Have a lovely week. I have all of my grandies coming to stay this week….not all at once thankfully so life will be busy!

Suzy

I'm joining: 

SeasonalSunday@TheTablescaper

CowgirlUp@FarmhousePorch

AmazeMeMonday@Dwellings

MakeTheSceneMonday@AlderberryHill

MasterpieceMonday@BoogieboardCottage
MetamorphosisMonday@BetweenNapsonthePorch
GiveMeTheGoodsParty@BetterWithAge

http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com.au/
http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com.au/

TuesdaysAtOurHouse@OurHomeAwayFromHome

TeacupTuesday@Martha'sFavorites

TeatimeTuesday@RoseChintzCottage
TeacupTuesday@ArtfulAffirmations

CottageStyle@LavenderGardenCottage
TransformedTuesday@PJHDesigns
NiftyThriftyTuesday@CoastalCharm

TweakitTuesday@CosyLittleHouse
You'reGonnaLoveIt@KathewithanE
PrettyThingsLinkyParty@1208

Let'sDish@CuisineKathleen
WhimsyWednesday@OhMy-Creative
StepIntoSpring@DIY byDesigns
It'sAParty@ACreativePrincess
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/
http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com

CreativeShareWednesday@TrendyTreehouse
HomeworkWednesday@The EverydayHome
WednesdayLinkyParty@AdornedFromAbove

ShowOffYourStuff@FirefliesandJellybeans
BudgetDecoratingParty@CreativeCainCabin
OpenHouse@NoMinimalistHere
WhiteWednesday@FadedCharm
PrimpYourStuff@Primp
OutdoorWednesday@ASouthernDaydreamer
BlissfulWhiteWednesday@Timewashed

OverflowingWithCreativity@It'sOverflowing

Home&GardenThursday@ADelightsomeLife
ThursdaysAreYourDays@52Mantels

ShareYourCupThursday@HaveADailyCupofMrsOlsen
TransformationThursday@ShabbyCreekCottage
ThriftyLinkThursday@FromMyFrontPorchToYours
TransformationThursday@ShabbyCreekCottage
AllThingsThursday@PosedPerfection

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/
TreasureHuntThursday@FromMyFrontPorchToYours
TheInspirationGallery@CraftberryBush
CreativeThingThursday@TheVintageFarmhouse
HappyHourLinkyParty@CraftberryCottage

FeatureYourselfFriday@FingerprintsontheFridge
Simple&SweetFriday@RootedInThyme
FridayFurnitureFinds@MissMustardSeed
FridayFlashParty@TheJennyEvolution
FrugalFriday@TheShabbyNest
CottageGardenParty@FishtailCottage
http://www.jenniferrizzo.com

InspirationFriday@AtThePicketFence

FlauntItFriday@ChiconaShoestring

Show&TellFriday@MyRomanticHome

FeatheredNestFriday@FrenchCountryCottage

HomeSweetHomeFriday@TheCharmofHome

http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com.au/

MondayFunday@Uncommon

CentrepieceWednesday@TheStyleSisters
FavoritePostParty@I'mNotATrophyWife

http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com
SpotlightSaturday@ClassyClutter
http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/
G'daySaturdayLinky@NatashaInOz
SundayShowcase@UndertheTableandDreaming
SunnySimpleSunday@SunnySimpleLife
http://www.commonground-do.com
Show-liciousCraftParty@Sew-liciousHomeDecor
Show&TellFriday@MyRomanticHome
DIYSundayShowcase@minettesmaze

 

 

 

Birthday celebrations

It was my birthday on Saturday! Not a milestone but a very special birthday anyway. My mum had celebrated her birthday two days before mine so my sister arranged for all of the girls in our family to join for a high tea on Saturday afternoon. Those of us from the country travelled to our capital city for the weekend. It was extremely hot on Saturday but the lovely old house where we went was close to the river. We had so much fun. Lots and lots of noise (we are all very bubbly and talk lots!!) and lots of laughter filled the room.The table was set with Old Country Roses china (the holiday version, which I don’t have) and it looked just lovely when we walked in. Such a lovely way to share a birthday.








I am so in love with the beautiful table we sat at…….check out that wonderful patina! If I could have fitted one in my bag I would have brought one home with me!!!!
I had such a wonderful weekend which sadly ended when I received a message from a dear friend whose husband passed away suddenly on Sunday morning. Makes these family days all the more special.

Suzy

 

I'm joining

 

SeasonalSunday@TheTablescaper
CowgirlUp@FarmhousePorch

MakeTheSceneMonday@AlderberryHill

http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com.au/
http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com.au/

TeacupTuesday@Martha'sFavorites

TeatimeTuesday@RoseChintzCottage

TeacupTuesday@ArtfulAffirmations
TuesdayLinkyParty@{Primp}

CottageStyle@LavenderGardenCottage

http://cozyhomescenes.blogspot.com.au/

TweakitTuesday@CosyLittleHouse

Let'sDish@CuisineKathleen
WowUsWednesday@SavvySouthernStyle

http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com

CreativeShareWednesday@TrendyTreehouse

WednesdayLinkyParty@AdornedFromAbove

ShowOffYourStuff@FirefliesandJellybeans
WhatchaWork-UpWednesday@diycraftyprojects
BudgetDecoratingParty@CreativeCainCabin

OverflowingWithCreativity@It'sOverflowing
It'sAParty@ACreativePrincess

Home&GardenThursday@ADelightsomeLife

ThriftyThursday@TalesfromBloggeritaville
ThriftyLinkThursday@FromMyFrontPorchToYours

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/
HappyHourLinkyParty@CraftberryCottage

FeatureYourselfFriday@FingerprintsontheFridge

InspirationFriday@AtThePicketFence
OpenHouse@NoMinimalistHere

FlauntItFriday@ChiconaShoestring

Show&TellFriday@MyRomanticHome

FeatheredNestFriday@FrenchCountryCottage

HomeSweetHomeFriday@TheCharmofHome

FridaysUnfold@Stuff&Nonsense

http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com.au/

MondayFunday@Uncommon

CentrepieceWednesday@TheStyleSisters
FavoritePostParty@I'mNotATrophyWife

http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com

Impromptu Dinner Party

We went to the beach house for the weekend and had such a lovely time. My mum came with us and DNo1 came for a quick sleepover on Friday night as her husband and two little boys were all away for the night. Saturday saw Mum and I hitting the shops then we got busy… My niece was having a birthday and we were going out for dinner when I decided it was too cold and we could have a much nicer time at home. (Also I could have a champagne or two if I wasn’t driving!!). Suddenly I had to prepare a table (I would much rather do this than cook the meal!)
I had one black  dinner set with a setting for four but we had six guests (actually we had 7 but I didn’t know this when I took the photos) so I just added some white plates and mixed them up a little. I had bought this tablecloth a while ago for about $15 so I started with that. The black flat ware I have used before which you can see here. The cream napkins and clear glassware are always used at the beach house!! I just added a bit of black ribbon for contrast. I quickly drove to KMart and found these cute black lanterns for $5 each. Perfect! Dinner cooked and table set with a little time to sit and relax before the guests arrived!! Easy.








On Sunday after heading out for breakfast we drove to our capital city where Mr FH went to watch the football with our son-in-law. Mum, DNo 1, two grandsons and I had afternoon tea (or Hot Tea as one grandie calls it!) at a nearby rose farm. My daughter is a lovely cook so we enjoyed a wonderful meal then stayed the night and headed home to the farm this morning. Just such a lovely weekend….

Suzy

I’m joining :

CowgirlUp@FarmhousePorch

MakeTheSceneMonday@AlderberryHill
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com.au/

http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com.au/
TeacupTuesday@Martha'sFavorites
TeatimeTuesday@RoseChintzCottage
TeacupTuesday@ArtfulAffirmations

It'sACinchParty@ItAllStartedWithPaint
http://cozyhomescenes.blogspot.com.au/
Let'sDish@CuisineKathleen
http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com.au/
http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com
CreativeShareWednesday@TrendyTreehouse
OutdoorWednesday@ASouthernDaydreamer
ShowOffYourStuff@FirefliesandJellybeans
OverflowingWithCreativity@It'sOverflowing
Home&GardenThursday@ADelightsomeLife
ThriftyThursday@TalesfromBloggeritaville

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

FeatureYourselfFriday@FingerprintsontheFridge

InspirationFriday@AtThePicketFence

FlauntItFriday@ChiconaShoestring

Show&TellFriday@MyRomanticHome

FeatheredNestFriday@FrenchCountryCottage

HomeSweetHomeFriday@TheCharmofHome

FridaysUnfold@Stuff&Nonsense

http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com.au/

FarmhouseFriday@LaurieAnna'sVintageHome
UncommonlyYours@Uncommon
CentrepieceWednesday@TheStyleSisters
http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com
FrugalFriday@TheShabbyNest

Ice Cream Bar

Just after the New Year our darling second little grandson turned one!! How time flies…….he is the most gorgeous little man who lets me kiss him non-stop and never tries to ‘get away’ from Nanny!! My daughter organised a birthday party for him and I had gathered together everything for an ice cream bar at Christmas which we didn’t get to use so it was the perfect time to bring it out. It was a lovely warm day with all the kids and their dads splashing around in the pool for hours so an ice cream bar was just perfect!!

Just look at these gorgeous summer colours!! I had found these at a local supermarket for 99c each. As you can see I stocked up ready for a big Christmas crowd.

I was going to have hot pink accents which we had to change slightly for a dear little boy’s first birthday party.

Rows and rows of yummy colours.

After the party I realised this photo was the closest thing I got to a shot of the overall table. I sometimes get a bit carried away and forget that I’m supposed to be taking photos for my blog!

I had printed and laminated labels for the ice cream toppings.

Such a selection of extras for the top!!

I’m sure the kids couldn’t believe their eyes when they saw all of this – actually most of their parents couldn’t either!

My favourites!

The selection was amazing.

These cones were just so yummy…they seemed to have a slight chocolatey flavour to them. Delicious!! The pink tray in the background was filled with ice and three different flavoured tubs of ice cream were placed in there for everyone to serve themselves. I forgot to take photos of that when we had it all organised.

How wonderful is this cake??? My daughter made it herself and decorated it in colours just like Boppy’s (Mr FH) tractor on the farm. I thought it was just wonderful.

How cool are these face biscuits?? My daughters have become such wonderful capable mums of which I am very proud.

More yummy cakes. We had such a wonderful day! I had seen a post by The Tablescaper who had set a table similar to this for her children so I can’t claim the idea as mine!!
Suzy

I’m joining AStrollThruLife
               BetweenNapsonthePorch
               SavvySouthernStyle
               ArtfulAffirmations
               Rose ChintzCottage
               Martha'sFavorites (I hope icecream cups are allowed!)
                          ASouthernDaydreamer
               TrendyTreehouse
               FingerprintsontheFridge
               AtThePicketFence
               ChiconaShoestring
               FrenchCountryCottage
               TheCharmofHome
               StuffandNonsense
               HowSweetTheSound
               http://cozyhomescenes.blogspot.com.au/
               Let'sDish@CuisineKathleen

Birthday Girl!!

My darling little granddaughter Little Miss L turned one on Thursday. She is growing up so fast - not walking yet but sooo close.

 We had a cupcake party for her. Just family - mainly nannas, aunties and cousins. Pop's called in to say 'hello' but left soon after. We are such a rowdy lot!!

Pretty pink table - just my colours!!  Love these napkins... 

Daughter No 1 had made these yummy cupcakes and we made these great cupcake holders. They were a free download from Shabbyblogs.com which we printed out then cut and glued them. They are the most gorgeous colours.

Sorry this was a bit blurry - I may have had a champagne by this stage!! We had a beautiful day with lots of cuddles and kisses!!

Suzy

                                  I'm joining MyFavoriteThings@BargainHuntingandChattingwithLaurie
                                                      and PinkSaturday@howSweettheSound

A day of ups and downs....

Today I'm really feeling a little 'up in the air'. My gorgeous 24 year old son had major surgery on his knee today - this is his 3rd big op so I'm really feeling as most mothers would....stressed. We came up to Perth yesterday to be with him today. We are just about to make our way back into the hospital to check on him then hopefully have a good sleep. Last night was a bit restless as you can imagine.
But tomorrow we are hoping for a much better day - we hope SNo 1 is feeling a lot better and it is also our first grandson's first birthday. So you can see why my emotions are all over that place.
Today while my son had surgery I had a lovely pedicure from one of my favourite beauticians - she really pampered me when I needed it..
We are off back to the farm tomorrow after seeing both our 'boys' (big and little) so I hope to have some nice tablescape photos to share with you soon - these are not in my home but somewhere else!!!!
Be back soon....

Suzy

Cliff Richards Live..

Howdy everyone, Well I have just returned from a lovely weekend in Perth - we have a couple of birthdays this week so Mr FH and I went to Perth on Friday and along with our three kids and their partners/husbands had a wonderful dinner together. Our meal was just wonderful and all being together was so special.

On Saturday night Mr FH and I went along to see Cliff Richards and The Shadows (I'm showing my age here!!) - it was just unbelievable!! I can't get over the fact that he is nearly 70!!! I hope I look that good then...

Suzy

Sorry about this blurry photo but my camera has decided to stop working and I had to fish the old one out!