Well, I come back to Sepia Saturday after a few weeks off and find the theme has changed to no real theme. Now that makes it difficult as I liked having that little nudge in the right direction.
However, I am a fan of old houses and gardens, so I did get a bit of an idea from this week's photo - I am looking for old houses and gardens in my collection.
My father was an Englishman from a reasonably well off family who can trace their ancestry back for hundreds of years. When I say he "came" to Australlia, I really mean he was 'sent' to Australia because my very strict Victorian grandfather had had enough of him lazing around doing very little in the way of work, partying, wining and dining and spending the family money. In retrospect I think he had a difficult 5 years in the army in WW1 and found it very hard to settle down in peace time.
Whatever the reason really was - and he never spoke of it or his war experiences, - he was packed off to Australia as a "remittance man" and told to 'make good". I knew very little of his background except that he had three sisters, I had English cousins and until the Depression, the family had money.
Since then I have been able to trace my cousins and now know a little more about the family, although they know nothing about my father except that he came to Australia for some unknown reason. I do however have some family photos, some of which I will share with you because they do fit my theme of old houses and gardens. For most of my younger years these few photos were my only connection with my English family so they were very much treasured.
My grandparents lived in Wallasey and there is information in the Wallasey History archives about their house which was demolished around 1920. It was known as "Braddofields" and was regarded as a significant house in Wallasey.
They had quite extensive grounds, including these lovely areas with bluebells and daffodils. These photos inspired me to fill my own garden with bluebells and daffodils.
This house was also a family residence situated on the Isle of Man. I believe this was a farmhouse used by the family for summer holidays.
My Great Grandfather Lewis Hornblower was an architect and designer, responsible for designing the buildings, lodges and gates in Sefton Park, South Liverpool. I have no idea how much of his design remains. These are his designs.
Lewis Hornblower also designed many of the buildings in Birkenhead Park, including the Grand Entrance and the Cricket Pavilion.
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| Grand Entrance at Birkenhead Park |
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| Cricket Pavilion |
Liz Needle - linking with Sepia Saturday
Finally Spring has hit the garden - seemed to bevery slow coming this year. The daffodils, camellias and Magnolias came in July and August as expected, but the flowering blossom trees seemed to take forever. Now the bluebells are looking stunning. What a pity they can't hang around for a bit longer.
The last of the daffodils.
This magnolia was beautiful this year despite being cruelly pruned by Tree Active because it is under the power lines.
It is some months since I posted on my blog - not sure why except that I haven't really had anything to write about. We have had a very wet, cold winter and have spent most of our time snuggled up under a rug in front of the fire watching TV - Tour de France, Wimbledon, Olympic Games and now Paralympics. Good watching. We have also discovered the wonderful Andre Rieu and have been watching new (to us) reruns of his most entertaining shows.
However, all this time has given me the opportunity to get on with some sadly neglected quilting and crochet. I am using up some of my fabric stash to make lap quilts to be given to some of our veteran servicemen - a very worthwhile cause. I have enjoyed this and found it a bit of a challenge as the quilts are mainly for men - and I haven't made any man-quilts before.
The second one - somewhat different - and not the best of photos, but you get the idea.
My real passion lately has been crochet rugs. We all love them, especially the dogs who come running for a snuggle as soon as I get one out. First, my Aria Blanket from Lucy@ Attic24. This blanket was a joy to make and I love the result - not my colors at all, but I love it.
This one, also by Lucy is the Woodland Ripple Blanket - gorgeous autumn colours.
My son Mark was so taken with the ripple pattern that I made him a blanket in his own colours using Lucy's Neat Ripple pattern. I love the way this turned out and he has it proudly displayed in his room.
Finally, a real challenge I took on Lucia Dunn's "Eastern Jewels" blanket which she adapted from the original "Persdian Tiles" pattern by Janie Crow. Just love this pattern and the colours.
My husband fell in love with every stage of this blanket, so I made him an extra motif which he keeps on the arm of his chair. This is one blanket the dogs are not allowed to touch!
I did say 'finally', but I have to admit I am being frugal and using the left over wool to make a classic granny square rug in the same colours - well I did have to order a few extra balls of yarn to do this new one.
Where will it end?
Liz Needle
Autumn is nearly over and for a while I thought it would never arrive - well, the colour at least. I love Autumn with it's warm mellow days, light breezes, glorious colours and fruit everywhere. We have had a very mild summer and autumn this year and the deciduous trees, lacking the cold frosty nights, have taken a long time to get their colour. And then it came suddenly and only lasted a week or so, but glorious nonetheless.
Take a peek at my garden.
I guess for you northerners, these trees are nothing special, but here in Australia they are exotic and much treasured in a country of greys and greens, so I enjoy autumn while it lasts.
Liz Needle - linking with "Our World Tuesday".
