Sparkling Wine...Christmas...Champagne

Champagne....And now to celebrate........

I read these few words of wisdom on a blog recently and thought I would share them with you…

“There comes a time in every woman’s life when the only thing that helps is a glass of champagne.”

Bette Davis

“In success you deserve it and in defeat, you need it.” 

Winston Churchill

“I drink Champagne when I win, to celebrate…
And I drink Champagne when I lose, to console myself.”

Napoleon Bonaparte

“Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right.”

Mark Twain

“Champagne is the only wine that leaves a woman beautiful after drinking it.”

Madame de Pompadour

“I only drink champagne when I’m happy and when I’m sad.
Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone.
When I have company I consider it obligatory.
I trifle with it if I’m not in a hurry and drink it when I am, otherwise I never touch the stuff unless I am thirsty.”

 Lily Bollinger

With very best wishes for a very happy Christmas....Wendy

Fabulous Australian Gifts....

 Paul Bangay's latest book, the beautiful "Stonefields"...here

Kate Morton's intriguing book.... "The Secret Keeper" ...here

Australian made Organic Babies clothes.....here

Unique ladies wear at Flinders...Zeega...here

Salmon Bon Bons from the Tassal Shop..here is the recipe...here

Beautiful cakes and biscuits from....The Iced Biscuit..here..

Glasshouse Candles, Diffusers.....special fragrances...here

The Padpod...innovative and inexpensive for a different gift......here 


And some extra special gifts.....


Willie Wildlife Sculptures...so many choices.....here

.......and fabulous jewellery.....Jan Logan....here

An array of many different choices for all..enjoy the shopping....Wendy

Christmas gifts from Australia...

Here are a couple of my favourite Australian products that would make wonderful Christmas gifts for loved ones...beautiful throws from Creswick Wool...they are made from Alpacas...here in Victoria... and are excellent when the summer nights are not quite so summery......here

Alpaca Throws

Just love these cute Alpacas.....

Images - Creswick Wool, 6 Roche Street, Hawthorn

And if you would like some Australian sheets, summer quilt sets, etc., then why not go to Abode Living for some beautiful linen, the fabric is luxurious Italian, but the products are all made  in Victoria.....here

Images - Abode Living, Camberwell Road, Camberwell

Happy Christmas buying.....Wendy

Uluru...the ultimate Christmas gift....

Why is it every year Christmas seems to come around earlier?  Is it just that we are getting older and time is so precious and we are all so busy?  I think it is the latter, what do you think?  

Of course our minds turn to holidays as well as gifts and I wonder have you booked your vacation yet?   I was thinking about this and wondered about Uluru, this has to be the ultimate gift with lasting memories.

Image -  Voyages.us5list

Wouldn't that be memorable?  ....why not give yourself and/or someone you love the ultimate gift this Christmas, lasting memories enriched with a new understanding of the majestic living cultural landscape of Australia's "spiritual heart" Uluru...Visit the website

During the Christmas holiday period there are many activities including, I believe, the already popular free daily Indigenous activities at Ayers Rock Resort...Here 

There is the ability to participate and engage in activities such as boomerang and spear throwing and traditional Indigenous games...here

Watch world-renowned artists from Maruku Arts demonstrate the technique of fine poker work on wooden artefacts synonymous to Central Australian Aboriginal art.....Visit the website

Image - Ayersrockresort.com.au

There are many and varied types of accommodation...for instance there is relaxed dining under the desert sky...here...a real treat....or for those who enjoy to stay within their comfort zone, there are many hotels from 3 star to a luxurious 4 1/2 star from which to choose...there is a variety of dining experiences...perhaps you might enjoy grilling a barramundi on the BBQ...so many choices....Here

Image - outbackaustralia.com

Image - desertgardenshotel.com

One thing is definite, if you are still deciding where to go this Christmas, then you will need to book quickly....

Next week more Christmas gifts.....Wendy

 Paul Bangay's Garden....23 & 24 November...a must see

I have been an avid admirer of Paul Bangay and the wonderful magic he works with gardens and to see his own garden is really something special.  His garden along with Stuart Rattle's Musk Farm, are open on Saturday & Sunday 23-24 November...I have not seen Stuart Rattle's Musk Farm, but I believe that it is well worth the visit...for both gardens tickets available on line...Click here...

All images - Paul Bangay

Paul is arguably Australia's pre-eminent garden designer...here is a small glimpse of his beautiful garden...a short drive via Daylesford....for directions see his website.... Here

Paul is also a proud member on the board for "The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation" committed to ensuring the learning of cooking and food growing for children nationally...proceeds will be donated to this excellent cause.    Stonefields is the focus of a new Paul Bangay book with photography by Simon Griffiths just released and will be available to purchase at Stonefields on 23 and 24 November...here

Be quick to get your tickets, this is fabulous......Wendy

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Climb the Auburn Tower........

Auburn Uniting Church 

 Cnr.Oxley Rd./Hepburn Street, Hawthorn

Open on Saturday 26 October, 10am -4pm

If you have never done a climb up this gorgeous Venetian type tower, don't miss out as it is only open once annually.  The view from the tower is unforgettable with the ability to see the Sacred Heart dome in Kew, Xavier dome and the City towers, of course.

The tower is often lit up at night and also its Venetian type lamps on fence posts are lit. Restoration is ongoing on this magnificent church with a superb interior.  The pillars at the top are of cast iron and are in need or urgent restoration and any support you can give by doing the climb would go towards the maintenance.

The church is one of the biggest church complexes in Melbourne with Manse, Gardner's Cottage, Stables, a large hall and a Caretaker's cottage and there are many other points of interest.  

The tower will be open to the public in conjunction with the Jewellery Bling Fling in the hall on Saturday 26 October, same time, 10 am to 4pm.  

Further information on the Bling Fling may be found... here

If you would like further information on becoming a member of the Friends of the Auburn Tower the email address is.....here

Auburn Tower & Jewellery Bling Fling both Open on 
Saturday 26 October, 10am -4pm

Looking forward to seeing you at The Tower......Wendy

The Secret Keeper....by Kate Morton

I have been wanting to read The Secret Keeper written by Australian Kate Morton for some time and have only just done so and what a wonderful book...first a little about the author, Kate Morton...

Image - Kate Morton

Kate Morton is the eldest of three sisters.  Her family moved several times before settling on Tamborine Mountain where she attended a small country school.  Kate enjoyed reading books from an early age, her favourites being those by Enid Blyton...read more about  Kate here.

Growing up in Tamborine Mountain and spending a great deal of time climbing trees and hiding in them, led Kate to an idea for the beginning of her book The Secret Keeper. This book encompasses mystery, a love story, friendship, trust and loyalty, second chances and the power of love...all the necessities for a good read...I just loved it and an added bonus, it is printed in Australia...here

Image - by  Kate Morton

Here is a glimpse of the story....

"1961: On a sweltering summer's day, while her family picnics by the stream on their Suffolk farm, 16 year old Laurel hides out in her childhood tree house dreaming of a boy called Billy, a move to London, and the bright future she can't wait to seize.  But before the idyllic afternoon is over, Laurel will have witnessed a shocking crime that changes everything.

2011: Now a much-loved actress, Laurel finds herself overwhelmed by shades of the past.  Haunted by memories, and the mystery of what she saw that day, she returns to her family home and begins to piece together a secret history.  A tale of three strangers from vastly different worlds, Dorothy, Viven and Jimmy, who are brought together by chance in wartime London and whose lives become fiercely and fatally entwined......."

It's a fascinating tale and a quite surprising, unpredictable end...I would highly recommend The Secret Keeper by this Australian Author ... also have a listen to a delightful interview with Kate on her website 

.... when you finish The Secret Keeper,  her other best selling novels, The Shifting Fog and The Forgotten Garden have also won worldwide acclaim...read more about them here

Enjoy this excellent book ....Wendy

Phryne Fisher's clothes...where can you see them?

Rippon Lea Image - National Trust

The popular ABC TV series Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries will return to Rippon Lea this spring with a major exhibition featuring the sumptuous costumes worn by the Hon. Phryne Fisher and her cohorts. The house and gardens, which features in the series as the home of Aunt Prudence, will once again be transformed as the doors open to the Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries Costume Exhibition on the 7th September...here More than 30 outfits worn by the lead cast including Miss Phryne Fisher (Essie Davis), Detective Inspector Jack Robinson (Nathan Page) and Aunt Prudence (Miriam Margolyes) from both series one and the soon to be broadcast series two of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries will be showcased in the exhibition...here

Images - National Trust

Miss Fishers Murder Mysteries Costume Exhibition

Visitors will be taken on a journey into the creation of the many worlds of Miss Fisher with insight from Kerry Greenwood, the author of the Phryne Fisher mysteries series of books, Fiona Eagger and Deb Cox, producers of the popular ABC TV series and Marion Boyce, the costume designer for the TV series. The mansion will be open throughout the day for visitors to see the exhibition at their leisure. Alternatively there are guided historic tours available for those interested in learning more about the social history of Rippon Lea.  Costumes provided by Every Cloud Productions.  Date and Time: Saturday September 7 2013 to Sunday 27 October 2013 10.30am - 4.30pm Where: Rippon Lea House & Gardens, 192 Hotham Street, Elsternwick

Admission:

Adult $15 Concession $12 Child $9 Family $35 (2 adults and 2 children) National Trust Members  $10 Adult $7 Concession  $4 Child  $20 Family (2 Adults and 2 children)

Bookings advised. Book online here. I love this TV series and to see the clothes is an added bonus on a visit to the most beautiful mansion, Rippon Lea.....Wendy

The Spring Graze starts this weekend......put Victoria on your table!

It's on again the wonderful Spring Graze starts this weekend!   Over 50 events throughout Victoria during September...melbournefoodandwine.com.au

The Spring Graze is a gathering of more than 50 events hosted by industry outside of the Festival in March to welcome spring and the abundance of new-season Victorian produce it brings with it. Here is a small sample of the program for the month of September.....whet your appetite here Lamb is undoubtedly the pièce de résistance of spring time cuisine. There is an array of events proudly featuring lamb as the centrepiece...Here Wine in focus It’s time to shake off that winter coat and sample some fresh and vibrant flavours for the coming months....wine The T'Gallant Experience, La Baracca Trattoria, Mornington Peninsula, 1 - 30 September Regional Winemaker Menu, Craig's Royal Hotel, Goldfields, 1 - 30 September Picnic in the Old Barrel Hall, Seppelt, Grampians, Saturdays in September Petanque, Pies & Pinot, Dominique Portet Winery, Yarra Valley, weekends in September Cabernet Challenge, Armadale Cellars, Armadale, 17 September Pyrenees TEN:2:ONE Speed Graze, Mitchell Harris Wine Bar, Goldfields, 25 September Win a weekend in Kyneton! Through the Melbourne Food and Wine Spring Graze friends at Broadsheet  they are giving away a lavish weekend for two to the picturesque town of Kyneton in the Macedon Ranges valued at $1,500! The weekend includes accommodation, meals at top local restaurants as well as private wine tastings. Click here to enter! So many things to do and see....and taste.....Click here Enjoy the month of September with these wonderful tastings....Wendy Images: The Royal George Hotel, Kyneton & Melbourne Food & Wine Festival

Don't miss the latest issue of Styling....Coty Farquhar

Looking back on the last eight months...cotyfarquhar.

So many beautiful pages to enjoy and such pleasureable reading ...Wendy

All images - Coty Farquhar

Willie Wildlife Sculptures......A garden necessity...

Swallows -Birdbath on Stand

Will Wilson is an Australian who does the most amazing sculptures.  Will started doing his sculptures in May 2001 and his following has grown very quickly with these sometimes quirky sculptures that I believe are a must for every garden, small or large as the sculptures come in a myriad of sizes...so many choices

Cockatoo & Galahs

All the sculptures have a sense of fun and aim to make people smile whenever they see them. As Will says, they are designed to add love, charm, character, strength, and style to a garden space. Everyone can relate to the sculptures from children right through to the elderly no matter where in the world they live. Willie Wildlife Sculptures can cross all cultures the same way music and dance can.  Here are some examples of his work and his website has many, many more....here

Lorikeets

Frogs Bowl on Stand

Ringneck Birdbath Bowl

Eagles Birdbath Bowl

Trout with Dragonfly

Brolgas

Giant Snails

Will Wilson was brought up on a farm in Western Victoria and studied at University in Queensland and at Agricultural College west of Sydney before pursuing his passion for wildlife. He spent time working in National Parks in Northern Australia followed by work on a private game reserve in Africa. Will now lives and works in his studio at Ocean Grove in Australia and appointments can be made to view his works...here

A special present...perhaps Father's Day....Enjoy....Wendy!

All images - Willie Wildlife Sculptures

Natural Instinct......do you use these products?

I was told about this range of  Australian made products a month or so ago and have been using a number of their products; moisturiser...non oily, lovely lavender fragrance; the body wash, my daughter describes it as very zesty; hand cream, shampoo and conditioner...and in my opinion, these products are everything they claim....Natural Instinct.... excellent
.  

The products tick all the boxes for me...no artificial colours, harsh detergents, silicones or preservatives..recyclable packaging....the list goes on and on and it's all good.  These natural Australian made products are not only good for you and your family, babies included, but also good for the environment and the best part....the price is realistic and very affordable...Natural Instinct

Over the years I have tried many, many beauty products, some with excellent packaging, but that's where the appeal ended; some with beautiful fragrances but nothing else; and then of course there is the high price end that we pay a lot of money for and the results....I'm not so sure about...however, I am sold on these...Natural Instinct

Natural Instinct  is located in Victoria and is available at a large number of pharmacies, just type in your postcode and you will be surprised how many pharmacies stock the products and they are also available online...here 

Another good thing...I think it is wonderful that a smaller company like Natural Instinct  is prepared to support a worthwhile cause such as "Challenge" supporting kids with cancer....read more about this on their website here

Vegan Friendly

Made in Australia

Not tested on animals

I do hope you will try these excellent products.......Wendy