The Laurel Hedge

Pleasing All The People

2012-02-06T16:25:00.001+10:30

Every now & then I'm reminded by an incensed Follower that this blog is supposed to be about renovating & not all the other 'stuff'. OK, so to placate the said Follower from their Unfollowing threat, here's some images taken in 3rd bedroom yesterday - not pretty huh.

Since MOTH's crook back has eased off enough to let him back at it to a degree, these wardrobe doors have been ripped off their hinges & are propped on the trestles getting the Smart Prime once over. Except it isn't just one coat, it's bloody hundreds to stop that rubbish varnish stain bleeding through! He's also put numerous coats of Solver's Parchment on the walls, chased a whole heap of wiring through the brickwork & done an enormous patch up job to the holes he bashed in the bricks to do this.

We invited a son over for a Sunday roast dinner recently & unbeknowns to him, he had to help MOTH fix the new ceiling plasterboard to its frame before the meal was served. It got done but not without some dramas. All I'll say is that there was a 'failure' of the fixative by a certain serial renovator & a large piece of plasterboard hit the deck via the son's head. Let me tell you the conversation over dinner was unusually subdued. All the ceiling plastering & top coats have been done & most importantly we have downlights (sorry Ms. Velvet & Linen!) that work. I hope that's the last whinge I hear from that Follower for a while. Isn't renovating fun.

Calling All Expats!

2012-02-04T11:29:00.012+10:30

OK I know you're lurking out there, reading this from London, Toyko, New York, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Paris, Beijing, Madrid & lots more fabulous, but temporary places. I know 'cos you've told me so via your comments & emails. You love your posting, your job & the excitement of experiencing a new city & lifestyle. But Miss Millie is smarter than you think & can read between the lines of your sweet notes. You love Adelaide, & when the excitement & challenge of your overseas position has waned there's only one thing you want to do & that's come home to the loveliest little city in the whole of the country - Adelaide!!

So on this gorgeous warm, sunny, South Australian summer's day I'm going to tempt you with what's currently on offer in the way of real estate. After you've wiped away your tears of longing & home sickness, leave me a note telling me which one has won your heart. I'm happy to call the real estate agent for you.
Let's start with 'Carawatha' a gorgeous c1880 Victorian mansion in glorious Gilberton. You'll need to call Bernie about this one & if you're from Adelaide I won't need to elaborate.

Then there's 'Benacre' at Glen Osmond, a heritage icon in town c1870 in all it's Victorian bluestone glory. Toopie's got this one.

Candy B's just listed this beautiful Victorian terrace in Barnard St North Adelaide. With a generous rear laneway access, it will go in a heartbeat.

In fabulous Fitzroy 'Carlton House' is ready for you. A c1890 Victorian mansion on Fitzroy Terrace sitting on 2264sq.metres opposite the Parklands, what are you waiting for. Another call to Toopie for this gem.

Come up the Hills for 'Broadlees', a c1926 Georgian Mediterranean mansion at Crafers West. The 18 acres you'll also get for your $'s is a bonus beyond all words. Speak to Tim T at Toopie's about putting a deposit down.

Another beauty on Fitzroy Terrace, this time a c1880 return verandah Victorian sandstone house with floodlit supergrass tennis court. Contact Judy M via Oren for a squizz.

And there's marvellous Medindie & on divine Dutton Terrace check out this Victorian bluestone villa on 1226sq. metres. It goes to auction on Valentine's Day & wouldn't your little heart flutter if your bid secured it. Another call to Judy M is needed here.

And if luscious Leabrook calls your name what about 'Tarleamore' in Tusmore Ave. A c1925 gentleman's residence on 1345sq. metres of prime residential Eastern suburbs land. Ros Neale's got this listing.

Your Mum's probably told you in one of her emails that they've just spent a motza tarting up the Burnside Village Shopping Centre & it's even got a Zara. If that doesn't get you home, then nothing will! So go on, I know you want to. Come on home we're waiting for you & so is Bernie, Toopie, Judy & Ros.

It's the weekend, so go enjoy!

Book image: Chris Pavone All other images: Real Estate

Princess Patricia

2012-02-01T16:38:00.000+10:30

Princess Patricia van Esshe - happy 5th birthday mate! We jumped into the bloggie world around the same time & 1,130 fabulous posts later you're still going stronger than ever (while yours truly can only dream of such posting stamina!). Thank you for the gentle beauty & generosity of spirit you share with us each day here.... & especially through your beautiful art & design. Always posing a question that makes us stop & think & wanting to share our thoughts. You are a unique & original stand-out in a bloggie world cluttered with sameness. I'll splurge at your blog bar, a glass of Krug please - I raise my glass to a legend!

Images: pve

Date Night

2012-01-28T12:01:00.005+10:30

It's a hot Summer's day here in the Hills with the temperature soaring. I couldn't believe my ears this morning when I heard MOTH down at his woodpiles chopping, chopping with his trusty axe. For those of us with a wood fire it's a constant battle to keep ahead ready for the sudden onset of Winter's icy breath. He's now barrowing his work up to the wood shed in the courtyard & it's hot, hot work. He's just hit me up for a cold drink & a date tonight. So it's out to dinner & then a movie. I want to see Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy but I reckon a tired MOTH would be snoring before the opening credits rolled, so it may have to be something a little less demanding. So George C.'s new flick is looking good. It's the weekend, so go enjoy!

Image: Michael Graydon Do youself a favour & visit Michael's site, his photography is just awesome!

Courting Relaxation

2012-01-27T08:47:00.002+10:30

I have a rare day off to myself today & have decided to have a Millie day. A trip to the Dog Park with puppy Lulu is the only definite on the agenda & then the day is mine. If I feel enthused I may do some remedial gardening work in our courtyard, but I reckon whatever I do, it won't look as gorgeous as the one in the featured image. Thanks to everyone who commented on the Perez post & to the lovely gals over at Adelaide Hills Magazine for featuring it on their Twitter daily yesterday. But can I tell you categorically that MOTH will NOT be getting his own blog, no way, no how, NEVER!!

Can I recommend a quick visit to Felicity here. She's commenced a fabulous new initiative A Year Of Books-A Challenge to get us on track to hit our reading targets this year. I dropped behind woefully last year due to all the changes at work, but this year I have promised myself nothing will get in the way of sticking my nose in the pile of books sitting forlornly on my bedside table. She's encouraging us to join in & share our current read via a 'Vive Le Livre' linky on her blog. A cute little button is available to paste on your blog to share. The first linky is due soon, so I'd better get cracking. The Stirling Dog Park has some lovely old trees to sit under, so I'm going to prop there soon with my current read while Lulu does her meet & greet thing with her puppy friends. Whatever you're doing today dear Hedgies, enjoy it.
Image: Benecki Homes

Australia Day

2012-01-26T09:51:00.005+10:30

On this our National day may you enjoy strawberries on your pav

.......& bling on your flip flops!

Image: Gourmet Traveller

Perez Should Worry

2012-01-25T07:50:00.002+10:30

Some of you close to The Hedge know that since MOTH's brush with his own longevity in the workforce last year with his crook back, he's been contemplating an alternate career. He's looked at all sorts of things that don't involve lifting heavy things. I've 'overheard' some ripper phone conversations as he susses out potential new offerings with his adviser mates from the Rowing Club. They include Boutique Beer Salesman, Jam/Preserve Maker (sorry Michelle), French Tour Guide (I know, I know - I still find it hard to believe that his French language skills are awesome, thanks in no small part to the hots he had for his French teacher at high school!!) & even a Thermomix Demonstrator........yep you read that right.

He ducked down to the village last night to grab some bread & waltzed in the door looking very smug. 'Mills, Mills, guess what I found out!' He then proceeded to tell me the following: A & B have split up, C is having it off with D & everyone knows, E's business is in deep do-do & the ACCC are involved, B is already seeing someone else before A has had a chance to change the locks & A is absolutely spewing & to top it all off E's husband F has left her for a bloke! And he'd gleaned all this juicy info from his 'informants' in a brief 5 minutes outside Woolies!

So dear Hedgies there's nothing for it really, MOTH has found his new calling - Gossip Columnist Extraordinairre. I have no doubt after this post goes live his phone will run hot with offers. Were does he sign Messrs. Murdoch & Hearst? Or failing that, if Norm from the Mt. Barker Courier happens to read this, please give him a contract - the Hills would be positively alive with defamation threats, but you'd have a winner on your hands!

Image: Popcrunch

Blanc de Blanc

2012-01-21T12:17:00.005+10:30

Phew that was a huge week! Another year, another Kick-Off Meeting - overblown, undercooked, a cast of thousands & too many Chiefs & not enough Indians, enough said. All this was tempered however by the surroundings where all the 'stuff' was presented, The Observatory Hotel in The Rocks. Over the years I've been fortunate to travel to a lot of countries & stay in some pretty amazing places for work, so I can't believe this little gem has alluded me up to now. It's the only Orient Express hotel in Australia & so is indicative of all that goes with that unique brand. However for me, my stay was made extra special by the hotel staff. Warm, welcoming, generous, utterly professional yet without a sniff of pomposity or snobbishness, each & every one of those gorgeous people are at the top of their game. Thank you, thank you all from the bottom of my grateful heart, I need to return, I will & soon.

I noticed as I was flipping through their Collections portfolio in my room, that our friend at Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons, Raymond Blanc has designed & opened 4 new Suites. Here's Ray spruiking the new digs, very nice mate. I have thought before that this should be the venue for my long dreamt about Hedgies Bloggers Retreat & seeing Raymondo waxing lyrical, I've locked it in. It's the weekend, so go enjoy!

Hello & Goodbye

2012-01-13T18:20:00.000+10:30

This post has taken me ages to do, I've had 3 glorious weeks of vacation & I'd almost forgotten how to collect my thoughts, dig out some pics & compose something! Anyhoo dear Hedgies WELCOME BACK!! I've had the best time 'cos I've nested. I really needed to veg out & relax at home with nothing particular on the Agenda, & its done me a power of good.

I managed to do Chrissie with a last minute sprint & it was lovely. MOTH refused to remove his hat & apron for the pressie opening ceremony. And Son #5's size 16 feet in all their glory sans shoes appeared out of nowhere. Each year I ask the kids to observe a little decorum & wear shoes to Christmas lunch & each year they ignore me.

Puppy Lulu experienced her first Christmas & loved it!

It has been birthday month, with 2 close girlfriends celebrating their special days, my beautiful Aunt clicking over 88, Son #2 turning 32, Son #4 marking his big 30 & moi having to write 56 in the sand as of last Monday. So lots of fizz wizz has been enjoyed, but it was the brandy bottle I needed to turn to after my visit to the Orthopaedic Surgeon on my birthday.

After chucking my scans up on the viewing box he informed me that I need a knee replacement. No cartilage, bone on bone, a meniscal tear & ACL damage were his observations. Unbelievable really, as while it's been annoying the 'you-know-whatsies' out of me, I'm yet to take any analgesia. To say I was dumb-founded would not be gilding the lily. Anyhoo, cutting to the chase at 56 he needs to buy me some time before heading down Replacement Highway. I'm going to have an Arthroscopy next month & he's going to try & do some urgent remedial work. Oh joy, there goes my Footy season.

The leaning tower of books on the bedside table has been replenished BIG TIME, & I get little thrills of excitement each time I see them......especially the names Giannetti & McCulloch, hugs & kisses to you both.

However I've saved the best book 'til last. I'm absolutely thrilled to tell you that I'm going to be a Glamorous Grandmother or Glammie for short! Son #4 & his delightful girl Miss K. will be welcoming their little cherub mid-year, so I'm in Glammie overdrive. On hearing the news, MOTH took immediate steps & blocked the Baby Burberry Online Store from our PC. But I have ways & means!!

I'm off to Sydney on Sunday for the week as it's the Company's 2012 Kick-Off Meeting. A huge week with a full-on Agenda, so deep breaths Miss Millie & I'll be back next weekend. I'll tweet while I'm away, although I'll have to keep things tidy to protect the guilty. It's the weekend, so go enjoy!

Images: Notonthehighstreet & Welcome

Moving Right Along

2011-12-23T08:59:00.000+10:30

That's it, I'm done for the year. Apologies for the lack of all things Christmas here at The Hedge - the Chrissie decorations are up & my Christmas Playlist is on 24/7 trying to jump start my festive spirit, but that's about it. The (in)famous Millie sparkle has gone AWOL, but I've got 2 weeks vacation now & I'm going to make locating that lost sparkle & doing a reinstall my main priority. The second half of 2011 has been one of the most personally challenging I've experienced in a long, long time & I'm not sure I've handled it very well. Still I can't rewind that tape, so I'll just have to cop it & move right along.

This year only 2 of the boys will be gracing us with their presence on Christmas Day. #1 will be staying in Melbourne with the other side of his family, #2 is flying out to Burma tomorrow for a 4 week back-packing & filming holiday with his lovely girl, #3 is driving over from Melbourne tonight to join us briefly, #4 will be spreading his legendary good cheer at his workplace-the most remote mining site in Australia & #5 & his bride-to-be, the sweet Miss A. & puppy Tazzie will be with us. We were lucky to have 4 out of 5 home last Chrissie, so I'll take who I can get this year & be grateful.

I have a rendevous with our In-House Orthopaedic Surgeon on my birthday early in the New Year. I need to sort out a pressing issue with a very dodgy knee that has been causing me much grief this past year. The Radiology report was ominously presented to me in a black envelope & it made for a nightmare read! All the years I spent trying to impress the sons with my massive torpedo kicks playing footy with them at the park has come back to haunt me. Then it's off to the Company's Annual Sales Meeting in Sydney for a week & all the standard rah-rah stuff that brings with it.

Thank you dear Hedgies for sticking with me this year. It's been a yukky year for us here at The Hedge. The renos came to a screeching halt when MOTH's crook back appeared & put his entire life on hold for 6 months. It appears the last ditch procedure he had in Sept. is finally starting to help & he's now managing to do a few hours work each day in his business. Then there was my change of jobs & return to full-time - enough has been said about that & I'm putting all my ducks in place to effect happier times there. Chuck a few family issues in the mix & I'm over 2011.

The Hedge will be back on track next year, with the renos. ramping up again & more shocking Before & After images than ever! MOTH & I wish you all the most wonderful Christmas Day on Sunday with your precious ones. We value your comments, emails & personal contact more than you'll ever know. I love you & I love the joy this medium brings me. Onwards & upwards & let's do it all again in 2012!!

Image: Not On The High Street - Indian Garden Company

Time To Start My Chrissie Engine

2011-12-22T16:02:00.001+10:30

OK it's time to rev up my Christmas spirit! I'm on my second day of vacation, so dashed into the City with a long, long list, amazingly completed it all in under 3 hours, hurtled back up the Freeway, stopped off at The Stirling pub for a glass of bubbles & a mince pie to celebrate the successful completion of my mission & have plonked everything down on the sofa for Later to deal with. No-one else is home & the peace & quiet is magical, with just puppy Lulu & this year's Playlist of Millie's Worst & Most Cringeworthy Chrissie music ~~loudly blaring~~ softly playing in the background.

Thanks to everyone who left comments & voted in the previous post. It seems dear Hedgies we fell about 999,955 votes short of the 1,000,000 I was hoping to use as a bargaining tool in my network submission, but anywho........ What was most gratifying however is that Option #2 (Yes - as long as the blog disappears) to the question Should The Laurel Hedge become a reality TV show in 2012? received ZERO votes - yay!

I'll be back tomorrow for my last post of the year, in the meantime, I need to brace myself as MOTH the Christmas Grinch is due to make his annual appearance any moment now. My spies have forewarned me that he's heading up the Freeway now in the truck. It's easily recognizable as it's the only one without tinsel wrapped around it's bull bar!!

Image: From the lovely Rosemary at Content In A Cottage

Thinking, Thinking

2011-12-15T12:41:00.001+10:30

I washed & ironed 6 director's chair covers on Saturday arvo. I can think of better things to do with my time & yes, it's pretty apparent that I don't have enough to occupy my unstimulated brain at present.

MOTH's been trying to cheer me up & suggested all sorts of ideas for a change of jobs for me next year. He still doesn't understand why I can't be making $100K.+ a year with The Hedge. If I hear him say one more time 'Geez Mills, get cracking & get a few big sponsors & we'll be on easy street!' I'll take to him with my designer Uzi. However a recent comment by a certain lovely chum on her blog 'Isn't Millie's blog great? I think she should have her own reality show. With MOTH doing the renos in the background. It could be the Kardashians meets The Block.' has got me thinking. Over the years there have been frequent suggestions along the same line. So is it time to think radically outside the square, do an audition tape & pitch the idea to the unsuspecting network bosses for Behind The Hedge - a reality TV show. Of course just like the Kardashian's, that would mean all the boys, their partners, assorted pets & rusty cars would have to move home. Yep that would work. What do you think dear Hedgies? And if you'd like to give me some ammo for my network submission, & I reckon about 1m. Absolutely's! might just clinch it, please do vote in the poll below - ta!

Down The Garden Path

2011-12-09T12:01:00.000+10:30

MOTH told me I had to wander down to the Tennis Court early this morning as there was a surprise for me. His girls the Christmas & Oriental Lillies are starting to bloom, with the yellow Orientals beating their Christmas sisters by at least 3 weeks.

They are so strong & vigorous this year & are taller than me (but that's not saying much!). Whatever secret MOTH concoction he's put on them has worked I reckon.

I was surprised to see these beauties as well. MOTH had a client who didn't want them any more in her garden, so MOTH's dug them out & adopted them. I did suggest that in this early phase of his crook back recovery & return to a few hours work a day he remain vigilant about any heavy lifting. I can see that suggestion was taken on board - NOT. I thought that a freezing cold Adelaide Hills Winter wouldn't be the best for the Dracenas, but then I looked at the Oriental Lillies & figured they do OK.

His spud patch is coming along well. It's full of his favourite Tasmanian Pink Eyes. If you've never tasted them do yourself a favour & hunt them down, they truly are the King of Spuds. Thanks to everyone who left kind comments on yesterday's post. I really have run out of emotional steam & am so looking forward to restoking my coals tomorrow & Sunday. Its the weekend my friends, go enjoy!

A Sweet MOTH

2011-12-08T15:23:00.003+10:30

With work being totally responsible for me now actually having lost the will to live (MOTH reckons trying to deal with this particular group of clients is akin to herding cats!) & a major family issue that needed me to hang the Dr. Millie Family Therapist shingle out urgently, it's been a tough, tough, tough, tough week. I'll share the family thing with you when I can get my head around it & I've lowered the level in the vodka bottle a bit more. MOTH's been his normal 'Deal it with it & move on Mills' self, but this morning he rendered me speechless.

'Hey Mills, I noticed Balhannah By Design have got a VIP shoppers night on tonight. They had a new container of stuff from France arrrive last week & one from Belgium on Monday. Mon's had to hire out the Balhannah Village Hall temporarily to fit everything in. If youse like, I can come home from work early & we can go up there together. They've got free grog, free gift wrapping & 10% off everything. Would that cheer youse up?'

Would it ever babe, fire up the Millie-mobile & let's go! Oh & if you or the girls are reading this Mon, for goodness sake if MOTH offers to man the gift wrapping table & gives you a story about his prowess in that Department - DON'T LET HIM!!!

Images: Balhannah By Design

A New Star

2011-12-02T07:45:00.000+10:30

A Library of Design

'Really Millie, who wants to read another blog?' Ummm........that would be me Janelle!! Every now & then something very special arrives in our wonderful world & Janelle McCulloch's new blog A Library Of Design ticks every box I need to become an instant devotee. Wonderful words, scrumptious images, a delightful sense of humour, eclectic subject matter - all from one of Australia's best known design journalist/photographers & published author of 15 architecture, interior design, travel and gardening books.

Trust me, there are no fusty musty Shush Keep Quiet signs over at Janelle's library. Go & treat yourself to a visual & cerebral banquet here. It's the weekend, so go enjoy. I know I will, I swear this new job of mine is causing me to lose the will to live!!

Classic MOTH

2011-12-01T08:19:00.000+10:30

MOTH had momentary control of the remote last night & while channel surfing stumbled across that UK telly show One Born Every Minute. After watching a poor hapless Pommie woman in noisy labour attempting to deliver a very large baby, he yelled out to me ' Ya know Mills, babies should be born small & then pumped up afterwards like a footy.' Yep his form is back, along with the well deserved improvement of his crook back!

Travelling Well

2011-11-21T21:29:00.017+10:30

I have yet another flight to catch to Melbourne tomorrow for the rest of the week. I like to walk to work, so stay in a fine hotel in Collins Street, but sometimes I wish the office was closer to the very elegant Villa Donati Boutique Hotel in Richmond.

Or it's edgier, funkier sibling Apartment 401 in Flinders Lane.

Life's a blur at the moment, keeping a minor Millie melt-down at bay is my Numero Uno priority.I've promised myself one early night tucked up with room service & some serious blog surfing. I'll be by soon, promise. As that famous Aussie pugilist once said 'I love youse all.'

Images: Villa Donati & Apartment 401

Millie Archer

2011-11-18T17:37:00.005+10:30

First thing Monday morning I'm heading to the Registrar of Births, Marriages & Deaths & changing my surname to Archer. It seems yet another Aussie Archer is experiencing great success with a bonza product. Not only is brand French Essence attaining world dominance faster than you can say ' Blog Superétoiles' than another Archer makes their mark.

Chris Archer is a well-known Aussie winemaker now living in New Zealand. He's created a cheeky non-vintage carbonated Riesling called Ritzling. He suggests drinking it with a twist of lemon & viola you have what the clever Mr. Archer calls a blend of 'pure happiness'.

Ritzling comes in a four-pack of 250ml. bottles & just check out that exquisite packaging. I'm sure Madame V. Archer would give it her tactiturn approval & may even want to add it to Shop French Essence.

So after what's been an extremely average week, I reckon come Monday & the name change, big things are in store for moi. I see a stunning farmhouse in the idyllic French countryside, an olive grove & a big book deal on the horizon - bring it on!! And Vicki if you read this post, I reckon you & I need to open a bottle or 3 of your relative's product for quality control purposes. It's the weekend, so go enjoy!

A Change Is Coming

2011-11-15T09:10:00.005+10:30

Over the years many of you have blogged about the take-up of online shopping - how it's affected your shopping rituals, online vs. bricks & mortar, etc. Last year I did about 50-60% of my Chrissie shopping online, this year I've already knocked over about 70% of The List & I'm yet to enter a High Street store. Returning to the full-time work grind this year has probably influenced this to a degree, no more glorious no-work Fridays & Mondays to leisurely wander around the stores. It's been a natural progression, quite unintentional on my part, but I have set myself some online ground rules.

Use reputable Aussie stores that have a retail outlet with a great online presence (note to David Jones - you guys REALLY need to get your act together with a much more comprehensive online catalogue than your current woeful offering!), check the gift wrapping option each & every time, not pay more than $10 delivery per order & use a direct debit facility or move on if it's not offered.

Are things changing at your place this Silly Season? Are you hitting the Buy Now button more than last year? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

ADDENDUM: Thanks to Jac for reminding me that MOTH needs to do his 2011 Christmas Gift Wrapping post. For those new to The Hedge, here's what you can expect. Last year's post didn't eventuate 'cos The Ten Network didn't cough up to televise the 2010 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Australia. Crumbs I hope they've seen the light of day this year & done the deal with the US network or he'll be impossible to live with!

Monday, Monday

2011-11-14T19:37:00.005+10:30

..........so good to me, Monday Monday, it was all I hoped it would be. Three gorgeous people did three equally gorgeous things for me today - totally independent of each other, unasked for & very unexpected & in three different cities. I have finished the day with a huge case of the warm fuzzies. Kisses to K, J & P, if only you each knew how you lifted me up & sent my spirits soaring. You didn't have to, honestly you didn't, but I'm soooooooo glad you did!

A quick travel report from my week in Melbourne. The Metropole was AMAZING - please put it on your list of places to stay when next in the City of Millie's Many Sons. Slick, sophisticated, minimalistic, occasionally dark & brooding, with rooms big enough to hold an International Tango Workshop, I loved it & them some.

Then there was Spice Temple, oh my goodness what a night we had. A stellar, stellar meal, with impeccable yet relaxed & friendly service - my little tootsies still curl up deliciously at the memories. And my favourite indulgence, Billecart by the glass (or 3), Neil Perry & the Rockpool group, 5 Millie stars you legends!

MOTH's off to Dog Grooming class & he's taken puppy Lulu to practice on tonight. He's had 5 classes now & has had a ball, even though he's the only bloke. He's under strict instructions to trim not clip Lulu's shaggy coat. I just hope his mind hasn't wandered during the theory lessons, & that puppy arrives home still recognizable. Off to pray to the Patron Saint of Dog Groomers for a miracle.

Images: Arne Maynard

For Jeanne

2011-11-12T10:35:00.005+10:30

Many of us read this week that our dear Bloggie mate Jeanne & her family over at Collage of Life have received news of their next posting. They are off to live in Vietnam in 2012. In her inimitable style, she's up for the challenge, so here's a little taste of what's to come Jeanne - from my very favourite homewares company Vagabond Vintage. Full screen & volume on & I promise you'll be transported to this magical destination in a heartbeat. It's the weekend, so go enjoy!

Vagabond Vintage Vietnam 2011 from Arthur Thompson on Vimeo.

Another Week Away

2011-11-06T17:56:00.000+10:30

A busy weekend here at The Hedge has seen me dashing out to walk puppy Lulu amid all the other stuff on the agenda. I thought I'd give her some variety, so took her over to the other side of Stirling to show her my favourite set of entrance gates to one of the big estates.

No house to show her (or you) as it's set so far back from sticky beaks like me, but puppy was very impressed!

Sometimes I must walk around our place in a daze, 'cos when I went out to see how MOTH's garden terrace rock steps project was proceeding today, this was staring me in the face. It sure adds some glorious colour to our garden.

I'm off to Melbourne tomorrow to work. There's an Asia Pacific work conference on for the week. Don't really want to go, but there are a couple of side benefits.

Work's been generous enough to book me a suite at the new Metropol Hotel, really far too very swish & swanky for moi, but I'll take it while it's being offered thanks!

Lovely en-suite, unlike the wreck we currently have which dear Hedgies, is now sans a loo, thanks to a nasty incident involving a careless Plumber recently. Russell the Plumber was still swanning himself in the south of France with the profits he made from 2 days of light work here in the Bathroom-From-Heaven a year ago, so couldn't attend. His recommendation was not up to Russell's standards, & in the process of fixing a delicate issue with the said loo, dislodged it from it's base, sending it rocketing skywards. What goes up, must come down & according to MOTH, who was watching from the doorway, it came down alright, smashing into numerous pieces on the floor. MOTH then made the following big statement to the wide-eyed Plumber, which subsequently earnt him 2 nights in the sin bin aka the Living Room sofa. 'Don't worry mate, Millie will clean it all up when she gets home from work.' He reckons he's never seen a tradie scarper off to his truck so quickly!

I have a dinner date with my favourite Melbourne sister-in-law on Wednesday night. We are going to enjoy a night out at Neil Perry's Spice Temple.

I hope to be enjoying this.............

............followed by this. And of course it will be lovely to catch up with the Melbourne sons & hear all the latest goss. So off to pack a bag - see you soon.

Images: Moi, Crown Metropol & Spice Temple

Lounging Around

2011-11-04T16:36:00.000+10:30

This weekend I'll be lounging around on my day bed. If you believe that you'll believe ANYTHING!! But before I head off for my weekend of ~~cleaning, puppy washing, shopping, cooking, washing, weeding~~ lounging, I wanted to pass on some news from my bloggie friend Michelle over at Hugo & Elsa. She's become a legend in Tasmania for her amazing cupcakes, but due to lots of exciting things happening in her life (think Matthew, Nick & Ross at A Common Ground) she's packing up her mixer & saying goodbye to her little cupcake business. If I knew that was on the cards I would have made her an offer on the spot & headed off to Tassie to take over! So before the patty pans are put out to pasture for good, I thought I'd share some beautiful memories of Michelle's exquisite creations. Read it & weep dear Hedgies.

Vanilla Vanilla with Crystallized Violet

Classic Dark Chocolate

Spiced Chocolate filled with Gluhwein Pears, Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting & a Pear Chip

Sour Cream Cake filled with Rhubarb Poached in Blood Orange

Backyard Lemon & Wild Blackberry

Crabapple with Salted Caramel
Sniffle, sniffle - geez Michelle, how could you mate. It's the weekend, so go enjoy!

Image 1: Richard Tubb Interiors

Getting My Drift

2011-10-31T07:03:00.000+10:30

MOTH 's crook back is giving him less grief at the moment, so yesterday he spent all day in the garden. He continued on with the huge task of laying all the big stepping stones into the terrace he's made as a path down onto the small meadow. I was very excited as I peeped out the window at one stage & saw him mixing up concrete to set the stones. Believe me that is progress!

We've been talking a lot about what we are going to do next in that space. It's lovely & sheltered as it's surrounded by the laurel hedge & has a number of wonderful old shady trees, so I have gardens on my mind big time. I don't want any structured plantings, just drifts of flowers with a gravel path meandering through. In my research yesterday, I stumbled across the work of UK-based Kiwi ex-pat Anthony Paull. This garden he completed in Provence won him 1st prize for the 'best private garden' in the 2009 Torsanlorenzo International design competition. I can understand why. I love your drifts Anthony babe.

MOTH wandered out early this morning to check on his work & came back inside to report that there will be a couple of koalas in the neighbourhood not too happy this morning. The wet concrete was covered in koala foot prints. Yes, it's that time of the year dear Hedgies, so stay turned for this year's amorous koala report. I reckon the boy koalas are loading new Barry White songs into the koala stereo as quick as their little concrete-covered paws will let them!

Images: Anthony Paull

The Winner's Post

2011-10-28T16:01:00.001+10:30

Some of you may have noticed I haven't been very talkative about my new job. Many of you have noticed that I haven't been my old self these past 5 months & thank you all for your concern via email. Hedgies are not known for their reticence in coming forward when they feel they need to know what's going on behind The Hedge. So emails the like of 'Spill the beans on the new job Mills!', 'What's happening at work', 'Have you quit?', etc haven't surprised me in the least.

I have been quiet because to be brutally honest, I've been miserable. I have stepped so far out of my comfort zone I feel like I'm in a different solar system. A whole new group of clients to form relationships with, a whole new specialty to come to grips with, a whole new product catalogue to get my head around, a whole new corporate culture to understand. At 55 I've had to study hard, cram for exams & not fail, the pressure has been immense. I thought those days were long gone & it's been incredibly tough. I miss my old life desperately, but I took on this new challenge because 1: I was pretty sure I could do it & 2: that if I didn't up my income to the current level, I'd still be project managing this uncompleted house renovation from my Nursing Home bed.

This week I turned the corner partways. I have had a win, a considerable win & it feels good. I had become so bound up in not knowing all the other stuff that I forgot one important thing. The one thing I don't have to form, come to grips with, get my head around, understand etc. is the one thing I can do & that's make the sale. So when it happened, it was like welcoming home a treasured old friend. I don't think my confidence ever left me, but it got taken hostage by all those other unfamiliar things.

I'm still not sure what I'll do in the long term. I feel sad that 21 years of expertise in the field I adore with all my being has gone into cold storage. Given the opportunity I'd return to it in a heartbeat. But I've made a commitment to give this my best, so that's where I'm at. Things could be worse & I'm grateful that I can still experience the fun & excitement of a win. And as MOTH so frequently reminds me 'Geez Mills, you're bloody lucky you've still got a job at your age!!!' It's the weekend,so go enjoy it!

Image: Life