I made a Freida cushion the other day.
You can't have too much tropical cheer when Summer drags into Autumn....
and remains generally five degrees above average.
Thank you for your kind comments on my last post.
It is wonderful to have a host of supportive online friends out there...
I love you all.
After choir rehearsal today, I popped in to the Paddington Antique Centre:
I have to ask:
Where have all the swans come from?
There was a time when having a swan ornament was a bit, well, kitschy...
possibly still is...
These tiny guys don't care - they are Together Always..
Did I buy a nice retro swan?
No, I did not.
I have this little one inherited from my mother.
European, c. 1974.
And a rather large wooden one, much loved by Little Aussie when he was a toddler.
A pity they can't take a few turns around our pool, seen here late today.
It has been empty for about three weeks, while a new vinyl liner was made to measure, the only way we can stop that crack from reappearing every few years. Did you know they use a surveyor to measure it with complete accuracy?
It took him several hours, standing in there in boiling heat with his instruments.
The liner looks awfully garish in colour, but I am assured it will look fine when the water is balanced with salt and chemicals.
Quite murky when filled, but should be fine by Monday.
I am a bit sad to lose the nice tile trim which went around the top, but in the interests of Mr C's sanity, we had to go with the only reasonable solution to our cracking pool problem. All set for the grandchildren.
Have a wonderful weekend.
XXXX
I love your Frieda pillow, it looks great with the other ones too. The pool looks very nice and it will be easier to care for now, I think. I loved swimming in my grandparents' pool when I was a child too. It was a big thrill when I was finally allowed in the "deep end." :) I hope you have a good weekend, Patricia.
ReplyDeleteFrieda reminds me of your area, Jennifer. So much brilliant colour! So funny re the deep end - I am still terrified of it - and stay firmly in the shallows :)
DeleteThe pillow is gorgeous, Trish. Good luck with the pool.
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda Kay. The pool is beginning to look much clearer today :)
DeleteA very beautiful pillow and a sparkling blue pool! What more could you want in such tropical heat! Take care of yourself Patricia!
ReplyDeleteHi Val, all is bright and tropical round the Cardinal Nest today!
DeletePS, I rather like the swans too! They are very pretty!
ReplyDeleteI should have titled this post 'Swanning about'. Thought of it as I feel asleep last night, but a bit late... Not at all like a professional writer.
DeleteGosh you saw a lot of swans!! Hope that all is well with the pool and that you can soon get out there and enjoy the cooling waters! xx
ReplyDeleteNearly as many swans as in England, Amy. They do look cute all lined up in a shop. The pool filter is working hard today, and we will see the finished effect. xx
DeletePatricia, the Freida pillow is pretty with all the vibrant colors. Oh my goodness, look at the Lorikeets! I am captivated every time I see them on your blog. This Antique shop is just my kind of place. Love all the blue china. The swan that belonged to your mother is special and a treasured keepsake.
ReplyDeleteOh, your pool looks so inviting. I sure do miss our pool at the old house. Wishing you a nice and relaxing weekend by your pool, Patricia.
love, ~Sheri
I have quite a bit of that fabric; will probably do a second pillow, but also wondering about incorporating it into a garment. What do you think?
DeleteAntique lovers are special people :) x
I think that material would look nice as a blouse for summer because it's got a lot of color and it looks lightweight.
DeleteYou're speaking my language popping into antique shops! Love all of the swans too. The ones you have are just lovely. ;)
ReplyDeleteYour pool looks so inviting!! I'd take a dip. Might scare your grandkids though. Lol! Hope the cracked problem is resolved for good!
Blessings. xoxo
I do love a vintage piece Carrie, and suspect you do also. I was looking for a nice piece of coral, but the prices here are very high, as it is protected now.
DeleteFingers crossed re the cracking. We might leave home before the guarantee runs out :)
Dear Patricia - love your Frida Kahlo fabric made into a beautiful cushion.
ReplyDeleteI am sure you must have seen the film and read the book about her. What a tragic but fascinating life, one that sticks forever in the memory. I admire the way she embraced everthing that happened to her - living with pain from her accident along with her inherited hairy gene - things that most of us would find extremely difficult to cope with.
Yes, I love Frida Kahlo, Rosemary, and enjoyed the film and various biographies very much. The fabric references a number of her paintings. Like you, I admire her strength and fortitude as she forged her art through extraordinary difficulties. When my son visited Mexico I wanted him to visit her blue house, but alas, I think he forgot :)
DeleteBeautiful cushion Trish...my there were a lot of swans lol! Looks like quite a big job with your pool. Yes I feel someone has stolen Autumn!
ReplyDeleteThank you Michelle. So funny about the swans, it looked as if there had been a huge shipment of swans had flocked into the Centre. And who stole Autumn???
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI'm glad you were able to come up with a solution for your pool problem. I'm sure that after a few months you will forget what it looked like before the liner went in. Your cushion is wonderful - very bright and cheerful!
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed Kristie. The pool is on the side of a hill - always fraught!! Our cushion says Hi, and have a lovely Spring over there :)
DeleteWhat a lovely cushion - the flash of colour will also look lovely in Winter, if we get a Winter this year - I am beginning to wonder. And finally your pool is being restored - looks lovely in the lush garden surrounds. Do you maintain that garden yourself? Must be hard work.
ReplyDeleteAs you may have gathered, I am back in the blogosphere. The new computer finally arrrived, and DH set it up for me over the weekend. I started his bookkeeping for the last quarter...seems a fair swap!
Hello Sarah Liz, yes, almost given up on Winter, but we finally have a cool south-easter this morning: lovely!
DeleteNo we don't do all the garden ourselves, we have mighty warriors brandishing fierce weapons who come every few weeks and go over all the hedges etc. Thank Goodness. We do plant and weed and generally play around with it though. Glad to see you back in blogland, and with new computer as well. I'll bet you are an absolute whiz with that :)
Beautiful swans and the read birds. If summer is going to drag on at least you can enjoy your pool for a bit longer.
ReplyDeleteI too love your pillow, the red with the different shades of green.
Hi Debra, yes, the pool is looking good right now. I will take photos this week of the 'new look'.
DeleteGlad you like my tropical pillow.
A typo, "real" birds.
DeleteYes, that's a squirrel! I see them at this one park that I go to all the time. I call it the "squirrel park" hahaha. And the picture A World of Opportunities was actually taken at a farmer's market. They had a row of pictures on the wall there, and I liked that one best so took a pic of it.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice Wednesday, my dear.
Funny how we name things, and squirrel park sounds perfect to me. I see 'the Queen Bee' on my walks, also the 'Old Swimming Hole', half-way corner, and other spots I have my own names for. Happy walking! x
Delete