Happy Mother's Day x

Can it be said any better...
Thank You Is & Mr Palatial for making my 'Mummy's Day' xxx

happy mother's day x My Mum, Me & Isabelle x
The 3 of Us x 13 May 2012

rustic fair - warm Autumn desert -
raspberry & strawberry tart

Happy Mother's Day x 

To my mum, my grandmothers, my mother-in-law, my grandmother-in-law, godmother -  aunts, dearest friends, new mummies, and all those who fulfil an important motherly role in anyone's daily life. 

Thank You x

Here's to your special day - hope it's filled with love. 

Enjoy, 

images via luellaloves, via letsdriftaway, tumblr, 

prettystuff, classical-kit, boy en girl

a little greenery...

Not only did the dappled light first catch my eye but the perspective and
 finish of the bricked path and feathered grassed edging.
Just like walking through a natural cathedral....

Mr Palatial & I have been spending a fair bit of time in the garden lately - well ever since we bought our new-old home back in July really - aside once each 'mini projecty' is put to bed we have the other one ready formulated and partially saved up for! The local landscape supplier, ANL [short for Australian Native Landscapes], has gotten to know our driveway well, unloading tonnes of soil - that never really seem enough! Those of you whom have landscaped before will empathise completely!

The idea of providing seating around a tree in a courtyard makes this tree look
like a natural umbrella framing the above space over head of the seated... it makes
 it feel more intimate and cosy... the lace like leave of Japanese maples would
be perfect for this affect. Here the base of the tree trunk has been 'pleached'
[where lower branches & leaves removed'] to create a smooth effect and easy
seating space underneath the upper branches.

I love the concept of limestone or sandone dry-stone walls... Mr Palatial and I recently watched a program on how to make your own 'dry-stone' wall and yep - you guessed it that's one on the list for the front yard of our home!

We also recently found a great aborist through a good friend - we like to use personal referrals where possible - the gentlemen, Geoff & Clinton from Sydney Tree Removals, removed a 40 year tree 'stump' about 4.5-5mts tall to the centre side of our back yard. the previous and original owners. We are told by another long term neighbour - had cut the tree down some 40years ago but left the tall stump! This was now home to a massive monsteria plant also... Presumably it was expensive to cut down and didn't see the need to finish it to the ground. Well now that we have done just that it makes a huge difference to the vista and overall horizon of our back yard. We will now also have better access to the vegetable terrace [Zone 1] that we are now marking out and the stump's former position will now also be part of the place for Isabelle's cubby house that we recently just bought for a 'bargain of the century' price of $99.00 on eBay! More pics on  Isabelle's cubby transformation soon - we still need to build the brick piers for it!

BEFORE - the 40yr + Tree -Stump ready to clear

BEFORE - the 40yr + Tree -Stump ready to clear

So with that I found some images that had completely inspired me with regards to finishes & looks, and created atmosphere... I adore this time of the year in Sydney - Autumn - perfect time for gardening and so much looks so good. Is there something in your garden, or courtyard, or balcony that inspires you with a green thumb? Many say that they can't garden - but there's no harm in looking & enjoying other peoples fruits of their labour too! Check out your local parks or city botanical gardens... you don't have to lift a finger there -
Just enjoy!

Partially trimmed down... by Sydney Tree Removals

AFTER - plenty of beautiful firewood ready

for the cooler evenings.

AFTER - GONE! Old Hills hoist in the centre - Post tree trunk & stump...
clear view to the rear of the yard

to the turpentine trees [the sentinels of the yard] & Japanese Maple.
Now more access and light for the remaining plants

AFTER - remnants of the trunk piled up to cut down further and to

mark out space for the vegetable terrace behind the
garage [northern-western light all day] and Isabelle's cubby house!

 

images via lets drift away, tumblr, pretty stuff 

via david fueller, verandah-home & garden living solutions

Humble Pride...

Some days it feels more poignant than others... 

Just as you are... 

 keep confidence, be proud of what you stand for, & your achievements.

Keep humble in your approach... 

Take care,

images via lets drift away, tumblr, pretty stuff, luellaloves

Hello May!

 Ummm Hello May!

Where did my April go?? Did part of your year already feel like this?

April was such an amazing month...  

Amongst a family wedding [Mr Palatial's - sister Kylie & now officially brother in law - Jim, more late]; Birthdays - Mr Palatial's Nana, and Two of my Grandmothers - 92years old and 85years old respectively, a God Daughter's 3rd birthday and our Little 'Is' who turned a feisty 'independent 2!'.

Then we were in the midst for a celebration of life as we farewelled Mr Palatial's Great Grandmother Caroline - whom at 109 years old & 7 months packed out her memorial service with family and many friends over her gorgeously lived life.

A few snaps I have posted from our recent little sojourn to our Nation's capital - Canberra over an extended weekend. These gorgeous park shots were taken at Commonwealth Park - a well known place for stunning deciduous trees of all varieties, sitting on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin - and home to many stunning Black Swans. This park is also home to an annual colour display that was in panning whilst we there 'Floriade'. Our little Is loved playing in the park, running along the crushed granite pathways, into the stone hill tunnel and castle play area, over the bridges and chasing and chased by the water birds!

If you get a chance to pop to Canberra for a little bit it would have to be one of the prettiest times to see it...  

Thank for stopping by Palatial Living... See you soon.

Enjoy,

images - via Sarah Verity - verandah home & graden living solutions, and tumblr .