A Christmas Vignette...

I put together this little arrangement earlier in the week with some rogue branches from my magnolia grandiflora tree and some new ornaments I bought this year. You probably already know of my obsession with typeface - so you'll understand why I love my new 'peace', 'joy', and 'noel' ornaments - not to forget the silver initials I also found for us three 'M' for my husband, Matthew, an 'S' for me, and an 'I' for Isabelle, our baby girl! Hope you like it!

See what you can find in your garden to create a little Christmas in favourite vase or jug.... Enjoy,



images by Sarah Verity - Verandah Home & Garden Living Solutions

Good Friday Flowers...

Aptly, Friday Flowers for Good Friday... today is a significant day in the Christian calendar, Good Friday - which commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. This holiday is observed during holy week and is the Friday preceding Easter Sunday. Traditionally the Cala, Arum or November Lilies, or White flowers in general are used for floral arrangements in Churches and religious celebrations on Good Friday symbolising purity, death, and innocence.... I love this image, Magnolia Grandi-flora [one of my favourite blooms] arranged & housed in an ostrich egg [as a vase] makes for an interesting vignette - found from a floral arrangement decorating project on Martha Stewart.

Here's to your Easter[long] weekend - whether you choose celebrate Easter in a spiritual sense , or you're looking forward a long weekend to be shared with family & friends at home or away, or catching up on a few odd jobs around the house & an afternoon nap....Stay Safe & Enjoy. S xxx

Image from Martha Stewart & Further Info can be found on Wikipedia

Special Friday Flowers...

I am heading off a little early this weekend for a surprise getaway that my husband has planned - very excited! So in the spirit of our [5th] Wedding anniversary, one of my favourite flowers that was displayed in bloom & foliage form at our wedding & reception was the magnolia grandiflora. This plant & its' bloom has the whole package - it is so very graceful, elegant, vivaciously full, and incredible hardy - all qualities I admire...

So here's to some special Friday Flowers for your wonderful weekend ahead, take care & have fun! x S

Image from Living Etc.

Friday Flowers...Jewels Amongst Us.

The Magnolia flower [in general] is undoubtedly one of my favourites it's vivacious, full & bold yet elegant & graceful...and a Verandah H&GLS signature flower. The shades of red purple, pink & white deciduous Magnolia [tree] varieties that bloom through winter are no exception! I found this image [above] that just makes me feel like I am walking under an veiled avenue of these gorgeous winter jewels...

Hope you have a 'blooming' good weekend! S xx

For more info on Magnolia Trees visit this link

Easter Table Setting

Happy Easter...

It's Easter Sunday and we've invited over our dear friends, Greg & Amanda and their little 8 month old girl - Sophie, for an Easter Sunday Lunch. With all good intentions I had aimed to make a decorated egg stem tree - just as I had posted some few days ago - but unfortunately work has been incredibly chaotic - maybe next year!

So for a table setting had to make do and decided to keep the look autumnal and tonally cohesive, so here with some foliage - Grandiflora magnolia 'Little Gem' leaves and White flowering native heather plant that produces these blue berries (that are actually more like a rose hip in their hardness) rustically housed in a aged pedestal urn [that was actually one of the table vases from our wedding some near 5 years ago now]... beneath the urn I scattered several heavy glass votives filled with creme brulee scented tea lights & around them some gold wrapped tiny chocolate eggs sit like little jewels.

- Easter Sunday Lunch Menu -

Entree - Garlic & White Wine Prawns, served with Crusty Bread

Main - Seafood Paella with Black Mussells & Saffron Paprika Rice

Desert - Individual Rhubarb, Apple Cinnamon Custard Pies served with Forrest Berries &Vanilla Bean Ice Cream dusted with Icing Sugar.

Voila & Bonn Appetite!

Happy Mother's Day.... 11 May

This is one of my Mum's favourite blooms - Magnolia Grandi-flora 'Little Gem' that I took a photo of for cards that I make for her. This is also one of my favourite blooms as well, I think because growing up we always had different magnolias blooming in the garden so they were always beautifully present, so much so, I had the burnished leaves in my wedding bouquet and my bridesmaid's bouquets...

Wishing all the Mums, Grandmothers, Mothers-in-law,Stepmothers, Foster-Mothers, Pseudo-Mothers, and God-mothers... A wonderful day with your families.

Love you Mum, S x x x