Monday, October 26, 2009

Floss goes Country Living

I've had these photos for a while now, and I've been longing to share them with you! When the work was finished on our terrace roof and pillars, Raja and I finally got to play 'Country Living Photo Shoot'. The rotting wooden pillars that held up the roof have been replaced, at the front, by brick ones; locally made, probably, as we're in such a brick-making area. As with all these things they look really bare and new.
Ben's dad suggested spraying them with slurry (sport the farmer) to age them and encourage moss and lichen growth. Ben was very relieved when I reminded him that natural youghurt is a more pleasant route to the same end! Haven't done it yet, though...
I put the basket-weave chair, found beside the road earlier in the year, back in place to hold a few potted hen and chicks, and discovered that Ben had left his own Country Living-style arrangement on the terrace. I quite liked it!
The pumpkins and gourds needed to sit outside in the sun to dry out after harvesting , so I thought I'd get them looking good while they did it.
Add a few late roses and some berries from the Coulee Verte.
And the secondhand garland I bought at Frip'relais the day before!
I was quite chuffed with the result, which I have now moved round to outside our front door. It looks a bit thinner now, as we made 'butternut gratin' yesterday!
This is just a glimpse of some of the non-edible gourds we had on the front window ledge last autumn and winter.
In the spring I had these lovely miniature irises in the same place.
Later on I filled the gap with hen and chicks - see how bad the woodwork was getting?
I fixed that this summer, when Son 1 got this photo of me!
He also gave me these heliospermum (I think) for a colourful summer display there.
And this is what it looks like now... lots of Crown of Thorn gourds and some trusty hen and chicks.It's good to be back - the boys and I are on holiday now and enjoying the autumn sun before we head off to Edinburgh on Wednesday.

19 comments:

Michela said...

Great shoot!!!
Enjoy your family time! (we don't have half term holidays here!)
P.S.I'm curious to know about CK's shop in Edinburgh vs. the challenge!

Lola Nova said...

What lovely vignettes. I love all your squash and guords, such pretty little pictures. I have a very similar basket weave chair that looks much worse off than yours. It's just a few rainy days away from complete collapse. It too holds a potted plant and the occasional cat. Glad your back!

A Thrifty Mrs said...

I really enjoyed your post. Very autumnal with all of those lovely veggies.

Serenata said...

Oh I do love it - beats the magazine anyday! Keep them coming :-) It is soo good to have you back blogging. Hope you have a lovely week with the boys.

I'm really enjoying your advent posts - so very interesting and inspiring.

Lululiz said...

Really lovely autumnal photographs there, I love your arrangements. The colours of the pumpkins and gourds go so well with the gorgeous blue of the shelf.

BadPenny said...

This is so beautiful Floss. I can never get my home looking like a homes & gardens shoot - sigh.

That is a REALLY good photo your son took !

Elizabethd said...

Looks very Country Living!
I've sent you an e mail re table linen.

Sarah - Red Gingham said...

Oh yes definitely straight out of the mag! Gosh you are so very stylish Floss. Isn't it so lovely to be able to make a meal out of your display too? Such a good feeling.

Cape Cod Rambling Rose said...

Mmmmm butternut gratin! Sounds so yummy! Your garden is the perfect Country Living specimen! =)

Mandy said...

Oh its beautiful I love your photos x

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Great photos of Fall color. Thanks for sharing with us. Where I lived before I had hens an chicks that grew and multiplied like crazy, but where I am now I have no luck with them.

Anonymous said...

I like your pictures ! Wow all those pumpkins and gourds and flowers ...they are so beautiful, I love them!

Catherine said...

I love this! Enjoy Edinburgh...I had a ball there but the thrifty challenge went well and truly out the window, especially when I found the Grassmarket!!

Josie-Mary said...

Lovely photo's Floss. Enjoy your break in Edinburgh.... will you go shopping?? :)

Kate said...

Oh what fun doing the Country style shoot. I love the wheelbarrow arrangement Ben left on the terrace. Thanks for visiting my blog over in Australia and leaving the lovely comment.

Unknown said...

Hi ya Floss! Those photos are fabulous. But my favourite is one I have seen before, of you painting in the window. It's stunning!

LissyLou said...

Great photos floss!! xx

karen said...

WOW I am soo jealous It all look's very pretty and seasonal. Thanks for sharing your pic's.
would I be right in thinking that youy will be avoiding cath k's at all cost during your trip because of the challenge lol

Safe journey hunni
(((hugs)))
karen

Pomona said...

I think there might be a job for you on CL! Lovely pics!

Pomona x