Di Mill

Turning Cufflinks into Earrings

I wanted to share with you a project that I did quite a few years ago. I love seeing family heirlooms or keepsakes being put to use by younger generations instead of them sitting in a box in a cupboard. I was looking at my Mum's collection of cufflinks that she had inherited from her Dad and her Grandfathers and it seemed such a shame that they were just sitting there. I asked if I could have a pair and this sweet set that my Great Grandfather owned caught my eye. They have his initials on them, which makes them even more special plus I'm a sucker for anything monogrammed!

I popped off to a Jewellers nearby and they attached studs to the back of them. I chose to keep the cufflinks in tack as I like how the shank hangs down but you could have it removed if you perfer.

 

I can't tell you how much I love these earrings. I hope that my Great Grandfather likes the fact that his Great Granddaughter is wearing his cufflinks - not in the same way that he did, but enjoying them and appreciating them just as much.

 

Take care....Di

 

He had a dream...

Yesterday was a bit emotional for me....my 19 year old baby left for a 2 week trip to the USA. Luke has been talking about trying to get an American Football Kicker Scholarship for a long time and yesterday he left to chase his dream. Luke will be competing at a Kicking and Punting competition in Las Vegas on the weekend. He has always been good at kicking a football and was the kicker for the First XV Rugby Team at school and somehow he heard about Australians picking up scholarships as Kickers or Punters. To live, study and play sport overseas would be a wonderful opportunity so although I was nervous about it, I have tried to encourage him all I can.

As I couldn't travel with him at this time, he is going it alone - probably what worries me the most...no wingman! I know he was nervous...but he wouldn't show it. I could tell when we got to the check in line and he asked if we were going to go up to the desk with him and looked at bit lost when I said no. I could tell when he quietly asked me if he could ring me in LA if he got lost trying to find his connecting flight. I wanted to hug him and tell him everything would be fine but I just said "yes - ring me anytime you want".  He had three mates come to see him off and they filled in time looking at something funny on You tube. Then before we knew it he said goodbye to his mates, gave his sister and I a quick hug and was off through those big gates on an adventure that I hope encourages him to always chase his dreams.

I can't wait to see that face come back through the arrivals gate in 2 weeks time and hear all the stories (well those he will tell me) of his time overseas.

 

Take care...Di

Happy Valentine's Day

 

Although red is my favourite colour, when it comes to roses - I'm such a pink and creamy white girl! So I just adore these sweet spray roses that are from my valentine:

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

Take care....Di

Beauty is on the inside

My family was all together this Christmas at my parents farm in North Queensland so Mum an Dad decided to give us all gifts that belonged to family members. As it was my birthday - I was first to receive my gift. At first glance - it looks like an old worn box.

 

 

But as the saying goes..."beauty is on the inside"...

 

 

This is a set of spoons that my maternal grandparents received as a wedding present. I'm not sure if they are desert spoons or soup spoons but they are beautiful. If anyone has any ideas please let me know.

Mum also put a note inside saying who owned the gift and how they recieved it along with their photo.

 

I also received the sweetest set of plates that I have always loved...

 

 

I don't remember when I first saw them or where - maybe my Grandparents?? But I have always thought they were so pretty. For years they have been in Mum's china cabinet and I would look at them and dream of living in a house with a cottage garden just like the one in the design.

Sometimes the best gifts don't cost a cent!

Take care....Di

Natural Inquisitiveness!

I heard this phrase the other day while watching an episode of "Who do you think you are". The celebrity Sebastian Coe was saying that up until now, his "natural inquisitiveness about his family background had not been remotely challenged"!

Luckily for me, I have always had natural inquisitiveness and a love of learning and I am especially inquisitive when it comes to my family history. Over the holidays, while having a bit of a blog break, I finished off a job I started a few years ago. I gathered all of the information I had on my late husband's family history and organised it and put it all into a program on the computer. I think it's so important to have an idea of where you have come from and I want my children to have that knowledge.

 

I'm very lucky as my mum spent years researching our family tree (when there was no internet to help her) and she has documented it all including two books full of photos, stories and information. It's such precious information! But there was nothing on the kids Dad's side. I had already collected a lot of information, so I downloaded a program and began to go through all of the Birth, Marriage and Death certificates I had gathered along with Census Forms, Electoral Roll info and Immigration details.

It's been a few weeks of excitement, sadness (oh how did those mothers cope when they lost so many infants between the ages of birth and 10), intrigue, frustration and lots and lots of inquisitiveness. To me it's like a puzzle, and as soon as I solve one piece of the puzzle, a new part appears - waiting to be solved.

It's so important to ask older family members questions and to listen to their stories and write them down. Although you can always try to find the information later after they have passed, it's hard to fill in all of the details and get a true feel of what their life was like.

So that's where I've been the last few weeks - surrounding myself with bits of paper, lots of dates, photos and facts and figures, trying to piece together an understanding of what and who has helped make my children who they are. 

My best advise is.....Be inquisitive!

Take care....Di

A Real Christmas Tree!

I'm having a break from Tuesday Trackdown for a couple of weeks, to enjoy the festive season.

Growing up in North Queensland, I always dreamed of having a real Christmas Tree. As a child we did have a live tree but it was a Sheoak Tree which looked something like this and had little spikey seeds like this which were great to paint white or silver and hang on the tree as decorations. As good as that was....I still dreamt of a tree like this - a real pine tree that was non existant in North Queensland.

This year my little dream came true - well sort off. My partner lives in Sydney and while I was spending a week with him, we went and bought a real tree! Yep - one that you cut down from the Christmas Tree Farm, throw in the back of the car and spend the rest of the Christmas season with the sweet scent of pine wafting through the house.

looking for a tree.....

 

still looking....

 

 

There it is!

 

Time to cut it down and take it home.

 

See all of those ribbons around the trees??? Well they are there because serious tree buyers, reserve their trees in November! As we are amateurs in the "real tree buying" game, we were a bit lucky as this tree was reserved but the owner had changed their mind.

I love this tree! I love how it's not perfect, I love it's smell, I love how excited we all got bringing the tree home and decorating it (Note: need more ornaments next year).

 

 

It's beginning to feel like Christmas!

Take care....Di

Birthday Boy

We have a birthday in our house today. My baby boy has turned 19! Although he has changed physically over the last 19 years, his personality hasn't changed at all.  He has lived life to the fullest from the moment he was born and today is no different. He started work at 5.30am - came home this afternoon for birthday cake & presents and has now dissappeared to celebrate with his friends.  He sat still for 5 seconds so I could snap a photo before his phone started ringing and he was racing out the door.

 

Happy Birthday Luke!

 

 

 

Leah & Me

Although my DD does not seem to have a crafty/sewing bone in her body, my niece Samantha, has her own dress label called "Leah & Me". Sam is the "Me" part of the label and co-owner of the business. They are  young emerging Brisbne designers who are finding out what it's really like to try and make a living in the fashion industry. I hope Sam's passion for fashion will take her to the top!  Below are some of their designs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The designers.....Sam & Leah

 

Take care...Di

 

Comfort at my table

Every week I get together with a group of girlfriends for coffee and a chat. We have been getting together each week for over 15 years, since our children were young. I love that time each week when we can catch up on what has been happening in each others lives and talk about our own issues and seek advise. It's normally at the same cafe each week but every so often we have an adventure and try somewhere new - just for something a bit special. Last week we went to Comfort at my Table - a lovely cafe in Cribb Street, Milton in Brisbane. It was delightful and the food was superb. This cafe/coffee shop is light and airy with an eclectic mix of vintage objects scattered throughout  the shop. There is a collection of the latest cookbooks for you to peruse while you wait for your order and fresh flowers on all the tables.

 

 

 

The wall art was delightful:

 

There are a variety of floral arrangements on the tables throughout the cafe and we had beautiful roses:

 

 

So if you are in Brisbane and looking for a lovely place to have a cup of tea or coffee and some mouth watering food...stop by Comfort at my Table. You won't be dissappointed and I am definately returning one Sunday morning with my partner for breakfast - amazing menu.

Take care...Di

The Polish Place

Last weekend my Dad was visiting and he asked if we could visit The Polish Place - a restuarant on Mt Tamborine which is in the Gold Coast Hinterland. I made the kids keep the date free and we all drove up the mountain and had a wonderful afternoon at this unique spot. The view is amazing and you are sitting right on the edge of the mountain looking down the valley. It was a beautiful spot to sit and share a meal and just soak up the atmoshpere.

 

 

 

We chose to sit outside and take in the beautiful weather and the views but there is an inside eating area if you perfer. We had afternoon tea and the food was lovely but one of the highlights are the Rainbow Lorikeets that are at the venue and are not shy by any means:

 

 

 

 They will steal the sugar packets off the table and try and eat your food. Emma decided to try and hand feed them:

 

 

So if you are ever up at Mt Tamborine - take the time to call in to The Polish Place and spend some time relaxing with some good food and wine as well as taking in the spectacular view.

Take care...Di