My Autumn garden close up

Trading on the Verandah

You've surely been to an auction, a garage sale, rummaged through charity shops and second-hand stores.
But have you ever bought an item on a verandah and walked away satisfied? Bongiwe (top) did just that when I launched Vintage Verandah on the last Saturday of May. "I bought this dress on a stoep," she told her friends who complimented her at church the next day.
       

 Leora Jones came from Grahamstown and left a satisfied customer. Being a verandah trader takes a lot of planning, One thing I have to improve on for the next event is my money box. Skapie, my purse, makes a statement (telling about my Karoo heritage), but his head is not the place to take change from successfully.

 Sanita (customer with hat) and friend enjoyed the vibe ...

 It was a brilliant sunny, windless morning and the merchandise spilled over onto the front garden.

Built in 1907, this house have seen many changes in ownership and function. It served as a creche and an old-age home before we came to stay 30 years ago. I  think it likes being a "shop"...

SABC visits Crazy Garden

My friend and colleague of years back, Veronica Fourie, came with her microphone and the TV crew

 to document my crazy garden

What is it all about?  Mic wants answers...

SABC cameraman was out of his depth

My son Eon had to make a few necessary moves and tidying op for the shoot

More January wedding pics

Wedding on the rocks!

Eon and Inge's wedding took place at Pattie beach in the Cape Recife Nature Reserve on a windless January morning.  What a happy event... it was over just, just too soon!
   

Annelize Doubell had a message for the couple

Andrew's kombi added a retro flair...

My new daughter in law

updated Wegner family

Starting life as a couple ...

Two crazy Canadians

Our coachsurfers from Montreal were lavishly treated by Kia and her friends 

Jess and Anzelle.  Hosting them meant having two  brrighlystained pillow cases in the laundry basket

Face lift for the Verandah and major alterations at the cottage

While our grand old lady boasts a spanking clean facade, the Sherlock cottage is taking a beating.
    Wallpaper coming down, carpets out and a thorough schrub for the ceilings.   Lots of other work will follow after 30 years since she was bought.

The cottage was built in 1889. Whilst scraping the wallpaper off, we found a layer of  the original    green lead paint.

   Eon is the project manager and our friend Jacques Theron has given us good architectural advice.

                           Eon in 1983 ... little did I know that he would be so versatile at 32.

                            This book was found behind one of the cupboards in the kitchen. Pinoccio kept Emile and Eon busy whilst their parents restored the cottage from October 1984 to March 1985.