Inspired Colour – 3 ways (mosaic)

Colour starts my motor for what I have to do each day. It excites, inspires and can make a crappy day into a happy day.   I love seeing it’s application whether man made or by design.

In NATURE

This is the gorgeous bloom of a Grevillea ‘Superb’. Growing up I was never a fan of Australian native’s.  I think it was because Mum and Dad dug up all their beautiful roses from the front garden and replaced them with Grevilleas.  Maybe I had a secret crush on roses which then tainted my view of Grevilleas? For some reason I  didn’t think that the flowers were beautiful enough.  How wrong I was?   The cascading colours, the intricate petals and the longevity of the flower – isn’t it amazing!  The birds also love them which adds even more colour when they come to fill up on nectar.  Because we’ve been living with water restrictions for so long now, there was never any question when we built our new house and planned the garden that it would be filled with Australian natives because they were best suited to deal with dry conditions.  I’m so glad because now I have colour in my garden for most of the year.

In Food

When I saw this Black-Eyed Pea Salad over Arugula with lime and chipotle vinaigrette from the blog of Alison Lewis, Ingredients Inc , the warmer weather was just starting and we had our first barbecue on the verandah.  I was picturing it sitting on my outdoor table setting with grilled chicken or lamb from the ‘barbie’ served over the top so it makes an easy but flavour packed dinner.  It ticked all the boxes for me….easy,  full of good gear and good looking!  When I read further that was exactly what Alison suggested – as a light side or with the extra toppers for a hearty dinner.   And that’s the beauty of Alison’s recipes…the tag line ‘family friendly recipes’ is so accurate and they suit this busy working mum with teenagers and younger very well!   The warmer weather decided to run away…but it will be back soon and this will be the first I make!

In Design and Art

Every time I see this down at school I think about how amazing it is that the kids get to see this everyday.  It was created for the 150 year anniversary of the school under the direction of some very talented parents with the kids all contributing a piece from art to be incorporated – like a flower or a butterfly.  It’s been 4 years since it was done and now when my older kids go back there they proudly point out which part they did.   The whole thing goes along the length of the side of one of the classrooms down a walk way so it can inspire them.  Isn’t it just brilliant!  Here are a few more pics below of the whole thing.