Musical furniture

Our dear neighbours left for greener pastures and calmer lives about a week ago, and they left behind two children who pine for them and two adults who miss the companionship and regular contact. 

We have a few things to remember them by though, some gorgeous art work, which I will post about when they are framed and hanging on our wall, many bits and pieces from their home which remind us of them every time we use them, and a piano.

The piano was once owned and used by the Australian playwright David Williamson, it stayed with his ex wife, then over to our neighbours whose children learnt to play on it, and now, although we are not a musical family, it lives with us.

I wanted to have it here, as it is such a beautiful piece of furniture as well as making music, and if we never really learn to use it, it will look lovely in the lounge.

My favourite thing at the moment, is hearing the children playing it at different times of the day, in between other activities, and although out of tune, it still sounds sweet!

This afternoon, Hubby and I gave it a polish with a combination of linseed oil and other potions recommended by an antiques dealer, and it has come up a treat!

Teeny pigs and other rodents

My children have been asking for a pet for a few months.

My dear son would like to have a snake or lizard (NOT cudldy or sweet!)

My daughter would like to have a fairy (a bit hard to get these days)

I would like to have a cat -  but I'm not the one looking for a pet.

So, for Christmas, we (me) chose to purchase and love some guinea pigs - renamed teeny pigs by the children because they're small. We have Flames (all black and short hair and the scaredy cat of the group) Franklin  Mott (black and brown with long hair, named after my favourite vampire) and Biscuit (white, black and brown)















 So these teeny pigs have a double storey hutch and also a large yard. We joke that they are planning to install a pool and deck chairs next, along with their gazebo.

 

Apart from a few scary moments, the children have become used to the teeny pigs, and they in turn have become used to us. One of them - Biscuits - is the leader and calls out to me and complains if there is not enough food that he is happy with, while the other two try to not get caught by us. Their favourite food is carrot by far!

One thing I had not thought of, and now makes me rethink the whole guinea pig thing, is that we have another pet coming in on a regular basis and eating during the day.... meet little mouse...










He thinks that he is part of our little family. He is very careful, and very quick, but still is quite happy to pose for a shot or two, and has a penchant for corn.... or anything else...

 I think I should have got a cat instead....