Blue...

Little known fact I've just discovered...

In ancient Greek there was  the masculine noun “kyanos”, also spelled “kuanos” (“κύανος “in Greek letters ) which  indicated  a dark-blue substance/enamel (probably derived from powdered lapislazuli stone known since 5000 BC) used in the Heroic Age to adorn works in metal, as we read e.g. in Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey as well as in Hesiod’s Shield of Heracles.

This noun was later used also as an adjective ( kyanos/ kyaneos) meaning exactly “blue” / “dark-blue”.

In short, also in pre-Homeric times the Greeks knew this colour and had a noun to indicate it, although they did not have yet the adjective which was used only later.*

And that's why Homer does not use the word blue in Odyssey.

(*excerpt from here)

 

Blue 

High Blue

Navy Blue

Sky Blue

Egyptian Blue

Cerulean Blue

Prussian Blue

Azure

Indigo
Lapis Lazuli
Teal 
Ultramarine

I love the colour Blue in all it's shades and hues. I'm drawn to it and find that my home is dotted with it in almost all the rooms. I love it in clothes (usually Dark, Gray or Teal Blue) and I love it in cookware and serving ware. I could have taken a dozen more pictures of all the blue things I own but ran out of light this morning (late summer rains.. yay!) and I had to leave for the Kalamunda Markets with Hubby. 

I didn't take my camera with today but I wish I had...
People smiling in the rain, dogs on leads (Kalamunda is VERY dog friendly) food smells wafting from the stalls.. we had Spinach and Feta pides with lemon and dips.... drool.

I scored six succulents for the price of one, thanks to local European families who work hard in their gardens and share their treasures ... seriously I'm still reeling from the prices!
We attended the grand opening of First Avenue's new store and then headed off to the grocers to purchase all we need for our contribution to TWO dinner parties we'll be attending ..... Fennel & Orange Salad with walnuts and Persian Feta... Ooh yeah.

How are you peoples? What's your favourite colour?
Have you been to the Kalamunda markets before? 
Plans for the weekend? Plans for the week?

Whatever you're doing I hope it's filled with as much gratitude as the heart can handle... 

it's so good for the soul... ♥♥♥

PODZ ....

A little while ago I mentioned that I had 

spent a morning with the gorgeous Sandy 

at her stunning flower shop PODZ ...

... I'll begin with a bit of gushing ....

 ... her store is just gorgeous, a Florist with a 

difference, unique, inviting, stylish and of course ...

...  a variety of flowers that always

leave me smiling and swooning...

... I make no apologies however for the number 

of photos I have posted. 

The visual feast, that is her shop, cannot

be consumed in a straight two course approach.

... Nope - you'll soon see that this tiny

place of beauty offers a whole lot of treasures

and choosing which to capture was a challenge

I lost hopelessly..

What I love most about PODZ though is that

(if you have the willpower)

you can actually step in and leave without buying flowers!

Sandy has selected gifts that are unique and stand alone

as treats for that someone special.

I asked Sandy a few questions to accompany 

the post...

What lead you (inspired you) to start your own business? 

A love of flowers would always have to be the inspiration for opening a florist. 

As well as stunning flowers you offer your customers gifts and original artworks. How do you go about sourcing & choosing these? 

As far as selecting gifts for the shop I select items that I would like to give as gifts . Usually that means local, handmade, natural fibres or reclaimed materials and a little bit odd. 

What's the most enjoyable part of your working day? 

The most enjoyable part of my day changes every day . It might be a delightfully  unusual flower I spot at the markets that I can bring back to the shop. It may be a thought provoking story a customer tells me . Some days it is creative joy.

What do you find the most challenging? 

The early morning juggle in Winter is probably my biggest challenge. Up at 5am,  off to the markets , selecting flowers in a refrigerated room, taking them back to Podz , rushing home to get children off to school , a quick tidy of house and self then off to work! 

You know I have to ask... Do you have a favorite flower? 

Favourite flower is the gardenia, that beautiful scent knocks me out every time. I want a bloom in my hair, one floating in a vase in the bathroom and another near the kitchen sink.

How would you describe your style? 

I hate to be a dag but my style is probably "homely" with a twist.  

Do you have advice for anyone wishing to start their own business? 

Some advice for starting and continuing your own business would be to have a point of difference, stick to it and be prepared to work hard. 

Thank you Sandy!

And readers...

 When I arrived Sandy was working on 

a large order for a country wedding

(see below)

So I REALLY appreciate that I was able to interrupt

and get in under her feet to take some photos

and have a natter...

If you are in the area then you simply must

pop in see this special gem...

PODZ

2a Haynes Street Kalamunda

(08) 9293 3898

Website

& 

Email

****

It's a long weekend here in Perth peoples

(Yay!)

I plan on filling it up with all that makes me

smile and more!

See you on the flipside! 

Craft ....

Handicraft

Main article: Handicraft

Handicraft is the "traditional" main sector of the crafts, it is a type of work where useful and decorative devices are made completely by hand or by using only simple tools. Usually the term is applied to traditional means of making goods. The individual artisanship of the items is a paramount criterion, such items often have cultural and/or religious significance. Items made by mass production or machines are not handicraft goods.

(taken straight from Wikipedia)

Love the wallpaper...

Lampshade detail...

Looks like a few things have fallen over in this room...
family spat?

Downton Abbey style...

I mentioned a trip to the Kalamunda History Village.

Well this was one of the items 

on display in the museum section. 

These phone camera shots are yuk, I know.

Still I had to share. I spent ages staring at all the details

and marvelling at the fact that this Dollhouse was nearly 

40 years old! 

Craft - Always was. Always will be.

****

PS - I agree, the dolls are kinda creepy.