Monday, September 24, 2007

Colonial Blue

More farm pictures, the white and blue were popular in Colonial Brazil during the 17th and 18th centuries. This is a coffee farm, the owner was a kid when my dad was growing up and it was so nice to see them talking about old times. The farm is well-taken care of. Their oldest employee, who is over 80 years old, moved there as a kid, raised his family there and still likes to help out around the farm, taking care of flowers.

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Landscaping ideas

Last time I showed you my Great grandparents cottage. This time, I want to show you this creative touch I found on the same farm, near the hard ground where they dry coffee beans. Not long ago, Geraldo posted a different view of the same basket.

Update: Many of you have asked questions about the basket fountain. The basket is made of bamboo, the fountain uses running water, no pumps. As far as I know, bamboo is a very resistant material, and I don't know how long the basket lasts when used as fountain. The use of bamboo goes beyond landscaping and crafts, it is a very good green construction material and it can be used to make furniture too.

During a storm, the resilient bamboo simply bends every way the wind blows and after the storm is over it goes back to its original position.

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Back in time

My Great grandparents Virginia and Francisco lived here and they had 16 kids... Some of them were married already when they moved in, probably about 80 years ago. My mom first visited them in 1953, when one of my grandmother's brother got married and my mom was introduced to the family. My parents got married the year after that. Mom and dad say the house remains exactly the same. I have more pictures of this farm and I plan to show them soon.