Vaucluse House

Emma used to work for the Historic House Trust (HHT) when she first left university and Zanny has a soft spot for their properties, trying to visit one each school holidays.

I recently took my daughter to the fantastic "Kids in the (Colonial) Kitchen" (click here for more information), where the children toured Vaucluse House's vegetable garden and then, in the actual kitchen of Vaucluse House, made damper, churned butter and mixed homemade lemonade. All of which they then devoured for afternoon tea. An inspired program which really brought history to life. The look on my daughter and her friend's faces when told of the life of the 12 year old scullery maid was worth the price of admission alone!

While the children were building muscles turning cream into butter, I toured the house again. I don't think I will ever bore of this. But the sight in the Drawing Room took my breath away. Beautifully arranged on a table in the centre of this grand room was a rainbow of the most gorgeous resin art works. To put sugar on top, Janet Tavener, the artist/creator of these delights, was standing there too.

Janet Tavener is a photographer and talented resin artist. In colabortion with the HHT, and to coincide with the Sydney International Food Festival, Janet has created a these delicious pieces. To quote the HHT magazine "...Janet Tavener brings together two aspects of Vaucluse House - the intriguing heirloom fruit and vegetable varieteies still grown in its kitchen garden today and the property's rich collection of copper jelly moulds."  The exhibition is called "Out of the Mould" . Click here for more information from the HHT.

They are completely beautiful and my photos do not do them justice.

Emma and Zanny