Sunday 31 March 2013

Calm & happy

We went to Norah Head on Saturday. It is a pilgrimage for me because this is my calm and happy place. I always feel restored when I get there and can happily spend hours checking out the rock pools and just feeling the sand between my toes.








A slice of heaven on earth.



Thursday 28 March 2013

Cheep

Well the usual overindulgence of chocolate eggs in our house, plus the tree - a little corner of sunshine.

This gorgeous cut out bunny came from http://www.marleyandlockyer.com and the beautiful Ness made sure that my parcel of goodies arrived before Easter. Do visit her Etsy shop it is a treasure trove. I bought a gorgeous necklace of an angel wing and crown for my daughter that she was thrilled with.

Saturday 23 March 2013

Sand, sea - blah!

Tula had her first adventure to the beach





Nope, not enjoying at all




Never mind we will try again in a few weeks.

Evening sky

After a hot Autumn day it was lovely to go outside and see

and enjoy the last few blooms





and then inside and a cup of tea called





Wednesday 20 March 2013

Haircut, knitting & flowers

Tula had a haircut, her first. She came home slightly traumatised but beautiful, "beauty is pain", poor pup.

                                                                           Before

                                                                         After

We have removed the bows - left her some dignity poor mite. She is now like a warm, fuzzy peach to the touch and no longer a walking duster!

The teen signed up for knitting squares to then be taken back to school and sewn into blankets. They are then sent wherever they are most needed. However this is the final year of school and school work takes precedence so I am knitting squares. I love it, am addicted even but I am not a knitter and I feel sorry for the person receiving my blanket contribution. I am trying honestly:(

At least they are pretty colours, the wool sent home from school is an unattractive yellow, scratchy wool.



The weekend is coming and it is supposed to be hot again. I was enjoying the cooler weather.




Monday 18 March 2013

Rhubarb

Do you like our rhubarb forcer? I love the terracotta bell shapes, with lids but haven't been able to source one here so this is a D.I.Y. Teen made this magnificent physique in art class some years ago but didn't want to keep it. Well I have now found the perfect spot. Will it work though - I have no idea, any clues on growing rhubarb would be very appreciated as I have not had any luck so far.
Truth time now, I only want to grow it because I love rhubarb crumble :)

Evening stroll

We took the dogs for a stroll and the sky quickly moved from this:





to this:

 and finally to this:


A small black rabbit ran past us, the Teen saw it and warned me but the 3 mutts all missed it - definitely no hunting instinct.

Saturday 16 March 2013

Surprise!

On Saturday my African Violet had a strange little fungi growing.






On Sunday it had opened into this:

Truly pretty and the colour of sherbert lemons - nature amazes yet again!

Sadly it has now withered and died but I enjoyed it while it lasted

As mentioned - colour of sherbert lemons.

Saturday 9 March 2013

The Beach and Good Life

Today we took the Teen, and two of her pals,  to Fox Studios to catch the bus to the Good Life Concert. It was packed, apart from the normal studio events there is a tattoo exhibition and is the official drop point for Good Life.
After a stressful drive in with Husband wincing at the decibel level of the music we arrived and left them to it after the normal list of warnings. This event is for under 18 and seems well run, plenty of security etc. It was held in Melbourne last year and yes I did take the Teen and friend down overnight so that they could attend  and gaze at Skrillex, apparently it was a highlight! Yep I am showing my age I have forgotten how exciting it can be to be almost in touching distance of someone famous, no not really I definitely felt a flutter at the last Chris Isaak concert I went to with a friend!

So we were in Randwick where to go next - well Manly of course. It is our go to place when we want to just chill. So battling Sydney Sunday traffic we crossed the Spit bridge and finally arrived to total calm.


We sat with our books and unwound, even that was too much like hard work so I lay back and looked up through fronds of Norfolk Pine.






A slice of Heaven indeed.

And the best bit of today - another parent is collecting and returning the girls, thank you.


Friday 8 March 2013

Autumn - bliss

I adore Autumn, the warm sunny days and generally cool nights. Instead of lying prone under just a cotton sheet the light cotton blanket has now been added. Cosy? Oh yes!






The Aquilegia (Granny's Bonnets) are still flowering. I intend saving seeds. I have a small brown bag earmarked for storage. The mint behind the pot is flowering. I have never had mint flower before, in fact mint plants are normally devoured by insects within a few weeks but this one has flourished.






Marigolds and Cosmos, I know plants for beginners but with their own merits.

So Autumn and time to plan for Easter. Lots of planning happening, not enough action!





 Death of a tomato plant -  back to hanging cherry tomatoes next year. Hubby dislikes them and says they are bitter, Teenager quite likes them, I love them and they GROW! A definite plus in my book.