Lately

We just had a really happy weekend! There was lots of sunshine here in Daylesford and so we were outside in the garden, hanging out and having fun.

The weather has been so lovely lately, doesn't it make a difference to how you feel?

Rosie has always been an outside girl, a cubby house girl, an apple tree tent kind of girl!

She's also been a cough and cold girl this week, all the kids have had a nasty bug that has brought on asthma and a million hankies. Not fun! I'm filling them with fruit though and hoping it passes quickly.

Lately I've been really enjoying using the app, instagram,. Are you into it too? I love the different filters and it's so convenient when I don't have my camera. My user name is dandelion66, come and say hi and then I'll visit you and your photo's too!

Did I tell you it was Charlotte's 19th birthday the other day? I went to the city to meet her for a movie (gold class..all to ourselves!) and then pressies and dinner. We gave her a sewing machine and a pretty sewing basket, which she loved. We had such a fun time, I just love to spend time with her. And we got to take photo's in a photo booth, a bit of a tradition with us. We've been doing this since she was a baby. My favourite one above is the bottom right :)

Hey!! Guess what??? Our two young ducks are about to be young mums! Platypus (the chocolate coloured one who we thought was a boy) and Josie and both sitting on about twenty eggs! Wow!

They are so divine. Look at those faces, how could you not have a duck in your life?

They seem to have a share/care arrangement and are taking turns sitting on the eggs. And then sitting together as well. The funny thing is there is at least one chook egg in the nest too! I can't wait to see if some chickies hatch as well. 

I'm going to finish off today with an introduction to a very handsome fellow who I finally got to meet on Friday night. This is George, Charlotte's teddy who was made by the very talented Jess, of Teddy Bear's Wednesday. If you don't know Jess then you should really pop over to her blog and say hi.

She makes the most adorable and ace toys AND she is adorable and ace herself. The ginchiest really.

Anyway lovely people, I better get on with the day.

Sorry if I haven't been round to your place lately, I've just been swamped with so much going on.

But I hope to see you soon,

much love xo

A very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Miss Pepper who turns 4 today. Woo hoo!!! xoxoxo

My Place & Yours - My Collection(s)

I love this week's meme, MyCollection, hosted by lovely Kate from Foxs Lane. What an interesting theme, Thanks too, to Pip for hosting, I'm loving this weekly fun! I can't wait to see what collections are out there.

When I started to think about what I collect it took me a while to define one thing/group. In the end I realised that I collect collections! I won't try to list them all on this post but here a few of the things I love.

I've always liked old photo's and I adore my group of 'lost people'. Why and how these sweeties ended up in the op shop I'll never know, but the mother in me gathers them up and brings them home to be looked after and loved.





The War boys are so special and they become like great uncles who we've never met. The two little girls with their dear little hair cuts and toys will always be children, they make me smile.

I seem to have collected a few of my own children along the way too. They are my most prized and loved collection. As far as collections go they are the least predictable, most argumentative, definitely the most diverse, the funniest, most loving (and at times the most challenging). An extremely treasured, colourful and ever changing collection.

Ok then there is the dog thing. I've always loved doggies. I've had a few real ones (Ruby, Jem, Toby, Jack, Spud, Gidget and now Max & Daisy). I've also managed to gain quite a few china dogs and assorted other dog paraphernalia. Although I don't actively collect them anymore I still love to look at their sombre expressions and their lovely shapes and colours.



Bed covers, blankets, quilts...yep, I collect them too. Along with an extensive collection of vintage sheets and linen. Probably too many to show today but here a few special ones. The bedspread on top is my favourite find. $5 at Savers and it's the most BEAUTIFUL vintage piece of prettiness I've ever found. Ahh.......



Little weeny cups are fun to collect. They don't take up too much room and are good for storing baby teeth!

I haven't even got to the kitchen where lurks....

...more collections. I'm starting to worry about myself. Is this collecting business healthy?

I haven't even touched on my Daylesford collection, or the box of snow domes out in the shed, or the pet collection, the vintage sewing books, the teddies, the wedding cake toppers, the shells and special rocks, the rubber bands...oh someone stop me!!! ahhh!!

Kate, you asked some great questions of us collectors and I don't know where to start to answer them. I do know thatsome of my collections are ongoing, some will stay as they are, gathering dust, the group of five will be ever precious and are growing every day, and all of them make me happy! I really can't see that there is a limit to collecting, it's seems a very natural hobby.

Collecting quirky bits and looking for specialness in the world are two of the best things in my life.

I hope you have you enjoyed looking through some of my collection. Now I've shown you mine will you show me yours? I'm popping over here for a look xo

Morning!!

Good morning! Or is that afternoon...I'm having trouble keeping up with daylight savings! Isn't it all upside down when the time changes? I do love the extra light at the end of the day and so do the chookies who are not complaining about some extra foraging time. They are so funny, when they see me come outside they run, helter skelter, towards me, like a group of ladies holding their skirts. Shutting them in at night is going to be easier too as I just lure them into their boudoir with a handful of grain and bobs your uncle (or auntie) doors are shut, goodnight Irene. No need for a torch or a precarious trek in the dark.


The weekend just gone was busy as usual. The kids helped me to have a little stall of second had bits & pieces to help the local kindergarten with their fundraiser. We didn't sell a lot but managed to see lots of lovely friends and Lucy was excited to win the third prize in a raffle. Sunday looked sweet in her wreath.

It's all go at Dandelion at the moment. I've just finished this little bunny...

do you like her pink cardi?

She has such long legs & ears...! She doesn't have a name yet. Any suggestions? Something pretty would be nice.

Here is her cousin, Adelaide. She is my first vintage tablecloth bunny. I'm very happy with how she has turned out. I know Mum enjoyed knitting her red cardigan, seeing as it is her favourite colour.

Both these bunnies are leaving shortly to reside at the new and fabulous Lark shop, here in Daylesford!! If you haven't been into this delicious shop yet then make a bee line for it. Allison & Paul have done a fantastic job setting it up & the shop is full of wonderful treasures from all over, including some local makers such as Kate from Foxs Lane.

My Love Hearts are also there as well as some Blanket Birdies.

Do pop in for a visit, you will just love it!

Mr Bill, my one and only son, had a friend over to play yesterday. They played like boys do, cannon balls off the cubby roof, a basketball competition, lots of noise & no complications. It was so good to hear the sounds of boys playing. I love my girls but it's often a girl dominated house and I think this is becoming harder for Bill as he gets older. He did have a low moment after his friend went home, wishing he had a brother. I guess we'll just have to make sure he gets to hang out with boys more often! While I'm on the subject of Bill, he is going into hospital on Wednesday for some dental work. I am feeling quite anxious about it as he is having a general anaesthetic. I'm sure everything will be fine but boy will I be glad when Wednesday is over.

So it's Monday and a brand new week. Have you been keeping up with the Blogtober gang? Are you doing it yourself - how is it going? I'm not sure I could blog everyday but I'm enjoying reading everyone's posts, although it's hard to comment on them all! Hope you have a great week, dear bloggy friends xo

Wonderful winter...

Yesterday I was having a bit of a moan about winter. I have been letting the cold, grey days get on top of me a bit. But really, you & I know, there is alot to like about winter! Such as a hot cup of tea with a lovely friend by candlelight! (This particular lovely friend has a great new blog! Some of you may already know her through Daylesford Organics but this is her new little crafty baby so make sure you pop by Foxs Lane and say hello.) Winter is also good for...

dear little, woolly twins! There is also a black pair in this paddock

but they keep avoiding me!

Pretty pansies...

Sunday & I had fun today giving the front verandah a mini makeover. First we went to a great local nursery

where we picked out some flowers to plant as well as some lettuce, ferns and lavender. This prompted a lavender bag making session using the big bag of lavender stashed away for such an occasion.

It was nice to be outside today and tomorrow we will do more of the same. What else is good about winter I hear you say? Why garage sales, fetes, jumble sales & trash & treasure of course!!!

(Which reminds me of our fantastic school fete last year. I was in charge of the Trash & Treasure stall & guess who my helper was? A lovely mum from school whose name happens to be Treasure. It's a great name but it got me wondering where that left me......hmm..)

Anyway, I'm waffling...the good folk at the Anglican Church fill their hall every few months with lots of lovely bits & pieces I love nothing more than a quiet snoop around the linens, bric a brac and especially the shed Out The Back. That's where I found a sweet little blue suitcase, all the way from Chicago, which happens to be where my father-in-law grew up. Now what is the story behind this little case, I would love to know?

Do you like these pretty bits I picked up at the opshop today? How about this sheet? They are all off for a good soak to brighten them up & get rid of that musty, opshop smell.

I'm not sure if ballet is officially a winter activity but it was for one little girl this morning. How much fun did Charlotte & I have taking Rosie to her first ballet lesson today? Almost as much as we had in the Ballet Shop fitting her out in all the right (pink) gear. She makes a beautiful ballerina.

Hope you are keeping warm,

or cool if you are on the other side,

bye for now my lovely friends...see you soon!!! xox