Winter is good

Winter is good for sunsets, for golden skies at the end of a misty, damp day.

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And for views from the Convent Gallery, far off over the roof tops and away to the shadowy mountains.

Winter is good for ducks. Beautiful, sweet natured, worm hunting, leaf snuffling ducks. It seems Freddie & Zsa Zsa's children are still with us, Platypus the boy (on the left) and his sister, as yet unnamed. 

Isn't she adorable? Can you help me think of a good name for her?

I'm not fussed if they don't go and live next door, the four of them are so lovely to watch. But if they do go I suppose they can chat/quack over the fence..

Winter is good for netball, for being braver, for trying hard.

And for club rooms, dirty knees & singing the Hepburn song loud & proud.

Winter is for school holidays, a time of rest for children, and teachers too. Time for Mark to make traditional Swedish cakes using his mum's recipes.

This mjuk pepparkaka was so deliciously light and fragrant, and so pretty. I love that he makes his mothers cakes, it's one way of having her close to us.  I have my Nan's PWA cookbook too, with her little jottings and notes. Aren't these precious things?

Winter is good for rugging up, for long walks with the kids & dogs, for adventures outside. Don't you love that feeling of coming inside after a big, brisk walk, feeling flushed and tired and then getting all snuggly and warm? Love it.

Sunday and I have started a winter challenge. We must walk somewhere every day. We have to leave the car at home if possible. We both think winter is ace in so many ways, and we both love to be outside, exploring and having fun. Yesterday I walked everywhere, with my bright pink umbrella, and it was GOOD! I had a lovely farewell coffee with Kate, who I will miss so much while she is away. But I'll be catching up with her via Twitter (yes I am now tweeting, sporadically) & through her blog. I bet they have some amazing adventures!

Anyway, I"m not complaining about the cold anymore, I'm getting on with things and although it can be damp and dreary, I'm trying not to focus on it so much. Lets face it, winter is good for roast dinners, apple pies, sleeping in, hot baths, knitting, dreaming, planning, baking & making. See, I've almost convinced myself!

Winter light is so pretty. I love the warm tones of this old building in our main street.

 I love the arches, the shadows.

Winter is good for meeting new people and recording their memories,

their thoughts, their lives. Tomorrow I return to talk to Ken,

and I can't wait! He is such an interesting fella.

Are you loving or hating winter? I wonder what kind of things you like

about the colder months. Hope all is well with you

lovely friends, keep warm

see you soon xo

Saturday thoughts...

We've got a bit of a cockatoo situation at the moment. Attracted by the chook scraps a gang of cockatoos has been hanging out in our front yard, chewing the front fence, acting tough and generally being a bit of a nuisance.

They are a beautiful bird though so I can't be too cross. Lovely Betty from the Op Shop suggested I throw some plastic toy snakes on the grass to deter them. It seems to be working!

Do you like this little frock? I couldn't resist this little vintage dress that I found in an oppie the other day. I no longer have anyone who would fit into it...but  it has little white scottie dogs on it...and it's just so sweet!!

I might just hang it on the wall..:)

Yesterday I started cutting up the beautiful grey Italian wool fabric I bought at The Fabric Store.

I was keen to see how a bunny would look using different fabric.  It's more of a stream lined look, I like it! What do you think? 

Today I was so happy & grateful to have the chance to go and watch Billy & Lucy play for the Hepburn Burra's.

I think Bill caught me snapping away here, he looks a bit embarrassed!

Usually we are at ballet on Saturdays so it was ace to have the opportunity to  the kids play footy and netball. And Charlotte came too!

It's been pretty cold and wintery here lately. I think we are all suffering a bit from the winter blues. The kids are a bit ratty, I'm feeling frazzled...it's not all bad but I am feeling a bit house bound. How do you cope in the winter months? Do you get grumpy too?

At least it's good weather for baking! Today we came home and I whipped up some scones...mmmm.

There was a period of total silence (45 seconds maybe...) as everyone happily munched on scones with home made quince jelly and cream. Oh boy, yum yum.

And tonight ! Yes! We are going out to a friends house for dinner, woo hoo! I can't wait.

What are you up to this weekend?

Take care, see you soon xo

My Space

Forgive me friends but you may find this post a little disjointed, a little all over the place. That's life right now and I'm finding space is sometimes hard to find. Or if it's found then which of the ten million things do you fill it with? Perhaps I should take a leaf out of Bill's book and just sit back, and finger knit.

High on the list of the things happening in my space this week has been KEEPING WARM! Yep, winter has come early here in the Big D and I'm all about hats and boots and scarves. I've got my eye on a pair of black Birkenstock boots, ooh, better start saving!  Cooking is all the go too. Apple crumble, made from our own back yard apples,

 and jam drops, just a few of the things we have been enjoying.

Talking of food I took Bill & Sunday to the specialist this week for allergy testing. We already knew Sunday is allergic to peanuts & this was her last check to confirm this. Unfortunately she will have this allergy for life. An ongoing concern for us, and her.  Bill's test revealed he is allergic to cats, dust and most grasses and also shellfish! This we didn't know and it can also be very serious. He goes back soon for more tests to narrow down what particular seafood he is allergic too. Scary stuff.

The kids actually enjoyed the process and found some of it quite funny. It's Rosie's turn next week, fingers crossed it's straight forward

Ok, what else? New chooks, less ducks, busy Saturdays with sport & ballet. Two goals to Bill in his second game, go Billy!

And Shorty, having some Air Time. Turtles need this as their shells can get shell rot, or some such thing.

Two little girls who played happily for two hours after school today, sharing & working things out. Yay!

Anyway, see what I mean? My space is all over the place.  That's family life I guess.Not much bunny making going on..maybe next week? Hey, it's not too late to enter my giveaway! Daisy will be picking out a winner on Friday.

Sleep tight lovely friends, see you soon xo

slipstream...

Ok, it's Monday night already but my head is still in the weekend.  Although a million Monday things have already whirled past me, pulling me along in a week day slip stream,  I still have one foot in Saturday....where I became a footy mum. Yep, and he's wearing No. 18. Ok so I wasn't actually there because I am officially ballet mum on Saturdays, but I heard he had fun, marked the ball, had a kick.

And after a busy, driving, snack making, dance watching Saturday a sleepy Sunday afternoon saw horses,

beautiful, brown eyed, long lashed, horses.

Lucky we live near a ranch where they have trail rides through the bush,

and lucky we have a sweetie pie neighbour friend to go horse riding with! Go Ruby!

We also had a visit to Mum's in Hepburn. I marvelled at her red shoes and blue socks, her jigsaw puzzle, her cute ways,

& her tomatoes all in a row.

Here she is, watering her oasis, a happy face in a cloud of green.

How was your weekend? Was it a fun one?

I think I pulled a muscle chasing ducks around trying to do that damn peep/quack test...but guess what?

Rosie the Duck Lady was spot on! She worked out the boys from the girls just from a photo, amazing.

So we do have seven boys & two girls. Wow.

Off to beddie bies for me, I'm a tired old chook tonight.

Sleep tight lovely friends, and if you're in the mood, pop back

soon for a Dandelion giveaway!! xo

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Come with me down a winding road from Daylesford, to my mum's house in Hepburn. 

You may remember she bought an old church last year & she has been spending many happy hours fixing it up & giving it a new life.

Mum is a great home maker,  she is one of those people who can create a beautiful, original space where you feel immediately comfortable.

 She has filled her new little home with so much colour & life,

and everywhere you look there is something sweet or interesting. I love going to Mum's as amongst the colour & busyness there is order & calm. Not like our house!

Have a peek into this little guest room. When we first looked at the church the pastor was using this as his bedroom. It was musty & dusty and not very nice. Now it is such a lovely room, to and great for sleepovers!

This painting my Dad did in the 60's hangs in Mum's bedroom. It depicts our home in the Dandenongs, our goats, trees & bits & pieces of our life then. I like the colours & mood of this painting, and the way it takes me
back to another time

This old toilet block has been transformed into a great shed, can you see the yellow rose growing over the top?

I gave it to mum last year on her birthday, it has grown so much! I wish my roses were this lush & healthy!

The garden was originally just lawn with a few good trees & some sad looking bushes.

 But now it has so much colour & so many different plants.

I love all the cuving path ways that lead you around the building in circle.

Did I mention that this little church began life as a school house and was

moved by horse & cart to where it is today?

Amazing! I like to think of all the students that studied here,

once upon a time.

So there you go. Did you enjoy the tour?

I'm off into my own garden now to finish off planting my seedlings.

How much fun is the garden lately? I'm loving it. 

I'm hoping to buy a couple of silkie's or bantams tomorrow at the Farmers Market and set them up in

the garden outside my kitchen window. That's if I can persuade Mark to get

the (heavy) old dog kennel, to use as a chook house, from way down in the back of the garden to up the front. Hmmm..

Oh! Before I forget, if you are in Daylesford tomorrow do pop into the Makers Market and say hi to this gorgeous girl. Phillippa is a super talented, super wonderful friend who will be there selling her amazing fabric & other bits. Look out for Fippa & say hello! Another ace mate who will be there is Tania from Myrtle & Eunice..yay!

Bye for now lovelies,

xo