The Farmer's Wife

Merry Christmas.

To me.......from me.

This book has been around for some time and everyone in the quilting world has already made one apparently.

Not me though, (I'm never up with the latest), but I'm looking forward to making a start.

And just like the women back then, I will try to use scraps from my stash (with may be an odd new bit thrown in because I won't be able to resist buying something extra).

Block One.....of Ninety- Nine!

It goes without saying....don't hold your breath waiting for Block 99.

We celebrated Christmas in Geelong at Sue's this year.

Outside under the carport.

We loved it, just like we always do.

.

I'm pretty sure that's me saying put that phone away! 

The following day we went to Minyip to see Mum and visit the cemetery.

It was the first time we had seen Dad's headstone since being completed.

Bill giving it all a spruce up.

Leesa's baby wipes just didn't do the job!

After successful cataract surgery on both eyes, Mum now no longer needs glasses. She looks great. She has never worn sunglasses either. 

 Unfortunately, she has osteoarthritis and the pain in her back makes it very uncomfortable.

 Managing the pain will be a challenge for her.

Ben flew back to Karratha today so last night we played.

Kim and Zach came down for the evening and Callum brought Clark over to meet everyone. 

Today it's a don't go anywhere day.

Around the hot garden path....

A pretty shasta daisy called Becky from my cousin Judy.

Tough, drought tolerant, sun loving......

And a different type of sunflower with lots of buds on the same plant.

Christmas in Karratha.....while poor Daddy was working.

Stay cool and well watered everyone.

We are in for a couple of scorchers before the year is over I think.

All is calm..........for Christmas

Me......'Would you like to put the Xmas tree up Amy?'

Amy......'Nah, you'll only change it all.'

And the sad thing is ....she's right. Just can't help myself.

To be perfectly honest I didn't do the best job myself this year.

 I forgot to pull apart the hundreds of needle-y bits that make up the branches and couldn't understand why there were bare patches everywhere after I'd finished decorating. See what I mean....?

 Nothing that some shredded tinsel-y bits won't fix though.

I'm still very partial to throwing glittery, tinsely, shiny stuff on our tree.

It's all fairly low key now compared to years gone by.

I can remember lighting candles and making everyone sing Christmas carols for two weeks prior to Christmas! What the heck was that all about!!

At this time of the year there is always a book that I buy as a treat for myself ( the library is usually my go-to place for magazines and books).

This year it was......

.....a beautiful book that tells about the journey of plants and flowers from their growers, to the flower market, to a studio and into the hands of an artist.

Inside the covers, I found this cute bookmark.

I love it!

It typifies the perfect family Christmas gathering, out in the garden under a tree, with all generations represented .....and pets.....and a bit of shenanigans.

 ( That'd be Flynn under the table!)

Sam, Kiann and Archer are back from Phuket.

Flynn loved his time staying at Nana Deb's in Dampier for five nights while they were away.

This is Darth Vader's spaceship apparently.

Nana Deb is still recovering as we speak.

Two little sweethearts.

My little Farmshop closed during the week.

Way too hot out there now and the poor garden is parched.

I managed to bring these glorious liliums in before the really hot weather struck. They are called ' Lambley Trumpet Strain'. They don't have the same strong smell as some of the others but are still very pretty.

Some birthday food and flowers last night.

Pippi Rose and Sunday Rose (still looking chocolatey).

With thanks to Alison for the photo.

Farmer Bill has been trying to keep the horses cool ( today has been 42 degrees).

Charity thinks it's great but Nareeda looks on from afar.

All food is given out by hand now. There is nothing for them in our paddocks.

Two Christmas photos that made me smile.....

Have a lovely Christmas break everyone, no matter what you choose to do.

And eat as much chocolate as you like.

Christmas lilies and sunflowers

Loving these original old fashioned Christmas lilies....Lillium regale.

Pity they have a bit of a pong inside!

And I am adoring these gorgeous sunny faces.

I didn't realise there were so many different varieties of flower and height.

These and the liliums provide a welcome sight of loveliness when many other plants are succumbing to the elements.

My powers of creativeness for my Farmshop are being tested right now. 

A walk around the garden path reveals ......well, to be honest not much at all! 

But somehow I have to come up with .....AN ORDER!!!!!!!!!

A lady wants some jam jars for her Christmas table for Saturday night. Six of them! The brief was.. Something to put on a white tablecloth with a red  runner. Right then....

After scouring every inch of the garden last night for possibilities, I seriously doubted that I could do it. And not being sure of her decorating style I panicked a bit and did three different looks.

( mind you, the shed is not the perfect backdrop here but you'll get the idea).

And then just because I'd picked them, a couple of elegant ones.

Not enough of any of those roses for six jars but I'll go back out tonight to see what else I can find. 

The remaining jars will go in the Farmshop for tomorrow.

Flynn is staying with Nana Deb and Pop for five days while Sam and Kiann and Archer are in Phuket for a wedding. Nana and Pop have a pool and Kiann's younger brother Angus is a favourite so he will be very happy staying there.

Kiann and Sam will miss him terribly.

Some lemon tree seedlings have been brought inside to add a bit of greenery on the table. 

The cute little bird was a "can't leave that there" purchase at a pretty little nursery in Mt Macedon.

I bought some clear baubles from one of the cheap shops to have a go at making my own. I had seen some for sale with Christmas ribbon inside. I have had this ribbon for ages and I adore it. Must keep a look out for some more.

Our own homegrown garlic.

Our lemon tree has burst forth with lovely green shoots.

I was ready to pull it out but a massive watering regime ( as in every other day ) and blocking off the cold wind from the south with shade cloth, have worked a treat and it is showing great signs of life once more.

Peppercorn baubly bits....when you get desparate for foliage.

Funny thing is, I really love how it looks. 

Nearly time for Christmas........

I keep hearing about a little character called Elf on the Shelf.

Is that the latest thing?

What's it all about?????

These two elves were given to Sam and Amy as gifts many years ago when they had their photos taken with Santa at David Jones.

I think they're gorgeous.

Not sure that Sam and Amy were ever that thrilled about them though!

Hope everyone is finding some Christmas spirit out there.

I'm sure it will leap out at me soon!