Learning something new

I've just enrolled in an online painting course to learn how to paint flowers and I'm jumping out of my skin to get started.

It's called gouache ( gwarsh). A technique used in water colour painting as old as the hills apparently. Just saying that word makes me smile. I've always known about this type of painting but it's one of those words ( and there are many) when I just see the word without actually pronouncing it in my head. Now I know how to say it, there'll be no stopping me!

Thanks Viv for inspiring me to learn something new ( with modules to complete ) instead of always flying by the seat of of my pants.

Speaking of flowers and blooms, Viv took me to a charming little cafe in Ascot Vale filled with flowers, herbs and it's very own vegie garden.

It was most recently a truck parts business and the property is still owned by the family. In the courtyard, an old rusty Bedford truck takes centre stage surrounded by tables, chairs, umbrellas, plants and flowers.

We sat in the " winter garden", a beautiful light filled space with hanging greenery and vintage mirrors on the walls.




I loved it.

I'm looking forward to taking Bill to see it too.

Hellebores for Viv.

We seem to have done a fair bit of gallivanting over the last month.

A visit to Lakes Entrance over the long weekend.

We'd barely arrived when Amy had us in the car and out to their favourite fishing spot.

And again the next day......




Sorry Amy, I was focussed on the pelican.....!

We watched the Grand Final with David.....

.........and Pearl.

The next morning we were back out there again. Alas, no fish this time.

Before heading back home, the girls took us here.

A beautiful historic, country homestead perched on a cliff with views over the lakes. There are bush walking tracks, three bird hides, an old shearing shed and farm buildings and equipment. Such a calm and relaxing place to visit.





A Judas tree. Cercis siliquastrum. Stunning. And that view.

A perfect water bird watching spot with experts to point out all things bird related.


We loved it. Helen remembers going there with her grandparents who took a special interest in Nyerimilang and it's history.

The Macedon Ranges is awash with spectacular gardens and this is one we hadn't visited before.

It has become an annual event now.

.......and I'm thinking it may become an annual event for us too. 

Apart from the amazing garden on a grand scale, they have over 40 stalls selling plants and all things garden. Plant heaven.

Two of my purchases at the stalls.....

Rose lily Isabella. How could you not love that.

Jo.....an herbaceous peony, at long last. My first ever.

Frog pond Farmshop.

Customers are even posting on instagram! Thanks Erin.


Around the garden path.....

This little guy was trying to cross the road. Fortunately the driver stopped in the middle of the road just as wild life warrior Bill came on the scene.

He is a little eastern snake-necked turtle. We think he may have just dropped in for a feed from our frogpond after hibernating all Winter. 

Sadly, we haven't seen him since then.

One of my new-to-me bulbs and I adore it. 

It's called Glory of the Sun. 

I've been digging, composting, planting, watering and mulching. Dahlias, delphiniums, strawflowers and agastaches. Still a few seedlings  to be planted but nearly there. 

Our rose bushes have been invaded by aphids. I nearly resorted to the soapy water spray, but then spotted these......

You can see the aphids on the stem in the background.

Lord knows why the ladybird is not over there...!!!!!!

The dresser.

Amy bought this old kitchen dresser a few years ago for $30.

It's been here in Bertie's shed ever since!

Much to our delight, she advertised it on eBay which resulted in it being purchased by the props people from Paramount television.

It's going to appear ( we hope) in a series of television shows based on this book.

Who would've thought.......I'm looking forward to reading the story.

Hope we can recognise it!

Amy and Helen and Claire celebrated their birthdays recently.

They had a weekend with  Helen's family at Dinner Plain.

That looks like the kind of snow slope that I could handle.

Sam is playing cricket again. 

We'll be taking our tea and sandwiches along every Saturday now.....and enjoying every minute.

Arch turned four.

Flynn.....That's mine right at the top ( he's already an expert in "gwarsh").

Don't these look awesome. Little Grade One artists. I adore them.


Thank you Mima. This is a gorgeous card. I'm thinking there's a bit of "gwarsh" going on here!

Have a wonderful week everyone. 

Hope you get to do a bit of gallivanting too.