Hunker down or bunker down ?

Right then, so we're not playing golf or storing fuel.

 I probably should have researched this before I wrote my note two weeks ago! Hunker or Bunker... that's precisely what we'll be doing now that winter is starting to descend upon us.

It's been full steam ahead with flower picking every day for the last two months but I have enjoyed every second of it. It's been the perfect isolation job for me and helped to bring some cultivated beauty to others.

And that's the part that excites me the most.

Sam provided some gorgeous garden paraphernalia ......obelisks.....his idea..

.......which ended up selling like hot cakes!

Rustic bird houses.....

And planter boxes.....

Now I'm already dreaming of what's to come.

 In my brain, there's already a garden dripping with new blooms for spring.

Thanks to Helen, I've also discovered the best online seed shop.

At the cheapest prices you'll find. Most of these that I recently ordered were $1.25 per packet and $2.50 for postage. 

There are a few new ones there for me so I'm looking forward to seeing how they go and especially  adding them to my flower jars.

More seeds than I've ever sown in my life! 

I've been devouring the information from this book. 

My new bible.

It's a US publication but the information is relevant to all flower lovers.

It particularly talks about the flowers that can be started early in a cool climate like we have here in the Macedon Ranges.

Bill has covered the bulb beds up the back with netting on top and wire netting around the base to keep the rabbits and birds out. He even made doors. I love going through the doors to tend the beds. Feels like I'm in a special blocked off area. Weird!

Part of this labour intensive job involved the purchase of some wire netting clip pliers.

Life changing apparently! And all for less than $10.

It's all about the little things and whatever makes the job easier.
His own vegie beds are going crazy and they too have been netted.

We collected plenty of figs this year.

Some of which were turned into jam.

Pity it needs to be heated in the microwave for 30 seconds before you can get it out of the jar! Tastes good though.

Farmer Bill has just finished harvesting the Pink Lady apples.

They look fabulous.

Sew and Sew
Stay safe...stay at home was the perfect reason to start a house quilt. 

So I did. 

The idea was to use what I already had in my stash.

And I will.....along with this gorgeous bundle of Tilda fabric called Apple Butter.

I've only made four blocks so far but I'm looking forward to doing some more now that my little flower stall has closed up shop for now.

Amy has also been sewing her socks off and sent me this....

I will treasure it.

I don't think she'll sew another thing in her lifetime!

She loves handmade pieces but isn't normally a quilter.

Very proud of her.

A gorgeous sunflower cushion to celebrate my newfound love of sunflowers.

Look at the Fibonacci going on there. It never ceases to amaze me what Mother Nature produces.

Autumn has been glorious here in all her colours. We've planted some ornamental grapes across the front of the house this year. In my dreams they'll be draped across the veranda like this.

The view looking out from my flower prep area...

Our pin cushion hakeas that we planted on the north side of the road after the fire, have been covered in blooms this year.

And this gorgeous grevillea, Soopa Doopa was covered in flowers too.

Bill has recently been to visit his Dad in Geelong. 

Restrictions for visiting are still very strict and we are very grateful for that. 

Mum is doing well.

She assures us that she is being well cared for and we have no doubts about that. But for now it is still letters and phone calls from us.

Amy is still able to work from home and is loving it.

They have been busy building extensions to their chicken coop to house Florence and Edna, their new chickens.  

Helen has been sowing seeds for veggies and flowers.

They are very grateful for their little backyard.

In the middle of hunkering, I am really looking forward to reading these....

 Some funny bits that made me smile....

As our school kids begin the process of returning to school I can't help thinking what an intriguing experience it has been for them and their parents with remote learning becoming part of their routines for the last two months.

The children will have learnt way more than we think.

 The core subjects are always important but they will have also learnt self- discipline and resilience.....two hugely important life skills.

And that has to be a good thing.

Stay safe, warm and well everyone. 

I thought I was a home body but gosh I've missed being out and about too.

I'm sure everyone is looking forward to doing the same.