Sunday in the country

As a little girl growing up, all piling in the car and going for a drive on a Sunday afternoon was a regular thing.

Meandering around the countryside (all dirt roads of course ) was a form of entertainment really. Lots of looking out the windows to see what we could see and stopping to investigate every now and again.

I especially remember being fascinated by the old, one room timber school buildings dotted around the place....all deserted by then of course but all so charming in my eyes and they would fuel my imagination as to how it used to be. Still does.

No dirt roads last Sunday, but still plenty to see and wonder about.

The Wimmera landscape in its end of summer colours.

We spent the day at the farm in Dimboola. 

Sunday roast and sticky date pudding.

Mum loved being with us all and watching and listening to the chatter.

A lovely Sunday afternoon.

This piece of fabric is from a collection aptly called Sunday in the Country.

I used it in a cushion to match a quilt I'd made ages ago, but just finished quilting on my quilting frame. 

Bill and Sam helped me to set up the frame in the garden room after the New Year.

This was going to be my summer holiday task. Nine quilt tops to be quilted, many from years ago. 

I'm not quite finished yet but very happy with what I've been able to accomplish....even remembering how to load them on to the frame was an achievement in itself.

Flower of the Sun

I have loved watching these sunflowers unfurl all summer.

That is, until the cockatoos decided that they adored them as much as me....

Likewise, these beautiful heleniums.....new to me.

And these......

Rudbeckia.

 All have that sunflowery look about them.

They have both lasted for ages in the garden.

The apricot tree outdid itself this year.

The dried fruit don't look especially appealing but taste delicious.

The little tent was to protect them from bugs ( and cockies)!

We were able to coincide the drying process over the four 30 degree days we had at the end of January.....the only four as it turns out!

The pears have also been a treat....our first year of production.

We'll need to net them next year. The sulphur crested cockatoos would be on to them in a flash.

Helen and Amy have an amazing vegie garden and orchard.

Their peach tree produced an abundance of fruit.

Sam spent a  weekend with them in January.

They are wonderful hosts.

They'll probably send you out to catch your own food though!

We've had our regular feathery friends visiting for refreshments.

Jamesy has a continual supply of homemade ginger beer. He has given us several bottles to try.

It's delicious.

I'm looking forward to reading this book.

This one, also by Barbara Kingsolver was excellent. It took on the subject of climate change.

Kangaroo Paws and Grevilleas.

So much beauty in our native flora.

I'd really like to plant more of both, but we don't seem to have much success with kangaroo paws for some reason. This red one is hanging on though.

I'm thinking about just growing them in pots.

I'm looking forward to sowing these seeds.....all new to me.

I've lashed out this year. Just a mini version but it'll do the trick hopefully.

One of my greatest joys is collecting seeds from flowers that have been left to dry in our own garden.

Like these Queen Anne's Lace seed heads which I adore just as they are.

My advice for 2021....


Have a great week everyone.

Hope you get to have a Sunday in the country soon too.