The sweetness of doing nothing

Michelle talks about...... 'unplug, switch off and stop thinking'.

Mmmm, I seem to have a bit of trouble with the last one. 

This library book has inspired me to rethink our orchard and consider some new fruit trees for the potager. Perhaps a lime tree.

We celebrated Bill Senior's 88th here on Saturday.

Sue and Jo came bearing gifts of produce from their gardens.

Eggplant is one of those " not sure what to do with" vegies. 

At least it is for us. They are such a beautiful shape and the shiny, smooth skin just beckons to be handled.

Bill Snr hasn't tasted lobster for years he told us. Now he has one all to himself!

This little gang are finally all home now.

Tonsil surgery done and dusted.

Amy and I visited two local parks here one balmy night during the week.

The geese were grazing outside the park when we arrived but went berserk when we got out of the car and they promptly made a dash for it across the road to welcome us!

 "They're here. They're here. Where've  you been?" at the top of their screechy voices. Every single one!

Amy was in flight mode waiting for them to attack.

They were disappointed we had arrived empty handed.

Spot the kangaroo.

Farmer's Wife Quilt update.

Now it's become a wonderful habit and I look forward to sewing a new block every day.

Wish I could get that same habit thing going with exercise.

Around the chilly garden path today....

The two top performers for Summer this year.

Native hibiscus ( completely unprotected, battles strong winds hot and cold, never gets watered and still looks as fresh as a daisy).

Judy's gorgeous strong stemmed shasta daisy that lasts forever outside and inside.

And the first of our white belladonna lilies to flower this season.

The tomato patch ......cherry, heirloom and Tommy Toe.

Just beginning to ripen over the last week or so.

I'm thinking lemon meringue pie for dessert.

Amy's Caesar salad from last night......

Sunflower plundering......

Hope everyone has been able to enjoy the sweetness of doing nothing over the last few weeks.

Right then, back to work!

January

These little pooches are back home now.

Their January holiday is over.

They completely pull the wool over my our eyes every time they're here.

Amy drove Bertie to Warrnambool last week (she even arrived unharmed at said destination......both Amy and Bertiegirl!) to camp at the beach for a few days.

Beach fun with these two scallywags.....

and their Dad.........

......while we looked after these two scallywags.

How in the heck did that happen?????

January........ surgery for Flynn.

Flynn had his tonsils removed and grommets inserted in his ears.

They flew to Perth for the operation and are required to stay there for two weeks in case of bleeding. A precaution.

Sam is now back in Karratha for work but will return to bring them all home at the end of January.

And then just like that, he was ready for hot chips and a bit of telly!!

Archer was very happy to see his big brother again.

Having a friend to share some playtime at the park.

Farmer's Wife Sampler blocks so far....viewed from a distance.

This is Posy.

Posy had 37 pieces.

Posy requires viewing from a distance!

I have remained true to only using scraps.

I only do one block per day. That's my designated sewing time.

It's easy when it's too hot to be outside.

Around the garden path

Fresh green growth on the box hedges, fresh daisies, Golden Wings rose,  Belle Storey rose, rampant growth on the mandevilla laxa.

Amazing what 8mm of rain can do.

We could see it rolling in ......

Bill has been busy making stuff. 

He brought home some free pallets to build a bigger compost complex.

Now it's just up to me to go a bit further up the back and through the gate  to the compost pile.......mmmmm.

 It's the through the gate bit that puts me off, especially when I only have a bucketful!

But, we'll have wheelbarrows full soon when all the cutting back starts happening.

No! I can do this even if it is just a bucketful.

And this is the best compost complex by far, especially for our big garden and its subsequent clippings. 

It's perfect Farmer Bill.

Cut. Sew. Press. Repeat.

I am a bit of a perfectionist I have to admit ( some would say it all depends on what we are talking about here...!)

However, since working on my Farmer's Wife quilt which involves sewing the tiniest of pieces together ( each block measures about 16 cms square-ish ),  I have come to accept a degree of imperfection and points not meeting precisely and blocks that look askew.

I admire those sewers whose blocks look so flat and perfect but I am known for my "a little bit wonky" quilts and try as I might, my blocks never quite reach that stage of excellence. 

I love the process though, so I am soldiering on.

One of the steps I enjoy most is the auditioning of colours. That takes longer than any of the other processes, particularly when I have decided to use only what I already have in my stash, so a degree of compromise is sometimes necessary.

Block update.........one per day so far.

We have been in holiday mode all week ( sewing, is part of that holiday thing for me ). 

Being a bit lazy is another!

Reading library books and magazines......

Feasting on sweet stone fruit......

Keeping company with Amy's little pooches who are here on holidays and who head off early each morning for a walk with Bill ( all part of the routine ).

Around the garden path....

The last lilium of ours to flower and the last stem left.

Placing old sunflower heads out for the birds.

Watching the beginning of flowering for this beauty.

Admiring shasta daisy Becky blooming it's head off outside.....

........and looking so pretty inside. Vase life amazing.

Adoring the colours on this tree.

...and marvelling at Amy's  nature spotting and gorgeous photo.

Baby boy Archer.....

Flynn has flown to Perth with Kiann in preparation for surgery on Monday. He is having his tonsils removed and grommets inserted in his ears. Sam will be with them on operation day.

Thank you our beautiful little boys. This is gorgeous.

Not sure where the rain has fallen. Certainly not here.

 1mm so far, but still counting.....