What's happening today

spring freesias from our garden 

favourite nasturtiums on kitchen bar

this sleepy Dexter face on the couch

Having a lovely day here - after big storms yesterday!

cheers for now Wendy 

This Time of Year

Ahh.  The simple things in life.

a little gathering from the veggie garden, including a bouquet of greens.  Kale, silverbeet and parsley.

 Some lovely tomatoes at last.... it's been a while.

Flavour of the day - on rice biscuits with cottage cheese and avocado - with a sprinkle of salt and pepper!

 
a few small pumpkins which have been very sweet indeed.

My favourite (and it seems, only) flowers at the moment. Nasturtiums.

Then there is this......... the warmer weather means that carpet snakes think it must be time to make a move. Maybe a spot in the sun somewhere whilst deciding on dinner material.  Just stay away from my hens big fella!  

There is definitely merit in having the house safely screened (I hope)!!

Cheers for now
Wendy

Ahhhh Coriander – how I do love thee

Let me count the ways.  No it's OK.... I'm not going all Shakespearean.

I am however, apt to plonk things in vases at a moments notice.  This was a first though -I just hadn’t thought of coriander that way before, even though we are well acquainted.

How pretty it is!  I just love the contrast.  Can't not mention nasturtium either, one of my other favourites.

Plus I pretty much just love coriander.  In salads, in just about anything.  Love the taste - and the smell.

I also love how it is self-seeding and I don’t even how to think about it.  I know it can get a but much at times, but it's easy enough to thin it out a bit.  

When this season's lot finishes, I might just fling the seeds along the edge of our front lawn.  A coriander hedge?  Well it would be pretty when it was in flower at least.

The dill is in flower at the moment too.  I might just give that a whirl too, and plate it up – in a vase.

Cheers for now

Wendy                                                        

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Thanks for all your Koala comments.  I guess the main thing is for the general public to become aware.  The caring is certainly there.  Spread the word.

Considering the fact that I'm totally stunned by the fact that my little blog has attracted almost 50 followers I'm thinking about a little giveaway to the 50th follower! 

If this should happen within the month of September, it will be Koala influenced, and yes open to overseas followers as well.  No I can't send a real koala - sorry. 

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In response:

librarygirl  I agree, I don’t see how anyone couldn’t love them. 

**Anne** yes, we are lucky.  We spotted another one on the weekend, think it was a different one too, which is good.  

Maria   yes, it certainly is lovely to spot one when we do.  We have noticed a large drop in numbers though.  Great for the children to just accept as normal situation!  I wonder if the situation has changed in the last few years. 

Fiona from Arbordale Farm no, it does look grim unfortunately.  Do you get any where you are?

 

posie blogs Jennie McClelland – hi Posie, and thanks for becoming a follower!  I think you are the only one from OS who commented, so I’m really pleased that you knew about September being Koala month.   I wasn’t familiar with this book, but I asked Dr Google and found it.  It looks like a lot of fun!  Glad the proceeds for to Save the Koala. You are correct about the stopping of developments.  Wildlife corridors should be mandatory.  (love your blog btw, your work is gorgeous).

Kirsty @ Bowerbird Blue – oh really Kirsty?  That’s sad, I thought that Vic. was in a better situation.  I guess between the fires, droughts, dogs and human development it’s all bit of a bad mix.  They prob. could have coped with just the first two.

 

Naturally Carol – hi Carol, and thanks for becoming a follower too!  Totally agree with the green corridors.  Can’t understand why councils give in to land development so easily.  I could rant, but I have just read your blog and I feel so much calmer now. 

7 things I have learned this week

I'm glad that the previous orange post brought a warm glow to those in the colder parts of winter.  Your comments certainly brightened my day.  Thanks for all the lovely comments.   Great to see some new readers and also some new followers! 

Now for my 7 things ....

1 Hazel likes the happy sound of the lambs and is maybe thinking about her new outdoor kitchen which will be in progress very soon. 

2.  Gooseberry Jam has been baking up a storm and has lamb on her mind too.
3.  Anne can look on the bright side without a problem and has some lovely granny squares on the go.
4.  Kiwifruit has become a Roller Derby diva and braving the rain and cold to take some lovely photos.
5.  Lyndel has enjoyed successful thrifting  and also has a new model.
6.  Mud Pie Ali can certainly grow some lovely looking spuds and could probably make a new currency of bananas if she so chose.
7.  Muppy's family can sit down to a beautiful and different dinner every night of the week!  I think I might try the lasagne.

and of course lots of points of interest on other lovely blogs.  Please don't feel left out if I haven't mentioned you - maybe next time.

===============

1.       In return, here are 7 things starting with "I" (that you may or may not want to know!)

2.      I worked in Central Qld for 12 mths as a governess/jillaroo when I was 19.  I loved the School of the Air part.  The kids were monsters.

3.       I'm left handed (and strangely so is my husband and son)

4.       I'm pondering whether the post title should read 'things I have learnt' or  things I have learned?  My grammar is going downhill fast.

5.      I strongly dislike the term 'only child'.  No, I'm not one, but our son is.  It somehow implies spoilt or to be pitied.  Alternatively others assume that it was by choice.

6.     I went back to work full time after maternity leave (now that was difficult!) when my husband had a career change 15 years ago.  He gave up work and studied full time.  Things are different now.

7.     I  worked in NZ  for 2+ years when I was younger too.  I have since been back 3 times and want (badly) to go back again.  I worked in the scenic Mt Cook area and just loved it.

8.     I think I prefer the nasturtiums in the blue vase rather than the white. 

Blogger does not like the use of the numeric bullet system - so you've ended up with more than 7!

  .. and here are my replies to your comments on previous post  ......

HAZEL - don't worry, there will be times in summer when we are swimming in the humidity and you will be posting about cool evening breezes.!

 veggiegobbler - Likewise VG!  I have to say I love the cooler weather, but don't know if that is because it is not really cold.  Hope your toes have warmed a little.

 **Anne** -  Ice on the car doesn't happen here, but I'm happy if the sun came out even just a little for you.  Keep warm.

 sophie...^5 - You have lots of different sights to behold where you are!  Always looks spectacular to me.

 Phoebe - Hi and thanks for your comment!  I am starting to like orange more now too.  I can remember a lot of orange in my room.  My bedroom curtains somehow managed to incorporate horses AND orange.  Awesome.

 Tania @ Out Back - Hi Tania, welcome too and thanks for your comment.

 Ali - yes, some rain maybe?  Thanks for mentioning the curlews.  I was just so surprised to see them in a suburban front yard.  They do that freeze thing and try and camouflage themselves.  Didn't you know my last name is Attenborough..lol

 thenewgoodlife - Hello and thanks for your comment!  I think that the southern states would have the most amazing spring blossoms.   

hearts_in_asia - Hi!  thanks - just wish it was in our backyard.  Very impressive.

 Rose  - Yes, our orange trumpet vine did well for a while, but nothing like this display.  Thanks for your comment.

 Tasmanian Vegan and Minimalist - thanks TVM!  Happy to help.

 angela - Hi Angela and thanks for your lovely comment.  Glad it warmed you a little!

 Claire - Hadn't thought about the VitC aspect, but you could be right there!  Thanks for your comment Claire.

Cheers for now - Wendy

Orange seems to be the colour of the month

I have noticed an abundance of orange lately

 Still lots of mandarins ... and  orange trumpet vine (info source Burke's Backyard)

 

This will be the last season for our vine which would be over 10 years old.  Orange trumpet vine is spectacular at this time of year in a lot of Queensland gardens I think.

Ours has been lovely, but past its best and the tree it grows on will be taken down soon.  Too close to the house and too messy.  I do like the shot of it peeping out as seen from the front driveway.

 

For those who are interested - today's vase was a recent op shop purchase - $1!

 ====================

My reply to comments on previous post 

Judith  - I did enjoy that particular post and indeed the whole blog.  She just mentioned a piano recital in the last para of Teenager parties.  What a lovely lifestyle!... . .. and I'd love to make rhubarb crumble if we ever get any jolly rhubarb!

Nelly said... hmmm the taste?  the apples were granny smith unsweetened and the crumble texture certainly turned out very crumbly.  I liked the addition of the toasted pine nuts and almond and will probably try that again.

Daffodil  - it was nice, but why just dream of it?   easy to make or are you avoiding any of the ingredients.  Actually, I'm guessing that you are just really busy? ...

delia hornbook  - I think the ginger really did it for me, I will have to use it again.  Hope your Mum tries it!  I would probably suggest more ginger (powdered or raw) in her case!...

Shaheen  - rhubarb crumble again!  I will have to buy some as ours just isn't growing.  I have to admit to not having tried rhubarb this way .   

saving for travel - I can imagine that muesli crumble would be Delicious!  Must try that also.

librarygirl  - Forget the crumble, I'm just pleased you read and enjoyed that book!   I'll miss your frequent posts while you are on hols.  Enjoy.