Sunday, October 19, 2014

NATURE IN THE 'BURBS



I've been feeling poorly with this and that -
but a visit by the King Parrots is very cheering...

Hello Pretty Parrot..

Another visitor on Saturday morning, much less welcome:

The biggest Eastern Brown snake I have seen on our property, 
about 1.5 metres long -
last seen going under the house...

 Quite frankly, it gave me the Heebie Jeebies...

Meantime, I've been into the City,

and dined on lamb with lavender..
a delicious combination I can't wait to try at home..


Look at those empty parsley stems - 
while we are sleeping a possum visits and has quite the feast.
The parsley tries hard to keep up, but I think possum is winning the battle.

Also while we were sleeping, 'someone' broke a terracotta bird.
Snake, possum, bandicoot, cockatoo, cat, turkey, water dragon, crow?
I have no idea, but everyone's a suspect..

It's a jungle!

I have been reading Robert Hughes' History of Art in America -
and enjoying it immensely...
especially when he talks about places we have been, and art we have seen:

Altar decorated in gold leaf,
Santuario de Chimayo, New Mexico



I haven't been doing much, but started decluttering the toys.
And ended up playing lego with Mr C...

A couple of weeks ago I made another version of Burda 7646,
in grey linen for a cool summer option.

I used purchased satin piping around the neck, something I have never done before, and am very pleased with the result.
It will work well with my rainbow of coloured sandals, beads, bangles...

Sorry I have not been visiting and commenting much, but hope for more energy this week...and more time reading all your news..

Wishing you a wonderful week
Keep well

 XXXX



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42 comments:

  1. JudithOctober 19, 2014 at 2:41 AM

    That snake is an ominous sign for the coming summer ~ never a welcome visitor at all! Love all your pictures, and hope you feel a bit better this week ... J

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    1. PatriciaOctober 19, 2014 at 2:56 AM

      Thank you Judith - hate those brown snakes. We are extra careful now with closing screen doors at all times, and looking before moving when outside. Hope it leaves soon, but suspect our garden is much too much fun.

      Delete
  2. RosemaryOctober 19, 2014 at 2:47 AM

    May be your big trip is catching up with you Patricia - travel takes much more out of us than we think, but hope that you are soon back to feeling really well again.
    I had to chuckle at you and Mr. C playing lego - what fun.
    Lamb with lavender sounds lovely, I like it with rosemary and that is a close relative, but I must admit to being very partial to lamb and mint sauce.

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    1. PatriciaOctober 19, 2014 at 2:58 AM

      I think you are absolutely right, Rosemary, and the trip finally had an impact in the second week home. Thank you for your good wishes, and I hope to be back to normal soon. I'm sure we looked funny playing with the lego when we decided to find all the medieval pieces.
      Lamb and mint sauce, a match made in heaven, and one we enjoy often too.

      Delete
  3. AnonymousOctober 19, 2014 at 3:39 AM

    Honestly, how can you live with those serpents ? I admire you for not fainting and being able to take a photo... I hope they're not venimous ! Take good cae of yourself and get better very soon ! xx

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    1. PatriciaOctober 19, 2014 at 3:55 AM

      Unfortunately, the serpents seem to have come into the suburbs these days, perhaps due to denser populations and land clearing around the city. Yes, it is venomous, in fact the second most venomous in the world. (The African Black Mambo and the Australian Taipan share the honour of first most venomous.) Hence the heebie-jeebies!! I took the photo looking down from our verandah, having the camera handy because I was photographing the red parrot. The brown snake moves too fast for us to bother phoning for the snake catcher.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousOctober 19, 2014 at 6:19 AM

      Oh my God, you are so brave; I'm sorry to be going on about this but to us French, it's incredible .... Once again, take care !

      Delete
    3. PatriciaOctober 19, 2014 at 7:08 PM

      Have to admit, I was about to dial the snake man anyway, but gave up when the serpent moved. No point in wasting money.
      Thank you re the dress, which I am inordinately proud of! It will get a lot of wear.

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    4. AnonymousOctober 20, 2014 at 6:28 AM

      I am loving the word serpents and yes for us in the northern hemisphere, it would be the biggest drama!

      Delete
  4. JaniceOctober 19, 2014 at 4:39 AM

    Love the parrot, hate the snake ! I'm sure Rosemary is right.... big trips take some getting over, so I hope you are able to take things easy as summer arrives. Fondest wishes Jx

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    1. PatriciaOctober 19, 2014 at 7:09 PM

      Spot on, Janice. Still on snake alert round here. I have stopped hanging washing outside to dry - temporarily at least.
      Attempting to take it easy, as I am sure you are right about the travel. Thank you for your kind comment. xx

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  5. Katharine AOctober 19, 2014 at 5:37 AM

    Started reading this post with a smile, at the beautiful red parrot, we have nothing like that in the UK. Then came along that snake! Aargh. You were probably lucky to get a photo of it though. Do they move fast?

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    1. PatriciaOctober 19, 2014 at 7:11 PM

      They move very fast Katharine, in fact can move faster than the eye can follow. The Eastern Brown is my most feared and hated snake! Let's hope it has moved on to another venue.

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  6. Amy at love made my homeOctober 19, 2014 at 5:44 AM

    I hope that you are feeling a lot better very soon. Take care of yourself won't you. xx

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    1. PatriciaOctober 19, 2014 at 7:11 PM

      Thank you dear Amy, will try to be good :) xx

      Delete
  7. LindaOctober 19, 2014 at 8:24 AM

    Hi Patricia...
    Great shots of the parrot....
    Lego,eh? Hahaha!
    Hope you feel better....try not to think about the snake....ewwwwww
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. PatriciaOctober 19, 2014 at 7:12 PM

      Ewwwww indeed, Linda. Australia has nice cuddly marsupials, and really rotten snakes.
      Lego rules around here, he he

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    2. LindaOctober 20, 2014 at 11:52 AM

      I commented on your request for the Apple Pie Bread recipe!
      Enjoy!

      Delete
  8. Rustic Vintage CountryOctober 19, 2014 at 9:45 AM

    I do hope you feel better soon. Love the colourful parrot! x

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    1. PatriciaOctober 19, 2014 at 7:13 PM

      Thank you Suzy, and I'm glad you like the King Parrot. I am very fond of these shy and pretty birds. xx

      Delete
  9. metteOctober 19, 2014 at 12:53 PM

    Oh Patricia, but you have accomplished a lot! Your red cardinal and now the red parrot always cheer me up, though your warm weather is something we too could have more of.
    A long trip has it´s consequences. No wonder you have felt tired.
    No signs of it on this post however!
    Get well soon!

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    1. PatriciaOctober 19, 2014 at 7:14 PM

      Thank you Mette, I do like a red bird, don't I?
      Yes, I can now see the consequences of the long trip, which I had not really thought about. It makes sense though, as reserves of energy get sapped up during all that dashing about in Europe!
      Planning a quiet week to try to get back to normal.

      Delete
  10. AnonymousOctober 20, 2014 at 6:26 AM

    1. The birdie - utterly amazing to have such sights on your doorstep.

    2. The snake - um er, that would take a bit of getting used to!

    3. The dress is stunning and that scarf works so beautifully with it, well done.

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    1. PatriciaOctober 20, 2014 at 9:49 PM

      1.. Love the birdie :)
      2. I will Never get used to the snakes..
      3. Thank you, I feel really stylish wearing it - a happy win :)

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  11. PatriciaOctober 20, 2014 at 6:31 AM

    I love the parrot Patricia and how lovely that they're regular visitors in your garden. Your dress looks great, what a clever lady, I haven't made clothes for years. So sorry that youv'e been feeling under the weather and wish you well. Patricia x

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    1. PatriciaOctober 20, 2014 at 9:51 PM

      Thank you P. The King parrots are lovely, shy and sweet. Glad you like my dress, and thank you for your kind wishes. xx

      Delete
  12. DarlaOctober 20, 2014 at 8:06 AM

    I've been away awhile myself. How excited I would be to see that colorful parrot in my yard. Your grey linen dress is lovely. Hope you are feeling better today.

    Darla

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    1. PatriciaOctober 20, 2014 at 9:52 PM

      Thank you Darla, I feel a little better today. The red parrots are pretty exciting, but maybe you get to see red cardinals? I still have never seen one - maybe in 2015.

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  13. LindaOctober 20, 2014 at 4:39 PM

    I hope you are feeling better. The parrots are delightful, the lamb looks delicious!

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    1. PatriciaOctober 20, 2014 at 9:53 PM

      Thank you Linda, the lavender lamb was mouthwatering delish!

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  14. Red Rose AlleyOctober 20, 2014 at 7:10 PM

    That red bird is gorgeous, Patricia. You have the most exotic looking birds. Around here, we get very ordinary looking ones, like the blue jay and robin. Still, I love to look at the birds, and if I saw this one, I think I'd be entranced with it. I just took a picture of a bee swarming on purple flowers too, and it's on my post today. That dress is so stylish, you did a great job. hmmmm, lamb with lavender, never heard of that before. Being Greek, I'm familiar with lamb very much. I hope you are enjoying your summer, Patricia. It's full Autumn here and loving every minute of it.

    ~Sheri

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    1. PatriciaOctober 20, 2014 at 9:55 PM

      We do have some exotic birds, but lots of plain ones too. I love a blue jay or a robin when visiting the northern hemisphere. Fun trying to take a bee's photo, isn't it? At the moment, the Summer (which I don't really like) has softened back to Spring weather, happily. Would love to be over there in the gorgeous Autumn.

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  15. Sarah LizOctober 20, 2014 at 11:39 PM

    I think Google ate my earlier comment - I had posted one. I was not fond of your visitor calling - too close to home for comfort. I guess if we don't see them we don't worry about them - they are probably still there, but what the eye doesn't see...

    I am not surprised you are feeling a little off colour - travel knocks all the body clocks off kilter - we all know about jet lag and that body clock, but the body has many that control hormones and all sorts of functions - so jaunting around the world needs some recovering from, especially as we get older. I hope you feel better soon.

    Your linen dress looks lovely - remember not to iron the piping with the iron set for linen - just go up to it, not over it!

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    1. PatriciaOctober 21, 2014 at 2:56 AM

      Much too close for comfort, Sarah Liz, and so true: Snake could have been around for weeks, but we did not know it.
      Yes, it will take a while for the body to get back to its old self - hopefully soon!
      Thank you for the tip on the piping - I would have run the iron over it for sure, knowing me :)

      Delete
  16. kristieinbcOctober 21, 2014 at 7:15 AM

    I'm sorry to hear you have been under the weather, Patricia. I hope you are starting to feel better. Your bird visitor is gorgeous, but that snake - oh my! I think I would have to move out of the house until it was found and dealt with.

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    1. PatriciaOctober 22, 2014 at 2:33 AM

      Thank you Kristie, on the mend now, I think. Unfortunately this type of snake moves about very quickly, making them difficult to find and catch. Fingers crossed it has moved on.

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  17. VallypeeOctober 21, 2014 at 1:58 PM

    That's sad to hear you've not been feeling well, Patricia. Do take care! At least while you're resting you have lovely birds to look at, and of course, lovely snakes to keep you on your toes :) The dress is beautiful! You are so gifted. Get well soon and keep reading all those lovely art history books!

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    1. PatriciaOctober 22, 2014 at 2:34 AM

      Hello Val, I am resting a lot! Ha ha, no snake is lovely, but they are protected so we cannot go hunting and killing them. Thank you re the dress, I am now making the same pattern in silk. I am enjoying the art history of the USA, halfway through it now.

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  18. Debra TurnerOctober 22, 2014 at 6:12 PM

    Get well soon, dear Patricia!

    What a pretty parrot. I hope he leaves one of his beautiful red feathers behind for you to keep.

    How I wish I had the talent to make my own dresses! I miss being able to buy dresses with sleeves. They all seem to be sleeveless these days. Your grey linen dress is lovely. I love cotton and linen. Natural materials hold on well.

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    1. PatriciaNovember 10, 2014 at 11:17 PM

      Ha, naughty parrot never leaves me a feather, Debra!
      The linen dress has fast become the summer favourite - just right for the heat, but sleeves good for the mature arms.

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  19. KathyNovember 10, 2014 at 1:17 PM

    Sorry you've been poorly, Patricia and hope you're feeling better by now. I can see that the parrots would cheer you up, but my goodness, the snake would cause a relapse if it were me. :)

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    1. PatriciaNovember 10, 2014 at 11:19 PM

      Yes, finally feeling much better Perpetua, and getting faster and stronger on the daily walk. Still a bit anxious about the snake as they do hang around, and the Cardinal garden is full of delicious things to hunt. Hope it has taken its favours elsewhere, though :)

      Delete

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