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| Little Aussie, 2015 |
HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY, Dear Readers
I knew I was back in Australia when:
- The washing dried on the outside clothes line in a fraction of the time it takes in a tumble dryer - costs no $$$$, and no harm to the environment..
- I met a little brown snake (deadly) on my daily walk, just glanced down in time as I went round a bend in the path...walking quickly so body in motion I did an arty sideways leap and forward jump to safety. Can't imagine doing that when I am 80...
- The lorikeets were back on day one, insisting on their daily seed - wonder where they go when we are away?
- The garden greenery has grown by half a metre in under a month...
- There are very few flowers...
- And when a rose opens, it shrivels in a day unless cut and put in a vase..
- A cup of tea cools you down, rather than warms you up..
- We are eating salad most days because it is too hot to be bothered..
I think that about covers it.
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| Bought these at the Museum Christmas tree display in Ottawa - $5 set. Love them. |
For the first time in 14 years, our little hydrangea has produced blue blooms...
Always been pink until now...
I enjoy the unexplained change...
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| Tree-loppers attack our giant fig |
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| Forced to buy a few cheap blooms to keep things bright |
As we travelled home from Canada, the saddest thing happened.
We lost one of our Sewing Sisters, the lovely Rosie, after a long illness.
We have met every month for over ten years, and she was the loveliest girl, talented and full of laughter and fun.
She made me this block for my French-themed quilt, so clever and so pretty..
She made each of us a pair of these earrings..
Can you tell what the base is?
And she made me this pretty paper angel one Christmas.
Rest in peace with the angels, Dear Rosie.
We miss you so much...
Take care
XXXX
Hi Patricia lovely post but I was said to hear about your friend Rosie,she was very clever RIP Rosie.
ReplyDeleteBoy your fig tree is huge hope you have a lovely Australia Day my friend xx
Thank you for your thoughts. It is always hard to lose a friend. That fig tree is one mighty tree - goodness knows what lives in there, but a little golden possum appears from time to time. xo
Deleteso sorry for your loss... I didn't know her but just from your post and other comments she was a valued friend and fun person... and yes Australia is a beautiful place to live...
ReplyDeleteThank you Robyn. So sad to lose a beautiful lady and such a talent too. Yay for Australia, and hot Summer days.
DeleteIt is always good to have your high jump reaction ready for action in Australia :) While expected, the loss of our sewing sister was sudden at the end...happened while I was looking at a gift for her in Vancouver. So sad.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely understand the first references lol! Glad you were swift in the dancing department on your snake encounter. It is hard to lose a lovely friend.....having lost my dear friend last year I feel for you. You have such lovely treasures as well as memories of your dear friend Rosie xx
ReplyDeleteHa, yes, it is all about the heat right now.
DeleteThe treasures become so much more precious when you only have memories, don't they. xx
You reminded me of the time my husband and I went to visit his parents who live in New Zealand during the first Christmas after we were married. At the time, we lived in northern New York, lake-effect snow country. We came home from our warm, summery Christmas holiday to four feet of snow on the ground. The driveway was unusable, and we couldn't even open some of the doors of the house. It was a huge shock!
ReplyDeleteAh, yes, the other way round - back to the snow. Quite a shock to the system, as we also found. It was over 60c difference in temperature, in just a few days. No wonder my skin was confused!
DeleteYour talented dear friend Rosie has left you all with lots of lovely memories and momentoes. The bases of the earings are difficult to identify - I can only think that it looks like some kind of crunched up tin lid, but appears far too pretty to be that.
ReplyDeleteYou have worked it out, Rosemary. The base of the earrings is made from the discarded remains of coffee pods, used in a Nespresso automatic coffee machine. They come in different colourways, and are a type of soft tinfoil, I think. I remember Rosie said they were too pretty and interesting not to be used in a recycling project...bless her.
DeleteYes Rosie made me a pair of those earrings as well. Many of us have very fond memories of Rosie.8 of us went on a trip to Vietnam, Rosie came with us. Rosie, Karen & I did several road trips together in NSW & QLD she was a great shopper. She was loved by all who were fortunate to know her.
ReplyDeleteHello Linny, and welcome to my blog, and thank you for your comments. I love that she made you some of the earrings too. It was lovely to read about your road trips; Rosie always had us laughing about her travels, and yes indeed, what a great shopper that girl was. So special to have known her. Thank you again.
DeleteSad to lose our friends - just heard of one of mine in England, we grew up together. Your Rosie sounded like a wonderful, talented lady.
ReplyDeleteBelated happy Australia Day - see you are all experiencing very hot weather there. Poisonous snakes are probably the one creature which would prevent me moving your way Patricia!!!!!!
Love your pool peeking out there, guess it doesn't need a heater - no wonder the beautiful Lorikeets hang out at your home.
Hugs - Mary
Thank you Mary, I am sorry you have also lost a friend.
DeleteThere is definitely no heater in our pool, but we don't use it during Winter (about 12 weeks). Snakes have entered the suburbs in more recent years, due to ever more clearing of land for housing. As a child I never saw a brown snake, but they seem to have adapted - to our gardens!! We are very careful but I think the possibility of snakes will eventually be why we will relocate in our old age. The lorikeets, which are speaking as I type, send their love.
HI Trish!
ReplyDeleteGlad you made it back safe and sound. Hope it cools down for you soon! Your backyard sure looks like a lovely oasis though. ;)
Sorry to hear about your Friend. Hugs and prayers sent to you and your group! Were the earrings made from fabric?
Hope you're having a blessed weekend. xoox
Thank you Carrie. I long for Autumn! An oasis is a good description - it always feels pleasant to walk outside to our back garden.
DeleteYes, our little group is very sad just now, but we will keep on stitching. The earrings are made from the discarded coffee pods from a Nespresso Coffee machine, which come in different colourways. They are a type of tinfoil, and are squashed during the coffee making process. Rosie was so innovative :)
I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of your friend, Rosie. The earrings she made are cool, and the paper angel is sweet. What a talented sewing sister. Wow, coming home from Canada sure is different, isn't it? Oh, those Lorikeets are amazing, and I know I've told you that many times, but I can't believe how beautiful they are. They would be considered exotic birds here. I love those green tea cups. Those are so pretty. It's strange that it's hot where you live and cold and raining here.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely Sunday, Patricia.
~Sheri
Thank you Sheri. I told the lorikeets they are exotic, and they are very pleased :)
DeleteWe are having some light rain showers today, for which I am very grateful - it does lower the temperatures, much more pleasant. Happy Sunday.
Hello!
ReplyDeleteVisiting from my dear friend Carries's blog.
I am happy to find your lovely space here.
So sorry to hear of the loss of your friend.
You have many lovely pieces to remember her by.
I am happy to be your newest follower!
Have a cozy day. : )
Hello Billie Jo, and welcome to my blog. Thank you for your kind comments, and it is always fun to have a new follower. Do you have a blog?
DeleteI'm sad to hear of the loss of your friend.I know you'll think of her when you look at the cute gifts she made for you.
ReplyDeleteI know Australia is hot at this time of year but I feel a pang of envy at that beautiful blue sky and the swimming pool. How I'd love a bit of that right now!!!!
Thank you Jenny, those gifts become even more special now, don't they.
DeleteI wish I could send you a few degrees of heat - a very cold winter is no fun when it goes on and on!
So sorry about your friend, she will live in your heart.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Indeed she will Amalia, and thank you. xo
DeleteSo sorry to hear you lost one of your sewing friends. I'm confident her memory will stay in your heart though. Sure must be different to be home - birds, flowers, weather and ... snakes! I could do without snakes. Really I could.
ReplyDeleteI could do without snakes too Darla - they are much more present in suburbia these days. Let's hope that is the last I see this year.
DeleteThank you for you kind comment, we will always remember our sewing friend.
The lorikeets are the most beautiful birds! We don't have them here. I'm always hoping one might leave you a colorful feather, Trish.
ReplyDeleteAs a child I sometimes saw red cardinals and blue robins in our backyard, but can't say any feathers were left behind.
Sorry you lost your dear cleaver, friend. As we get older, we lose friends and neighbors and it doesn't get easier.
You know, I am always looking for a colour feather too - but they don't want to share!
DeleteYes, you are right, as we get older, we lose our friends, so sad. She will always be remembered.
Home again...so glad you enjoyed your visit in this beautiful country!
ReplyDeleteSo sad about your friend...it is never easy...
Enjoy the heat....gonna be a very cold February here...
I'll be glad to escape for a wee while....
Seems I have bronchitis...on heavy duty meds....
Gonna take it easy for a few days...
Cheers!
Linda :o)
Hi Linda, I am still dreaming of snow and Ontario barns...but glad I will miss your February.
DeleteSorry to hear you are ill, rest up over there. I will keep you company as just returned from Dr and have something nasty too. Rest is required! Cheers!