So long 2011

After putting a new property sign on my to do list for 2011 I finally hung one yesterday with only two days of 2011 left. The old sign was really just an old pice of shelving painted with house paint and was never meant to be permanent but it hung around for years. Not a good picture of the new sign but I wanted to post it anyway.

It seems that the cute and cuddly always get the better deal as far as pictures go so today I have a couple of pictures of big grown up sheep instead of lambs. On our farm the adult sheep are just as friendly as the lambs and really don't mind having their pictures taken at all.

Bessy

This is Bessy. She was the second lamb born on our farm and before we decided to specialise in the Suffolk breed. She always produces the tiniest little lambs and she is really ladylike and a wonderful mother. Her own mother, Essy, is still with us and is a very youthful nine year old and I think she is a little upset that she wasn't allowed to have lambs this year.

Julia's Rose

Just in time for the new year, the rose garden is amass of blooms (weeds too with all the rain). This is Julia's Rose which is one of my favourites. I really admire its understated beauty.

Dahlias are aplenty too. My only complaint about dahlias is their lack of scent. Though perhaps if they were scented it might be just too much all in one flower.

In a change from the dahlias and roses (and gladioli too) I decided to arrange a vase of agapanthus when my sister visited for afternoon tea on Wednesday. They were completely stunning and I can't begin to think why I have never used them inside before.

Scentimental

Finally, I hope for a happy 2012 for all. I intend to make the most of the wonder in my life and strive to make a difference (even if it is but a little one). Goodbye to 2011 and welcome 2012.

Tracy

Boxing day

While Christmas Day seems to be very much a day for being 'in the moment', Boxing Day seems more contemplative. A day for rest, relaxation, maybe a bit of recovery and reflection for me at least. I do love this time of year in between Christmas and the New Year. It seems to be all fun and none of the usual responsibilities and places to be. Even the chores are allowed to slide just a little bit.

The only problem with too much time to think is that I am often prone to run off with grandiose plans and ideas of what I would like to achieve rather than what is actually achievable. I can dream anyway.

Tomorrow we are having a second Christmas celebration with my sister. She has brought her little family up from Sydney and my parents are hosting so it is all fun and maybe the washing up for me.
Tracy

Chookyblue's SSCS

I really did resist the temptation to open my parcel from Rose Marie which I'm still surprised at. It probably helped that none of our presents were under the tree before Christmas due to Puss doing some damage in Christmases past. Chookyblue's idea of having the ornament to open earlier is a help too.

The gift I received is simply lovely. Rose Marie said she could tell from my blog that I loved flowers and she did a wonderful job capturing a sweet bouquet in her stitchery. I now have the tough decision of where to hang the wallhanging. At the moment I am favouring the lounge room because it will be most visible there.



My partner was Trash. I made a table runner with a Christmas theme. This was such a great swap to be a part of and Chookyblue has links and pictures galore on her blog to all of the swappers with plenty of inspiration and ideas for next Christmas. Thanks Chooky.

On the farm we had a new lamb born at 4am Christmas morning and it was Christmas day that the male turkey decided to hop off his eggs and bring out the five chicks he has hatched. I am really impressed with him having the patience to sit for the month when it isn't really his job. So far we haven't ventured too close to them because male turkeys are truly not the most friendly of characters especially when they are playing mum.

Happy Holidays

I think the sheep are feeling sorry for this poor little, straggly pine.

Happy holidays from our family to the lovely people who visit us here. I hope the festive season is full of peace and joy and that good things are in store for 2012.

Today Hope had her ears pierced. She has been counting down the years from when Grace had hers pierced at 10 four years ago. Tomorrow Hope will be ten so she is a little early and very happy. I can barely believe that it has been ten years since she was a tiny Christmas baby.

Tracy

Christmas Weather

Cool and wet.
It is another rainy day here. The weather although very wet is actually quite lovely. Just right for spending time together.
This has been my daily attire. Boots and raincoat. Much different to what I have been reading on Tania's blog where it is HOT. We haven't had a day this month that has reached 30 degC in our valley and almost 100mL of rain with more falling right now.

Lambs and ewes are in the paddock all day but bed down in the shed overnight. It is one toasty, cosy and cute place to be.

Tracy

Exhausted

Feeling exhausted today. I haven't overdone it and I'm not sick but I can't seem to shake the feeling of weariness. My intuition is telling me that the chocolate I enjoyed yesterday is the culprit.

Anyway, I am going to try to work through it and maybe have a herbal tea or two and hope that helps.
Tracy

Around the yard

Y
Yesterday I spent some time tidying the vegie garden. Spreading mulch, weeding, planting, dead-heading lavenders and a little mowing (by Tim). It was looking a bit neglected but now it is looking good, in my eyes at least. The best part, sheep and lambs on the other side of the fence.

My orange coloured buddleja is really splendid right now. I only planted it this year as a tiny mail order plant it is now just as tall as me (which isn't tall as far as people go but is tall enough for a shrub). This one is in the rose garden and is providing a touch of colour whilst the roses are having a rest.

Last year I grew rice in an old bath tub and it was fun, interesting and grew well. This year the bath tub is home to some fibre growing. I have cotton in the tub. We travelled through cotton growing country last year when we went to Lightning Ridge and it tweeked my interest in giving fibre a go. Of course we grow our own wool but I was keen to have a try at a plant based fibre that doesn't need too much treatment on a small scale. So far it is doing well and has been a simple plant to germinate and grow actually my only input has been to put the seed in the soil, water and watch.

The rice growing also prompted some variety in my grain t growing. This is some of my buckwheat. It is said to be a favourite with bees so that makes it very welcome here although apparently single flora buckwheat honey is very much an aquired taste. That won't be a problem for us. The buckwheat crop is small and the bees forage from such a wide variety of flowers that our honey is truly mixed flora. It is a pretty little plant though.

Tracy