There are quiet trees, and there are noisy trees

As you can see from this week's additions to the forest.

First, a quiet tree.....

Quiet trees wear quiet raiment, and enjoy quiet music, and they mix with quiet company.

Noisy trees never quite let go of their 1980s neon clothing, and there is nothing they like more than a disco party with their friends.

However - they still like to hang out together, having more in common they they realise.  Despite their differences, they are both still trees.

Last week's pics didn't do justice to the pretty colour of the butterfly wing print, this is much more accurate.

How have you all been this week?  We have mooched around, and done some Stuff, and continued to get the caravan ready to sell.  We have found a flat car park not far from home, so the photos will be taken early in the coming week.  A few days ago we dropped off a box of caravan Stuff to an op shop, items that we don't need; we already have enough Stuff in the house, so anything from the caravan is surplus to our current requirements.  All cutlery, cooking pots and pans, and plate and bowls will stay with it.  It's a small van, ideal for beginning caravanners (as we were ourselves, all those years ago) and beginners may not have everything they need to just hitch up and go.  We have, however, taken out pillows and linen; although some of it is many years old we can use it up ourselves - and anyway, who would want someone else's 27 year old pillows?  Far better for the new owners to use their own.

Words have been read, stitches have been sewn.  Autumn Rhapsody is - finally - finished, yay!  Pics will be taken when I work out how to photograph such a large quilt.  Sadly, I have given up on the idea of entering it in this year's show.  Even though the binding is done it still needs a hanging sleeve, and there just wasn't enough time to sew one on before entries have to be handed in on Wednesday.  Never mind.....there is always next year, isn't there.  Thoughts have turned again to hand-piecing diamonds, so more of them need to be cut.  They will make a good travel project when we go away next month.

Notes have been plinked, and sung.  We have a new lady at U3A ukulele, and fortunately she can already play.  My nemesis from last year has not returned, in fact she hasn't renewed her membership, and the previous leader hasn't turned up either.  She is not my favourite person anyway since she announced in the middle of last year "I'm not doing this any more"; we were co-leaders, but nothing was said to me before it was all suddenly dropped in my lap.  Actually, we're managing quite well without her.

On Valentine's Day we betook ourselves to a fairly new restaurant to celebrate Kevin's birthday, and jolly nice it was too.  He had grilled steak and I had chicken scallopini in creamy mustard sauce with mushrooms and capers, then we finished with chocolate and walnut brownie with vanilla gelato and chocolate sauce (for him) and honeycomb ice cream parfait with chocolate sauce (for me).  It was all jolly nice, and we would go again....I always enjoy a meal that someone else has cooked.  The only jarring note was the background music, vocal country music played a bit too loud.  Instrumental jazz is less obtrusive - I hope it was switched for something more mellow before all the young lovers went out for their Valentine's Day dinners in the evening, else the sweet nothings murmured in ears would be wasted.

"Discretion in forming acquaintances.

While an acquaintance formed in a railway carriage or on a steamboat continues only during the trip, discretion should be used in making acquaintances.  Ladies may, as has been stated, accept small courtesies and favors from strangers, but must check at once any attempt at familiarity.  On the other hand, no man who pretends to be a gentleman will attempt any familiarity."

Advice which could be heeded today, as much as when it was penned in 1885.

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer