97......98......99!

Done done done!!!

97 is bright orange, purple and green, a very cheerful tree....

98 is another Aussie print, pale creamy yellow eucalypt blossoms with an interesting contrast....

....and 99, last last lucky last, is blue and green.

Here they are together, in all their glory.

What a great feeling it is to have those trees finished!  Now they can be laid out, and shuffled around, and shuffled again....and again....and, eventually, sewn together to make a top.

To show you that eucalypt blossoms come in many colours, here is a scrumptious orange one I photographed several years ago.

A large department store in the Big Smoke has an annual spring display of flowers which I kept meaning to visit but never did, something always seemed to intervene - until the year before we moved away.  That year's display focussed on Aussie native plants and was very colourful indeed; I had only ever seen this variety in photos until I saw it featured in that display.  The foliage is more grey than green (eucalypt foliage often has a grey tinge) which sets off the bright blossoms very well.

It's been stormy again, and we even had a blackout early in the week; not the wibby little 90-second blackout of last weekend but one which lasted four hours almost to the minute, from 4.30 until 8.30 p.m.  At first it wasn't a problem, we were able to grill our sausages on the BBQ outside so we didn't starve but as daylight faded some candles were lit, torches were placed where they could easily be reached, and we settled in to read by the light on our tablets; fortunately we both had books downloaded, because with no internet that couldn't be done either.  It was with great relief that we greeted the resumption of power once more before our batteries ran down too far.

Never a dull moment here in the Small Smoke, folks....

Yesterday's choir concert went well, audience members said nice things to us and about us, and hopefully we raised a goodly amount of money for the charity that we support.  CanAssist gives people  practical assistance in covering transport costs, etc., and the best part is that money raised locally stays local.  Some years ago our musical director was diagnosed with cancer and almost before he could turn around and scratch himself (his words) he had been contacted by a member of the local committee who asked simply "what do you need?"  While he didn't need practical help the emotional support was gratefully received and, as several choir members are also on the fund raising committee, we like to support them with our music.

Apart from a blackout and a concert it's been a fairly normal week.  The odd appointment (some of them are a bit odd, but there you go), notes being plinked and sung, a stitch or two being knitted and sewn, the usual foraging and gathering, and so ended another seven days.

"Trifling with a lady.

A man should never make a declaration in a jesting manner.  It is most unfair to a lady.  He has no right to trifle with her feelings for mere sport, nor has he a right to hide his own meaning under the guise of a jest."

No indeed, that would be very cruel.  A trifle is not just something yummy to eat, it can also mean to play fast and loose with another's feelings.

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer

More storms, and more trees

The weather radar was checked a few minutes ago and there are storms popping up here, there and everywhere around us.....not quite over us yet, but that may happen soon.  Or soon-ish.

That makes this week's trees storm-ish, too.

A green tree, because it doesn't matter how many green trees are in the Arboretum.

Green trees always look good. 

Ozzies will recognise this flower as Grevillea, a favourite native plant.  We haven't had much luck growing them here, but they did grow for us in the Big Smoke......different climate, different soil.

The largest Grevillea is Grevillea Robusta - the name says it all, doesn't it?  Known as Silky Oak - it isn't an oak, it isn't even related to oak, but the cut timber has a beautifully silky lace pattern - its deep gold flowers are brightening up our skies right now.  Many many years ago the decision was made that our town would benefit from using Silky Oak trees as street trees, and there have been Silky Oaks here ever since; some of the tallest - and they are very tall indeed - may have been around when I was a child, albeit much smaller trees than now.

This week's trees, a green and purple, and a red/orange with blue and brown.  Or perhaps it's orange/red.  Numbers 95 and 96, only three to go!

Thoughts are being thought about a name for my Arboretum.  While I don't mind 'Arboretum' as a name something more personal would be good.....Jardin de Jennifer?  Garden of Grace?  Grace is my middle name, after all.....the idea of alliteration appeals.

A silhouette known all over the world is the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and its official opening ceremony in 1932 was interrupted by an Irish soldier, Francis de Groot, cutting the official ribbon before the state governor could do so.  What does Francis de Groot have to do with my trees, you ask?  When he wasn't charging around on a horse while brandishing a sabre and cutting ribbons he made very fine furniture using Australian timbers - one of which was Silky Oak - and quite a lot of those pieces of furniture are still around today.

A few days ago Fiona at Bubz Rugz showed her Hardanger embroidery samples.  Back in the 1980s-1990s I was a member of the state Embroiderers Guild and have pieces made during that time, one of which is this Hardanger cushion - no fancy cutwork, but there is pulled work; I used two shades of thread darker than the background rather than the matching threads traditionally used, backed it with deep gold Dupioni silk and piped the edge with matching cord.

I don't know what the mark is, hopefully it will wash out.  Hardanger embroidery originated in Norway - and did you know there is also a Hardanger fiddle?  I have seen and heard them being played at folk festivals, usually accompanying traditional dances.  If you want to see some spectacular scenery, look up 'Hardanger fjord'.

Storms are still hanging around, we were interrupted by a blackout an hour ago but we're back online now.  Earlier there were a few rumbles then an almighty clap of thunder - lights went out, computer went out - a few other things turned themselves off including the radio, but all is back up and running and we have music again.  Monsieur le Frog is happily croaking away, that loud bang hasn't put him off his game.

How has everyone been?  We are still upright, still on the right side of the grass.  My sore foot hasn't fallen off, for which we are thankful.  Stitches have been sewn but not knitted; a medical appointment for a regular check-up tomorrow will probably yield time for some knitting.  Songs have been plinked and sung, next weekend's charity concert songs are sounding good.

"A lady's positive refusal.

A lady who really means "no" should be able to so say it as to make her meaning unmistakeable.  For her own sake and that of her suitor, if she really desires the suit ended, her denial should be positive, yet kind and dignified, and of a character to let no doubt remain of its being final."

Somehow I don't think "get lost, you creep" would be counted as kind and dignified, do you?

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer

Stormy trees

This week has lived up its reputation as being the time of years for storms......thunder, probably lightning too (I wasn't getting out of my warm bed to find out), and quite a bit of rain for which the garden is thankful.  The tree in our front garden is now missing several branches, too.

Never mind.  The trees in my sewing room are safe.

A blue-grey print of eucalyptus buds and blossoms, with a bright contrast.  Eucalyptus flowers come in many colours, even this bright pink/red.

A gold tree, just because I like the colour.

Two contrasting trees this week, taking the total up to - 94!  Five more to go.

Gold trees really do exist - taken in Bayfield, Canada, on an overcast autumn day.

This is the pink apron which is no longer in our house.  Melissa likes it, and it suits her vintage style.

The cross stitch design would have been easy, and quick to work up with just three colours, pink, green and deep dark blue; the trim on the pocket is nylon lace.  It is pretty but being pink it's just not "me", so it has gone to a more appreciative home.

A visitor has been lured back by the recent rain and storms.  Monsieur le Frog is back in the drainpipe and the garden croaking his little heart out, as he lives in hope of finding an inamorata with whom to share his life.  He was fairly quiet during the storm last night and this morning, though, so perhaps he has already found a nice Mademoiselle la Frogette to warm his clammy bed at night.....or perhaps he wants more than one, as he's just started croaking again.

You might be familiar with at least one version of the song 'Frog went a-courting', but did you know that the first printed version was published in Scotland in 1549?  That's getting on for nearly 500 years ago; it may have been sung for many years before that, but without printed proof we don't know.  Nevertheless it's a much older song than many people realise, and you could spend much time researching it should you wish.  Or you could take my word for it.

How has everyone been this week?  We've been busy here; stitches have been sewn, but not many knitted.  Words have been read.  Songs have been plinked and sung.  Another visit to the physio for some ongoing treatment for my troublesome right foot....it's been broken twice in recent years, has a bunion and now is suffering from plantar fasciitis which is not much fun, but the physio is helping so I will keep going.  At least all the problems are in one foot - the other foot is amazingly fine.  A veritable princess of a foot, one which deserves its own tiara.

Something about the rain has brought out the somewhat *rural* aroma emanating from the hill behind us, thanks to the herd of cattle which roam freely.  We wouldn't mind if they buggered off to from whence they came and stayed there, taking their smelly deposits with them.

Our hopeful suitor is still waiting.

"No lady worthy of any gentleman's regard will say "no" twice to a suit which she intends ultimately to receive with favor.  A lady should be allowed all the time she requires before making up her mind; and if the gentleman grows impatient at the delay, he is always at liberty to insist on an immediate answer and abide by the consequences of his impatience."

I wonder if that also applies to green tree frogs?

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer

Gone gone gone......

Those Christmas blocks have moved out of our house and are now residing at the craft centre, where my quilt group meets, awaiting a new owner.  They were taken along on Tuesday but, as no one put up a hand to take a block or two (or maybe more), they have been stashed in Our Box in the cupboard and will be brought out again in a couple of weeks.  There is another Saturday quilt group so, if no one in our group wants them, someone in the other group might.

Either way, they are no longer in my possession.  Gone gone gone.

This week's blocks were made in between storms.  Butterflies flitting around a contrast print of eucalypt blossoms and leaves......

....and a tree whose rich colours put me in mind of trees seen on autumn trips in Canada.

Numbers 91 and 92, so now there are only seven to go; the end of this month will see the last trees made, just three more weeks.

One of many autumn trees photographed in Canada, this was huge - so big that it took a while for the colour changes to happen, depending on how much sun different parts of the tree were getting.  

The colours brightened up a dull overcast day which later turned to showers, but you can see how those leaves inspired one of this week's trees.

Fort York was an interesting place to visit.  You can read about it here - Fort York - we missed out on the re-enactments which happen because we visited in autumn, and they are mostly in summer.  That would have been fun.  It's an oasis which sits quietly among the tall buildings and bustle of a modern city, something which makes it all the more peaceful by contrast.  The style of many buildings is similar to that of early Australian buildings built in the same era so there was an unexpected familiarity, although we had never been before.

A copy of the Magna Carta was on display in the newly finished visitor centre, to celebrate the 800th anniversary of that document.  Our guide was suitably impressed when she found out we were Ozzies because Australia has its own copy, dating from 1297, while Fort York's was on loan from elsewhere.

How have you all been this week?  We managed to survive some stormy weather....being kept awake by loud rumbling thunder rolling around the hills behind is not my idea of fun but we did get some welcome rain from it, and there was repeat albeit on a lesser scale yesterday afternoon after I arrived home from lunch.  Words were read, stitches were sewn and knitted; the second sleeve on the probably-a-jumper is proceeding well now.  Songs were plinked and sung.  We hunted, foraged and gathered comestibles to keep starvation at bay, and that was about our week, folks.

Yesterday was the first seasonal function, an end-of-year/Christmas lunch for members of the historical society.  It's interesting to be able to sit and chat to folk usually seen briefly.  One woman rocks a vintage look which suits her, and the talk turned to aprons because she wished she had one; she was our drinks server, and is also in charge of supper at the monthly meetings.  This morning it occurred to me that there is a pink gingham apron in our linen cupboard, part of a long-ago raffle prize, which I have never worn - it's pretty but it's pink, I don't do pink - it's been taken out, and will be gifted to Melissa if she would like it.  The pink gingham is used as a base for a cross stitch design in deeper pink, green and navy, and there is white lace trim on the pocket.

My mother's Aunt Emily would make items such as tablecloths and aprons in gingham, using the grid for what is now called 'chicken scratch' embroidery - Aunty Em didn't call it that, she used a different name which has since flown out of my brain because it's been so long; I was but a child at the time.  It's a technique I have never tried and probably never will because, even though I like the result, there are so many other things I want to try while I'm still around.

Our suitor is still hoping.

"Though a gentleman may repeat his suit with propriety after having been once repulsed, still it should not be repeated too often nor too long, lest it should degenerate into importuning."

'Importuning' means to harass repeatedly, something I am sure no gentleman worthy of the name would do to a woman for whom he professes to care.

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer

Halloween trees

They were made on Friday, 31st October, so they are definitely Halloween trees.  Perhaps this one is being blown by the howling wind.

Not too sure what this plant is, but they are definitely flowers of some sort.  The name probably doesn't matter, anyway.

Numbers 89 and 90....so now there are only nine more trees to be made!

An idle thought popped into my head recently concerning a collection of 12 inch Christmas blocks stashed away.  These six are all the same design, and were a win in a BOM draw in my quilt group way back when we lived in the Big Smoke.  The block just peeking in on the far left is mine.  (The green wavy lines belong to the damask tablecloth used as a backdrop for my photos; I have a green one and a blue one, goodness only knows how old they are.  They were my mother's.)

These next blocks were also a win, on a retreat weekend.  From memory we were told to make a star block which could be any design, using Christmas fabrics; they were bundled together in groups of six and a few winners chosen.  These six blocks were my prize, and my block is the green and white on the centre top.

I used only two fabrics, the green and red print and the cream solid background, and the block is called 'Coronation'.  There are a lot of pieces in one 12-inch block, but it was fun to make.

My question is - what shall I do with them?  My original thought was to set all 12 blocks together and use the result as a tablecloth.  As you can see, that was never done.  However, we already have a few Christmas cloths and don't need any more.  Earlier in the week it occurred to me that they could be made into two or three table runners, one for us and the others gifted, but on laying them out I'm not sure that I love them enough to want to do that either.  In Australia we don't need quilts on the bed at Christmas, so they won't ever become a quilt.  

I may just end up giving them away to someone who can use them, rather than having them sit in my cupboard any longer.  Gone gone gone, she says, dusting her hands together with a sigh of relief.

As promised, winter made an unwelcome visit earlier in the week, and the winter woolies were dragged out again to keep us warm.  On the news that night we were told it was "the coldest October day since 2012", but we didn't remember that - because we spent most of October 2012 in Canada!  This was taken on 28th October, the same day as our record-breaking cold here, but 13 years earlier.

When visiting with Rose Marie and her husband we were taken to a pumpkin farm and corn maze, something we don't have here!  A delicious pie was bought, which we ate that evening.

Words have been read.  Stitches have been sewn and knitted.  Songs have been plinked and sung, and rehearsals for our choir's charity concert at the end of this month are coming along nicely.  Appointments have been dealt with too, because various hurty bits of our aging bodies need checking out from time to time.

A highlight on Wednesday was catching up with Janice and her husband who were here for a few days - we girls had a lovely chatty lunch, which was very enjoyable.  The next day our two blokes took themselves off to one of the lawn bowls clubs for a game, where a fun time was had by them too.

"A lady's first refusal.

It is not always necessary to take a lady's first refusal as absolute.  Diffidence or uncertainty as to her own feelings may sometimes influence a lady to reply in the negative, and after consideration cause her to regret that reply."

It is to be hoped that any influence brought to bear on our young lady does not cause her any distress, or make her reply something she does not wish it to be.

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer