This last month has been a bit of a write off for me for various reasons which I won't go into but I think I am now back in a place where I can focus on things of a more positive and creative nature.
One positive thing I have maintained for the last six weeks or so is walking everyday for about a half hour which is about a two kilometre walk. I decided that there would be no excuses, winter weather or not I'm out every day and feeling better for it. I now have wet weather gear so I go out even when it's raining. I purchased a warm and waterproof coat for Sophie too and as she is an older dog now, just turned 12, she is appreciating protection from the weather too when we are walking. Each day on our walk we say hello to these two Labradors named Molly and Clancy. They are always ready for a pat through the fence, Sophie has a quick sniff and then shows no further interest whatsoever.
Another part of our walk takes us past this beautiful Hardenbergia violacea, currently in flower.
Last week I noticed some workmen down the end our street with diggers and earth moving equipment and enquired what they were doing. It seems the little creek that runs along in the gully was eroding toward the footpath so council decided to step in before any more damage was done. I must say I was rather pleased that something positive was happening with the council rates we pay.
During the past two weeks on our walk I've seen a pair of Australian wood ducks which come back to the same spot to nest each year. They are quite shy and are not to keen on remaining close so it was hard to get a good photo of them. This particular property has a very large yard with a creek running though it which they appreciate immensely it would seem.
I have finally got back up into my studio. The new heating unit which blew the second time it was used is finally fixed and making being up there much more pleasant. I've yet to feel my oil painting
mojo kick back in so in the meantime I'm pottering with some art journaling, putting some photo albums together and enjoying some alone time. As colour is a very important part of my life especially in winter, I worked on a crazy little art journal piece chock full of colour. It's rather fun just to let yourself go creatively and see what happens.
Another part of our walk takes us past this beautiful Hardenbergia violacea, currently in flower.
Last week I noticed some workmen down the end our street with diggers and earth moving equipment and enquired what they were doing. It seems the little creek that runs along in the gully was eroding toward the footpath so council decided to step in before any more damage was done. I must say I was rather pleased that something positive was happening with the council rates we pay.
During the past two weeks on our walk I've seen a pair of Australian wood ducks which come back to the same spot to nest each year. They are quite shy and are not to keen on remaining close so it was hard to get a good photo of them. This particular property has a very large yard with a creek running though it which they appreciate immensely it would seem.
I have finally got back up into my studio. The new heating unit which blew the second time it was used is finally fixed and making being up there much more pleasant. I've yet to feel my oil painting
mojo kick back in so in the meantime I'm pottering with some art journaling, putting some photo albums together and enjoying some alone time. As colour is a very important part of my life especially in winter, I worked on a crazy little art journal piece chock full of colour. It's rather fun just to let yourself go creatively and see what happens.
As can be seen in the photo above there is a lot of colour in the studio. Colourful markers, a gorgeous owl mug a gift from my niece, washi tape and an inspiration board with illustrations I've drawn in the past and a birthday card from my parents from some years ago which has words on the front which are inspirational and encouraging.
The sun came out the other morning and the light was lovely. Not too much of it comes into our backyard but the brightness gives plants and flowers a different look than on an overcast day. I couldn't help but wander outside and snap a few photos.
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| Eucalyptus trees in the distance. |
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| Tiny Fuschias that the Eastern spinebills love so much. |
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| Even the Continental parsley looks good. |
I took a couple of photos inside too.
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| The one indoor plant that seems to thrive. |
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| I love the blue of this planter and the crazing of the glaze. |
In other exciting news, hubby has taken to the notion of keeping bees. As the bee population is in decline worldwide, he/we would like to contribute to the bee population and perhaps in our endeavour to do so might be rewarded with some natural honey, honey that has not been treated commercially. Hubby attended a workshop to educate himself thoroughly and then bought some equipment to get started. He has been putting together the hives in readiness for a bee colony to move in perhaps in the spring when they begin to swarm. (We will have to purchase a hive from the people who collect them when they swarm.) He is fascinated by these amazing little creatures, their habits and all the different things they actually produce within the hive apart from honey.
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| Bee boxes in the making. |
Every now and then I pick up my crochet and am currently working on a shrug which I'll hopefully finish before winter is over. We do see cold weather well into spring so I'm sure I will have ample opportunity to wear it when finished.
For those lovely people who follow this blog, thank you for sticking with me in my absence. That's the way it goes sometimes, either you feel you have nothing to share and write about or life gets in the way and other things receive priority. I have been continuing to read your blogs although not always commenting. It's been lovely to see lovely summer scenes in the northern hemisphere when it's often been bleak here downunder.
Anne xx
