2016 Flood

Just 2 days before the peak is expected,

For those of you familiar with the Mildura Ski Club 

this will give you an idea of how high the river is.

Richards pump will just stay dry we believe.

Normally 2 tiered lawn area and then down to a beach...

of variable width based on river height.

The river is flowing very fast, 

a family of ducks were struggling to stay near the shore 

but far enough away from the dogs.

These house boasts are now floating over the beach.

I am still quietly confident it wont breach the property.

We are as ready as we can be...except the sand bags.

we have loads of loam.....

and there are some bags in the shed somewhere.

Today is the first day over 40 degrees C

and it isnt even Summer yet.

A few drops of rain are coming down now...

big and loud on our tin roof.

The district experienced a storm which included a tornado, a week ago,

 so today's thunder storm will make few people very nervous.

More likely a dry electrical storm which will start bushfires.

Like I said, very nervous.

I just heard some hail...Oh dear.

It all happening here...

A friend found a photo from Sunraysia Daily archives

This was the last big flood here.

Coincidence, 

Sharmo called around today and I tried to receate the photo.

I asked them to sit but this is all I got!

Amazing how many years have gone by.

Spring 2016

 Spring sure did!

A strange winter with regular rain 

not a lot but average...nearly

 until this last weather event which delivered 73 ml's in just 4 days.
That's 3 months worth of rain

Strong winds is an understatement.

Luckily the flowers survived.

This row smells divine.

Freesias, great colour. 

I have been making posies, they have been popular. 

I wish Rannuculi grew all year round.

Would that spoil their splendor?

I am looking forward to these Lillies, 

the wind was a worry but they handled it. 

The dogs are also a worry here. 

Luca "popped his cork" here the other day 

rushing around madly with dangerous twists and turns...

turns out he had dug up one of the lillies during his crazed run.

Grrrrrrrrrr

Dutch Iris were splendid.

I have light blue, dark blue, purple, yellow and white.

These are all from bulbs......but

 I also have a yellow iris that has a very similar flower.

Its a rizome not a bulb.

A few years ago I collected the seed from these yellow flowers

It looked like a corn cob.....the seeds were plump like fresh peas

but I got busy, they dried out, I put them in a seed tray and left them in the nursery.

I have weeded that tray many times. Nearly threw the lot accidently. I was amazed to see they have developed.

Unfortunately yellow is not a popular colour.

A bunch of 5 of these blooms for $7 and there were no takers.

That rain event has produced a flood that

 will get here in a few weeks time......

I am a bit worried about the garden but 

there is nothing I can do about it. 

Fingers crossed it is not as bad as the media is making out!

Meanwhile my slow food mug order is due.

I am nervously counting and doing some quality control.

I think I have enough and it is too late now.

A bit of fun at the market

A few weeks ago a film crew arrived at the market.

I had never heard of the tv show "Whats up Australia"

They interviewed their way around the market stalls.

Jokey blokes... 

It is a 4wd and caravaning camping touring type show.

A pottery mum sent me my snippet.......

http://tenplay.com.au/channel-ten/whats-up-down-under

This doesnt look like a link....
Now it does!

Oh well if your really keen on some Australian travel tv you'll find it.

100 snails.

It has been really busy in the pottery room.

Kids  classes, daytime adults, members 

and a beginners short course.

The kilns have been busy too with 

lots of work going through.

I have been working on a big order.

A bit daunting really and 

thankfully I have until October to get them all done.

100 mugs

Slow food mugs

Each with the slow food snail logo 

applied from a stamp I made,

then hand painted red 

and glazed with satin white

There are mugs everywhere.

Every shelf, every broccoli box and some in the fridge.

I had to remember to keep up 

with some mugs for my market stall.

I got sidetracked with some red clay and a white snail

Off task with some 

press mould bowls 

and the slow food snail.

This is totally off course...Egyptian paste beads.

2016 Busy year

I have been too busy for blogging

This year the pottery has become busy day and night.

A new bulb section in  my flower growing paddock.

Spring will be beautiful here.

These bulbs were planted some years ago, thanks Lou!

I didnt get to weed this circle before 

they began to emerge.

I have parsley as a weed here but clover is clever.

New night pen for the sheep, on higher ground....

The temporary shelter has been battered by the wind.

The last storm destroyed it but MS put it back together.

I will have to go and straighten it up after last nights storm.

They are happy to be let out in the mornings.

I give them a different paddock every few days.

Set of twins born during last nights storm.

Lets hope they hang around the night pen for the day.

All the existing rows need to be weeded regularly.

I have been fertilizing with sheep poo!

A few sheep broke in to this section and free fertilized 

until they were rounded up and removed.

Romanesco broccoli...beautiful looking vegetable.

I think of it as Cosmic cauliflower.

The little florets look like Thai temples.

Jonquils everywhere.

Spring is just around the corner.

Live dangerously

Live dangerously. 

Eat off hand made plates!

There is a different feel to eating when you use

hand made table ware.

I know I am biased but it is true.

This is my new glaze design which has me very excited.

I feel like I am making a political statement.

Took ages to work out how to recreate the accident,

then...would it work in white?

The answer is yes!

I could not resist glazing a green version.

The depth of green depends on how long, how thick.

Controlled random with fingers crossed!

These plates are perfect brunch plates,

or

for the person who 

wants to reduce their evening meal portions

These plates are not radioactive!

,

If it was a no nuclear statement

there would have to be a line through it.

This would muck up the symetry.......

so it is not happening.

I could not help myself and tried for the leopard print again.

Worked very well

Will there be a sense of eating off a furry surface?

I seriously hope not.

   

Twilight Farmers market

The last two twilight markets have been

cancelled due to excessive heat.

Heat policy automatically cancels the market

if the temperature is forecast for 38 degrees or above.

It has been so hot we were starting early

and finishing early.

But...the cool change came in time and finally

a twilight market, which is great for all those

who work on Saturday morning, or

have sporting commitments that keep them

away from the market.

I have been making a lot of tableware lately.

Spurred on  by the consumers who keep buying it.

Very encouraging.

Amazing I had any flowers  at all

given the extreme heat we have been having

Handless mugs and plates

are my most regular sellers

 I wonder what this lady was buying?

Thanks Amy for helping me out on the stall.