Time out from building

 Fantastic excuse for some time off building,

our friends suggested we go for a flight.

This is the first time MS and I are flying together

We meet for the launch at day break, 

in our front paddock.

The sheep are still in their night yard
(straight ahead and to the left)

and are a little unsure of what we are doing.

It was so fast, up and away I didn't get any shots of our yard

from the balloon.

Maybe next time.
Thanks Joe and Karen for the fantastic flight.
And for all the help with the studio.

Spring sprung while I was building

Just a few weeks ago it was all under control

Then we had a sprinkle of rain then a few warm days

This Salvia is called Tequila

stunning but a bit wild with it's growing habit.

This circle is a bit out of control with stinging nettles.

Even though they can be used as food, the public isn't that hungry

It reminds me of the Waif's line...

"when you water the garden you also water the weeds".

There are Ranunculi bulbs under there...planted late...flower late

if I keep them a little clear.

It is such a colourful time of year but 

I am really busy with a deadline.

Mum's home is up for auction in 1 1/2 weeks

Pottery has to be relocated

I have to be ready for class in 2 weeks today....

This is the entrance from the driveway.

A bit of work still to do here.

Back door view.

Bamboo pattern on the glass door/dual purpose window.

Today I insulated and lined these walls

Thanks  to Corey and Karen who helped me

it looks like I just might make the deadline.

14 days to go.

Holy cow!

It all started with a chicken serviette holder I made,

during a kids class.

We were discussing the potential for Christmas serviette holders

when one of the children said

"Make a holy cow"

We all fell about laughing at the idea

and I could not resist.

The ears aren't right but you get the idea.

I have orders for the chicken, 

and that might turn into a barn yard table setting.

My Christmas ones could have family members names on them.

They could also have coloured baubles to jazz them up.

This is just the beginning.

The elephant was on his way to being a cow but the

clay had other ideas.

I really must look at the Herefords markings.

They are just out in the paddock it shouldn't be hard

In other news...

The new studio has to be complete within 3 weeks

as my mother is selling her house and the Pottery club

would again be homeless. 

We have been most grateful for the generous sharing of her garage. 

Photos of the progress will be posted soon.

 

Vanilla Slice festival

 The Farmers Market relocated to the 

Vanilla Slice festival in Merbein.

Shame it rained all day.

I was surprised at how many folk braved the wet weather. 

 Fiona's Garden made it into the Mildura Living magazine.

Very prestigious!

We picked and packed for a big day...but as

 any market stall holder knows,

it is hard to make any money in the rain, especially outdoors.

This event takes place just once per year

A lot of planning all foiled by the rain

Our plants didn't mind.

I made extra posies...but brought many home.

My worm herb signs have been popular lately

I do need to work out a better way to display them.

The biggest surprise for the day was our southern cousins

who are on holidays and just turned up at the market!

Good to see them, such a long way from home.

Frost and ice

This drip caught my eye on my morning walk.

I knew it was cold but here was some solid proof.

Minus 3 Celsius

Hard to focus, hard to keep still, hard to believe.

I had left out a herb tray, with water. Ready for picking...

 I have never noticed anything like this before.

That's solid ice!

I do love a good shadow portrait.

Stella & Jayne

Last week, the wind was so strong 

the river had white cap waves and it looked like

it was flowing in the other direction.

Wild winds created a raging river.

Nice to see it back to normal, calm, wide and slow.

It might be minus 3 back at the house but it 

would have to be 10 or more down here at the river.

Shelia 2001 - 2014

 

In 2001, whilst walking the dogs,

I came across 2 puppies crawling out of a rabbit burrow.

They must have been dumped, I had to take them home.

Maybe we could keep one?

Shelia was the more quiet of the two, 

not quite as destructive as the male. 

Council has rules about how many dogs can live at one property,

We already had 2 dogs. 

She just kept growing and growing.

A gentle giant.

Great foxer!

Reluctant sheep dog

Great friend

Gone but not forgotten.

Fare thee well my dear friend.

I've been making Angels

I am unsure how angelic they are however, 

 this one is my favourite.

Do angels have to have wings?

I must have misplaced my glasses when I was making this fellow.

The wings have been described as tooth fairy wings.

A Beetles hair do.

These wings were just attached to the garment  and did

put a bit of stress there. 

Is that a crack I can see with the wings falling off?

Not a good look for an angel.

Much more modest wings. 

I will have to do some angel image research.

This has all come about from a phone call, a mother had

just buried her adult son and wanted some angels for the grave.

This is an important challenge I hope I meet. 

Might take a few more tries though.

This was inspired by a young persons creation.

I was impressed that the stars worked 

in perfect harmony with one of our plaster press moulds.

I had to try on too. 

I might become a lid for a candle platform.

I was surprised to see so many lambs all playing together.

They run like a school of fish.

There were about 16 lambs in this group.

Just 3 supervising mothers keeping a close watch.