Dinner and a movie

In the early evening Jumps and I set off for quite a treat -- a trip to the movies to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
The film was brimful of drama and adventure, marvellous effects, and plenty of of teenage angst. We enjoyed ourselves immensely, but I certainly wouldn't take a young child to see this -- it was much too dark and complex. But then Harry and his friends are already 17, so I do think it's appropriate to give the films more depth now.
Then home to dinner (which I'd prepared in the morning): tacos filled with chilli beef, cheese and tomato salsa; Mexican rice with chillies, cumin and avocado; and a side salad. Yum!

Let's go fly a 'kite' ...

Boo refused point blank to go to playgroup today, "unless the children come to my house" he declared! He isn't perfectly well at the moment, and is happiest fuddling around at home.

So today he and Granny developed a new type of 'kite'.

Two long paper streamers tied to plastic spoons snapped and twisted beautifully in the gentle breeze, delighting Boo. They also made a marvellous display when he was pushed in the swing.

Cornucopia

Overflowing with bounty from Sunday's trip to the markets.

Evening at the dam

The tranquil little dam in the evening light. Flocks of wood ducks and moorhens roost at the edges each night.

High and dry

Boo sits atop a mound of mulch due for distribution around the garden. After today's chilly autumnal weather, we wish it were a bonfire!

Time for tea

Dear family friends from Melbourne, Nantje and Andre, are staying with my parents for several days. I'm very fond of them both.
Nance is a quilting teacher, so we had plenty to talk about, and she was sweet and encouraging about my sample quilt.
Our guests arrived at 3:30pm for afternoon tea.


The table was set buffet-style, and we all lounged on comfy chairs after helping ourselves to tea and cakes.

Jumps had only told me our invitation was accepted at 2pm, but luckily I had a well-stocked freezer.

Three kinds of biscuits, gingerbread, carrot cake and even whipped cream appeared as if by magic.

The rosy tea-table posy completed a pretty picture.

A selection of biscuits

A thank-you gift for my Saturday night babysitter -- a selection of Anzacs, peanut-butter cookies and choc-swirl biscuits. So easy -- these are all freezer biscuits after all.
I do love the sunny floral ribbon.

Club Germania

A late birthday treat for Jumps -- Saturday night dinner at the German Club.

It seemed as though we'd stepped into a huge party for a German family, and Grandma was doing the cooking! Really authentic, tasty food -- huge portions, and no-holds-barred on the fat content.

Jumps had a huge sausage platter with sauerkraut, red cabbage, and fabulous knoedel -- he didn't eat breakfast or lunch on the following day!

Sunday markets

A morning trip to nearby markets for Boo and I.

We bought plenty of fresh produce; one dozen Cameo apples, ripe tomatoes, little bananas (finally, just the right size for Boo -- I do get sick of buying the enormous ones) and eight creamy yellow avocados for the bargain price of $2.
I do enjoy shopping for food!

Then we browsed the bric-a-brac stalls; I'm still searching for a pretty little white jug, but didn't see one that was just right.

I delightedly picked up five delicate lace flower motifs for 10c each at the button stall -- I'll sew them onto the garden on my 'House' patchwork block (which I'm hoping to finish this afternoon).

We did consider buying plants, but were laden down already with all our goodies, including five puzzles for Boo (four of scarily enormous insects), a Bananas in Pajamas toy, a little teddy bear in his shop, and a shape-fitter toy.

Although Boo was rather keen on getting one of these as well -- at this I felt it was time to set off home!

Grandmother's fan

Another patch quilted today -- and, oh, are my fingertips sore! I am only a beginner, after all.

Don't be misled and think that I am finishing a patch almost every day -- in fact, some of these have been waiting to be quilted for weeks, and I'm finally getting round to them.

This morning Jumps took Boo to the little nearby airport to watch the planes. There's a cafe right by the runway, with a glass fence around it, so Daddy had a cup of tea while Boo stood with his nose pressed against the glass.

Meanwhile I settled on the sofa in the light-filled lounge and busily quilted away, while listening to The Horse and his Boy by C.S. Lewis. Even as an adult the Narnia books fill me with wonder and a sense of awe. They are so beautifully written, never patronising, and filled with many layers of meaning.

An angel in the garden

Boo's current attire of choice -- butterfly wings (he insists they're not fairy wings) and no trousers. Suits me, as we are potty training, after all.

The first daffodil

A homemaking afternoon

Boo and I had an extremely busy morning.
We shopped, visited the library and the post office, and took Grandma to the station. Boo accompanied her on the train three stations down the line, where I waited to meet him, then we both waved her goodbye. Boo cried -- I'm not sure if it was because he was watching her leave, or because he had to get off the train! Then home via another shopping expedition.
The sunny afternoon was then blissful ours to potter.
Boo was entranced with his new train set (thanks to the toy library) so I happily:

picked several vases of flowers ...

... baked three loaves of light rye bread ...

... finished the applique on the 'bridal wreath' ...

... and whipped up fresh fettucine with prawns, roasted capsicum and garlic for dinner (without a recipe).

I think I could happily occupy myself at home for days on end.

Bee Blossom Farm

The housenumber of 'the Manor'.
This mosaic was made by a dear family friend, and is just right to welcome guests to the farm.

A new friend

'Spidey' came home with us from playgroup today. Boo took him all around town; to the shops, and then to play at the park.

All his toys are coming alive at the moment. They have long discussions with him, accompany him on the play equipment, and even sing to him.

Maybe he needs a sibling? Oh dear -- easier said than done!

Fireman Sam (... or in our case, Peter)

The fire engine came to visit our playgroup today.

Boo was thrilled! He sat in the driver's seat and turned the steering wheel, jumped when the siren started, and cried when they left.

The firemen were awfully kind and enthusiastic. They seemed to realise how important their job is in children's imaginations.

Wounded innocence

It's terrible to see your baby hurt. Boo really only has a scratch, but it still makes me feel sad.

Oh, doctor I'm in trouble!

Poor Boo had -- what I imagine will be the first of many -- dreadful falls this evening. He tripped over a rug and came down straight on a pen he'd been drawing with.

Oh the tears! Oh the blood! We really did think the cut might need stitches, and raced with him to our local doctor. By this time Boo was calmer than the rest of us -- he even fell asleep in the car!

He was so sensible and good at the doctor's, and behaved like such a little man, even thanking the doctor as we left.

Our little boy is sleeping peacefully now, and was happy to play with his new mother and baby pony toys (thank you Granny!) in bed before dropping off.

Morning tea

An assortment of lemon-iced gingerbread, peanut cookies, and chocolate swirl biscuits were our offering for morning tea at playgroup today.

Afternoon sun

Although the day dawned frostily, by lunchtime we were all lazing outside in the sunshine.
Grandma with a cup of tea and her knitting ....

And Boo totally naked under his blanket, resting and soaking up the heat.

Grandma's house

While Grandma is visiting she's making preparations for getting her new little house in order. Armed with a camera and notepad, yesterday we went wandered through the house (Boo of course ran and hid and peeked from all the rooms), making notes of what needs to be done. And there really isn't much -- a new cupboard, skylight and shower screen, and perhaps a door to be rehung.

It really is a dear, neat, tidy house, in just the right spot.

Now all we need is a date for the move!

Granny's knitting

Patchwork lessons

I've always wanted a patchwork quilt, so each Monday I potter off to the friendly Toytown Uniting church for beginner's classes.
Lessons cost the grand total of $2, and that includes warming cups of tea and assorted biscuits.
Two lovely ladies mind the children, but Boo refuses to go, despite the fact that several children who he knows quite well also go, and there are plenty of toys. But Papa has volunteered to spend the morning with Boo, and often the two of them meet me in town afterwards for a sandwich at the park.


We're making a sampler quilt -- above is a piece called "Card Trick" which was fun and easy to do -- I love the piecing and applique, but find the quilting bit of quilt-making rather hard work!

Shy violets

I can never pass by a carpet of violets without thinking of Wordsworth's She Dwelt Among the Untrodden Ways. It's very much a part of my childhood.

She dwelt among the untrodden ways
Beside the springs of Dove,
A Maid whom there were none to praise
And very few to love:

A violet by a mossy stone
Half hidden from the eye!
Fair as a star, when only one
Is shining in the sky.

She lived unknown, and few could know
When Lucy ceased to be;
But she is in her grave, and oh,
The difference to me!

Coral trees in bloom

I love the scarlet flowers of the Coral trees -- they line the sides of the road as I drive home.
When they bloom the lorikeets come from miles around to sip the nectar. The vivid feathers of the birds were stunning against today's summery sky.

Have you any wool?

Grandma hand-knitted this sweet pair of sheep socks and presented them to Boo today -- he was delighted. I think they make his chubby little legs look even sweeter!

Happy Birthday darling Daddy

When Jumps is at work, Boo often looks at me thoughtfully and says "Mummy, Daddy's a GOOD man". I'm not sure what prompted him to start this, but I can only enthusiastically agree. We are so lucky to have this special man in our lives.
Boo decorated the birthday cake himself this afternoon, and proudly showed it to everyone he could -- he even invited the neighbours who were passing by to come in and look!
Daddy lit the candles (twice) and Boo blew them out (twice! -- although Jumps claims he did get one).

Without more ado we cut and served -- gingerbread with lemon icing -- along with cups of peppermint tea, laughter and chatter.

A visit to the rainforest

Jumps had been up for ages (as usual) when Boo and I blearily staggered into the lounge to wish him a "Happy Birthday". He was delighted with our cards, and hadn't before tried any of the beers, so was pleased with them.

After a birthday breakfast of scrambled eggs, smoked salmon and rye toast, we set off for a walk through the little nearby rainforest.

Boo raced over the swaying suspension bridges ...

And eagerly sat with Daddy under the "Tiger Tree" (filled with scary tigers, or so I am told).

While Jumps and I took in the sights and sounds of rushing water ...

.. and the lush greenery.

Then I made the ultimate sacrifice and dragged myself up an enormous hill to the falls. There Boo gorged himself on biscuits, even though Daddy had carried him up most of the steep bits!

Magical.

A walk in the garden

Picking a bunch of lavender for Granny ...

Watching Jumps' cut up a tree that blew over in the big winds last week ...

And chasing Gran down to the lake ...




Boo had a long afternoon nap!