Making, Stitching, Baking
Things are moving along nicely here at chez Hugo & Elsa. School finished today with a flurry of assemblies, concerts, beach trips and baking Christmas gifts - panforte for Elsa's teacher, again. We make it every year, although this year there isn't alot left to *ahem* give. It's too delicious!
I've made soaps again too this year for presents, a white Marseilles, and a vanilla bean experiment, mmm not sure about that one, might keep that one for family I think...
Part one of the birthday celebrations are over - part two this Sunday. I bought this gem of a book which has beautiful ideas for celebrations, crafts, games and recipes. Gosh I love it. And so we're busy stitching and making and baking for the big day. Along with fitting in more crafty fun from here. Are you stitching along?
And while I know we probably should be spending more time outside, picking our lovely strawberries and planting my two new roses. I saw a massive snake in the garden today - and I think inside is best for a while....eek!
My goodness it felt good today to a cross a few things off that list - how's your list coming along?
I've made soaps again too this year for presents, a white Marseilles, and a vanilla bean experiment, mmm not sure about that one, might keep that one for family I think...Part one of the birthday celebrations are over - part two this Sunday. I bought this gem of a book which has beautiful ideas for celebrations, crafts, games and recipes. Gosh I love it. And so we're busy stitching and making and baking for the big day. Along with fitting in more crafty fun from here. Are you stitching along?
And while I know we probably should be spending more time outside, picking our lovely strawberries and planting my two new roses. I saw a massive snake in the garden today - and I think inside is best for a while....eek!My goodness it felt good today to a cross a few things off that list - how's your list coming along?Little Darlings
Meet our two new girls, Jasmine and Mary Jane, christened by Miss E. They're our new 16 week old Barnevelders. I know, I know, they look a bit weird now, but they're at that awkward teenager stage, no longer a cute chick yet not quite a blossoming young hen with lovely glossy brown and black feathers and fluffy charcoal bloomers.That brings our hen count to five and we need to upgrade, extend or rebuild the coop to accommodate the growing flock. Which brings me to the vexed topic of chook housing. Quite a dilemma. Do we go chook dome, (pretty ugly), mobile electric fence, (pretty dangerous) or something like this...
Awright! This is Martha's chook palace. Isn't it dreamy.....well at 10,000USD it sure is... but I've stuck it on my inspiration board, so you never know....
In the meantime I've locked the little ones away from the big girls and will slowly introduce them to Charlotte, Emily and Anne over the next few days.
By the way, in the background is a picture of my effort to espalier a Morello cherry tree. Part of the orchard I've planted. I'll show you more, if you'd like to see it. Would you?
Late spring blossoms
Quiet times here at chez Hugo and Elsa with a sick little one. A hot westerly is blowin' outside this afternoon so I'm pleased I was out in the garden early this morning to capture these spring blooms.
My mother gave this Princess Mary Rose to me for my birthday last year. It's survived numerous possum attacks to rise triumphantly this summer with three beautiful blooms.
Elsewhere in the garden the parsley has gone to seed. Such pretty flowers.
I don't know what this tree is, but for just a few days in late spring it's awash with these beautiful blossoms. I love it because when we first moved here it was in bloom, so it always reminds me of when we arrived, and the thrill we felt moving into our new home. Happy memories.
My mother gave this Princess Mary Rose to me for my birthday last year. It's survived numerous possum attacks to rise triumphantly this summer with three beautiful blooms.
Elsewhere in the garden the parsley has gone to seed. Such pretty flowers.
I don't know what this tree is, but for just a few days in late spring it's awash with these beautiful blossoms. I love it because when we first moved here it was in bloom, so it always reminds me of when we arrived, and the thrill we felt moving into our new home. Happy memories.