Happy Little Flower

Is this not the happiest little flower you ever did see?  I swear that my photo is straight from the camera, it just so happened that the angle of the flower and the shadows created this lovely little bonneted smiley face.  It tickled me no end.

 The other flowers that are making me very happy are these beautiful irises.  They are probably my favourite flower, I love the colour so much.  My friend Ellen gave me a heap of spare bulbs that she dug up from her garden and I planted them a couple of months ago.  I think there are 7 flowering at the moment which is very very good.

 These are Western Rosellas, we don't see them that often, they are very shy.  I thought there was a small wren in the foreground of the photo too, but upon zooming in I discovered that that dark shape is in fact three pieces of giant kangaroo poo ha ha

 Mum and dad came down for a four day visit, it was lovely to see you.  While dad had a nap, mum and I went and had a look at Shelley Beach Lookout.  Always beautiful and this day was no exception.

 Then we drove around the cliff and down to the beach for a walk.  We have always loved Shelley Beach, we used to bring our kids when they were tiny.  It has a marvellous freshwater stream that runs across the beach...great for rinsing sandy little bodies.  I imagine the fresh drinking water helps create a fantastic ecosystem for many species.

 Here's mum having a rest on a convenient rock at the end of the beach.

 Steve continues his great work, this is the new growing area he's created just up from the orchard.  What was only a few weeks ago a weed ridden, overgrown piece of ground is all dug over, paths created, fencing almost finished and the greenhouse built.

 And from the other direction.  We still have to put a net over the top, that will be the last job.

 Little lettuce plants are growing happily in the warmth of the greenhouse.

 Here's a comparison.  These three tomato plants are growing in the greenhouse, watering can for size comparison.

 And these two tomato plants are growing in the open, planted at the same time.  Look at the difference in size!

 Today was an exciting day, we planted five blueberry plants and four thornless blackberry plants, and popped in a dozen strawberry plants along the edge.   Oh my goodness, it will be so exciting to grow a decent number of berries and not have the birds nick them all!  :-)

 The chickens are fascinated with the goings on.  They can't get into the new growing area but hang around, as Steve throws them any bugs he finds as he's digging.  The best bugs are a large beetle larvae, they look like witchety grubs and the chickens go ballistic over them, the lucky chook will grab the grub and take off at a rate of knots, with the others chickens in hot pursuit! The chicken on the right, now named Houdini, is the same feathered friend I mentioned in the last blog, the one that has taken to wandering.  Well, she has become extremely naughty and escapes all the time!  We are finding her all over the place, and within minutes of us putting her back, she's out again.  I think she's realised that the fences hold no bounds for her, I'm surprised her colleagues haven't followed suit actually.  We are now getting four chook eggs and two duck eggs every day, amazing. 

 "Please can I have some breakfast", says Patience with Willy enpouch, every morning she waits hopefully.  She wins us over with her beautiful face.

 Willy is out of the pouch more and more.  Patience is very protective of him and keeps to herself, so the other roos don't come too close to her precious baby.  Interestingly, Ben, the alpha male, is very caring of the joeys, he doesn't seem to mind them at all.

 I love this photo of Patience, she really is the most beautiful girl.

 My crochet hook is still clattering along.  I made the Meandering Pawprints scarf for my neighbour Claire as a present.  I'm rather pleased with how it turned out.  If you are interested in the free pattern, it's here - http://amysastitchatatime.blogspot.com.au/2017/01/meandering-paw-prints-free-scarf-pattern.html

 My newest project is one I've been coveting for a while.  I made myself wait until I'd finished all sorts of other projects for this one, it's called the Lost In Time shawl.  I bought this delectable, gradient yarn called Blueberry BamBam, what a great name hey, produced by Scheepjes.  So the top of the shawl with be cream and it will gradually change to grey then to light then mid then dark blue.  I've got a long way to go and it requires concentration but it's so enjoyable, particularly using a very special yarn. 

Right, I think that's my lot.  Until next time xx