Dirtgirl

I love a good role model for my girls. This one might have a massive head like a vacuous Bratz doll but she's intelligent, kind, promotes environmental consciousness and has way more clues about gardening than I do.

Look out for the chooks rocking out in the clip.

A Few Words. Many Pictures.

A vividly beautiful Autumn has set in up here in the Dandenongs and as we moved here only last Winter, I am reveling in the spectacular palette of colour it has smattered around us. I have now witnessed almost a complete annual cycle in the garden so I have a good idea of what happens when, and now I can launch into my grand plans...as funds allow...


In the garden the Tigerellas continue their bounty.

Autumn seedlings are planted.


There are signs of life in my potted Coral Bark Maple that I thought had dehyrated to death.


And small people honing their gardening skills.




Inside, there are rainbows on my pages.



Hearty cooler weather salads involving couscous or quinoa with roasted pumpkin, herbs and flaked almonds.


And of course an almost constant supply of baked things.

Small people around here are way into that.

Lovin' Summer

Happiest of new years to you lovely, patient peeps who still may drop by here (Yes I know February starts next week!).

We hilltop hoods have been busying ourselves with a lovely balance of activities at home and away, with company or not, and I've even managed a little time to myself!

Here's some of our summer adventures and activities so far......


A trip to fairyland by way of the Fitzroy gardens.

Painting sessions.

A teddy wedding.
Where some of the guests were found to lack a little self control!


Garden tea parties involving sickly sweet, mouth puckeringly sour, gooey but somehow highly addictive lemon meringue pie.



I am slowly coming to terms with how slow my oven is, but obviously I have had this realisation since making this pie. The meringue was more foam than chew (but we devoured it anyway!)

Many a moment relaxing in the garden.

And swinging at the park.

A trip to the ballet for a small girl.


Divine homegrown dahlias. Note to self - next year, stake the flowers before they sprout so they don't fall over.

And many an evening pondering nature.

For someone who occasionally complains of too little time to read these days, I have managed to demolish the entire Twilight saga in under two weeks and I must say, thoroughly enjoyed it! I had no intention of reading the series until they were foisted upon me by my sister who said something like, "Read. You will love." Ah, and I promptly found myself back in the teenage
world of delicious angst, drama, fantasy and romance...


Finally, we've spent lots of time in the company of this lovely fella, Ambrose, and his accomodating family who also happen to be my parentals. They put us up whenever our fire plan says we have to leave the mountain, and I get the sweet bonus of spending extra time with my mum! I hope she doesn't mind too much.

Happy, er, third day of spring!

Daffodils

Sorry about the daggy formatting but here's some snaps of what's been popping up in my garden since the sun decided to shine a little with the change of season. The palette of blooms appears to mainly be pinks and reds, not my first choice for flowers, but I will embrace wholeheartedly and add my favourite blues and whites, and silvery foliage as I go. The the ususal mountains suspects - Camellias a'plenty, the ubiquitous Rhody and Azalias - all of which I've never grown before.

Grape Hyacinth

Hellebores 'Ruffled Lady' (I only know that because I saw them a t the nursery)

Azalea

Azalea

Rhododendron

Camellia

Not quite sure

Snow drops - not onion weed

Camellia bud



Lavender
Camellia


The first day of Spring involved a first trip to the 'famous' lolly shop up the road. It was aimed to be a minor celebration of Spring but also a bribe to the the elder of the two littles out for a walk. So much wet and cold weather and indoor days had led to a bit of a stand off regarding outdoor activity and use of the legs. Said oldest little was given $2 to choose something in the shop and I was so curious to see where she'd go with that.


The little sweetheart chose the most modest and plain little lollypop for 50 cents and was quite happy to pay and leave it at that. It was she giving me the hurry up once her treat had been selected as I was nostalgically sniffing in the scent of musk sticks and wine gums and sherbets and all sorts of sugary goodness that once cost about a cent per sweet - or less. (For some beautiful and colourful photos of confectionary have a look at what Shula's been up to over at Poppalina).

The previously sweet-treat deprived small child carried her "ollypop" in it's wrapping all the way home and devoured it in the Spring sunshine once we got home.

All the Pretty Little Peonies

Peony flower / timelapse from munich timelapse on Vimeo.

I spied this on Pia's beautiful blog which is always full of pretty things which inspire and are full of soul.

I fully intend to dabble in the art of peony growing in this mountain patch of mine. Lovely.

Look Who Came To Visit.

Can you see them? Behind the cubby, through the fog.

We had heard we've had deer visiting and seen some evidence of nightime visits but it was under the cover of thick all-day fog today that they came to visit and nibble the grass. They can go for it if it helps keep the lawn trimmed. There's way too much of it.

It may be a different story once I have vegie seedlings in but for now, they're welcome guests.