"It was the time of Roses"

I picked three different bunches of roses from the garden on Friday and we have been enjoying them all weekend.

"It was the time of roses" is by Thomas Hood.

In The Garden

In The Garden.

Copper Beech

Crepescule

Buff Beauty

Crab Apple

Lamb Tales

As Spring goes on and the weather improves, it is time on the farm for lamb marking. We have about 260 ewes, divided into 3 mobs. Each mob is herded into the yards and the lambs are separated from the ewes via the drafting race. Ewes go in one pen, lambs in another. It is very noisy with all the ewes and lambs bleating for each other.

Each lamb is lifted up and secured in a specially designed holding cradle. They are inoculated, earmarked [hence "lamb marking"] and an elastrator ring is put on it's tail. This cuts off the bloodflow and the tail eventually falls off. The ram lambs are de-sexed using the same method. Doing this ensures a low risk of flystrike during the warmer months. By counting the number of tail rings used, we are able to work out how many lambs we actually have.

The whole family gathers for this annual event and their help is greatly appreciated.  They make a great team working together to get this essential farm work done. It is also wonderful to have everybody at home sharing tea breaks and meals and spending some time together.

"For every Bird a Nest"

We have a large garden with an abundance of places for the birds to nest, so why has this one built in Tom's farm coat that is hanging up on the back porch not two metres from the back door? Nique discovered it on the weekend and tells me there are three eggs in it. I haven't been brave enough to look too closely because an angry little bird flys out and chatters very crossly at me if I get too close.

"For every Bird a Nest"  is by Emily Dickinson.

Fun Weekend

I had a lovely weekend with Amy and we went to a store called Daiso that sells a huge variety of  Japanese products all priced at $2.80. This Maneki Niko Cat was the first thing I picked up, but not the last! I bought some great craft supplies as well as Bento accessories and kitchen gadgets. We will be going back there again soon.

Christmas Stitchalong No 3

No 3 is finished and I can't believe we are already up to No 4 this weekend! The weeks are going by far too quickly.

A Wedding

My nephew was married on Saturday under a very blue sky beside a lovely calm Phillip Bay. A perfect day for a very pretty and happy wedding.

Christmas Sewalong No 2

I have finished Christmas Stichery number two! Hello Little Birdie is participating as well and she taught me how to do the french knots on the weekend. Thanks Amy.

Grand Final Jelly Slice

Guess who I would like to win today?