Balance

We are told that September 1 is the first "official" day of spring here in the southern hemisphere.

I prefer nature's seasonal guides rather than the Gregorian calendar, and await the days when I feel the change.

Today is the vernal equinox, when day and night are of equal length. And, after a long, grey winter, it truly feels like spring has arrived.
There is a perceptible shift in the air as the wheel turns.

I'm grateful to have had the sun's gentle rays warm my cheeks on this special day.

And, at 2:30pm - as if on cue - the blackbirds burst into a strong song to herald in the new season.
Now, I think that's official  ;)

Happy spring/autumn (in the north) equinox everyone!

♥

light

recent foggy forest morning heading up the mountain 

I want to thank everyone who read my last post and commented about the sad passing of Robin Williams.
And, also for your empathy and warmth towards me for sharing a little of what was a difficult, vulnerable part of my personal journey.

Your heartfelt words brighten my spirit ~ more than you know.

♥

Even though it is still very cold, there is a perceptible shift in the air. The light is changing and our world here is slowly waking from its deep winter slumber.

The vernal shift, lifting the atmospheric grey.

On the mountain, the cooler air stays the blossoming just a little longer. But today, I found this generations old tree, its fragile branches heralding a welcome return to spring…

a promise of light after the winter’s dark

 ~

My posts, and comments at your blogs, might be a little sporadic as I create and prepare for the coming busy spring/summer market season. But, I will come back as often as I can and keep in touch...

To everything, turn, turn, turn...

... there is a season, turn, turn, turn.


I know, a retro song again. Seems I just can't help myself ;)

This morning, I was thinking about the change of seasons. Then, I thought of the above titled song by The Byrds, which was also featured in the movie Forrest Gump - the scene where Jenny says goodbye to Forrest, then boards the bus back to California.

And, now it won't get out of my head.

So, if you remember, or know of, this song and hum it once, you'll have an earworm for the rest of the day. Sorry in advance, folks, heh heh.

~

While autumn is dialling down the temperature in the Northern Hemisphere, and beginning to dazzle with her beautiful brazen golden-red palette, spring has been delighting us down south with her cheery blooms, sweet scents and lovely lime leafage.

It stays cooler for a little longer here on the mountain.
There are still more grey days than sunny. And some of winter’s fading blooms remain to keep company with the newcomers… just for a little while longer.

From wonderful Waratahs and pretty Proteas to jaunty Jonquils, here is a selection of pics that I’ve snapped on our weekend walks over the past few weeks.

And remember, you can click on the images for a closer look.

I adore Hellebores (winter rose), and am happy to have them hang around through early spring.

Here, spot Mr. Beezlee among the blossoms.

 I wonder who's expecting?

You can always tell the warmer weather is coming when these guys stealthily creep out from their darkened, dusty abodes.

 

This long-legged lovely spans about 3 inches wide.

I usually leave them alone when they stay above eye-level inside. But, once they come down below that, it’s outside they go. Gently and safely unharmed. For, they have an important role to play in this world.
I just think they have a bigger range of snacks to choose from outside – that’s what I tell them anyway :)

Years ago, after washing my face one morning, I blindly reached for my towel and patted my face dry.
The towel “wriggled” on my cheek, and as I pulled it away, I saw a large huntsman sitting on the towel – right where my face had been!
I don’t know who was more shocked - me or spidey. Poor thing. Luckily, he was face fangs down on the towel, so all I felt were his hairy legs and body writhing against my skin.
Haha! I can almost hear the collective, “eeeeeuw’s” all the way from here :)


Fascinated by this amazing web seen recently.

Not sure if it was built by a Funnel Web spider. I didn’t think they lived in Victoria.
Now that’s a spider I wouldn’t like to mess with.

And, here's Jack,

bringing in the kindling - one stick at a time.

Okay blue-boy, no more firewood for a while now, xx.

Well, I’ve taken you from songs to seasons to spiders and finally, silver-blue soldiers. What a mixed bag!


Have a wonderful, safe coming weekend everyone.

♥

Purple Haze

Last weekend here marked the (official) start to spring, and there are bursting buds, bright blossoms and beautiful bulbs everywhere I look.

 

These golden beauties are on the verge alongside the footpath in Sherbrooke - our favourite walk. 

Hubby and I took a trip out to a local lavender farm with the excuse (on my part) to buy some dried buds. But honestly, it was such a pretty day, that no excuse was needed to take a drive up and over the mountain.

It's a month too early for the lavender field to be in full bloom, but I was happy to find one row flowering, with bees busily buzzing among the scented bushes.

It was hard to get a clear close up image, as the wind tickled the spikes amid a blur of bees. But here, one Mr. Beezly graciously posed long enough to be captured.

We ordered a pot of home made lavender tea under the old pepper tree. The liquid ambrosia, best taken black to appreciate the subtle, yet undeniable flavour.

Then, we ambled for a while and chatted away on this lazy day, as I snapped some images around the property.

Next month, we'll return to experience the haze of soft purple hues as these wonderful plants put on a show.


This Saturday is going to be a big one.

A three event day.

It will be my dear hubby's birthday. And, it'll be a very early start - the poor man has, once again, been roped into being by my side for the first of the large Spring Craft Markets. 
Our son has promised him a couple of beers and a meal at our lovely local pub at the other end of the day. So, that should give him something to look forward to as we drive in the pre-dawn darkness to our destination, unload, set up, mingle, chat with, and sell to, our customers.
Then, break it all down again and drive back home.
I'm eternally grateful for hubby's help on market days. He's now a wiz at wrapping and packaging too :)

These markets herald a, "full steam ahead" for me from now on until Christmas and beyond into the new year, when many holiday makers come to the area, all in holiday and (hopefully) spending mode.

Saturday is also the day of the Australian Federal Election. Ugh. I don't think anyone I've spoken to is excited about it. There's not much confidence with either party, nor does anyone seem very clear on which to vote for.
What a mess. And, I won't go into the arduous political hoopla on here. But, we must do our duty, as it is compulsory to vote here in Australia.
So, we'll toddle off to the local polling place once we're back from the markets in the afternoon and be the up-standing citizens we're meant to be ;)


On a much nicer note, I want to thank you all for your good wishes that the latest glaze firing went successfully, after the previous non-event.
And, it did! I have a lovely batch of clocks, incense holders, jewellery and ornaments to grace my stall. Phew! :)

Not to mention, I now have a small assortment of lavender bags and sachets to trial as well.

It has been the loveliest of tasks, creating them. The past few days, I've been entranced by an array of soft textures and the gentle humming of my machine, as I sewed away contentedly.
The bags and most of the sachets are made from the beautiful natural European flax linen that I wrote about a few posts ago. And some are made from a small stash of dyed linen remnants from England that I've been keeping, "for just the right project".
Tiny textile scraps and many, many snippets of cotton threads from fringed edges, strewn all over the floor.
Creative chaos in action :)

And, the aroma, oh! What a joy it's been, working in a cloud of lavender.

A tiny crystal rainbow kisses the tip of a dragonfly's wing.

There is a clay connection too - clay gift tags. Made with a smooth reverse, so that a personal message can be written in an artline or gel pen. Sweet little keepsakes from a loved one.

So, what do you think?

I would appreciate your creative, constructive comments on how I can improve them.
How do you feel about the natural jute twine as ties for the bags?
I considered ribbon, but wanted to keep a more "rustic", handmade feel to them. It somehow seems more suited to the homespun textures.

I welcome your thoughts and will keep them in mind when I make more in the coming weeks.


I wish I could magically send the scented goodness through the computer to you, it really is divine and very soothing.
Now, I have the perfect source to return to whenever I'm feeling, "manic market induced stress".

I think this sums it up...

via

Ahhh, relax, breathe and carry on.

♥

Sunday drive around the mountain

It was a beautiful, bright, spring fresh morning, so hubby and I decided a leisurely drive around the mountain with wee Jack was just the tonic. 
We love to bundle into the car and drive, seeing where the road takes us - that's the gypsy in us I guess :)

First, a walk around our favourite gardens, then with a take-away coffee in hand, we headed out, meandering along the many roads and lanes.

I enjoy all things quirky, funky, beautiful and unusual - and there are many places on our travels that reflect them. Here are some snapshots from our morning out and about...

From shimmery, sun-shiny, iridescent lime greens...

...to cool, damp, mossy, dark grotto and ponds just off the path, slightly hidden - almost unseen

 The paths we walk are patterned with filigrees of dark and light

The roads we travel are lined with trees showing off their billowy bright new spring dresses...

... and tall, silent sentinels guarding the forests deep behind them

Frequent stops, present photo ops...

pretty lanterns light the way

and stunning views, to places far away

Little eateries, from funky to charming to freaky

gives a new meaning to wine and spirits on the menu!

Quaint little buildings that capture my eye

there's just something that I love about a red door

Then I spy,

  the dilapidated

 weathered

 and, abandoned

There are churches of stone, nestled in peaceful surrounds,

 did I mention I love red doors? :)

and some 'converted', amid lush wooded grounds

Blooms abound all around...

 vibrant viburnums

 clambering clematis

 radiant rhododendrons

 magnificent magnolias

 heady, intoxicating jasmine

charming Crepuscule roses

  ...and curly ferns unfurl 

fine, fragile fronds

And ever always, a dear travelling companion is ready to head home when it's time to go

so, if I make with the puppy dog eyes, do I get a biscuit?

I hope you too enjoyed a sojourn around the mountain. There will be more roads to travel and sights to see... and, you're always welcome along.

♥