Visitors

Things are happening! First, this little Brush bronzewing came to visit. Hadn't spotted one of these before. He's got very pretty markings.
Then the landscapers arrived and have been busily transforming the area near the house, adding a pathway around, a garden bed and a high planter box. It's very satisfying, seeing things happen, and it will be nice to walk around the house without having to watch where you step! The garden bed will be home to a few roses, the bird bath, and a rosemary bush. I'll fill the high planter with herbs and possibly

some lettuce. I've always wanted to grow radicchio. I can already smell the basil, mint, and thyme...
Wayne cut down some of the old Virgilia tree, which had split in half and was obstructing the driveway. These trees don't usually get that old, and ours have lasted nearly 20 years, so we'll soon have to plant some replacements.
I'm looking forward to seeing the Friday ladies here today, and to catching up with the Saturday ladies tomorrow, for some fun and quilting.

More florals

 Following on from the last blog, here are some more floral shots. My Blue Moon rose blossomed nicely this summer - even whilst under threat from DH's chainsaw. He's a bit trigger happy!
The sunflowers lasted well; I just love close-up shots of these cheerful beauties.
And an African violet whose grandparent plant I received from a former colleague many years ago, has decided to bloom again.
The pretty orchid I bought for $10 last year has done very well too.

On another floral note, I'm half way through my Kim McLean quilt blocks. At the moment, I'm preparing more stems, which I'm finding tricky.

I've decided not to make the border which will hopefully reduce it to a hanging quilt.
I'm looking forward to the Geelong Quilters' Guild meeting tomorrow. Just keeping my fingers crossed that no kangaroos jump into my car this time...

 

More happiness

Among the things that make me happy are flowers. DH used to bring me gorgeous Singapore orchids for years, which were kindly given to him when he worked at the airport. That finished when he retired, although he does occasionally come home with a bunch. So unless dear friends drop by with lovely blooms, I buy my own. This week it's been sunflowers, such cheerful things, gorgeous big yellow suns smiling at me when I enter the kitchen. Lovely!
And more happiness - I finally found my sashing fabric for my Kim McLean quilt! It appears to be a new-ish one by Kaffe Fassett, so I 

got onto it quickly. It has a rainbow of colours and will go well with my blocks, I believe. I've decided to make only the inner part of the quilt, not the borders, as it's huge (89x90"), and I'd rather it was a wall hanging than a bed quilt. This is block No. 10, 14 to go. Woohoo!
After several weeks of mooching around at home, I was heartily sick of it and decided to go out for lunch with DH. We went to Canteena and enjoyed their fare as always. I'm still in pain when walking or standing for any time, so will be interested to hear what the surgeon will say about that next week.
At least I've had time to read some amazing books. I especially enjoyed "We care for you" by Paul Kitcatt. One of those book you start and then can't put down! It's about a nursing home, its residents,  and a new concept in care giving. Fiction, but scarily pertinent.
Another good one was one of the latest Elizabeth George "Inspector Lynley" novels, called "A banquet of consequences". It's a door stopper, but kept me hooked. George is brilliant in creating a character who is mentally ill, highly disturbed, and manipulating everyone around her. One feels quite claustrophobic. The only criticism I had was a very unkind portrayal of DC Havers, more so than usual.
Lastly, I very much enjoyed delving into Phil Rickman's latest "Merrily" novel, "All of a winter's night". He's back on form here after a mediocre offering last time. I just wish Merrily and her bloke would finally get it together. You just want to bang their heads together! Do you get involved with the characters of the books you read? Maybe I need to get out more, haha!
Oh, and I read another Donna Leon mystery, "The waters of eternal youth". As usual, Inspector Brunetti is on the case, this time an old (cold) case. And as usual, the private Brunetti and his family are almost more interesting than the crime. I really think Brunetti needs a cat.