Am I having too much fun?

Well here we go again, just over another year has belted by since my last blog. I need to stop that habit. So quit your job I said, you will have more time to make stuff, smell the flowers, weed the garden …

I head into the shed, say hi to my rowing machine (and yes also give it some exercise), make stuff, drink coffee, listen to the radio, talk to myself and the magpies, apologise to my seaside daisies when stepping on them, bake bread, eat bread and before I know it the day has whipped past like the high speed train from Frankfurt to Paris. Oh and I squeeze in 3 days of volunteering as well. I had an amazing week at the Fibre Arts residential at Ballarat Grammar School before Easter learning with the fabulous, talented and oh so funny Mary Hettmansperger, working with copper and other good stuff. I used some of the techniques in a few vignettes which have gone into a couple of art shows. Such fun using old, worn found objects, making new pieces and putting it all together.

So here I am in my beautiful space (Luce del sole) or Sunshine Cottage and totally loving life. I have embraced my new community and they have embraced me. Every day is such a joy even when having to do some much needed repairs like the retaining wall for instance. Yes I could have done a quick job but it was so much more fun, despite having to contort myself in such a small space, to do a mosaic. It took time but I can see it from my kitchen window and it looks gorgeous. perhaps too much of the fun stuff now go and do some mortar work I tell myself.

So what about your children, grandchildren, art buddies and Darwin life in general, you may ask. Thank goodness for phones, email, Facebook, Facetime, trains, boats (hmm have not used that mode of transport for a while) and planes. My grandsons are 1 and nearly 3 years old now and I won’t mention the ages of my two beautiful and very grown up children. Soon I am off for hugs, chats, laughter and just enjoying them time.

My garden has given back all the work I put into it in the last year. Oh those numerous wheelbarrow loads I have pushed up the hill, hoping I would make it and not be found days later deceased under the barrow and a pile of weeds. I have dug, planted, weeded, ripped out, carted, watered and enjoyed hours and hours in the garden. I have harvested my first ever potatoes, leeks, onions, beans, radishes, apples, lettuce, spinach and more. Bright red tomatoes have cheered my days, gorgeous roses, lilacs, daffodils, snowdrops and numerous other flowers have brightened my kitchen.

Borrowing a bit of the neighbour's autumn display.

Let’s hope I have turned over a new leaf and will remember that I have a lap top, know how to spell and have a blog to write on a more regular basis. Ciao for now (woo that even rhymes).