Thursday, May 5, 2011
Tiny Tour in Macquarie Street
Today Marion and I visited the Hyde Park Barracks Museum and the Museum of Australian Currency Notes in Macquarie Street. The day was made all the more enjoyable by joining Geoff and Jen for lunch at The Mint Cafe where Mic is a chef. A beautiful lunch. Next time we'll have to visit the Mint Museum as well.
Friday, April 29, 2011
A Very Wet Picnic
This week we celebrated Surrey's birthday with a picnic in the Botanic Gardens. It was supposed to be held under his tree but the rain drove us into a nearby rotunda where we joined a few strangers who were also seeking shelter.
Surrey's tree is still alive and growing. It is getting fatter in the trunk (a little like its namesake) but the leaves have thinned out (it is a deciduous tree).
We were able to spread the picnic rug and our fabulous 'sandwiches' and cake picnic on it again, even though it was not on the grass.
Alex and I took some photos of the group but when Alex noticed that I was missing from the photos we had taken he took the one above. I then suggested that he should be in one but unfortunately he blinked and I did not notice. It is here for the record anyway.
Marion was able to come and we were joined by John and Karen as well. They knew a little rain (well actually a lot of rain) would not deter us as Surrey has brought us up tough and independent.
The boys had a great time running around when the rain eased playing hidings with Geoff, Rod and Jen. We adjourned for coffee (and chocolate milk) in the cafe then wandered back towards the station with a little shopping on the way.
What a lovely excursion. Especially as we were a bit stir crazy from almost a week of quite heavy rain.
Surrey's tree is still alive and growing. It is getting fatter in the trunk (a little like its namesake) but the leaves have thinned out (it is a deciduous tree).
We were able to spread the picnic rug and our fabulous 'sandwiches' and cake picnic on it again, even though it was not on the grass.
Alex and I took some photos of the group but when Alex noticed that I was missing from the photos we had taken he took the one above. I then suggested that he should be in one but unfortunately he blinked and I did not notice. It is here for the record anyway.
Marion was able to come and we were joined by John and Karen as well. They knew a little rain (well actually a lot of rain) would not deter us as Surrey has brought us up tough and independent.
The boys had a great time running around when the rain eased playing hidings with Geoff, Rod and Jen. We adjourned for coffee (and chocolate milk) in the cafe then wandered back towards the station with a little shopping on the way.
What a lovely excursion. Especially as we were a bit stir crazy from almost a week of quite heavy rain.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Easter and Anzac Day
Marion and I have had a quiet, wet long weekend. Lots of quilting has been achieved. Also we have worked with Geoff to move most of his belongings (stored at my place for the last 6 months or so) to his new home. Only the pot plants and some larger items of furniture to go now. This enabled me to be able to clear some room in my quilting 'sweat shop' upstairs ready for another quilting weekend next weekend. I just moved the clutter over to the space Geoff had been using for storage and will sort that later (ha ha!).
We made some Anzac Biscuits of course and they are absolutely delicious. Invited Helene in for morning tea. I had to use her butter to make the biscuits because I only had margarine.
We made some Anzac Biscuits of course and they are absolutely delicious. Invited Helene in for morning tea. I had to use her butter to make the biscuits because I only had margarine.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Take Two
One game that Alex is enjoying now that he is starting to read is Take Two. Many friends have asked me for the rules so here I go.
Take Two (or Speed Scrabble)
Take Two is a speed word game that can be tailored for children or adults. Children as young as 8 (younger if they are paired with an adult) can play successfully. You will need a set of letter tiles from a scrabble set or equivalent, a pencil and a scoring pad, a dictionary if arguments are likely to arise (a scrabble dictionary and scrabble word rules apply). One scrabble set is adequate for 2-6 players.
1. Spread the letters on the table, turn them all upside-down.
2. Seat players evenly around the letters so that each has space in front of them to create their words.
3. Each player takes 5 tiles, leaving them upside-down until ‘go’ is called.
4. At ‘go’ each player individually tries to create words in front of them that link like a crossword puzzle. Each player can change or rearrange their letters and words at any time through the game.
5. When one player has used all their letters in their crossword they immediately call ‘take two’ and all players take two more letter tiles to incorporate into their crossword.
6. Continue Step 5 until all the centre tiles have been used (the last call might be ‘take one’ depending on the number of players and/or the number of tiles remaining).
7. The first player to use all their tiles calls ‘stop’ and play stops.
8. Players then score their crossword by adding the number value on each tile. If a tile is used twice then it is added twice. Leftover tile values are deducted from the final score.
9. The player with the highest score wins.
TIPS:
• Take care rearranging your crossword puzzle as it might be a slow process and this is a speed game.
• Small words are quicker to create but 2 or 3-letter words can be difficult to ‘hang’ other words from.
• Aim for speed rather than high word scores.
• Do not count out loud when adding scores as this confuses other players.
• The speed can be adjusted to the players’ abilities. It can be completely competitive or players can decide to help others on the table if abilities or experience of the game differ widely. Helping players and negotiating rules when required are acceptable behaviours.
For more information go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrabble_variants
Take Two (or Speed Scrabble)
Take Two is a speed word game that can be tailored for children or adults. Children as young as 8 (younger if they are paired with an adult) can play successfully. You will need a set of letter tiles from a scrabble set or equivalent, a pencil and a scoring pad, a dictionary if arguments are likely to arise (a scrabble dictionary and scrabble word rules apply). One scrabble set is adequate for 2-6 players.
1. Spread the letters on the table, turn them all upside-down.
2. Seat players evenly around the letters so that each has space in front of them to create their words.
3. Each player takes 5 tiles, leaving them upside-down until ‘go’ is called.
4. At ‘go’ each player individually tries to create words in front of them that link like a crossword puzzle. Each player can change or rearrange their letters and words at any time through the game.
5. When one player has used all their letters in their crossword they immediately call ‘take two’ and all players take two more letter tiles to incorporate into their crossword.
6. Continue Step 5 until all the centre tiles have been used (the last call might be ‘take one’ depending on the number of players and/or the number of tiles remaining).
7. The first player to use all their tiles calls ‘stop’ and play stops.
8. Players then score their crossword by adding the number value on each tile. If a tile is used twice then it is added twice. Leftover tile values are deducted from the final score.
9. The player with the highest score wins.
TIPS:
• Take care rearranging your crossword puzzle as it might be a slow process and this is a speed game.
• Small words are quicker to create but 2 or 3-letter words can be difficult to ‘hang’ other words from.
• Aim for speed rather than high word scores.
• Do not count out loud when adding scores as this confuses other players.
• The speed can be adjusted to the players’ abilities. It can be completely competitive or players can decide to help others on the table if abilities or experience of the game differ widely. Helping players and negotiating rules when required are acceptable behaviours.
For more information go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrabble_variants
Garden Update
While Alex was here we worked hard in the vege patch removing weeds and harvesting my pumpkins. These are about half the pumpkins I have had through late summer and now in autumn. A variety of sizes and shapes but all quite delicious.
Since the rain and poisoning the rats in the vege patch I've got a great crop of spinach again and my tomatoes and rosemary are starting to flourish.
Now that I have finished the bamboo out the front I can concentrate a little more of my time on growing food for myself, my family and friends. I have the time, the space and the chook poo but lousy sandy soil.
They came from this corner where my new back fence has now been built by neighbour John to replace the wooden one built nearly 40 years ago. It began to really fall down when I removed the old chook sheds that were holding it up. It actually began to rot many years ago.
Since the rain and poisoning the rats in the vege patch I've got a great crop of spinach again and my tomatoes and rosemary are starting to flourish.
Now that I have finished the bamboo out the front I can concentrate a little more of my time on growing food for myself, my family and friends. I have the time, the space and the chook poo but lousy sandy soil.
Busy Week
It has been a busy week! Out to lunch with Geoff and Jen on Sunday, a visit to my Mum on Monday, Marion and Barre arrived Tuesday and stayed till today, Alex came for a sleepover Thursday night and Ellen, Rod and Luke joined us all for dinner last night!!!!
The activities with Alex included a visit to the Australian Museum to see the dinosaurs and birds of paradise displays but the favourite was the interactive table of dangerous Australian animals.
Then there was outdoor work. Feeding the chooks and weeding the vegetable patch.
We had a long walk to the park where there were lots of children enjoying a lovely autumn day with their mums and grandparents.
It was a great time for us all.
The activities with Alex included a visit to the Australian Museum to see the dinosaurs and birds of paradise displays but the favourite was the interactive table of dangerous Australian animals.
Then there was outdoor work. Feeding the chooks and weeding the vegetable patch.
We had a long walk to the park where there were lots of children enjoying a lovely autumn day with their mums and grandparents.
It was a great time for us all.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Tamworth Quilting trip
Having returned from a wonderful quilting trip to Tamworth I have now updated the Rainbow Connection Quilters blog with my story. Feel free to read all about it there.
One of the activities was a show and tell. I took Surrey's Waterlily Quilt I made him some years ago as my show and tell.
One of the activities was a show and tell. I took Surrey's Waterlily Quilt I made him some years ago as my show and tell.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Autumn Beauties
Today Greg, Ev and I drove to Underhill. We had a few chores - clearing the drive, spreading chook poo, collecting weeds for chooks and a bit of search and destroy of thistles and seedlings of eucalypts, wattles and casuarinas.
We also had a walk to the far dam and the far corner of the block. There were lots of small birds close to the shed and a yellow robin calling very loudly. There were also other beautiful animal and plant treasures. Below are some photos I took. Some are not good but have been zoomed in on at huge distances or taken on macro so close they were almost touching the lens. At least it makes them nearly identifiable.
We also had a walk to the far dam and the far corner of the block. There were lots of small birds close to the shed and a yellow robin calling very loudly. There were also other beautiful animal and plant treasures. Below are some photos I took. Some are not good but have been zoomed in on at huge distances or taken on macro so close they were almost touching the lens. At least it makes them nearly identifiable.
My secret stash of elusive ground orchids.
Brown Thornbill (possibly).
Superb Fairy Wren - female
Red-browed Firetail hiding amongst the branches.
Greg and Ev at the far dam.
An unknown damselfly (there are actually three in this picture - a female with attendant male and another smaller one in the bottom left corner)
Lots of these spiders about. Six-spined spider or jewel spider.
A beautiful array of lichens and fungi.
A pretty little ground hugging plant.
I am having such fun with Surrey's camera and soon hope to be able to use all the knobs and whistles.
I am having such fun with Surrey's camera and soon hope to be able to use all the knobs and whistles.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Wishing for a red hat
I haven't put up anything on the blog for a few weeks because I have been flat out with the yard. The fence along the back fell down so I suggested to the neighbour John that maybe we'd better bite the bullet and get a new one, that I'd be happy to arrange it all. He said "oh damn" that would mean he'd have to tidy his mess up along the fence but he'd do it as he used to work as a fencing contractor. Within a week the fence was started but he said "we've got a problem" ... my chook shed had edged its way over the boundary line and that meant he could not get both sides of the fence to actually build it. It seemed a huge job to move the shed just 50cm!
My next job then was to interrupt the bamboo war to move the chook shed. This only took one day. Leigha helped level out the part it was to move forward into, before heading off for uni. I then spent a 9 hour day sitting in the chookpoo with the chooks digging out the inside base of the cage and bagging up chookpoo. There were also myriad bricks, logs, lumps of concrete buried in the poo that had been used over the years for steps and levelers for food, water and nesting boxes.
John and I then looked at the cage that evening and decided that with me levering with a pick and him pushing and pulling we could do it. Bingo! It took about 15 minutes! That meant John could complete the fence.
I now have a new back fence and a bomb site in the chook yard - again! - with all the dug out rubbish. Another job on my list of huge tasks along with the bamboo war and creating my front garden with pavers and plants rescued from Ellen and Rod's house before it is demolished.
I was expressing my frustrations to Leigha about the fact that I have been retired almost a year and still not able to just potter in my garden with a straw hat on my head and a cup of tea in my hand. She said, you mean a red hat don't you ...
Warning
When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.
Jenny Joseph 1961
The Red Hat Society sounds a great idea - a society for having fun? But I still hanker after my straw hat and cup of tea.
However, the painters have now finished the outside of the house. It only took them 3 months to get here after the front porch building was finished. I'll take some photos soon so you can all see the progress.
So it is now out to the front again to another bit of bamboo war. It would be nice to have the major house and yard renovations finished by the anniversary of my retirement in April. Will I make it? Stay tuned. A bit of rain would then be good to help the garden grow. We have had it very dry since New Year and even my tanks are just about empty. Our suburb seems to have missed every little bit that has fallen over the last two months.
My next job then was to interrupt the bamboo war to move the chook shed. This only took one day. Leigha helped level out the part it was to move forward into, before heading off for uni. I then spent a 9 hour day sitting in the chookpoo with the chooks digging out the inside base of the cage and bagging up chookpoo. There were also myriad bricks, logs, lumps of concrete buried in the poo that had been used over the years for steps and levelers for food, water and nesting boxes.
John and I then looked at the cage that evening and decided that with me levering with a pick and him pushing and pulling we could do it. Bingo! It took about 15 minutes! That meant John could complete the fence.
I now have a new back fence and a bomb site in the chook yard - again! - with all the dug out rubbish. Another job on my list of huge tasks along with the bamboo war and creating my front garden with pavers and plants rescued from Ellen and Rod's house before it is demolished.
I was expressing my frustrations to Leigha about the fact that I have been retired almost a year and still not able to just potter in my garden with a straw hat on my head and a cup of tea in my hand. She said, you mean a red hat don't you ...
Warning
When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.
Jenny Joseph 1961
The Red Hat Society sounds a great idea - a society for having fun? But I still hanker after my straw hat and cup of tea.
However, the painters have now finished the outside of the house. It only took them 3 months to get here after the front porch building was finished. I'll take some photos soon so you can all see the progress.
So it is now out to the front again to another bit of bamboo war. It would be nice to have the major house and yard renovations finished by the anniversary of my retirement in April. Will I make it? Stay tuned. A bit of rain would then be good to help the garden grow. We have had it very dry since New Year and even my tanks are just about empty. Our suburb seems to have missed every little bit that has fallen over the last two months.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Bamboo Blitz
At last the last of the big clumps of bamboo are out and yesterday Craig and Kim came with a trailer and took it all to the tip. After Craig had removed the last of the big clumps Kim's persistence ensured that the inspection pipe for the sewer is now free of bamboo which had grown up and twisted all around the concrete protection at the top.
We went from this...
to this...
in one morning with three people working.
The yard now looks as though it will only take a few more months to remove most of the bamboo runners then in spring when the rain and warm weather encourages it, I will be able to see all the new bamboo growth to dig and poison. At least it now looks achievable. Thanks Craig and Kim.
We went from this...
to this...
in one morning with three people working.
The yard now looks as though it will only take a few more months to remove most of the bamboo runners then in spring when the rain and warm weather encourages it, I will be able to see all the new bamboo growth to dig and poison. At least it now looks achievable. Thanks Craig and Kim.
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