Today

Saw one of my old quilts being used at my Mum's Aged Care Facility by one of the residents.  Think I made this in the early 2000's as an entry in the annual fabric Challenge for Qld Quilters Inc.  Val is enjoying it at the moment.

Flowers from the ginger in our back yard.

Our orchid that just hangs around in flower.  A really great splash of purple.

A quilt finished.  Hand stitching, hand quilting & I'm happy with it.

I called it "Thunder Eggs"

 

Backyard flowering a little

The Buddha like the rain and water.

We ignore this orchid and look how it repays our 'care'!  It's beautiful!

Some of the Broms are flowering.

 

Sandgate Artist Studio Trail

A friend & I hit the Open Studio Trail in Sandgate (just north of Brisbane city) to check these clever artists.  I didn't take any photos of the art but the gardens did inspire.  Above are all from the one garden- so much to look at & so quirky - loved it.  Some inspiration for a quilt or 2 in the mosaics.

This garden was wonderful  & the work of artist Marie Smith & her husband.  She buys the plants & he keeps them alive & they thrive.  He's a wood carver and they share a huge shed.  It was a wonderful day & for those in the area - it's on again this coming weekend (30th & 31st) - there are flags outside the studios and a booklet is available.  Met lots of wonderful people.  A good place to start is Narcoopa Gallery in Phillips Street, Bracken Ridge.

 

Flyover before Riverfire 2021

This plane (a C 17, I think) came over our house and then along the Brisbane River to delight the crowds waiting for the fire works.  It was soooooo low!

There were 4 helicopters in all - again heading for the river.

 

Under the Bridge

Love the murals under the rail bridge across the Brisbane River.

 

Backyard in July

Stunning Bromeliad in flower

Butternuts growing larger

Golden Tears vine in flower

Tomatoes growing.

 

Ripper Mystery Game

We went through dark alleys (not really - this was the way to the Bean Coffee Shop before we started the game).

We reckon there were a couple of hundred people enjoying this game.  We started in Queens Gardens.

Groups of people checking out the clues on their mobile phones - all done through Cluedupp Mystery Games app.  Ann Street Uniting Church.

In King George Square too - people everywhere trying to figure out 'who dun it!'

We got it - we were so pleased with ourselves.

All 4 1 - outside the Bean - this intelligent foursome made our city safe again - oh, ok - along with a couple of others too - maybe a couple of hundred of others.

 

Backyard

The agave is starting its bloom.

The pond at the back of the yard.

One of the may Bromeliads.

This agave is not as showy as its big brother.

 

Agave

One Agave plant is getting ready to flower - first for us.

 

Backyard at Mt Nebo

Visited the grandchildren and we had a couple of visitors there too. This was the smaller goanna.

Here he is again - the big one made its way to the chook pen but fortunately, couldn't get in.

King parrots visit too.

 

Backyard offerings

These are our onions growing in an old bath tub.  Husband thought he planted brown & red onions.  Pretty sure we've got spring onions and maybe a leek or 2 & maybe some trying to be red onions.  Have used them & they are quite delicious.

Our family at Mt Nebo have a kumquat tree that has been prolific.  Fruit harvested and made into a jam/marmalade - not as tart as marmalade but has a little tang to it - first time effort and worthy of crumpets.

Family time

 Shiloh & Grumps playing with cars on the kitchen floor.

Grumps & Shiloh checking out the dog next door.

Spring!

Curlew Mum with 2 chicks - slightly out of focus - she hissed at me as I walked by. Dad was nearby too - flattened out on the leaves - he knew I couldn't see him!!!  At Herston - not 10 minutes from the city centre.  

Lovely sunset

 Sometimes you can be lucky  HofM took this from across the road.

Taken from the back deck - not quite as stunning but a lovely glow lit the sky and surrounds.

Things you see in the back yard

 Cow wearing fireman's hat

 Husband gathering eggs - they're laying under the chicken house - not in the designated nest area.

Success!

Must have hurt!

One of our chooks is producing this type of egg every now & then. I reckon it must really hurt to lay - it's quite large & the shell is wrinkly!