Hello it's me.....again!!

The weeks are gathering speed as we race towards the end of the year......

So how's the season shaping up where you are?

We're still having changeable Spring weather, a warm day last week had me considering putting on the aircon and the following day it was grey and damp and long sleeves were needed.

The tomatoes are only just beginning to flower after recovering from frost burn. I did think we would lose a couple of plants after an unexpected frost ....

The Roses are literally blooming their heads off before the heat of Summer arrives and the trees are clothed in new Spring leaves and looking lovely and fresh.

The paddocks are turning from a patchwork of green and gold to a lovely, buttery hue as the grass is cut and baled.

A good drop of rain wouldn't go astray either.

More than happy to swap blue sky and sunshine for a few days of grey, drizzly weather.....anyone interested?

I'm still working towards the December market, leftover stock from my market days was very low, so I needed to put together some new ideas and get stitching.

This week amongst other things, I've put together a couple of new mini stitcheries which have turned out well. I had fun stitching up a vintage Singer sewing machine, with it's distinctive, silvery design work.

An op shop find of a vintage, blue blanket has already been used for a number of projects, including another mini stitchery and the beginnings of a tea cosy.

Love the colour combo of red, blue, yellow and white.

So lots on the go, in the sewing department, with more to be done this coming week.

Ready to head outside for a wander?

Photo quality isn't so great, but this is a birds nest I found hanging on a Silver Birch branch.

Can you see the open beak there? 

There were 3 babies in the nest, which belongs to a Mistletoe bird!

Unfortunately, these birds help spread mistletoe which can end up killing trees. So whilst it was a thrill to find this nest and bubs, I was a little disappointed Mistletoe birds were breeding close by.

In our 'Wild Wood' of Silver Birches, there are at least 3 lots of Mistletoe growing. It looks like a gum tree has been grafted onto a Silver Birch, quite a bizarre sight.

But I am always amazed at the construction of these nests.

They look like a little bag  hanging from a branch.

Spiders webs, thistle down even cat fur have been used to make this lovely, soft, cosy home. It feel like thick felt and would take an amazing amount of time to make.

A brief storm a week ago gave us a couple of mls of rain, nothing to write home about, but I got some nice, stormy pics.

I love watching the clouds roll in....

The Bottle brush are in full flower, attracting birds and bees and adding a splash of colour to the tree belt.

Tucked away behind a shed and next to the green waste pile is a Loquat tree which is groaning under the weight of fruit this year.

The birds are having a feast and it doesn't take long for the fruit to go off once it has a peck mark or two in it.

In past years the cows have enjoyed eating the leaves in Summer and caused quite a bit of damage, but after running some electric fence tape along the fence line it has finally grown back.

The fruit is sweet, but more seed than flesh. Once you spit out the seed and the skin, you really just get a mouthful of juice and that's it.

But on a warm day when you've just wheeled a heavy load of cuttings to the waste pile and the flies are driving you crazy, it's nice to stop for a few minutes, stand in the shade and eat half a dozen Loquats before getting back into it.

This is the view down our road from the front gate.

I love living in the country.

See the sign (red triangle with a white W) on the left?

That's for the CFA, to let them know there is water on our property in the form of a dam. If there happens to be a fire nearby they can get access to the dam and fill the tanker.

The berries are ripening, but an extreme prune by moi in Winter has meant we won't get as many as in past years.

But that's OK, I needed to get in there to prune and tidy up the canes.It was becoming a bit unruly.

I checked on them today and there should be some ripe enough to eat this week......yum!!

I have admitted in the past that I'm not very good at remembering to water pot plants, but these Petunias underneath the Maples are putting on a wonderful show. The fact that they are in the courtyard directly opposite the kitchen certainly helps.

Maybe our trip to Canada and the lush gardens and hanging baskets I saw prompted me to plant up these pots but whatever the reason. It's nice to have some colour in view every day. 

Back inside there are piles of sewing waiting to be stitched.

Little sleepy time, blanket bunnies, looking peaceful, best thing is they don't snore!!

Another week full of stitching ahead of me. Lots of ideas I wish I could chase, but I have to focus and start ticking things off the 'To Do' list, or I'll be in trouble!!

Well, I'm going to be a good, little bunny and head off to bed. If I set the alarm a little earlier, I might get out in the garden and do some flower deadheading before breakfast.

Will I get up when the alarm goes or press the snooze button?

Hope you've all had an enjoyable weekend and have a great week.

Thanks so much for visiting, always lovely to hear from you.

Take Care,

Claire X

Budgies, Brooches, Blooms, Birds.........Bed !

Helloooooooo girls, it's me......yes, I'm still here

Albeit, sporadically, occasionally.......well sometimes!!

Mind you I do pop by for a visit and comment, so I haven't completely disappeared.

Thanks to Anne of Ungardened Moments for a lovely email checking to see if all was OK as I had been missing in action for some time.

You see I am now one of those Bloggers who has gone over to play in the Facebook playground and stayed there.......they have different toys over there and bright, shiny things and well.....I know there's no excuse.

But here I am, I hope you are all well, we won't talk about how the year has flown, but here we are in November......

Things here at Sweet Birdy Love are busy.

 Spring has been stunning and continues to thrill me with all the Roses in full bloom now.

My Hollyhocks have self seeded and are popping up wherever they can.

I hope I get a variety of colour....:)

We are also planting vegie seedlings and the garden is filling up quickly.

The weather has been quite changeable....last Thursday night I was kicking the blankets off it was so warm and then Saturday I was adding an extra one as it had turned quite cool.

I hold on to the cooler temps and enjoy them as much as I can as I know Summer is just around the corner and along with it the heat!

I also love this time of year as farmers slash and bale their paddocks for hay/silage. From the great room window I watch the green paddocks turn a patchwork of gold as the grass is cut, left to dry, raked and baled. I love hearing the rumble of tractors towing balers down the road throughout the day.

As usual there is plenty of sewing taking place and Budgies are featuring at the moment.

Hubby was given a gorgeous, green blanket last week and I couldn't wait to start cutting and stitching.

This little fella is going to be a sewing needle book for a market in December.

A few more needle books for the market.

Of course I couldn't stop at one Budgie, they are such fun to stitch.........

I've also whipped up some brooches and I couldn't go past a cute little Hedgehog with a couple of oak leaves.

I do love the woodland theme..... 

Let's duck outside for a little fresh air shall we?....

William Morris rose planted last season has burst into bloom and is  just beautiful but I'm afraid I'm somewhat disappointed with the lack of scent.

I can't believe I bought a Rose that doesn't have much of a perfume!!

This photo was taken about 3 weeks ago and you can see how green everything was. It has dried off a little, but still quite green.

The Dutch Irises in the Wild Wood, put on another lovely display.

 I noticed the leaves growing but then always get a surprise to see the flowers.

They blend in with the white trunks of the Birches so well.

They're very happy in this posi and have been there for about 4 years now.

 I also planted the Blue variety of Dutch Irises but only got one flower this year.

 Hopefully next year a few more will bloom.

The Lilac was stunning and I just love the purple of the flower  and turquoise of the vase......the perfume is beautiful and I picked quite a few bunches to bring inside and enjoy.

It's also Magpie season and the hatched young ones spend the days in our garden with their beaks open calling to be fed.

I love watching them they're such characters. 

But I would be happier if they didn't stand outside the bedroom window at 6am waiting to be fed!!

The Magpies inspired me to stitch a textile picture for our local art show which opened a week ago.

I've forgotten to up load it, oops....next time!!

This is one of the 4 pieces I entered in the show.

Watercolour and stitching on canvas.

I haven't done this before, so was quite pleased with the

overall effect.

Thankfully, all of my pieces sold, so I didn't have to bring them home and find somewhere to store them.

I love seeing what everyone enters.

 There are some very creative and talented people living in the area.

Unbeknown to me No.1 son actually bought a piece of art at the show and surprised me with it tonight when he arrived home.

It's a beautiful pastel drawing of a Flame Robin sitting on a rusty old star picket.

 I was a bit gobsmacked I have to say, but totally thrilled.

I'm sure you all know by now how much I love seeing those Robins in Winter.

He bought so that I didn't have to wait till Winter to see them!

I'll post a pic next time..... 

A little more stitching......another "Woodling' but this one is a little different.

She was part of an order I sent over to Janet at The Empty Nest in Warrenton Virginia.

Janet has been selling my work in her gorgeous shop.

So part of what I am working on at the moment will find it's way to The Empty Nest as well.......

Finally, I just  had to share this pic of Tigger with you.

What is it about cats and boxes?

He quite happily curled up and went to sleep in it, despite there not being alot of room to stretch.

Wouldn't that be a great attribute to have?

 Being able to curl up anywhere and nod off.

Talking about nodding off, it's time I did.....

So there you have it a quick little post of what I've been up to recently.

Just the usual things happening. The year is drawing to a close and that pair of socks I intended to knit this year, hasn't

eventuated. 

My sister and BIL from Wakefield in the UK were visiting about a fortnight ago. It was lovely to see them.

 Our last catch up was in 2007 when we headed over to the UK.

We had a lovely time together and they enjoyed the warmer weather . Not sure if they were enjoying the 41deg as they headed towards Port Augusta last week!!

So a busy week ahead of me. Stacks of sewing to get through.

Ukulele class is on tomorrow night and the Friday night

Yackandandah World Record Bunting Attempt happening so it's all go here.......

Hope all is well with you and thanks for visiting.

Take care,

Claire X