And this is Christmas

 My Christmas lillies from my sister are valiantly flowering in my front garden...

 right in time for Christmas

A garden Christmas Tree with the left over scraps of wood from Mum's deck.

 Beautiful Roses

 Cannas

 Lillies

 . . . and my beautiful canaries gathering for thier breakfast

 Kitten grown into a cat

 . . . and a bird bath high enough to keep the free birds safe

 My Summer Garden

Merry Christmas to all

Creative Capers

 My crafty neighbour came over the other week and said she wanted to make something.  She'd seen an idea for cotton reels and did I have any old picture frames.  As a matter of fact, I did happen to have a couple, so we got busy planning.

 With a little help, we got some holes measured and drilled.  We chose some backing paper each and then began sanding and positioning.  We've still got a bit to go, but you get the idea.  Mine is going to hang right beside my sewing machine for easy access.

 Back to the garden saw me trimming off some of the iris's which left a lot of strappy leaves.  My sister is into basket making and it looked like fun.  I thought I'd have a bit of a go, not looking up any instructions or anything.

 Thought it couldn't be too hard. Hmmm, it actually was!  I think I may need to ask for some lessons from her.  I had a bit of fun with weaving,

 and then I thought I'd make a little tiny basket.  It was almost like a canary nest, and I was tempted to put it in the aviary, but remembered how my mother told me I couldn't make their nests for them.

 So, I thought I'd use it as a planter, and put a little succulent in it.

 I was very pleased with myself, even though it was a bit rough.  I had to use pegs to help me keep it together.

 Then to top off the crafty week, came the mini bon bons.

Mum had got one at her Christmas Knitting Party, and showed me.  I said "Oh I could make them for the Quilters Christmas Party!"  Then my sister saw them and said; "Oh I could make them for my Basket Club Christmas Party!" Then I took one to school and my teaching partner said; "We could make these for Christmas Fair!  I think the Bon Bons have gone viral.

Lots of reasons why . . .

 I don't seem to have been blogging much lately, but there are lots of reasons why.  Firstly, I'll show you these amazing flowers on my cactus plant.  It has had 2 flowerings so far, and one time there were 11 flowers out at once.  There are still more buds coming. 

 The flowers only last 2 days, so you have to keep a watch on them or you miss them, and it is a spectacular display even if fleeting.

 Iceland Poppies out my bedroom window says a cheery good morning.

 I have been to the Mountains.

 Dinner Plain to be precise.

 A beautiful Chalet called Cloud 9.  We were guests to test out the service.  Business starting up in 2016

 I even had a ride on the back of a motor bike from Dinner Plain to Omeo and back again.  Got the thrills out of the way that day.

 Back in my garden for a bit, then . . .

 off to Cape Bridgewater near Portland to visit a cousin.

 Beautiful farm house and lovely weekend away.

 Then to Melbourne Botanical Gardens for an award ceremony.

 Our school won the best recycled garden award. 

 Loved walking around the gardens quietly when all the kids went back to school.

 I've been busy doing lots of interesting things . . .

so there's lots of reasons why I haven't been blogging much of late.  I think I'll head out into my garden again tomorrow.  

Poppy Love

 This one is a rose - my only multi coloured one and I love it.  Didn't think I would but I do.

 Now for the Poppies - I have had lots of different colours and types this year.  I loved the frilly ones, but the DARK red ones - my mum called them:

SHOW STOPPERS

 It was hard to catch the intensity of the colour with the camera, but they were truly beautiful and a real picture.

 This is a picture of my little back porch that I had built outside my laundry door.  I was thrilled with how it finished up.  I still need to put a second coat of paint on it, but I've had fun rearranging my camellia pots at my back door so they are protected and I can keep an eye on them.

Still weeding by day - so much to do, but loving having the time to do it.