Autumn in the Air

Today is Good Friday and there is Autumn in the air at long last! We are expecting the entire four day break over Easter to hover around 23C - just perfect. So this morning the sun is shining as we reflect on the loss of dear Alison. The garden is such a place of reflection and joy and today we noticed that our visiting turtle doves have had a baby. I am not sure they are actually doves though......more like crested pigeons but they are much nicer than the common old pigeons! They decided our Pierre De Ronsard rose arch was the place to nest so we feel blessed. It was so hard to capture the little one but his/her head is just peeking out...........

 The nest is very sparse - just a few twigs and we think there is only one baby. I am so enamoured with them that I have asked our friend Gary if he could make me a dovecote! I have always admired them in gardens so I found a few pictures online for Gary to start designing - surely a better place to nest than the rose arch......

We do need rain in the garden which is surprising as we have just had the wettest Summer in 80 years but have none to speak of for well over a month. But with the wet Summer comes the mice and as I sit here at the computer there is a ghastly waft of a dead mouse in our ceiling! We are not alone and only this week locals were sharing their secrets to catching the little blighters on radio that you can read about HERE! So more roses have been picked and brought inside to help with the pong and outside the sweet smell of the last of the mexican orange blossom is evident too. The bushes have doubled in size in just 3 years.........

This morning the bees were also very busy in the lavender.....

The second lot of caterpillars are back so in a few weeks there will be more butterflies......

The first of the caterpillars were enjoyed by Beau's class and during the week we received this wonderful thankyou card from his class (Along with a bottle of my favourite wine - a Pinot Grigio and from New Zealand!).  Each child coloured a little butterfly with an attached head photo......a tad funny seeing Beau as a butterfly!....

During the week I received a lovely email from Jillian who had been in a class with me last year. We were doing the May Morris Sampler but Jillian made hers larger using designs from a bell pull in my 'More William Morris in Appliqué' book I think it is just stunning adding that border.......

Jillian also sent me a photo of her new Aylesbury ducks.......several splendid Jemima Puddleducks! Jillian said in her email: "I have managed to aquire some very hard to get pure bred Aylesbury ducks which I am sure you may know as Jemima  Puddleduck. I am very lucky that my partner, Keith, has built a large house which has become known as the “Duck Mahal” although they are very free range and are certainly enjoying their lives." Thankyou for letting me share your images Jillian and I love it all!......

Tomorrow we are going on a long drive to Auburn to see an exhibition of historical costumes at Linhay Gallery. Hellen contacted me only two weeks ago to ask if I would lend her some of my quilts as a backdrop for the display. Of course I was thrilled and honoured and the quilts are always grateful to have an airing too! The maker of these exquisite costumes is Kay Inverarity and there is a lovely news article about it all HERE. If you live locally I know it will be worth the visit but it does finish soon on April 24th........

I hope wherever you are that you have a very Happy Easter x