On My Mind: Not long now....!

Spring is coming!  Spring is coming!  Spring is coming!!!!

I am so excited (can't you tell?!).  Last year, the year of wet, spring didn't really eventuate.  Oh, I saw the sun a couple of days from September to December but it wasn't enough to really be classified as 'spring'.  It also wasn't nearly enough to boost my mood and make me shake the winter malaise.  And it certainly wasn't enough for me to consider trying to dry the sheets on the clothesline outside.

This year is shaping up to be better, normal almost - no, make that better than normal!  The weather started warming a couple of weeks ago and I started shedding layers - would you believe one day I even wore open toed shoes?  I know right!  Bare feet in July, it was almost unthinkable!  

And the trees are also shedding their layers.  Well, actually I don't know if that's the right description but they are bursting their buds and sending out leaves and flowers and buds and generally announcing to the world that they are not far from open and trading and ready for action!  It's glorious to see.

Right now is Ekka wind time.  That time of year, every year, when the Brisbane show signals the arrival of some bitterly cold westerly winds that remind us all that August still is a winter month, thank you very much, there'll be no jumper-less action on my watch!  

I find it amazing that the winds know when to start up - right on Ekka time - sometimes before, rarely after, but right on queue they whip up.  Regardless if Ekka starts on the 10th or the 17th of the month, that is the day the winds come.  Freaky.  So all the planned show stopping outfits of pretty summer dresses and short shorts have to be ditched in favour of jeans, boots, jackets and scarves (unless you are 16 in which case it is cool to be cold - necessary sacrifice for fashion and all!).

So welcome Ekka winds.  Knock yourself out, blow yourself silly.  Go crazy with it all.  This year I welcome you with open (and very rugged up) arms because your arrival signals your end and your end means spring is here and that is only ever a good thing!

Linking in with Down To Earth's Friday photo feature 'On My Mind'.....check it out and join in yourself!

On My Mind: Peas

This morning, after hanging out the washing on the line (the sun is shining today - must make the absolute most of it so the washing machine started early!) I went for a wander through the veggie garden.

Truth be told I was feeling a bit peckish for something sweet and was on the hunt for strawberries but ended up finding a whole lot of peas ready for picking.

I loooove fresh peas.  I have many memories of helping my Nana shell them when I was a kid.  Well, actually, she would shell them, I would just eat them as she put them in the colander!  Nothing beats the taste of a just picked pea!

I think this lot will go into dinner tonight.  I'm thinking a white wine, prosciutto, parmesan and pea risotto.....mmmmmm!

This On My Mind feature is lead by Rhonda at Down-to-Earth that anyone with a blog can join. It opens the door to sharing our lives through photos and gives us all a new way to discover each other, and maybe form new friendships.

On My Mind: Bale-ing out

Yesterday I had two bales of mulch delivered.

Very exciting.

I have been waiting for a week for these to come (long story, not the best experience in customer service but it ended happily so all is well) - so have my veggie seedlings that have not long been planted.

After waiting so long, it didn't take me long to get stuck in. 

So for your viewing pleasure, we have.........the start....

They are a bit wonky looking because they were water damaged - as in, completely submerged in the floods.  We got them at a GREAT price so I'm not complaining one little bit - and really, their job is to hold in the moisture so it can only help if they start moist!

...the middle (I had to stop for a sit-down - I was in desperate need of something to eat and a BIG drink of water)....

Being wet (all the way through!) it was a big job having to lift and pull and drag the layers apart - much harder than if it had been dry.  And of course the wind was blowing a gale - always is when I am moving mulch!

...and finally the end....(HURRAAYYY!).

I really hope this one isn't as wet as the other....

Stinky, sweaty and absolutely shattered, I then called it a day and headed for a hot (HOT) shower and a rest.

So what will be on my mind today?

You got it!  Mulch!

(I have a feeling I will be very sore tomorrow!!)

This On My Mind photo feature is lead by Rhonda at Down-to-Earth that anyone with a blog can join. It opens the door to sharing our lives through photos and gives us all a new way to discover each other, and maybe form new friendships.

A little piece of history - saved!

The other day I was in the right place at the right time.  Rarely does that happen for me so this time I was excited!  

Being in the right place at the right time meant that I was able to save a box of magazines from being thrown out.  Not just any magazines though, these are special!

.....Australian Home Journal 1958-1960, Australian Women's Weekly 1970's, New Idea 1970's,  Women's World 1970's plus a whole lot from the early eighties (complete with Lady Di and Fergie on the covers)...all in fairly good condition considering where they had been stored (you don't want to know!).

Pages of pattern previews....and the Australian Home Journal comes with 3 (yes, 3!) FREE patterns!!!

Just a quick flick through a few on the top of the pile and I knew they had to come home with me!  

It's interesting to see that while the wording may have changed, the ideas behind marketing to women hasn't!

I'm like a kid in a candy shop - I don't know where to start!!!

This On My Mind photo feature is lead by Rhonda at Down-to-Earth that anyone with a blog can join. It opens the door to sharing our lives through photos and gives us all a new way to discover each other, and maybe form new friendships.