Friday, September 9, 2011

Bits of this n that at home


A nice sunny day    
An  ~At Home~ Day 

Stepped out the back door and first thing I see is our poor old threadbare-on-one-side Echidna shoe wipe who we've had him for a while now.  When we first got him, I always got a little 'start' when I'd look down and see him, he looks so real!



A little bit further from the door is the lovely window box MD made for me a few years' ago. A perfect spot for some pretty pots and succulents.  Mum is clearing her little garden of pots nowadays, so she's passing a lot on to me. I love them all.  That little plastic purple lizard was tucked into one of them.



To the left of the door is another of MD's handiwork - the wooden hanging planter. A girl can never have too many planters now can she!




Over on the fence is a rock ledge where I also keep various pots. A lot of little plants have started to grow in the cracks of the rocks now, it's looking quite pretty.  The Johnny-Jump-Ups have gone wild... they're quite happy in that spot.



I always start off a pot of Chives this time of year.  I like their subtle onion flavour in sandwiches and salads.



Well, the washing won't hang itself out, so I'd better get it down to the line.



Just happened to notice, while hanging out the jeans, the gorgeous orange portulacca.  It's a real bright spot over there.  The kikuya grass gets away on us these days, I variously poison and pour boiling water over it - both seem to work... for a while!



Back inside to stir the soup ... the all-in-together soup.  I make litres and freeze servings. Have got to stop making it for a while though we realised - the freezer's full of it.



Our flowering peach tree is looking beautiful outside the lounge room window.  The bees are enjoying it too.



Just couldn't resist... I popped out and took this photo of the blossoms from the verandah.  What a perfectly beautiful blue sky.


Thank you for sharing this lovely day.


Tuesday, September 6, 2011

A lesson in finding greens for dinner, and Dad protects his little family.



Mumma Swan shows how it's done...


... and here's dinner - a nice long juicy piece of greenery.


"Aw, do I really have to?"


"You go first"





"Yay... I did it. May I have some dessert now ?"





Something's up. Dad starts hissing loudly and rushes off.  Mumma stays back with the chicks and watches...



We think it's most likely an eel in the water. A danger to cygnets. Dad really gets angry...



... and pounds the water with his beak, all the time hissing very loudly.



Mumma Swan decides it's time for everyone to get out of the water. The little ones would rather stay and play!
They need a bit of convincing.






Off they all went, back to find safe, warm shelter for the evening.
And so ends our latest update on Mumma Swan and her family.  Unfortunately, Faithful Duck was nowhere to be seen.  Perhaps he/she has found another Mumma Swan to keep company.  Thank you for joining us and sharing in this special time.

In my other blog 'just (take the) photos' I've linked up with Tammy's Photography Spot 'Behind the Camera'.  The photos I chose were of (ha ha what else) the cygnets being very determined in their funny little efforts to climb up a sandhill.
If you can possibly stand any more cuteness, you're most welcome to pop over there and see the photos :D)