Christmas Day 2022

Well, how time has rushed by! 

Happy Christmas to you - wherever you are, whatever conditions are dominant. 

I took some photos recently, of the hydrangeas that are in a pot at our front door. I take photos most years as they are gorgeous and always remind me that Christmas is coming! 

We have had some unseasonably cold weather leading up to Christmas and I was wondering if the flowers were affected, they were rather pale. 

The weather has warmed up (it was hot today - all of a sudden, we haven't had a good chance to get used to the hotter weather) and the flowers have changed colour.

They also let you know when they are thirsty - I love that they revive when you water them, that it isn't too late. 

The dark hollyhocks are in flower again too. I cannot resist picking the ones that are shrivelling. I may have to find some fabric to dye - again. They give a good colour usually. I haven't dyed with them, or anything much, for ages (exception was the stink lily recently but that was just using leftover bits and pieces of silk). 

Fortunately, it will be the summer holidays and I 'should' have time to play around. Just need the energy. 

I am trying to do some tapestry weaving, will post about that another day - maybe this year, maybe next year!

Christmas is coming

Instead of my usual picture of the hydrangeas flowering (they are looking very nice at the moment), I thought I would put in this picture of a Christmas Beetle. I have no idea of its actual scientific name and can't be bothered looking it up. We know it as the Christmas Beetle. That will do.

I heard a talk on the radio a couple of days ago that they are being decimated by the Indian Minah. Apparently they are eating the grubs of the beetles.
(Actually, I couldn't help myself and found this link (one of many) which says that maybe they aren't disappearing.)

I don't know if it is true but I did see this one a couple of days ago. Gorgeous. But not very afraid of people, as you can see.


I am having that thing that occurs at this time of the year - often known as exhaustion - and am between ideas. I have an idea for the yearly challenge for the AuNZ tapestry weaving group. I may have the energy to warp the loom soon. I hope so.

And there is another Challenge about Self Portrait. I am thinking about this. It won't be an actual portrait (at this stage) but I am thinking on how I might approach the topic. One idea is to do a fingerprint, as can be seen, sort of, in the above picture. Not sure what will come of this theme, if anything. Just contemplating at this stage.

Christmas is coming.

It is that time of year again.
The hydrangeas are out and looking lovely.

 We saw some much more ornate ones at the house we stayed at in Wangaratta last week.

And there is a Lego Christmas tree in Fed Square. I heard that it has half a million pieces in it.
It was very Australian with the surfing Santa, a cricket-playing elf and a kookaburra.