June wedding

Miss Aimee Versluis became Mrs Russell Grinter.

A wonderful occasion, congratulations to

the new Mr and Mrs Grinter.

En felicitaties aan Mark en Liz op steeds schoonfamilie.

Last day of winter garden

The winter garden is quite spectacular, the daffodils and jonquils are showing, three baby daphnes are in flower, albeit only one flower in most cases, and the blossoms are starting to pop forth on the fruit trees and the Manchrian Pear. I can hardly believe its been nearly three months since I have blogged. It has been a busy time, and I will post a couple more pics, and blog some more about it very soon.

Carpet and Roses

At last today, we finally got our carpet laid. The slate in the entrance hall was left over from the family room job, so TRO laid it, and relaid the hearth in slate as well, extending it to meet the legal requirements of this day and age.


And, my roses arrived from Treloars Roses in Portland, all seventeen of them.
Five will go up the side of the drive, they are the yellow ones. At the moment they have
to rest in water until we are ready to plant them out.

Wardrobe installed

Today was the day for the wardrobe to be installed, and I can hardly

wait to start filling the drawers and shelves, and hanging clothes up in

the hanging spaces.

If you can imagine looking through the doorway, the first photo is to

the left hand side back corner, and the second one is the right hand back

corner.

Boy visits dentist

Gabe had a visit to the dentist today, he had his six year old molars sealed. I wish they were doing that when my kiddies were little, might have saved some cavities. The government provides almost free dental treatment these days for primary school children, I would have liked that as well back then.  Might have saved some money.

Farewell autumn 2010

Toadstools growing on wooden retaining wall, the last few leaves of the japanese maple, and the lovely white azalea in the memorial garden.   Our first autumn here in Castlemaine has been visually stunning.  Our own trees were a delight, and the trees around the town have to be seen to be believed.  Now we move into winter, and some good rains to fill our tanks.

Both a young friend and a niece received hedge trimmers for Mothers Day. Not to be outdone by youth and beauty, I took to our small hedge plants with our trimmers last week. Do you like the result? This is so easy, I cant believe I have never done it before. I cant wait for them to grow some more so I can chop them some more.

a roof and a dingo

We have a roof now, and some internal walls, the windows are in place  and its all happening up here in the country.










This little dingo came to clear the mess up, and dig holes for the posts for the decking outside the bedroom and lounge-room.
The lounge-room is ginormous, its big enough to hold a party in.

Campfire

Tonight the scout group held the first campfire in the new "quiet place" near their hall.  The fire was roaring, and more like a bonfire of old than a campfire.  I remember them like that when I was a kid.   It was an official opening of the "place", as well as the occasion for investing a new scout leader, awarding several awards and commendations, and years- of -service awards.    The treasurer announced the winners of the raffle ticket selling competition, and happily told us that $2000 has been raised.


Then of course, the obligatory supper.  What a feast, and when the hungry hordes descended like seagulls, everything was eaten.     An enjoyable evening was had by all, its good to see Scouting alive and well in Castlemaine.

The Wunst of May

It's my big girls birthday today, and she is 39.  I can hardly believe all those years have flown by since she was put in my arms.  If I had not been awake when she was born, I would have thought they were trying to give me someone else's baby, because she was so different to my boys... round face, and pitch black hair.   Now she's in Holland, and going here for the day -     www.keukenhof.nl/    Check it out, it looks great!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIZ!!!

Preparing a garden bed

TRO had a great deal of help in the garden today, after bringing down a couple of trees, the stumps and roots were left. Grandies were only to willing to lend a hand, and proved themselves dab hands with the spade, secateurs, and various digging instruments. They were especially good at pulling!
And of course, the supervisor of all supervisors was there to give advice at any opportunity. As you can see, success was the result of the day.

Autumn colour

It's almost halfway through autumn, the days are lovely, and the nights have been getting chilly. One of the things I wanted at this new home was an autumn leaf tree, and after planting and losing three liquid ambers, I was thrilled to discover that the huge tree in the back yard is an ornamental pear. This is what it looks like right now. Isn't it a delight?

Car Towing from our Home

There must be something in the air in the country, because twice in the last three months we have had to have the towing truck here to remove recalcitrant cars.
The Beamer went off to Bendigo to be attended to, and the Camry stayed in the town and had the battery replaced.
As the Camry is going to be used for the next three weeks, we hope it keeps going, and does not give the new driver any trouble.

The slab is poured

At long last, the day has arrived for the slab to be poured. We were expecting it before Christmas!

The supervisor is in attendance to make sure the work is carried out in the correct manner.

And here we have the finished slab, it looks huge, and we can hardly wait to have the building finished and be sleeping in our new bedroom, and enjoying our larger lounge room. Keep it coming builder Kim!

First fire of the season

It's cold enough for a yummy wood fire tonight, and look who took first place as soon as it was lit. If she got any closer, she would be spontaneously combusting I think.
There's nothing like a fire, it beats gas, electricity and oil heating hands down. Its soooo nice and cosy, I think I could sit in front of it all night long.

Easter Saturday

We had a very pleasant Easter Saturday lunch..on the menu was chicken, pumpkin satay, corn quiche, rice, and spinach and bacon salad. For afters we enjoyed apple strudel and cream, carrot cake and fresh fruit. We especially enjoyed welcoming niece Andrea to our new home for the first time.
I was very happy to learn how to use my new camera's self timer and the tripod to take this happy snap of us all after lunch.

Dust storm in Castlemaine

We had a dust storm this afternoon...if you look very carefully you will see TRO on the ride-on mower int he midst of the dust.   A much tidier front lawn..weeds resulted.

The progression of our extension