Australia Day and Every Day

Steve Grace with Grace after the concert

Early morning walks, special days and everyday beauty from the last week of our hot summer January!

Further details of many photos will appear if you hover your cursor over the image.  :)

*** You may also enjoy my Instagram feed which I add to several times a week. You don't have to join Instagram to view - just click on the little blue square camera logo under my blog profile (top right hand corner).
Karen

Jacaranda Love

 

There's something breathtaking about trees covered in masses of purple flowers. Mid Spring every year our town erupts into glorious displays of purple as the hundreds of jacaranda trees briefly flower in a magnificent display. Many of the these gracious trees are over 100 years old, with mature trunks and spreading branches attesting to their many years. 

Since 1935 Grafton has celebration this beautiful time of year with the annual Jacaranda Festival, a special time for both locals and tourists. Commencing on the last weekend in October through to the first weekend of November every year, the Grafton Jacaranda Festival is the longest running floral festival in Australia, complete with the crowning of a Jacaranda Queen, Princess and other 'royal' party members.

Many of the photos above were taken at or near See Park, our largest park in town which continues to be a favourite location for tourists and locals like myself who 'play tourist' with cameras at this wonderful time of year. There is also an increasing number of international visitors enjoying out purple streets, with quite a few choosing to have photos taken in their wedding clothes under the jacarandas. This year's street float parade even included a surprise proposal, to the delight of the would-be bride and the crowds.

Most of the jacarandas have almost finished flowering, although some linger longer. Soon these South American trees will be bare as their lush fern-like green leaves grow to provide a feathery green summer shade.

Further details of most photos will appear if you hover your cursor over the image.  :)


*** You may also enjoy my Instagram feed which I add to several times a week. You don't have to join Instagram to view either - just click on the little blue square camera logo under my blog profile (top right hand corner).

Until Further Notice, Celebrate Everything!

"Until further notice,

Celebrate everything!"

Both simple and profound, this quote has stuck with me since reading it. Amongst the difficulties and uncertainties of life (of which we are dealing with many) there is always something to not only be grateful for, but to celebrate and rejoice over. 

Looking through my fabrics has been like a treasure hunt, mixing and matching, hand stitching some more blossom blocks. You can read all about Jodi's new quilt subscription/club based on this design here. Details of construction are also on her Tales of Cloth site here.

Bird visitors and spots of hot summer colour always catch my eye in the garden. 

A particular 'hat' from the 1950's (??) has been recently spoken of on several occasions by my mother-in-law as important to complete her outfit for my son's upcoming wedding. When you are 83 these things matter, so Last week we made the required trip to collect it - via the scenic route. 😊
The hatbox was eventually located, containing pieces fit for a textile museum. I think she now feels ready to attend the wedding ☺️

So until further notice, I plan to celebrate EVERYTHING!