Urban Homesteader

Quilt finish and around home

It's finished at last. This quilt has occupied all my waking hours lately, and some of my sleeping ones too, as I'd wake and fret I wouldn't get it finished in time.  It's now in the hands of Mr Australia Post. It's a relief to have it done and away.

Just a little peek until it arrives at it's destination.

Around the homestead, the "new" chickens are no longer new, but part of the flock. Here they are dustbathing together, but since I took this photo, the new ones have been coaxed into sleeping in the big roost.  They were pretty nervous to start, and no wonder, with that big orange monster bearing down on them from above, and pecking madly.  All's well now, though, and spangly Lola now sleeps
happily under that monster's wing.

The girls have really grown up, as Brenna...in the middle next to orange Juno...started laying yesterday, and Lola produced her first egg today.  My last bantie, Goodie, doesn't lay anymore, and spends her days now standing quietly and very still, gazing off into the middle distance.  She still looks well, is very ready to let the young ones know when they've overstepped themselves, but I wonder if I'll have her for much longer....

I call this pair my yin yang cats....that's mother Molly on the right, and her "baby", Velvet Brown who's around 7or 8.  These two ended up staying with me when I was fostering cats for an animal rescue group.  They'd come out of a very nasty situation, and I couldn't bear for them to go through the adoption process, they were so terrified of people, so I kept them.  Even after nearly 4 years with me, they're still quite timid, and will come to me occassionally for an ear scratch, but mostly keep to themselves.  I'm more than happy to give them a safe haven and let them live out their days peacefully.

Until of course, this one showed up. This is Neesa, my feisty little princess.  She was treated cruelly as a tiny kitten as well, and has some "issues" too.  Here she's keeping an eye on Mirrhi...none of the cats have taken to Mirrhi, but she doesn't really care, she has me!

And to finish, here's the puppy herself, helping me in the garden. As you can see, she's quite the lady.

She's growing so quickly, and her legs are getting long and lanky.  She's a good girl, and no trouble, and has been quick to learn.....she waits for the magic word before she eats, she can sit, down and stay, she'll come most of the time, she sits and waits until I go through the door first.....she's also strong willed and is ready to argue if she's told 'no'! She's fun and wonderful company, and as I write this, she's napping on my feet.  It's hard work at times, but I have no regrets about getting her.

Have a good week everyone.

Puppies and presents

Mirrhi went off to puppy pre-school yesterday.  She was a little shy at first, and was happy to sit quietly, close to Riley, the maremma pup who lives next door, and who she knows well.  After watching for a bit, she gained her confidence, and happily joined the fray of whirling, running, jumping gleeful puppies.  As I expected, she wasn't at all happy when it was time to go on lead, despite working with her on the lead every day, she's not taking well to it.  It was entertaining at least, my puppy dancing and yelping on the end of her lead, while everyone else sat reasonably quietly!  She did however sit for her treat without being asked, 'waited' for permission to take it, and 'downed' when I gave the command, so we redeemed ourselves.

I gave up trying to take pictures, all the puppies moved so fast, it was a bit of a blur. Here's Mirrhi chasing Rosie the german short haired pointer, who's lovely long ears she liked to swing off.  There were 6 puppies there, including Mirrhi, of all shapes and sizes and she enjoyed the fun and games with all of them.

But puppy school is hard work!

A lovely surprise during the week was a parcel from across the ditch, from Leanne in NZ.  Leanne had a give-away on her blog, CottageTails for a candle lit from a candle, lit by a candle, blessed by the Dalai Lama, and joy! my name was pulled out.  I love to light it first thing in the morning, and remember it's journey.  Thanks Leanne.

 Mirrhi wasn't forgotten either, out from the parcel popped this shaggy rabbit!  Leanne's daughter Abbey has a pup, too, a sweet little miniature poodle, Stella., and it's been fun to share puppy tails.

 Hmm, not very sure of this....especially when it squeaks!

 It's alright now, I've got it under control!

Thanks Leanne, Abbey and Stella, I love my rabbit.

A stitching day here today, with the weather changeable from warm and sunny to cool and cloudy.   Enjoy your Sunday.

Moon worship

The full moon of a few days ago saw me celebrate with Mirrhi, the new little being who has recently...just a week ago.. joined my household.  As the moon climbed high in the sky, I sat outside, freezing my butt off, waiting for her to stop playing and do wees before bedtime.  Despite the cold, it was such a pleasure to be outside, all was quiet....apart from the odd bat or two flapping over...the night sky looked dark and crisp, the stars were bright pinpoints and the moon cast a gentle light over the garden.   I've joined  Woman with Wings again for August, and made full moon art.  Who better to be seen gazing in wonder at the moon than Miss Mirrhi herself?

The "ground" she's sitting on is part of a piece of linen I wrapped in a large rusty bolt and sun dyed in eucalyptus water.  The colours are appropriate, as I've just top-dressed my backyard, and put in gravel paths.

And here's the girl herself, being cheeky and playful, as she settles happily into her new life.

She's such a delight, too smart for her own little blue nose spots, lots of fun. ....and growing way too quickly.  I'll do a post on her another time, and how we're settling in together, and the joys and challenges of integrating an exuberant pup into a household full of cats, but now, after a full and busy day, "the baby" is napping and it's that time of night to put my feet up and relax for a bit before a last trip outside before bedtime.  I have the last of the centres of the dresden plate blocks to stitch down, and hope to get them finished tonight. 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.