The Last Days of Autumn and Damper on Sticks

There is a bite in the air after a warm, dry Autumn. The days are short, our solar Christmas lights start twinkling at dinner time, they make much more sense this time of year. So bright and cheery in the dark. I have been enchanted with the deciduous trees this year, it seems the trees have held their leaves longer and the have glowed brighter.  There has been more sunny, calm days to enjoy being outside. After the long hot summer it has been a gift, perhaps a small upside to global warming.

There are still potatoes trying to grow, despite the frosts. Pulling out some rogue ones I was gifted with a few volunteers today. The garlic have their heads up and I have planted many more to share and enjoy throughout the year.

 The clematis is in bud, promising a starry white display.

The little bowerbird makes an Autumn ring and plucks dried beans from their pods.

 

 Correas are proffering nectar for eager honeyeaters.

 We nibble on sweet pineapple sage flowers and stop and smell the roses.

 A 3 year old hollyhock re-emerges to show off its pink ruffles.

 There are fairy wishes to be made

 Self sown freckle lettuces need thinning

 

 Daisies embrace the extra moisture and lingering sunshine.

  The tree magnolia sends forth enormous seed heads, like caveman clubs.

  The camellias have already grown their buds for a spring display

 The middle Bowerbird wants to light a fire, we decide to cook damper in the chiminea - stick style - using this recipe. A chorus of children are pleading for marshmallows and eventually we give in.

 

 

The moon is large and bright and glowing amber rainbows. 

Embracing the coming of the dark and cold nights to gather around a fire.

For Dog Lovers Only

I love our doggy companion Zef (he's the wolfy grey Norwegian Elkhound). We've had him around 6 months now and he has settled in well, becoming part of our family and routine, we're all quite besotted with him. Zef turned one in March but still has oodles of puppy energy.  He's so enthusiastic, in the morning he greets me like I'm chocolate - lots of love and cuddles and tail wagging. It starts the day on such a good note, being greeted like a celebrity. He loves to run and has even encouraged me to break into the odd happy jog when taking him for a walk (I am usually quite averse to running).

Zef loves everyone, and expects that they will love him in return. He's yet to understand that he's too large to be leaping into someone's arms, a little overwhelming for the unsuspecting visitor.  He'd really like to be a lap dog, he's such a smoocher.

Zef also loves his fellow dog, and has befriended our neighbours dog Taco (Taco is the brindle and white mystery bag -Staffy cross Boxer cross Monkey).  It is just as well they are buddies, as Taco has the most amazing acrobatic skills, he can climb ladders and tall fences, and delights in coming around to our house for a play. The pair go crazy for hours, playing tug of war, sharing bones, chasing each other and working out who is top dog.  It can look a little extremely wild, but they really are just having a wonderful time. Great exercise for the both of them, and entertainment for us, although two dogs hurtling through the air is not always good for my garden.