Iconic trees

"The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago,
The second best time is now"~unknown

The iconic, Heritage Listed fig trees in Eumundi are definately much older than 20yrs, and are a favourite place for fun and entertainment every Wed and Sat when the famous Eumundi Markets are in full swing.

This guy had a captive audience the day we visited, and the huge branches of the trees were a great spot for an uninterupted view.

The spreading branches of the beautiful fig kept the hot sun off so no need for hats.

No he didn't fall.......I think he's done this before!!

Rainbow Lorikeet.

This is a Rainbow Lorikeet feeding on the nectar of the blossoms on the palm tree in our back yard.They are usually seen in flocks but you occasionally see the odd one feeding on it's own. Arn't the colours of his feathers amazing!!

Reflections

Green Glasses

I've played around with this photo on 'Paintshop Pro' just to see how it would come out.When I learn how to, I am going to submit it to the Weekend Reflections meme.When I get it organised you will be able to go to the site and see lots of other great shots of reflections.

Surfing dog.

This little dog is quite famous around the traps here and he is seen quite ofter out in the lineup.....

Well you didn't think he did it on his own now did you? Even so a pretty gutsy effort by the little fella who by all accounts thoroughly enjoys getting out amoungst it when there is a bit of swell.

He and his 2 legged friend are often spotted practising this stand up paddle surfing on the Noosa river.

House Guest

Gecko

Geckos are small lizards with big heads and big eyes. They have no eye lids and keep their eyes moist and clean by licking them with their tongues.They also have little suction pads on their feet that enable them to hang upside down and not fall off.This little fella has been visiting us on and off for a while now.We often see him at night scurrying up the walls and across the ceiling and making the funny chirping sound as he goes.Because he is only about 10 centimetres long and not scary at all we just let him roam free about the house.

Happy Anniversary

     
                               25/11/1972

She was 19.  He was 21.
She wore a gown of white Swiss Voile and carried pink and cream roses with maidenhair fern.
He wore a jacket of dark green velvet,black pants and a black velvet bowtie.
Their friends and family gathered on the banks of the Cumberland River in Lorne.
They said "I do" and everyone wished them well.
Later at the Lorne Golf Club plates were piled high as guests worked their way through a smorgasbord of crayfish,prawns,oysters and Pavlova....
They danced,they sang,they drank Cherry Advocat and lemonade,Mateuse Rose and cider.
They Honeymooned in Merimbula on the N.S.W. south coast driving all the way there and back in the old Bedford van...
2 kids in love heading off on the greatest adventure of their lives.....

And 37 years later the adventure continues.......

 

                              Happy Anniversary to US!!

Virtual Postcards

Mc Naught's Comet 2007

 In January 2007 Mc Naught's Comet appeard in the Southern Hemisphere sky.Our son Dal was lucky enough to get these fantastic shots of it from the deck of our house in Lorne.Comets are icy,dusty,gassy objects that develop in the outer solar system.

This one was said to be the brightest comet seen in 42 years and it put on a magnificent display for Southern Hemisphere observers.

Thanks to Dal for the great pics,and hope you enjoyed todays 'POSTCARD'.I have lots more to share with you so keep looking...x sharon.

Relaxin' by the pool

Just relaxing by the pool today...swimming,sunbaking,reading...doesn't get much better than that!!
Murray had the day off, there was no surf, the wind was up a bit so too breezy to sit by the river. We were lucky enough to have the pool all to ourselves,so spent the afternoon pool-side on the deck chairs under the umbrellas just kicking back and enjoying the great weather we're having at the moment.

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

Just got back from the river where we spent a couple of enjoyable hours sunbaking and reading under the palm trees.Hope you've all had a good weekend too. x Sharon.

Anthurium

anthurium....small talk....red

 flowering: Year round.

habit: Neat compact habit.Prolific, long lived flowers.

use: Very attractive indoor plant.

position: Warm filtered light position.As a balcony plant,a warm area is essential but out of direct sun.
 

Wild Backyard

We have a tiny backyard here in Noosaville.I would guess it measures about 5 metres X 10 metres and about 1/3 of that is paved.But it is surprising the number of wildlife that visit us from time to time.

'Blue' the Blue Tongue Lizard is my favourite.He has been living with us ever since we arrived and he hangs out underneath the hot water service.

'The Count' came to visit us last year and stayed a few days.

Possoms.....love 'em or hate 'em... cause they do keep you awake at night!! We havent seen him for a while 'cause the creeper he used to use to climb up  has been cut down.

 Golden Orb Spider.Named because of the beautiful web they weave that looks like spun gold.The spider is "hideous" though,I would hate to accidently walk into his web and see him face to face.

This little guy came to visit us last year on Christmas Day.

..and we had to evict this one before he ate his way through the entire garden!

We've had frogs,Rainbow Lorikeets,beautiful butterflies,and heaps more that I havent been quick enough to shoot with my camera......no need for a traditional pet around here... and they look after themselves!!

Baking

Custard Yo Yo's

Yesterday I came across a blog called My Life My Loves a lovely blog full of beautiful stuff and this recipe was there.I havent baked yo yo's for years so decided to try this recipe.It's a great one.Give it a try.They taste great....just make sure you use real butter and pure icing sugar.

custard yo yo's
250gms soft butter
1/2 cup icing sugar
1 3/4 cups plain flour
1/2 cup custard powder

Pre heat the oven to 180deg
Beat butter and sugar together till creamy.
Stir in sifted flour and custard powder and mix till combined.
Roll Tablespoons full into balls and then flatten with a fork onto a baking tray( lined with baking paper).You can just flatten in your hand if you prefer a smooth top.
Bake for 12 to 15 mins until pale golden brown.
When cold sandwich tog with custard icing.
custard icing
Beat tog 100gms soft butter,1 1/4 cups icing sugar.
1/4 cup custard powder and 2 drops of vanilla essence.

They make good Christmas gifts put in jars or fancy tins.

Weyba Creek

Early morning on Weyba Creek.

This little boat has been here in this same spot since we've been living up here and probably longer judging by the condition it's in.It has certainly seen better days.It was probably used by someone to drop crab pots in the creek.They say the crabs from the creek are beautiful but we haven't been lucky enough to try any yet.
I took this photo very early in the morning before the wind had a chance to spoil the mirror like sheen on the surface of the water.

Collections

What is a collection?
If someone said to me "Sharon are you a collector,do you collect stuff?"My first reaction would be no Murray is the collector in our household. He has been a collector for ages since before we were married in fact.He collects mainly Surfing posters and Music posters,he has a huge collection which he has catalogued and keeps in special folders and drawers that he has had custom made.
My sister in law has a fantastic collection of novelty tea pots that she has been collecting for many years.
Most of us have framed family photos or happy snaps that we've taken on our holidays.I, like a lot of people have a bowl full of shells sitting on my coffee table and nic naks I've brought back from overseas  but I don't think of these things as collections they are more decorations.
So when I think of a collection I imagine a room full of' things that a person has almost an obsession for, that they search out on their holidays or on ebay or that people have given to them as gifts because they know thats what the person is into.
But the more I thought about it I realised that I do have a lot of 'little'groups of things that sort of have a theme to them. There is the group of 'deco' teapots( that I would love to add to),a group of 'blue glass'vases that I love just because of the colour,the egg cups that sit on top of the microwave that have a common theme of legs or feet.One of them in the shape of a little boot I got on ebay 'cause I had one just the same when I was a little girl.Then there is my group(collection?) of Lorne memorabillia including lots of old postcards that I am adding to as I find them.
I don't know if my little groups of things constitute a collection or not but I suppose in a way they do.if you define a collection as finding,keeping and then displaying things that have a common theme and that you love then yes I guess I am a collector really.

'deco teapots'

'legs' eggcups

Blue glass things.

Lorne china

Lorne postcards

Noosa River 6am

The River is so clear at the moment. I've tried to show that in this picture.It worked out o.k. I think.I took this photo at Munna Point at 6am this morning.

Terracotta 'n Thyme

Still Life on the window ledge

Noosa Farmers Market

This morning at the market the Bethonga Pines were too good to pass up.

The stall holders are always up for a chat

Maybe you'd like a silkworm for a pet.This little boy is choosing his!

There is always a queue at the Gympie Cheese stall.Yes they are French and yes the cheese is beautiful!!

All produce locally grown of course.

The best  way to get there and back is peddle power.

Bush fire on North Shore

The fire is now under control,but has been burning for about 4 days now.

Tropical Cyclone Hamish

This photo was taken earlier in the year when Cyclone Hamish was lashing the Queensland coast.

Pelican Beach.Noosa River.

I'm experimenting with a new layout and seeing if my photos look o.k....so there is no real theme to today's post!

Noosa River Sunset

Tea Tree Bay

Queensland Mangoes

 Its Mango Season here in Queensland and right now they are beautiful, ripe and sweet, and available everywhere in the shops.They look fantastic piled up high on the shelves with their lovely goldeny pink skin.

Growing areas in queensland include the Atherton Tableland,Burdekin,Bowen, Rockhampton and coastal Burnett,Gympie and here on the Sunshine Coast.
 About 10% of production is exported overseas mainly to Singapore,Japan and Hong Kong.

The harvest begins in Nth Queensland in late October and ends in the southern areas in early April.
Every year at the Brisbane Markets they auction off the 'first' tray of mangoes of the season for charity.This year the winning bidder paid $45,000 dollars.

For breakfast this morning I cut one in half and made a 'hedgehog'.Yum!

Bougainvillea beauty

Don't these pots look fantastic!I love the contrast against the white walls of the building.
I took these shots this morning walking back to the car from Little Cove beach.