December!

December is here! In all the flurry of end of year events and Christmas preparations, I think I need to have a little lie down, with a book preferably. Doesn't this relaxing spot at Peppermint Lane Lodge in the Ferguson Valley look delightful? I want one!

Seriously though, during this time of year do you feel like you are being pulled every which way? We knew it was coming, but now December is here, and only three and a bit weeks to go! what!!!!

At least we have put up the outside Christmas lights at the front of our house, and today hubbie and I sat down to write Christmas cards and letters, and my sister (teacher-farmer's wife - always organised) has been on the phone to sort out Christmas with me.  

But no sorry, I don't have any magical tips to get you through the mad rush of December, but I am sure there our lots out there in blog-land.

I know it is December because the Candlestick Banksias - Banksia attenuata - are flowering in bushland near where we live.  I always think they rather fit into the coming Christmas season.

 I love my December summer garden - I've shown it to you before - and this year is no exception - these are the gorgeous purple agapanthus with a backdrop of red coral bush - they look so gorgeous in summer.

What else has been happening.....

During November I displayed my wares at three markets - at Peppermint Lane Lodge for the Ferguson Open Gardens trail, at the Stirling Street Art Centre Christmas market, and the Bunbury Market.  

At these markets I have been able to showcase some of my work - photography prints, greeting cards and on products such as cushions and tote bags, and my leaf eco-prints - framed prints, greeting cards, and silk scarves.  And also hand folded paper flowers.

 Peppermint Lane Lodge in the Ferguson Valley is a Bed and Breakfast property set in forrest, with wonderful walks which incorporate land art.  Kim is very supportive of the arts and promoting the Ferguson Valley and I have worked with her before.  And I sincerely thank Kim for the opportunities she has sent my way.

 But you also need to take time out in the bustle of life, and we drove up to the Ferguson Valley one Friday to have lunch at Green Door Winery. The food is mainly shared grazing plates, and they bring you little sample bottles of wine to your table. The views over the rolling hills and vineyards to the ocean are beautiful.

 Also this month I borrowed a beautiful book from our local library - Sea Prayer by Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns. Beautifully illustrated by Dan Williams, Sea Prayer was inspired by a 3-year-old Syrian refugee who drowned in the Mediterranean Sea in September 2015, and is a vivid portrait of life in Homs, Syria, before the war, and of that city's swift transformation from a home into a deadly war zone.

In the rush of our relatively safe suburban life, this little book in a few pages puts our life into perspective, and how grateful we should be.

Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you have enjoyed this little look into life in my part of the world. I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week. 

I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!

   
All Seasons
MosaicMonday at Letting Go of the Bay Leaf

Our World Tuesday

Pictorial Tuesday 

ThroughMy Lens 

Image-in-ing
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global
Travel Photo Thursday 

The Lovin' Life Team over at: Deep Fried Fruit and 50 Shades of Age
Little Things Thursday

Life in Reflection

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An InLinkz Link-up

Market day delights.......

We have a wonderful farmers market that has grown and grown over the years, and has lots of fresh yummy produce straight from the farmer. As well as fruit and vegetables it has cheeses, Italian cured  meats, dips, eggs, dried fruit and nuts, and delicious hot Turkish bread fresh from a local bakery.

 Then we came home and made a fresh salad rollup for lunch..............

Today's post is part of Mosaic Monday - to see the beautiful work of Mary and other wonderful contributors on Mosaic Monday, please go to  http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

No doubt the contributors from Mosaic Monday from the northern hemisphere will envy my lunch - as they are looking forward to spring.

 Thank you for looking! I look forward to hearing from you.

Crepes in Fremantle

With a practised hand Antoinette ladles the creamy batter onto the sizzling plate. At the window a young girl sits transfixed watching her swirling the mixture evenly into a thin round circle and then flipping it over with a long spatula.

Antoinette smiles at the girl and the smile lights up her face. Every weekend at the markets she stands here before the steaming hot stone pouring, smoothing and flipping to create the crepes that will make their way into the mouths of the gathering crowd: the creperi has a reputation for good food and people are willing wait.

It is a long way from Antoinette’s village in Tuscany and the well scrubbed wooden table in her grandmother’s kitchen and the young girl reminds Antoinette of home. She smiles to herself and softly speaks a few words in Italian.

The Fremantle markets attract hundreds of people every weekend. They come for bargains, fresh fruit and vegetables, a special gift perhaps. It is a vibrant hive of bustling life, colour, sights, sounds, smells and languages. A moving kaleidoscope.

For Antoinette it is the start of a new life far away from her homeland.

The character is entirely fictitious, but to taste delicious crepes please visit Michelle's Crepe Suzettes at the Fremantle Markets Saturday's and Sundays.