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. 

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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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Dardanup Art Spectacular and Art Trail

I very much enjoyed being involved in the Dardanup Art Spectacular and Art Trail held from the 29 April to 7 May, located in and around Dardanup and the beautiful Ferguson Valley in Western Australia's south west.

The annual art spectacular exhibition, and competition, by local and other artists in the Dardanup Hall was the introduction to a nine day exploration of local galleries, wineries, and restaurants showcasing art, crafts and produce from the region, whilst travelling through the beautiful Ferguson Valley. As well as seeing artists at work, some venues also had free musical performances for visitors to enjoy as they sipped their coffee or wine. 

I was very happy to again be invited to set up my pop-up-shop at Lyndendale Gallery on Crooked Brook Road, on Saturday and Sunday of the first weekend of the trail, where I was able to sell some of my photography, photo cards, cushions, tote bags and eco-dyed scarves. A huge thank you to our gracious hostess, printmaker and mixed media artist Denise Gillies, for giving me the opportunity to display my work.  

I had a lovely weekend on the verandah with fellow artists - acrylic artist Christine Blowfield, ceramic artist Tracie Anderson, artist Terry Madgwick, and artist and printmaker Elizabeth Royce, along with the inside exhibitors, mixed media artist Jacky McFarlane, and printmaker and mixed media artist Lynne Mitchell. 

As well as enjoy our chats on the front verandah, I enjoyed seeing these artists creating their works.  

Accompanied by the music wafting from the back verandah from the Bel Canto Singers, Tim Posey, Ruby Blue, Bob Burgess and others! Doesn't this look like a delightful setting to sit back and enjoy.
Along with a lovely bowl of soup and a hot roll at lunch time.

Even the cows came over to take a look over the fence to see what was happening

 And a lovely drive home through the valley at the end of the day.

As I was at Lyndendale all weekend, and busy all week, we decided to take some time out on Monday afternoon to take a drive out through the Ferguson to see "Follies by the Ferguson" on the property of Kim and Simon Wesley at Peppermint Lane Lodge on Wellington Mill Road.

Follies by the Ferguson, now in its third year, is an art sculpture trail set amongst the peppermint trees of their property which always enthralls. Here are just a few of the creative art pieces on display this year.

How about a wine bottle chandelier? You might like to look again at the two on the right. 

Or how about a whimsical up-cycled lampshade created by the group Yarnin' Knitters, with proceeds going to Solaris Care helping those going through cancer.

I hope you have enjoyed this small look at the Dardanup Art Spectacular and Trail. You can find out more and see more of the artworks by visiting their Facebook page here - Dardanup Art Spectacular

Do you have an annual art trail in your area. Perhaps you would like to tell us about it in your comments. Thank you so much for stopping by. 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!
 

Mosaic Monday 
Life Thru the Lens 

Our World Tuesday
Through My Lens 
Image-in-ing
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global
Travel Photo Thursday 
The Lovin' Life Team over at Lifestyle Fifty