Photography joys, brolgas and books.

This photography business may look easy, but boy, do i have some fun getting the "right' picture!!

I had thought that spending an hour in the heat trying to keep quilts on calves was tricky, followed closely by trying to keep chickens on calves' heads, cats lying on the dog, chickens sitting on a quilt......you get the picture!

But that was before I attempted to join David Attenborough in the nature photo business! I have a specific order for brolga cards...(.and I can now see why there aren't many!!)..the cards should be $100 each to justify the time spent lying in reeds and trekking through paddocks, the wet feet and the generally wet me! All my other Australian animals have just popped up in front of me, but these like to keep a very discreet distance.


So, have a look through these and tell me which may lend themeselves most to a card in your eyes, or whether I must keep trekking and give up any idea of sewing this week!!!

We'll call the first photo #1, and move on accordingly. Oh, the brolgas are the big grey things!!




This last one of swans I just liked!



I finally have the dress for next week's big party. I have given into the fact that I will not wake up at my 25 year old self's size miraculously one morning so did the shopping! I am very happy with it and it feels lovely on. I haven't had a formal dress since I was pregnant with the 11 year old and in a wedding...lucky me!! I had to have the size 18 dress and the other bridesmaid was a 10 (we have different sizes to the U.S here, I was not THAT big!)
Here is a little sneaky peek...

I have Quilters tomorrow night so if you are lamenting the lack of quilting action you should see some work after that, I hear there has been lots of bushfire quilt progress!
Oh, and I try not to read too much gory stuff, I have trouble getting word pictures out of my head, but someone told me if I loved the Time Traveller's Wife I would love "The Lovely Bones". ??? Well, I did read the whole thing in a couple of days as the mystery part of it got me in, but the premise has meant my girl will be 25 before I let her walk home from school! DH said when i went to sleep the first night after those first chapters i was calling out and obviously really upset in my sleep..I think I better go back to Janet Evanovich and Georgette Heyer for a week or two!! When is Janet's next one out, or have I missed something??
Have a good day, Tracey

Reasons I owe my parents

Thought you may appreciate this email I received...how many of the 25 have you said???? I didn't realise I was adding so much to my child's education...but we never realise, do we?

25 REASONS I OWE MY PARENTS 1. My parents taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE . 'If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.' 2. My parents taught me RELIGION. 'You better pray that will come out of the carpet.' 3. My parents taught me about TIME TRAVEL . 'If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!' 4. My parents taught me LOGIC. ' Because I said so, that's why.' 5. My parents taught me MORE LOGIC. 'If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me! .' 6. My parents taught me FORESIGHT. 'Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident.' 7. My mother taught me IRONY 'Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about.' 8. My parents taught me about the science of OSMOSIS. 'Shut your mouth and eat your supper.' 9. My parents taught me about CONTORTIONISM. 'Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!' 10. My parents taught me about STAMINA. 'You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone.' 11. My parents taught me about WEATHER. 'This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.' 12. My parents taught me about HYPOCRISY. 'If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!' 13. My parents taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE. 'I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.' 14. My parents taught me about BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION. 'Stop acting like your father!' 15. My parents taught me about ENVY . 'There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do.' 16. My parents taught me about ANTICIPATION. 'Just wait until we get home.' 17. My parents taught me about RECEIVING . 'You are going to get it when you get home!' 18. My parents taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE. 'If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way.' 19. My parents taught me ESP. 'Put your sweater on; do you think I don't know when you're cold?' 20. My parents taught me HUMOUR. 'When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me.' 21. My parents taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT . 'If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up.' 22. My parents taught me GENETICS. 'You're just like your father.' 23. My parents taught me about my ROOTS. 'Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a tent?' 24. My parents taught me WISDOM. 'When you get to be my age, you'll understand.' 25. And my favourite: My parents taught me about JUSTICE . 'One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you

Of exercise, finished quilts and a fast approaching big day!

Wow, has anyone tried to fit in a good amount of exercise into their life lately? Really sucks up those few precious "spare" hours that I would normally have stolen for sewing. I wonder, in the comments, whether you think it is difficult to be thin-ish and a quilter as well, do the two go together?

Now, why would I do such a silly thing as sacrifice sewing for exercise, well, 1. It's good for all of us AND 2. I have tried and tried but cannot invent a suitable machine that I can exercise on as I sew. But the big point number 3. is that I have only 2 and a half weeks left until I hit a very big birthday...and I can't keep calling it baby weight if the baby just turned 9, can I??? So, since about last birthday I have been doing the odd gym class, definitely got fitter, but haven't appeared magically slim. How much of a miracle can occur in less than 3 weeks...probably not much! Luckily clothes size doesn't make the man...or in this case, woman!

The cards are keeping me busy, thanks to all those who have ordered, many on their way and more being mailed off hopefully tomorrow..Narelle!

raining again tonight, but we had enough let off this last week for Dh to get back on a few more paddocks to get some more barley sown.

When shifting him from paddock to paddock I spotted a few unexpected visitors,

I tried to get nice and close to these Brolgas, but this is the best I could do. They hang around in pairs, around wetlands. I don't think thse are nesting here, still flying around deciding where to settle.

And these black swans are doing the same thing, back through the same wetlands, except there isn't enough water for them here, this can be a full swamp. DH hopes it doesn't fill because that means a wet year for croppers! There are plenty of other lakes for them to nest in around here, they build fantastic nests in mounds in the swamps, last few dry years it is a race to see what happens first, the water dry up enough for the foxes to get to them..or they successfully get the babies hatched and away.

Bushfire blocks/quilts continue to call back in here and disappear again-to many homes. Kath from my quilting group recently gave these to me, anyone recognize their blocks?

A star block stack and whack.

Kath's sister-in-law donated this post and rail in muted green shades.

Now, were these start Libby's? Think so,I will have to check, look fabulous as a table runner.

Well, quarter to midnight..again! Even without cricket on I am up too late! Shouldn't mention the cricket, a heartbreaking loss last night, oh well, 3 more tests to get it right!

Have a great day,

Farm work

I know chooks are always a favourite so thought I'd share these today.

I have good news! Finally found the tool that will get me to clean the house!! No, not something I spotted on a late night infomercial, it is a great site for books on the ipod! This fabulous new-to-me site called audible.com and they have all my favourites, even unabridged Georgette Heyer. I had been looking in bookshops and some books on Cd were up towards the $100-and there were very few good titles...that's a lot of normal books! I have been exercising and cleaning to Heyer's "These old Shades" for 2 weeks and it has made those normally tedious jobs a pleasure! You don't have to go just for historical romances though, it has everything, even Janet Evanovich, but Australians are only allowed the short versions, not the long of Evanovich, i wonder why? For the first 3 months it is $7.50 a month to join, which gives you one included book download a month and a discount on the others. I am loving it, and the hardest decision is what i download next. I also have Rebecca, and Pride and Prejudice.

In between all that i have proof that I do in fact do some real work around here. There was noone around to take a picture of me helping with lamb marking, but my boy decided to get some snaps of me and his father sorting the weaner cattle to go to the saleyards.
No fancy Pioneer woman horsey shots of chaps here, just me still in my circuit training clothes, with the runners swapped for workboots!
Rosie the pup escaped and thought she may like to train with cattle!! I am just saving her from her folly ....

Probably not a good career path for a pampered pooch who still lives very close to the ground!
Hope your day is great,
If you have any other book good download sites, feel free to share, Tracey

Random musings, VERY random patchwork scarves and two winners.

School holidays only have a day or two to run here.

I have had a lesson reaffirmed.


Don't believe reviewers in relation to kid's movies!! I did know this already, kids movies and adult reviewers aren't always a happy mix. Reviewers told me Ice Age 3 was a 4/5 and H. Montana a 2/5. Well, for all those Australians only just getting to School holidays, some advice from me is that I would sit through hannah a few more times but i actually slept through a section of Ice age!!I am wondering if the reviewer did, hence the 4! No zing, a big disappointment to me (and my girl) after the first 2 were great.The 5 and 9 yo boys said 'not bad', but they were the only ones. I feel old, but with kid's movie tickets exceeding the $10 mark well and truly here, and adults are heading for $16-you can understand the advent of the downloaded movie! Movies days are an expensive treat and it especially feels like a waste when you sleep! I could have bought the DVD in a month or two at full price and still had lots left over for 'groceries'. (read ..fabric!!)

Ashes cricket is looking interesting, starts here at about 8 pm. I am trying to go to bed by midnight and tape the rest. I find it very hard to go to bed with good cricket on!

Last night I played with some scraps while watching so as not to be wasting all my time. Seemed like an improvement on cleaning the kitchen.

My friend, Chris had a few H. Bailey bits left over at Quilters one night. She knows I like scraps so threw them my way. They were fairly small and thin, so perfect for a scarf play.

Longer would probably be better, but as all quilters know, a container of scraps only stretches so far. It's nice and warm, and long enough to fold around the neck and have the ends tucked in.

I decided to make another, bit bolder this time. I took an in process photo for anyone who hasn't use the flip and press method onto a foundation piece. The foundation piece was calico cut to the size and length I wanted. I just fairly randomly sewed, flipped and pressed.

When i was finished I just sewed the polar on, right side to right side, left one end open then turned the whole thing through and top stitched the ends. Took about an hour, total!

It is actually quite straight, just looks curvy draping on the couch. I think a bit of free motion quilting would go well, as long as you didn't make it scratchy or hard around your neck, it's nice and soft as is.

Has anyone else tried one? Drop me a comment and perhaps a link, because I think they could be a fun was to use up bits and pieces...and great presents...for the right person!

Onto my card site winners.

Thanks for all the lovely comments. The thing it really bought home to me was that almost everyone picked a different favorite, personal taste is a tricky thing to cater for. That's my excuse for constantly adding to the range. A big welcome especially to new readers and bloggers, HI!

My helpers pulled 2 names from the hat; Gina, who lives somewhere near the cricket! And Clare's craftroom. If those girls want to drop me a line, we will extend on the favourites and they will be on their way.

The neighbor decided our cold wet weather was perfect for burning down an old tree last night. It was windy and sparks were flying everywhere so it almost looks like fireworks coming off it.

Have a great day, Tracey

Launch of card site and a possible prize!

We at the farm would like to make a BIG announcement!!

As a direct result of the fun I have had on this blog, and the fabulous support and encouragement i have received, I started producing my own cards. I have previewed these many times on the blog.

This little hobby is now rather larger, I'm retailing them around the district and doing regular markets. it has been tricky to show the whole range for those interested so it now has it's own blogspot,

http://countrycards-tracey.blogspot.com/

If you click on this link you can check out the whole 125!!!

As a little taste of what you will see, I have included a few here.

I have no intention of these becoming what the blog is about, other than a link in the sidebar you wont hear much after next week, but it wouldn't be a real launch if there was not a competition. You know I love them!! So pop over to visit and come back and tell me your TOP 5 in these comments. The cards are all numbered so you just need to give the numbers...comments are most welcome as well!! There will be a number of packs of 8 cards, with complimentary gift cards, to win...your choice of card. Winners will be chosen at random by my junior assistants!

As an added launch week bonus, Choose 9 cards at $2 each and I will post them and your complimentary gift cards for only an extra $2 to you anywhere in the world. ..And we are talking Australian dollars people!! Any quantities can be mailed, with deals available for higher quantities....just email me regarding your order.

Competition closes Wednesday, 8th July.

Have fun choosing! Tracey

Must read medical information - for women!LOL

Received this email and thought there were almost enough grins to make it worth sharing...Tracey

Pregnancy, Oestrogen, and Women PREGNANCY Q & A & more! Q: Should I have a baby after 35? A: No, 35 children is enough. Q : I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move? A: With any luck, right after he finishes university. Q : What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex? A: Childbirth. Q: My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational. A: So what's your question? Q : My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labour, but pressure. Is she right? A: Yes, in the same way that a cyclone might be called an air current. Q: When is the best time to get an epidural? A: Right after you find out you're pregnant. Q : Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labour? A: Not unless the word 'child support payment' means anything to you. Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth? A: Yes, pregnancy. Q : Do I have to have a baby shower? A: Not if you change the baby's nappy very quickly Q : Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again? A: When the kids are in university. 'OESTROGEN ISSUES' 10 WAYS TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE 'OESTROGEN ISSUES' 1. Everyone around you has an attitude problem. 2. You're adding chocolate chips to your cheese omelette. 3. The dryer has shrunk every last pair of your jeans. 4. Your husband is suddenly agreeing to everything you say. 5. You 're using your mobile phone to dial up every bumper sticker that says: 'How's my driving - call 0800-'. 6. Everyone's head looks like an invitation to batting practice. 7. Everyone seems to have just landed here from 'outer space.' 9. You're sure that everyone is scheming to drive you crazy.. 10. The Nurofen Plus box is empty and you bought it yesterday. TOP TEN THINGS ONLY WOMEN UNDERSTAND 10. Cats' facial expressions. 9. The need for the same style of shoes in different colors. 8. Why bean sprouts aren't just weeds. 7. Fat clothes. 6. Taking a car trip without trying to beat your best time. 5. The difference between beige, ecru, cream, off-white, and eggshell. 4. Cutting your hair to make it grow. 3. Eyelash curlers. 2. The inaccuracy of every bathroom scale ever made. .......THE EMAIL DIDN'T HAVE A #1!!! Can you give me one? Tracey