A few winters ago, I bought a new dressing gown. Although I hadn’t planned to purchase anything, it called out to me as I walked through a store. Made of rich, deep velour, the gown was begging to be stroked. It was only after I wore it at home and looked in the mirror that […]
In my garden column: May 2021
Hello to everyone who loves camellias. May is the month when they feature in our gardens here – fat buds are on all my shrubs and many are starting to open their blooms. A lovely time to choose new ones to plant! My May column for our local newspaper, Southern Highlands Express. features these gorgeous […]
My book of the month: May 2021
When people are taken out of their usual environment they often re-examine aspects of their lives. The characters in Vanessa McCausland’s novel soon discover this when they visit Capertree Valley. The four friends and their children visit a restored Art Deco hotel in a remote former mining town. Soon everything starts to unravel as secrets […]
It’s only incidentally about the quilting
At our local quilting group last week, I made one, six-pointed star. I didn’t think that was much of an outcome for half a day. Thinking about it later, I realised so much more had happened. Talking to new people, learning more about those I had already met. laughing (lots of laughing!), sharing stories, and […]
Five books that made me cry
Novels teach us a lot about human interaction: how we behave in particular situations, how we react to crises, and how we deal with our emotions. I have learned so much from fictional characters – thank you to all the authors who have created them. I have cried while reading many novels. Here are five […]
In my garden column: April 2021
This month is all about autumn leaves in my garden. The deciduous trees in our area are showing all their glorious autumn colours this month. It’s hard not to gaze at all the shades of red, orange, yellow and brown. But what to do with all those fallen leaves? Please enjoy my column from our […]
Weekend reading
The leaves on local deciduous trees have turned the most glorious colours and the temperatures have dropped. We have had two frosts this month! I love that we have distinct seasons here and that they don’t just merge into each other. Autumn is the most glorious time. Here are some of the things I’ve been […]
Dahlia days are coming to an end
We had our first frost for the year last week. That and the cooler temperatures are signs of seasonal change as we slip through autumn. It’s also a warning that my dahlias are coming to an end. Their leaves are starting to yellow and the blooming is slowing but I’m still able to pick huge […]
Cathy Daniel: three questions
Welcome to the eighth in my Three Questions series, where I ask makers about their creative practices. I’ve admired Cathy’s ceramics from afar for ages, especially those featuring motifs from crafty pursuits. With their clever designs and delicate colouring, they are things of beauty. I’m so pleased to be able to feature her work here. […]
My book of the month: April 2021
I wish I’d discovered this book when it was published in 2019. That was a busy and stressful year for me so I guess that’s why I missed it. But now I’ve read it and wow – it is the most astonishingly poignant story I have read in a long time. Immediately I started reading […]