Welcome to the third of our series Twelve Ways to Be in the Garden: an enthusiastic wintering, here in the Southern Hemisphere. See all twelve ways here.
What could be better than seeing a flight of birds in an open garden? Here on the mountain, we are fortunate to see black cockatoos screeching through the air. It’s a special event as these birds only appear in certain parts of Australia. The white sulphur crested cockatoos are quite common and can be quite destructive to cedarwood. They have chewed on our outdoor decking. But they are beautiful, and we love them.
White sulphur crested cockatoos on our old deckingyellow tailed black cockatoo (moonlitsanctuary.com.au)
Other times the garden is delighted by the visitation of king parrots – bright orange and green. They are quite cheeky, coming right up to the window or door in search of seed. The red and blue rosellas always join them for seed as well.
Then there are the ubiquitous magpies – also cheeky but quite lovely and very friendly. A family of magpies come each afternoon on the back ledge and sometimes right up to the kitchen window, again asking for food. They like the cat’s dry food – much to the cat’s annoyance.
magpie friendsrosellasking parrotking parrot
I’m one of those people who doesn’t always look up – at the trees, the sky, the clouds and the birds. Sometimes, the garden chores become so engrossing that I forget to look about, my head cast down to the earth.
Friendly king parrot
This is part of my self awareness process. When I’m in the garden I remind myself to look up, to observe things around me – not just in my garden but when I go for a walk, or visit another place. It’s a simple act to remind myself that there is more to life than chores, work and duty.
I don’t know how it evolved but I seem to be rushing around each day with that voice that says, keep busy, do this, have you done that!
I finished teaching a number of years ago but sometimes I feel I’m busier than when I worked. Do you feel the same?
We must give ourselves time to stop and to listen to the voice inside us – to lose ourselves in our thoughts and to reflect.
After our horrendously hot days last week, we went to the beach again, this time to visit an older family member. He’s the one with dingoes I wrote about here.
It was a time also to spend in silence, wandering about, smelling the seaside and feeling the sand beneath our feet, and listen to our hearts.
Silence, reflection, meditation, and even prayer are so important in these times.
Happy Saturday to you all and may you have a rush-free weekend. 😊
We survived the extreme weather. Yesterday it reached 38C degrees (100.4F) at lunch time and the hot winds ensured it stayed that way until 7pm!
Unfortunately, a number of large bush fires developed around the state of Victoria. One of them just fifty kilometres (31 miles) away from us.
Fire fighters are still battling with this one.
Our neighbour is in the CFA (Country Fire Authority) and was called out last night to help fight the fire. He’s a volunteer and didn’t get home until 10am this morning!
The CFA does an amazing job. Some local businesses even fed them for free!
(Photos from CFA FB page)
After the heat had passed, I ventured into the garden. As I walked down to the glass house I spotted a large, brown wallaby drinking from the trough under the garden tap. Poor thing looked so stressed.
Thank heavens for the fire fighters who rescue injured animals as well as protect our bush land.
Do you play the piano? The reason I ask is that I used to play the piano but for many years now have let the playing lapse. But lately, I have started playing again.
My grandparents bought this piano for me when I was ten years old. I studied for five years, completing exams in practice and theory. I played intermittently throughout my adult life bringing the upright with me whenever I moved house. My daughters played it when they were young.
The piano sounds ok but needs major internal work. Also, the sheet music I have is old and possibly outdated, except for the classical pieces.
So, here are my questions – should I invest in formal lessons or use one of the numerous on-line Apps that assure me I will play again in a few weeks? Do I trade this piano for a newer and sleeker model?
What do you think?
I do realise that nothing beats daily practice, taking it slow and piano – softly and gently. Like the garden, music must be tended and nurtured in order for it to thrive. I’m prepared to do it.
I value your thoughts and happy Saturday to you all.
Happy New Year to all my fabulous followers. May 2026 be a year of peace, harmony and creativity. May our gardens continue to bring us the joy of nature and may we be the voice of goodness in our world.
So, I’m asking the question – is it important to review the year? Or be silently grateful for the small, simple pleasures of the everyday.
I am not one to look back too often, however, in thinking back over the year that was, I can see that acknowledging both the special and the simple, is important to me. So here are my six highlights of 2025.
Music. I decided sometime during the year that music was to be on my self-care menu. I would listen to music while walking but also try to attend some concerts. This year I was blessed to have my granddaughter visit for one such concert with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. See Big Day Out.
2. Travel. As some of you know, we travelled to Japan for the first time this year. It did not disappoint. The people, the places, the experiences were so very special and unique. We loved the green tea making, calligraphy, sumo, temples and of course, the food. See also, Temples, tea and tofu.
3.Gardening. This is primarily a gardening blog and my garden dominates most of my days. Our mountain garden has its challenges and writing about it has been a delight. Also being part of a like-minded community, both here and on-line has been a great bonus. See Twelve Secrets.
4. Family. We are not a large family so when someone arrives or leaves it’s an important moment. We try to make the most of our time together. Despite the distance, my relatives in Prague are an integral part of my life too. See also Extend a Hand and Paradise Beach.
5. Connections. Finally, making connections with others is part of the joy of life. We enjoy morning catch ups at our local coffee shop.
Also, this blogging community has made all the difference too. I’d like to acknowledge the wonderful bloggers who follow this blog and with whom I have interacted all year. Thank you for your support, comments and immense inspiration. 🌸
To all my fellow bloggers I send you festive greetings of peace and joy. May the spirit of Christmas give us the time to reflect on what is important in our lives. May your holidays be filled with laughter, good food and a chance to give back to those we love.
You may recall my recent post about my daughter moving to the beach. I was quite sad about her moving so far away. So this week we are with her at Golden Beach.
We have decided to have an early Christmas gathering at the beach. It may seem strange to some but most Australians aspire to a beach Christmas.
We will have a barbecue on the little deck and then take a wander down to the beach just across the road. It’s a very relaxed time.
This beach forms part of the Ninety Mile Beach precinct and is a favourite place for fishing and camping. It may look serene, but I wouldn’t swim here. It’s not patrolled and there are dangerous rips and undercurrents.
It’s a beautiful place, though. We enjoyed the hot weather too as well as some fruit mince pies, gingerbreads and lots of cherries too.
I’m hoping this time together will sustain me over the Christmas period.
What are you encountering this weekend before Christmas Day?
A few summers ago, we drove my Czech relatives to Sydney. I am remembering this beautiful time together on the harbour, enjoying all the sights and the beaches.
This iconic summer place has been shattered by terror and I am feeling sad for the tragic loss of lives and ashamed at the terrible events that unfolded last Sunday in Sydney.
We are all thinking of some tangible ways to offer our support and love to the community.
Some are donating money, delivering floral tributes, setting a lit candle in their front windows and Bondi swimmers have performed a circle to show solidarity and unity against violence.
This should not have happened. We are one people, one humanity. We must shine a light to expose hatred in all its forms. May the random acts of love, charity and courage during this time, restore our faith in humankind.
Follow your Garden Bliss 