And on the 12th day

there shall be 2 eggs! :-) Sorry .... just couldn't resisit! LOL We've had just the one egg a day for the last 11 days and today when I went to collect "the egg" there were 2! A dozen a week would be just delightful!

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE ... & SAFE TRAVELS IF YOU ARE ON THE ROAD.

The Dragons!

Just a quick note - I've just got my book on West. Australian reptiles out and if the little fellow is a Western Bearded Dragon (which I think is the right one) then he can grow up to around 15cm or 5.9 inches ... so he's not too big & scary!
Much rather these guys than the 5-6' snake I saw off in the distance while walking the dogs yesterday!!!

a friendly dragon

While Brian was parking his ute in the shed this afternoon he came across this little dragon .... it was too cute so had to take a quick snap. I am not quite sure if he is a Western bearded dragon or a Western heath dragon - his colouring is more like the bearded but head shape of the heath.

The Chooks!

In answer to your questions ladies - they were due to start laying around the end of January ... we are now nearing the end of February so I think that I am being really patient. I have threatened them nicely with the freezer several times but in a calm and loving manner :-) I realise that it has been hot for the most part of February but we did have a cooler week in there - maybe it wasn't long enough to get them excited about laying eggies. I now even have a variety of plastic eggs in their laying boxes for them to give them a hint - they are slow catching on! lol

They are treated to all sorts of scraps, mixed grains and laying pellets and now also have free range of the yard (except days when we are not here and of course night time due to foxes). Jessie is over chasing them and doesn't worry about them at all anymore. Chases other birds away from them if anything.

I've never had hens so young before. I don't think we are doing anything wrong ... just maybe being impatient!

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Our chookies

STILL waiting for them to start laying eggies but they are cute ... are they not! These two are standing on top of their chook tractor ... checking me out!

CC206 First Nesties

Just finished creating my first card using some Nestabilities Large Label dies - sent to me for Christmas by the wonderful Pat from Stamp, Paper & Ink. I am embarrassed to say that it's taken me nearly 2 months to get them out and try them but now I have I LOVE them! This card uses this week's colour combination CC206 from SCS which is Rose Red, Old Olive and More Mustard. I've used a retired SU set Garden Collage and the current En Francais for a background. Ink colours used are Stazon Black, Old Olive & More Mustard. All edges are sponged with more mustard &/or old olive. Main image is coloured using blender pens and SU Chalks.

Dad's 70th Birthday

Just wanted to share a couple of photos from the 7th (ok I am a little slow posting!) from my Dad's not so surprise 70th birthday. He said he knew about it - been in the family for too long!

So the photos are my Dad with one of his gifts and then Mum & I.

I made the invitations using all Stampin' Up! products of course!

Jewel Beetle

Was off to feed the chooks last night and found this Jewel Beetle - I think I have identified it as a Temognatha conspicillata (jewel beetle) but there are so very many Jewel Beetles and they vary so much within a species I could be wrong. It was quite large as you can see from the shot with the lens cover from my camera. Not often that I get to see an unusual visitor from nature!

Southern Carpet Python

Had a visit this morning from a Southern Carpet Python - which thankfully is harmless. He was moving slowly as it was quite cool. I got quite close (well, close for me as far as a snake is concerned) and managed a few pictures before Brian re-located him a few hundred metres from the house yard. His colouring was awesome! He was about 5½ to 6 foot long.

Golly it's humid

Been too hot to stamp
Been too hot to finish sorting new craft room
Life is pretty quiet at the moment!

Been somewhat warm here today

There were several fires raging around Perth today - one of which was west of us in the Yanchep National Park. This was the view to the west of us for most of the day ... when the seabreeze came in the sun was covered over by smoke and below is what we could see

there is still smoke to the west of us, but the fire is a lot more under control now and thankfully the smoke has cleared around us.

New outdoor BBQ entertaining area

Been too busy to make any cards this week - have worked hard to create this new living space at our back door. The area used to be all garden however as much as I love the frogs, lizzards & skinks the snakes also loved this area. We've now re-invented the area to create an entertaining area. I still need to do some work on the garden but for the most part it's ready to be used!

I'm over the summer heat already!

What can I say but ... bring on autumn.

I am going to try and get some card making done today for some upcoming birthdays and I'm starting on my Christmas cards for this year too. I figure if I make 1-2 each week I'll be much better organised and will be able to post out cards late November not mid December!

Stay cool everyone.

Happy New Year

everyone ... May 2009 be filled with good health, lots of laughter and special moments, love & happiness!

Christmas Day at the beach

Weather was nice but windy. Had a BBQ'd breaky ... yummo!

We've got ....

Chookies at long last. 13 week old Hyline hens ... aren't they cute! They are still settling in and will adjust quicker when Jessie learns to leave them alone! Can't wait for them to start laying eggies! I have 6 in the Chook Tractor at the moment but 3 are for Julie.

Getting up close & personal with nature

Woke up Friday morning to this Green Tree Frog sitting on the inside of the window sill in our bedroom ... what can I say other than thank goodness he didn't jump on us in the middle of the night! LOL This is what happens when the dogs create holes in the flyscreen apparently - nature just invites itself in!

This Bobtail came in for an evening meal last night ... snaffled up some dog food before I cut up a tomato for him!

It's not very often the ...

fur children sit long enough in the same spot so that I can take a snapshot or two. I got up close and personal with Osten & Jessie alike ... trying to be a little more creative. You have got to love that look from both of them!