Long Time Gone

I have been away for a long time but I hope to get back to blogging again on a regular basis. Right now we are flu city in this house. So, between bouts of coughing I am going to get this blog sorted out.

Famers and Makers Market

Tomorrow Cygnet is hosting a Famers and Markers Market just like the old days. There will even be a parade with the past Apple Queens. I have been busy as ever getting ready for it. My friend and I have taken a stall at the market.

The market is being held at Burton's Reserve so there will be loads of space. There will be food stalls as well as craft. There will me music through out the day so it promises to be fun. At least we will be entertained.

I spoek several times with the people in charge. They are hoping to make this an on-going market which would be great for our area. It won't exactly be a Salamanca Market but it could be very good. Right now it is being run in conjunction with Ten Days of the Island. So they are getting heaps of publicity.

I have noticed that it is very difficult to get in to some of the blogs since this change over and have had some emails from people saying that couldn't get in to some blogs. One of those is Foodkitty. So Foodkitty - Leolady in particular sends a big hello and says are you aware of the problem getting to read your blog. And of course - a big hello from me.

Back to packing up goods and I will report back on how the market went. Pray it doesn NOT rain, please.

Be Afraid - Be Very Afraid

I have just spent most of the last two days thinking that it was 2008. Now where the heck is that coming from? I think it is because I have not had a cigarette in the last 48 plus hours. My brain and any thought process is always the very first thing to go. We're in big trouble now!

We went down to the art show in Cygnet, "Watermark". I had no entries this year nor did hubbie have any sculpture or photography on exhibit. Then we went to the 'Bottom Pub' to try their cappacino and the pastry that was on offer. Nothing really special. I had some lemon cheesecake and hubbie had some several layered chocolate cake and cream combo. We would have done better to go to 'Lotus' or 'Divinge' or better yet - 'theapplefactory'. There are so many places in our little area to get coffee that no one could ever suffer from lack of choice. But as this is Regatta Weekend as well as the Taste of the Huon weekend and the start of Watermark exhibit - all the places were pretty full. You couldn't get even a look in at the Red Velvet Lounge.

I'm not really complaining. I say good for all the owners. It is a job you have to love or no sane person would own a restaurant.

Blackberry Time

The blackberries are in overload. We noticed it last night when we went for a wander on our property. I just had to go down to the lower 40 this morning and pick a big bowl full. Since hubbie killed a snake last week I decided to take Ms. Taffy with me. She is about 80 pounds right now (and still under 6 months) and decent protection. She found the snake last week and barked at it until hubbie came over and investigated so I figured she would do me proud today if I needed her. Instead she ate blackberries. lol!

They were so beautiful that I only had to give them a little rinse and then in the fridge they went until tea time. I did sneak one or two and shared a few with Taffy but I showed great self-restraint. And there are heaps more to pick. But I was taking my life in my hands by going down to where they are - without hubbie. I did take the mobile just in case I tripped or my foot gave out though.

A hint - never cut up banana slices to mix in with the blackberries. The banana has a stronger taste that almost over-powered the blackberries. Next picking will be just blackberries for icecream topping and to compliment the museli. But I needed to use up some bananas fast. Does anyone else have a problem when they buy bananas from Purity? Mine seem to ripen quickly when I get them there. Then I end up with too many ripe at once.

So - between card making and blackberry picking and window washing - my day went by quickly. Hey Foodkitty -please note that I blogged along with card making! lol!

theapplefactory

Today we took a girlfriend who is having surgery -out to morning tea. We went to a new place that we have been watching get ready to open. It is on the outskirts of Cygnet, Tasmania and is called theapplefactory.

Theapplefactory is actually a working orchard that has belonged to one family for over 145 years. There are 13,000 fruit trees. Not just apple but pear and peaches. You can have a guided tour of the orchard or just have morning tea in a lovely setting. They have converted the original farm house into a cozy tea house with attached gift shop.

The people were very friendly and not just because we were locals. The food looked incredible. I got a slice of double chocolate cheesecake that about did me in. It was sinful it was so rich. And the presentation - which my husband will tell you is vital (even if it is fish and chips) - was beautiful. The over sized plate held an enormous slice of cheesecake with a light layer of rich chocolate sauce and cream as well as rose petals and a leaf. Beautiful and almost a shame to touch. Of course, I didn't let that stop me. lol! I had to take some of it home as I couldn't eat it all.

One friend had a slice of apricot cheesecake and the other - the biggest rum ball I have ever seen. We all had coffee. The setting was perfect for good conversation and we exclaimed over all the treasures around us. Beautiful quilts handmade by locals graced the walls, as well as little shadow boxes and legends. Family photos helped everyone connect with the owners.

Cygnet is lovely all the time but with apple picking not far off I would highly recommend a visit to this great tea house. Experience the world of primary producers and wallow in a bit of history. The pumpkin lasagna and meat pot pie looked worthy of a try and the pastries will make you salivate. There is a lot more on the menu to tempt you.

It was a wonderful way to spend a few hours. and it cheered our friend no end and took her mind off her surgery. What more could you ask for?

They have a website: www.theapplefactory.com.au

Dont' Come Back From Deadman's Curve Or something Like It

My baby brother runs a towing service and has for 20 years. He is very experienced at it. The other day he got a call and had no other driver to send so he went on the call. A fuel truck for home fuel had broken down. Of course, it was blocking traffic so he got right on it. As he was adjusting something inside the truck in order to hook it up - some woman decided she had waited long enough. She put the pedal to the metal and headed straight for him. She connected.

The only thing that saved him was fast reflex action. Plus, he lifts weights and tow truck chains on a daily basis. He is a large physical specimen. She ran over his foot and took out his shoulder and hand. Then she drove away.

Over people were stopped and someone called 911. They caught her. She was arrested and charged with 'hit and run'. I figure attempted murder about covers it.

I am just furious. What is happening to our society that people think it okay to suffer road rage. I drove those highways for a number of years. I was caught - more than once- in-between exits on the interstate for as long as four hours. Where the nearest exit was only 2 miles away but you couldn't gain entry - and I never once went in to road rage. What is so important in peoples lives that they get so mad that they try to run an innocent party down? It is sick. And a testament to our society.

I hope this woman is extremely grateful that she didn't kill someone. She could never claim it was an accident. It was deliberate. And lucky for her that she didn't kill him or she would have had some righteous anger flowing down on her by our brother's four siblings and assorted family. I hope she is grateful but I fear there was no lesson learned.
Today I feel that as a society we don't need to worry about terrorists - we are imploding. And why isn't anyone noticing. Nothing is more important than a human life. Certainly not running late for an appointment.

My Cards Freckle Girls Series

Taffy

Taffy at 19 weeks. Taffy swimming with her friend Tax. And taking over the couch again. lol!

Who Knows Where The Time Goes

I can't believe how fast this year is flying. Yet, when I sit down and try to figure out what I have accomplished - not much gets crossed off my list.

I have been investing heaps of time in my setting up shop on Oztion. It all seems so simple until you get going. I am still in card making mode, templete mode, fillinf orders ,mode and even manning a market stall.

Most of the Circle seem to have drifted away. Well, life is what happens when you are busy making other plans. A big thanks to Foodkitty for ordering cards from me and I hope she likes them.

It is late again. So I have to close. Taffy is still growing like a weed and Pugsley has gone walk about tonight and I am not happy with him. He is lucky he is so little and cute and the neighbours like him.

Oztion

Hi everyone and sorry for not blogging in so long. I have been making cards and they are everywhere. In order to get myself up and running on the website I posted a few really simple cards. My favorites plus some paintings will be posted when my stock arrives. It is in the mail - I hope.

While I am waiting I hope you will all have a look at the Oztion website. It is fairly new and there is lots of good shopping for you finger exercises. lol!

Here is the link:
http://www.oztion.com.au/buy/auction.aspx?itemid=1334648

I hope everyone is well and I will get back to reading all your blogs this week.

Thanks!