Christmas DIY gifts

Just a quick link to a Youtube video, if you're looking for some last-minute, DIY Christmas gifts. I thought these 4 ideas were really practical, doable and used repurposed items, rather than purchasing new. So for those crafters out there, looking for inspiration, I hope this helps. The first idea can be used for any number of small items, which need to be kept together for storage, or transportation. Anyway, I hope you're all getting ready for Christmas. We should be putting up our tree today!

Knot a problem

Hanging around

Some of my earliest memories in childhood, was watching my mother make Macrame. I'd see her surrounded by never-ending cord, that would magically get shorter after a while. She made the most beautiful fruit basket holder. It was wide, tall (ceiling to floor) and I could pretend to get tangled in the longs strands. Quite a few times, she told me not to pull on the tail. I could play underneath, if I didn't pull! So I was more than delighted, to try my own hand at Macrame knots, recently.

Bonsai!

A new opportunity

I've had a little experiment going in the kitchen, since winter. Involving an old bonsai planter, I was gifted a few Christmases ago. My niece and nephew gave this wonderful present, but unfortunately, the plant in it, died that summer. I've learned a lot about keeping indoor plants, since, and wanted to rejuvenate the old container again.

The watering hole

Dust-pan

Since all the natural watering holes, in the landscape have dried up, our bird-baths have been working overtime. They're filled twice a day now, to accommodate the visitors. Which is about 18 litres of water, per day. We have the larger bath, for mostly birds and adult kangaroos to drink from. The small one is for Joeys, who have vacated mum's pouch. But not quite large enough, to reach the tall one yet. We've had different configurations over the years.

What tomorrow brings

Click to enlarge

This is a snapshot from the Queensland Rural Fire Service website. Over the past few days, I've been observing the fires. We're situated at the red dot. Locations where fires are being reported, are increasing in number, and getting closer. While the wind directions at present, aren't cause for concern, tomorrow and Saturday will be a different story. They will intermittently push all the fires, gradually in our direction.

Saltbush city limits

Winter 2017

This post is all about one of my favourite, drought resistant plants: Old man Saltbush. It's somewhat bulletproof in all regards, and only seems to grow bigger, in a drought. However, there are some care tips I've discovered since 2014, which considers their natural limitations. I've had five years to observe, how they've performed in our landscape.