Weekend reading

There are more than 1500 species of bees native to Australia and where I live we often see a wide variety of bees foraging in the garden. We have honey bees, which are an introduced species, the solitary bees - teddy bear bees and blue banded bees, and the most common of the social native bees, the stingless bee, Tetragonula, sometimes called sugarbag bees. I took the photo above yesterday morning when these tiny bees (about the size of a mosquito) were out and about collecting pollen from the storm lilies.

• This is important. If you only have the time or inclination to read one piece from this list, make it this one from Kirsten at Milkwood: On Voluntary Simplicity, and Frugality 
• Urban Exodus
• Billions of bits of plastic waste threaten humans and wildlife
• I was going to offer you a post from the Tasmanian CWA's page but it's all so good, I'll give you the entire page. There is everything from the tough political questions to a recipe for lamingtons. The page isn't updated anymore by the look of it but there are some real gems nonetheless. Enjoy!
• Morag's worm towers
• This is a little gem - An Australian blog full of interesting posts, great photos and a gentle touch. Say! Little Hen
• Change of weather brings out the wildlife
• Button book marks
• Pruning fruit trees
• Magic loop teddy
• If you live near Toowoomba or don't mind the drive to get there, Simple Living Toowoomba regularly meets at the Lutheran Church in Toowoomba. I've been to a couple of their workshops and have thoroughly enjoyed the experience. They're a great bunch of women who will make you feel welcome. They haven't updated their webpage for the year yet, be patient, it will happen, but I've been told they have a soap making workshop tomorrow and a bee keeping workshop soon. To contact the group, email me and I'll give you Margy's email address or message nannachel at the Down to Earth forum.

Thanks for visiting this week but now let's all sit back and enjoy the weekend. See you all next week!