Hello everyone!

Hello friends, I'm back!  I had a few projects in my sights during my blog break. A few of them were a bit airy-fairy and I can't really describe them. They involved mental health, sleep and self-perception and I'm pleased to tell you that I think I sorted out enough so that I have a clear path forward. I also had a number of more practical day-to-day activities I needed to work on - gardening, sewing, reading and genealogy. I have very clear plans for all those areas now but I think I really surpassed my own expectations in the garden.

Here is our garden in full production circa 2006.

And this is some of what we have now.

In a nutshell, I converted our vegetable garden, which has been highly productive for the past 20 years, to a peaceful and beautiful cottage garden. I've tried to get as much done as I can because when the humidity hits in November, I will not be outside working in the garden.  But it's coming together and I think I'll have everything close to finished in a few weeks.  The garden is a mix of standard and mini roses, salvias, buddleias, daisies, herbs and a few vegetables - cucumber, chillies, capsicum, tomatoes and lettuce.

On a more personal note, Hanno and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary on 28 September.  We married in Hamburg, West Germany in 1979. I think it's quite an accomplishment to be married so long. When we tied the knot, we didn't have a plan, I guess we relied on love, respect, kindness, consideration and hope to keep us together, and it looks like that worked. Marriage isn't easy, it's a constant juggling of expectations, hopes, practicalities and differing goals.  There were some days when I expect both of us wanted to walk away, but after our children were born there were significant responsibilities regarding their upbringing that made us put aside petty differences and work towards a future that included all of us.  As I said, it was difficult sometimes but I'm oh so glad we made it work.

 Plants ready to be planted.

Lemon thyme and parsley - last season's parsley is in full flower at the moment so I'll leave them to seed the garden and I won't have to plant parsley next year.

I have a health update too. I had another MRI to check my meningioma a couple of weeks ago and I'm happy to tell you that it hasn't grown at all. I need to go back for another check in two years time.  But Hanno's got shingles at the moment so we're still working out what that means for him but he's taking it easy, taking medication and although it's been painful at times, we're hoping we picked it up early and it won't be as serious as it might have been.

We had a pretty bad year with potatoes and garlic due to the drought.  Both harvests were less than expected but still very tasty and will help us through the coming weeks.

 One of the many salvias growing well in the warm spring sun.

The elder tree blooms all through the year and is currently full of flowers and berries. The birds enjoy them as much as we do. 

I can't say how often I'll post here. It will be on a semi-regular basis but I'll also be on Instagram because I can easily post a photo or a few lines and it doesn't take much time to do that.  Thanks for all the good wishes sent our way and for all the emails we received.  I've said this before but I'll say it again, I've got the dearest and most loyal readers. Thank you all. I appreciate your interest in me and my family and really enjoy your visits and comments.