365 Countdown

10:366 Rose in a black frame

2012-01-10T22:22:00.002+11:00

Just trying out Instagram on my phone. I have had it for a while but not used it for ages. Rather like it.

9:366 Some of the harvest

2012-01-09T18:48:00.001+11:00

1.3 kg of cherry tomatoes that sowed themselves in my herbaceous border. Food for free!

8:366 Learning about design for sustainability

2012-01-08T21:01:00.000+11:00

Today Bob and I went to visit Melliodora, the passive solar house and permaculture demonstration site at Hepburn. David, the owner builder of the property took us for a tour round the house and gardens and showed us what a 25 year time span can achieve.

7:366 Local invites

2012-01-07T20:15:00.000+11:00

Today, I went out to some local businesses - nurseries, garden centres and shops to deliver this invitation to a gathering of gardeners who live in the City of Casey and who may be interested in permaculture. On Monday I will be delivering invites to the local libraries and letter box dropping to spread the word. There is a Facebook group for Permaculture Casey and if you know anyone who lives in Casey in Victoria, Australia (Narre Warren, Hampton Park, Berwick, Endeavour Hills, Doveton, Narre Warren North etc, please let them know about this. Thanks.

6:366 Sunrrise at Port Fairy

2012-01-06T22:52:00.001+11:00

Got up early this morning - and it was worth it:

5:366 Preserved lemons

2012-01-05T13:39:00.001+11:00

I am in the mood to take in inspiration from everywhere. In the b&b where we are staying I came across this still life and immediately thought of my excess lemons.

4:366 Evening shadows

2012-01-05T13:37:00.001+11:00

Ah holidays...

3:366 Bee Food

2012-01-03T20:05:00.001+11:00

This flowering gum was alive with bees today. I focussed on one bee 'head down, bum up' seeking out precious nectar. I know of one bee keeper who weighs his hives daily and who said that a hive could gain as much as 3 kg in 24 hours.

2:365 Light and colour

2012-01-02T22:45:00.000+11:00

At the Como centre after seeing the film Midnight in Paris I thought this had the look of the Belle Epoque.

1:366 1.5 kg zucchinis

2012-01-01T23:54:00.000+11:00

First photo of 2012 is of my day's harvest. I already have a recipe for this

365:365 Another day's harvest

2012-01-01T23:49:00.003+11:00

Love these colours

364:365 Today's Harvest

2012-01-01T23:48:00.000+11:00

363:365 Lucinda and me

2012-01-01T23:40:00.001+11:00

My niece Lucinda and me. Don't ask me why we're not looking in the same direction :)

362:365 Sore hand

2012-01-01T23:36:00.002+11:00

361:365 Zucchinis

2012-01-01T23:31:00.002+11:00

I have a feeling there's going to be a lot of these photos in the next few months as I try to record all the harvest that comes out of my garden :)

360:365 Visitors from overseas

2012-01-01T23:25:00.001+11:00

It was wonderful to meet Kim Cofino and Alex Guenther when they came o Healesville with Jess McCulloch and daughter Zoe. It was fabulous to see Kim's first reaction to Australian wildlife up close and also to be present when Zoe was learning about the platypus.

359:365 Christmas tomato

2012-01-01T23:14:00.002+11:00

So excited to get my first Christmas tomato: a self sown one in the cottage garden.

358:365 Cottage garden

2012-01-01T23:10:00.003+11:00

357:365 Sleepy cat

2012-01-01T23:07:00.001+11:00

356:365 Mum's christmas

2012-01-01T23:03:00.002+11:00

355:365 A cupboard bed in Holland

2011-12-21T01:52:00.001+11:00

During our trip we were very lucky to see a part of Holland's history a bedstee or box bed.
As we read: "During the 16th and 17th century, closet-beds were much smaller. Lying down was associated with death, and therefore sleeping was done in a half-upright position. These closet-beds slept two people, and beneath them were often doors for children." So grateful to my aunt (Tante Riek) and uncle (Oom Jan) for showing us this, as well as much else.

354:365 Loch Morlich

2011-12-21T01:38:00.001+11:00

Just thought I'd share a few more photos from our trip earlier this year. This one was taken during a walk round Loch Morlich in the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland. A great memory.

353:365 Sustainable transport

2011-12-18T22:51:00.001+11:00

Joining the ranks of bike riders and exploring the bike paths in my local area. Haven't really ridden since I was a child so we just have to see how it goes.

352:365 Organic Community Garden

2011-12-17T21:40:00.001+11:00

Working at the Narre Warren North Organic Garden

351:365 Waiting for the bus

2011-12-17T01:52:00.000+11:00

This is the view down the street near my home which I took while I was waiting for a bus on my journey to meet with my friend Jan.

350:365 Out to dinner

2011-12-17T01:48:00.001+11:00

We went out to dinner with our two daughters. It was a fun night and it was the first time I tasted bubble tea. Delicious.

348:365 Chapel Street

2011-12-14T23:07:00.000+11:00

A fter a film screening we went to get something to eat in Chapel street. This was the view on the way.

347:365 Christmas breakup

2011-12-13T23:21:00.000+11:00

Today was the Christmas breakup at the Perm-apiculture group. Here I am with one of the members, Woz

346:365 Lupins

2011-12-12T20:58:00.002+11:00

So excited to see two colours of Lupins out today. It has been perfect weather for growing a herbaceous border and I am lucky to have experienced it.

345:365 Inspiration from my brother's garden

2011-12-11T20:29:00.001+11:00

Getting inspiration from my brother's garden in Gembrook today.

345:365 South Melbourne Commons

2011-12-10T22:09:00.001+11:00

Today I went to the opening of the South Melbourne Commons, a joint undertaking between the Fr Bob McGuire Foundation and Friends of the Earth. While we were there my sister and I attended a herbal tea workshop and tasted Lemon Verbena tea for the first time. It was delicious and I will be making some of that more often now, since I have a lemon verbena plant at home. You learn something new every day.

343:365 Travels in England

2011-12-09T23:19:00.001+11:00

Just wanted to share another photo of our trip overseas. Loved the cloud formation over the peaceful rural landscape.This is near Lupton in Cumbria.

342:365 Angles

2011-12-08T22:01:00.001+11:00

After visiting a student on work experience today I took a tram back to the office. This was taken at tram stop 125A under the Westgate Freeway

341:365 Tree at sunset

2011-12-07T23:20:00.001+11:00

340:365 After three weeks in the hive

2011-12-06T21:51:00.001+11:00

A bit more about my current obsession. Enjoy!

This is what the hive looks like normally:

339:365 Nursery

2011-12-05T21:48:00.001+11:00

A nursery - my happy place - Went to buy beans (no luck with germinating my own) and just love the lushness and variety.

338:365 Lorraine Lee

2011-12-04T23:24:00.001+11:00

'LorraineLee' was bred by a famous Australian Rose Breeder, Alister Clark in 1924.It is named after Lorraine Lee, who was born in Melbourne in 1890.

337:365 Puddle and reflection

2011-12-03T22:32:00.001+11:00

Puddle and reflection

336:365 Grandfather and uncle storing the summer's hay

2011-12-02T21:32:00.001+11:00

Not a photo I took but I wanted to share it anyway:

335:365 View from the front yard

2011-12-01T20:51:00.001+11:00

I just love this tree.

334:365 Home from work

2011-11-30T20:08:00.001+11:00

At Noble Park station, just getting home from work this evening.

333:365 Bike fixer

2011-11-29T20:30:00.001+11:00

Couldn't resist taking this photo

332:365 Bee collecting nectar

2011-11-28T16:43:00.002+11:00

Just slightly obsessed by bees since I got my own beehive

331:365 Rocket Stove

2011-11-27T22:36:00.004+11:00

Well, you learn something new every day. Today I went to a demonstration of a rocket stove which has been designed for "non-developed or less-developed nations in Africa, Asia, Latin America, or the Middle East" according to the not-for-profit company that retails them. The site explains, the "original Rocket Stove was developed by Dr. Larry Winiarski and Aprovecho Research Center to address life-threatening cook fire smoke produced by the half of humanity that cooks by open fire to stay alive. This is a critical and global issue, exacerbated by a scarcity of fuel, increasing deforestation and pollution."

Anyway the one I saw this evening was built entirely out of recycled materials and costs nothing to make and nothing to run. It uses a few strips of cardboard and a handful of twigs for fuel, enough to boil a billy and toast all the slices from a loaf of bread.

330:365 Memories

2011-11-26T21:41:00.002+11:00

Today I thought I'd share a memory from the trip we went on in May since I haven't yet put any photos of it on the blog yet. This photo was taken near Grasmere in the Lakes District on May 19 2011

329:365 David Austin Rose

2011-11-25T22:32:00.003+11:00

We have been so fortunate with the local climate here this spring. As much rain as anyone would want and some warmth but not too much. And this is the result - one very happy rose.
Are you noticing the effects on gardens with changes in climate in your area?
Leave a comment to let us know.

328:365 Bee book

2011-11-24T21:53:00.002+11:00

Just read. Beautiful book. Just wanted to put it in a frame.

327:365 !st prize at the Lilydale Show

2011-11-23T21:38:00.003+11:00

On Sunday I went to the Lilydale Spring Show with my daughter. She was so proud to show me that she had won with the shawl she had knitted. Great work Em!

326:365 Foxglove

2011-11-22T18:48:00.002+11:00

In the front garden the foxglove is just doing its thing.

325:365 Flowers from the garden

2011-11-22T13:46:00.004+11:00

55:365 Planning our trip

2011-03-06T23:32:00.001+11:00

55:365 Planning our trip, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

We will be spending a month in Europe later this year. Really looking forward to it. Off to Holland for a family reunion with Aunts, Uncles and cousins, then to Scotland to do a bit of touring to see where Bob's family came from and some walks in England, hoping to take many beautiful photos

54: 365 Going out to dinner with Flick

2011-03-06T16:28:00.002+11:00

54: 365 Going out to dinner with Flick, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

Just catching up with my 365 photo blog. This is the entry for 23rd February. Going out to dinner with Flick after stopping by after work to fix her bike. It was fun.

53:365 shed with wheelbarrow and chooks

2011-02-23T00:27:00.002+11:00

53:365 shed with wheelbarrow and chooks, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

For some reason this photo reminded me of the poem The Red Wheelbarrow by William Carlos Williams:

so much depends
upon

a red wheel
barrow

glazed with rain
water

beside the white
chickens.

52:365 spuds

2011-02-23T00:21:00.001+11:00

52:365 spuds, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

a mixture of Spunta, King Edward and Dutch Cream.

51:365 Misty afternoon

2011-02-22T20:11:00.001+11:00

51:365 Misty afternoon, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

Surprise look for a February afternoon. Looks more like winter, yeah

50:365 some of the harvest

2011-02-22T20:07:00.001+11:00

50:365 some of the harvest, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

now made into delicious tomato soup

49:365 Woofpurnay Veterinary Hospital

2011-02-22T20:03:00.001+11:00

49:365 Woofpurnay Veterinary Hospital, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

Love the name of this place where I go to buy Muffin her special cat food

48:365 Massive pumkin growing over a vertical support

2011-02-22T20:02:00.001+11:00

48:365 Massive pumkin growing over a vertical support, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

It is just hanging about 4 ft from the ground. Hope it matures. I grew this plant from the seeds I saved from last year.

47:365 Flower show in front garden

2011-02-22T20:01:00.001+11:00

47:365 Flower show in front garden, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

If it looks as if I just tipped a packet of seeds here, it is because I did. Very pleased with the result.

46:365 My invitation has arrived

2011-02-15T20:04:00.002+11:00

My invitation, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

I got my invitation today for the focus group involving AITSL and ACCE discussing ICT in Education proficiency of graduate teachers across Australia. Should be a good meeting with lots of networking with awesome people and hopefully the start to a great outcome for graduate teachers and students with regard to using ICT. Looking forward to it.

40:365 Back streets of Collingwood - near my work this evening

2011-02-15T00:16:00.001+11:00

40:365 Back streets of Collingwood - near my work this evening, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

Improved by instagram, an attempt at the mean streets

45:365 At the dentist

2011-02-15T00:07:00.001+11:00

45:365 At the dentist, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

Had to get a crown done today and thought I'd take a photo of the view from the dentist's chair. My dentist was very surprised!

44:365 Book to read

2011-02-15T00:05:00.002+11:00

44:365 Book to read, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

After reading this blog post by Josie I feel that reading this book is a must. Have a read here.

43:365 Summer tree

2011-02-15T00:04:00.001+11:00

43:365 Summer tree, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

Loved the way the light was coming through the leaves here.

42:365 The old house

2011-02-15T00:03:00.001+11:00

42:365 The old house, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

Lots of searching through my family history, and came across this. Will be going to Holland later but this house no longer exists.

41:365 My colleague

2011-02-15T00:00:00.001+11:00

41:365 My colleague, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

Wondering what to photograph and my colleague "offered". She is a great person to work with. I like taking portraits

39:365 Painted wooden tray from El Salvador

2011-02-08T22:06:00.003+11:00

Painted wooden tray from El Salvador, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

In 1991 I was lucky enough to go to Central America for a month as a delegate of Central American Mission Partners founded by David Batstone who organised groups of North Americans and Australians to give solidarity to the El Salvadorans who were engulfed in civil war. As he puts it "We sent U.S. citizens to live with any Central American targeted by the security forces, otherwise gruesomely known as the death squads. The reason this strategy worked: The military did not want to kill a U.S. citizen and alert the American public of its disregard for human rights. A Salvadoran or Guatemalan gets tortured and killed - we would never hear about it." It was indeed a privilege to go to such a beautiful country and meet so many amazing faith-filled people. Scary too. This painted wooden tray was given to us as a memory of that time. I love the colours. It says so much to me.

38:365 Permaculture garden plan

2011-02-07T23:00:00.003+11:00

Permaculture garden plan, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

Last year we got the VEG people out to help us with a permaculture design for our garden. It's been almost a year and I look at the plan they drew up often to see how far along the journey we are. I am very pleased. We have had to make some modifications to the plan. For example we were recommended to get a 20,000 litre tank and put up against the back fence in the chook yard but this would have meant cutting down (or severely pruning a well loved peppercorn tree that was given to me by the kids for mothers day. So we put a smaller one in another location near the front of the house and I am pleased with the result. Every day I am able to cook with something we have grown and I have not bought any vegetables lately except mushroom (and onions after running out of my own supply.) At the moment we have our own harvest of beans, carrots, capsicums, tomatoes, lettuce, garlic, potatoes, corn, beetroot, leeks, strawberries, pears, pakchoi, lots of herbs (oh, and I almost forgot *zucchinis*) Will discuss those another time.

37:365 Reflections in a jeweller's shop window

2011-02-06T23:13:00.002+11:00

Reflections in a Jeweller's shop window, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

On Bourke St today going out to lunch and the cinema in celebration of our 29th wedding anniversary, I paused at this jewellers shop window, intrigued by the reflections and the delicate colours in the display. Not for any other reason at all. :)

36:365 Dandenong wetlands 24 hours later

2011-02-05T16:59:00.002+11:00

Dandenong wetlands 24 hours later, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

This photo was taken very close to where I took yesterday's photo. In fact you can see the top of the tree in yesterday's photo in the distance. This is as close as I could get as the road was closed. According to the flood warnings "The Dandenong Creek catchment has received rainfall averaging about147mm since 09:00am yesterday."

35:365 Dandenong wetlands

2011-02-04T20:48:00.001+11:00

Dandenong wetlands, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

On my way home from the shops I had a feeling I'd like to take a photo of my favourite tree. It didn't disappoint me. I love it here

34:365 Chinese New Year in Springvale Library

2011-02-03T23:09:00.002+11:00

Chinese New Year in Springvale Library, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

I joined a Flickr group started by Jess McCulloch which invites us to "share photos of your local celebrations by adding them to this group, and see how others are welcoming the Year of the Rabbit around the world. Let's build a resource to share our Chinese New Year traditions, and to help students learn about the holiday and explore other cultures."

I loved this idea and having seen a display for Chinese New Year in my local library at Dandenong thought I would just pop in there after work and snap a pic. Well I got there and the display was gone. "Oh no", I cried, "how will I get a photo for Jess now?" I marched up to the desk to ask. Nobody knew where it was or why it had been taken down. "What about Springvale?" I asked, about the sister library about 15 minutes up the road. They said they'd ring and see if their display was still up. Good. It was.

So off I trot with my forebearing husband, now late for his tea, and call into my 2nd library of the day. Of course it was not quite as good a display as what I thought I remembered of the first one. The moral to the story, never delay in snapping a pic if you have the chance. It might not be there next time.

33:365 Pears nearly ready to eat - thanks Carmel

2011-02-03T00:59:00.002+11:00

Pears nearly ready to eat - thanks Carmel, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

Thanks to my sister Carmel who gave this old pear tree a much needed prune back in the autumn, it started to show signs of fruiting after ten years of barrenness. Now the pears are netted against birds and nearly ready to eat - yum! Thanks Carmel.

32:365 What a mess

2011-02-01T19:54:00.003+11:00

What a mess, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

The weather has been amazing for gardens here in Melbourne. Today it got to 38.9C here and yet it still flourishes. But I am still learning, clearly. I have planted everything too close and cannot even get near the plants for harvesting. There are tomatoes, asparagus and pumpkin (crawling though the tomatoes and asparagus) here as well as some self sown coriander. I think next year I need to think about both spacing and staking. And not be so greedy in spring time!

31:365 Roses from the front garden

2011-02-01T19:48:00.001+11:00

Roses from the front garden, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

This collection of roses encouraged me to clean the kitchen window so I could take a better photo. Who said the 365 photo challenge doesn't make you a better person :)

30:365 Sunset through my window

2011-01-30T22:37:00.001+11:00

Sunset through my window, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

Lovely to see this sunset in the cool of the evening after a day of great heat. Gonna be another hot one tomorrow. Forecast 40 degrees

29:365 Cosmos

2011-01-30T22:35:00.001+11:00

Cosmos, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

In my garden, full of brave colour, just slightly enhanced

28:365 Hopetoun Tea Rooms, Melbourne

2011-01-28T21:34:00.002+11:00

Hopetoun Tea Rooms, Melbourne, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

Hopetoun Tea Rooms: Called in here on my visit to the city to go to the dentist this morning.

"A quick step back to the vintage era of the 1800’s. Quiet and relaxed atmosphere, in Victorian surroundings, with the largest etched mirror in Victoria."

27:365 The Angelus

2011-01-28T21:29:00.002+11:00

The Angelus, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

The Angelus: A print of a painting given to my mother and father and father by my Uncle and Aunt in Holland. It (or the attitude shown) would have been a familiar sight to them as devout Catholics in the south of Holland.

26:365 Are these poppies?

2011-01-26T22:01:00.001+11:00

Are these poppies?, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

Went to Cloudehill http://www.cloudehill.com.au/ again today with my sister to look at the amazing garden garden design. Saw these plants and loved their amazing seed heads. Just love them

25:365 My uncle in Holland in 1979

2011-01-25T17:29:00.002+11:00

My uncle in Holland in 1979, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

I needed to tidy up the study as I knew I had some precious photos hidden away from my trip to Holland to see my relatives in 1979. And today finally I found them. They bring back such good memories of meeting my extended family for the first time. This is my Uncle Piet who died a few years ago. In the background you can see Boerenkool (Kale) growing which my aunt cooked for us. Delicious.
I am going back to Holland in May and so much looking forward to seeing my extended family again. I have been skyping with my cousin Inge and she is organising a get-together. My sister and my son Tristan will hopefully be there as well. Can't wait.

24:365 Library

2011-01-24T21:45:00.001+11:00

Library, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

Just loved the colourful displays here in my local library. Such a friendly place.

23:365 Lachlan going the the University of Sydney to start his degree in Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Social Work

2011-01-23T22:40:00.002+11:00

Lachlan going the the University of Sydney to start his degree in Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Social Work, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

Well it had to happen. After a month back with us, Lachlan, who left home at 18 to go to Norway has left again, this time for the University of Sydney. In the last four years he has worked in Bergen and Hammerfest in Norway and Rajasthan in India so I am sure he will be able to manage in Sydney.

22:365 Berwick Farmers Market

2011-01-23T22:25:00.003+11:00

IMG_0937, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

Every month we head off to the Berwick Farmers Market to pick up our supplies. I have enjoyed the iPhone app MyMarkets App "myMarkets Vic is a fun, different way to interact with and experience Victorian markets."
At this market I bought something from the herb stall, the cheese stall and the apple juice stall. It is true we don't need much in the way of vegetables as we are producing a lot for ourselves. Anyone else out there found a great place to get supplies?

21:365 Sue's garden

2011-01-21T20:14:00.001+11:00

Sue's garden, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

This is the view from @sujokat's loungeroom window. Had a lovely time catching up

20:365 Corn from my garden

2011-01-21T01:22:00.001+11:00

After a beautiful sunny day I got home from work to see what was ready to pick from the garden, and I found this delicious corn. And it was delicious too.

19:365 My workplace

2011-01-21T01:21:00.001+11:00

Since I spend such a lot of my creative time here I thought I'd show you where I work.

18:365 Just finished reading Annie's box by Randal Keynes

2011-01-18T19:47:00.002+11:00

18:365 Just finished reading Annie's box by Randal Keynes, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

Thanks to a recommendation by Sue Tapp I picked this up at my local library and really enjoyed it. There is a good review of the book here and it goes well with another of my favourites Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier. See more of my books here. Have any of you got a favourite book to share?

17:365 Comfrey

2011-01-17T18:45:00.001+11:00

Comfrey, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

Enjoying the recent growing conditions

16:365 Closure

2011-01-17T18:44:00.001+11:00

Closure, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

Sad to see Dandenong's only bookstore closing

15:365 Sunset on Saturday

2011-01-15T23:26:00.004+11:00

This is the tree I se outside my kitchen window every day. This evening I as struck by the crepuscular light on it. Simply beautiful.

14:365 The Harvest

2011-01-15T22:48:00.004+11:00

After a months supply of rain in only 5 days and a tropical warmth the garden is doing very well.

13:365 Lots of rain

2011-01-13T17:53:00.000+11:00

12:365 On my way to work - door handles at Josie Bones

2011-01-12T23:07:00.003+11:00

door handles at Josie Bones, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

Door handles at the restaurant Josie Bones. Pretty impressive hey?

11:365 Bulleen Art and Garden

2011-01-11T13:42:00.003+11:00

Bulleen Art and Garden, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

Had fun today at Bulleen Art and Garden which my sister introduced me to many years ago. It is just such perfect gardening weather and this place is so cheerful.

10:365 Kickstart Activity 1 – Advanced – Down Blog’s Memory Lane!

2011-01-10T10:16:00.004+11:00

Just what I need. It is something I have been thinking about and it has come at just the right time for me. My learning blog is The Open Classroom

9:365 Dock seed

2011-01-09T20:03:00.001+11:00

Dock seed, originally uploaded by jomcleay.

Alongside the Merri Creek the Dock is in flower

8:365 Default photo of cat

2011-01-08T20:17:00.005+11:00

As nothing much happened today (it was too hot for most of the day) I am grateful to Tania Sheko who had the idea of a default photo of her dog. So here is this photo of the boss of the house with my youngest son.

7:365 Wide Sky

2011-01-07T21:22:00.002+11:00

Love this sort of landscape. Seems very Australian to me. What do you think?

6:365 Tower Hill Lavender Farm

2011-01-07T21:18:00.001+11:00

Absolute treat to spend some time here: