Novembering.

It's almost the end of the month and I've got some free time this warm saturday afternoon, so instead of doing Jillian, I shall do my monthly photo browse, reflection and blog.

It's been a bit of an off month in some ways. Maddie was away on prac for 4 weeks so I lived alone. I had a few weeks of computer issues at work so that was frustrating.

We kept having the hot days so about half the plants in the wall garden have died. But if I can get one row of 10 plants established to last through the summer, I'll be happy. The herb garden section is doing pretty well actually. I just have to be more patient with the daisy plants I transplanted. I bought 4 gardenias marked down to $5 each at Big W and they are still alive. My current project is to collect some bricks or pavers to pave in front of my window, which is where I want to start a pot garden. That's where the sun loving plants will grow. I went to a junkyard today and looked at recycled bricks but they are $1.50 each! So I was looking at at least $300, which is a lot more expensive than new pavers from bunnings, which would work out at about $70. 

So here are some photos from the month. Mia and I with our garden headwear for melb cup day.

I had a flex day to service the car. I dropped the car off, it would take 4 hours, then I walked to Maitland. I did some op shop hunting. I had to wait for the art gallery to open so I had brunch there, this was lovely. Pear, yoghurt, coconut bread, flowers.

There are some mural prints which I like. Definitely local.

Sweet peas and pansies from my garden. I've loved flowers this year. Have bought them, grown them and been given them.

The trivia event of the year! Nuts And Smarties won! I really enjoy this night even though it's all old person trivia. I will never know the prime ministers of Australia or the rivers of the world.

I'm consolidating and culling my craft. I threw out a box of random wool and sorted the good stuff into these large boxes from Howards. Card making box, art box, other box. I need another box. It takes up less space now.

I signed up to take two Japanese Ag students for a weekend homestay. I thought it was a good opportunity to practice hospitality to strangers. We went to the beach, Morpeth, my parents, and church. I think it went really well and they were lovely girls, happy and easy-going.

When Maddie got back last night it was delightful. We went and picked up some hay bales then had Bao at the food truck in Maitland then put up our decorations on our christmas branch. So lovely to have her back and sing to music and do homey things.

So it's been an odd month. Work has been quiet, with people away and broken computer, and home has been quiet without Maddie, and life has been a tiring routine, but I've just realised this week that it's actually all about to change gears. Maddie is back so home returns to normal, and everything is coming to an end for the year. Yesterday I suddenly had that feeling that it's the end of the year. 2016 is pretty much over. That time is all gone! Only a couple of weeks of work left to try and get things done, cello and home group will end for the year, and that's a wrap. What have I done this year? It was a very stable year. Nothing super good or super bad. Collected chairs and plants and musical instruments, stayed healthy, grew friendships, decided to have short hair, and other things I've probably blogged.