January 2026

Where did the month go?

It has been so hot lately so days have been taken up with watering, and trying to stay cool. 

We had an adventure earlier in the month. A few days in the Hunter Valley which was a nice short getaway with a visit to EXP.restaurant too. 

The dahlias have been flowering well though this last week they've flagged a bit. I'm sure when the heatwave breaks they will be back to blooming.

Still baking bread and cakes and the plum tree was loaded this year so I've been dealing with those too. Some became jam, some were frozen, some dehydrated, a few containers of compote,and yesterday I put the last of them in a frangipane tart.

Next month is The letter writing month. So time to get writing and catching up on my  correspondence that has banked up after Christmas.

 I'm so out of practice that I hardly know what to write here. I have realised though that a blog is a good source when trying to remember what was happening when (as long as one posts that is)

Bye for now,
Tracy

So quickly

Hello,
Just so I can say that it hasn't been a whole year since my last post, I am writing a quick post on the very last day of 2025. My good intentions to write more regularly just didn't happen. I still intend to do it but who knows?

2025 like every other year in the past decade seemed to slip by in a blur. So quickly. Too quickly. I would really like to feel like life is moving at a slower pace but how to do that, I do not know. Anyway...

I have done a bit of travelling this year. A fair bit actually. I started the year with a trip out west to Broken Hill then down through country Victoria. I loved the outback terrain and even the extremely hot weather. All the wildlife and friendly people.

Great Stupa, Bendigo

So much to see and do and we took it slowly so enough time to do nothing if we felt that way inclined.

In March we went to Japan and Vietnam. What a wondrous trip. It was jam-packed and I have put Japan on my list of places I would like to visit again. The people are courteous, friendly, and helpful. The weather was perfect at that time of year- still chilly but bright and sunny too. And there were blossoms galore.

I enjoyed visiting the temples and shrines and practising the little bit of Japanese that I had tried to learn.

I did post a few postcards as I always do.

Drank my fair share of tea. 

Unfortunately I didn't see a real life tanuki but maybe next time.

Drank my fair share of coffee too. 

2025 of course had its downs as well as ups and I think my word of the year was exhausted. I have been so tired at times. I'm hoping to get on top of that next year.

With all that, I hope anyone who reads this has a happy, healthy, and safe 2026.

Tracy xo
 

January 1, 2025

Happy New Year. I'm hoping 2025 is an improvement on the last few.

Today I did actually do as I intended and spent time out in the garden. The mornings and evenings are the best time for it as it has been so hot lately and the older I get, the more sensitive I am to the glaring sun. 

Anyway not too much to say today just checking in because for one reason. I said I would and for two, as a little reminder as to what I did on this day.

Tomatoes are looking good at the moment. I have had a bit of an issue with some grubs in some of them but usually the little cherry tomatoes are safe.

I think this is a hollyhock. I'll have to check the tag. I bought it at Bunnings hoping it would grow tall and proud like the hollyhocks I saw in the UK but thus far, it's staying squat.

 I still had some seedlings languishing on my shelf so I planted them out this morning. Not too late for the tomatoes and hopefully not for the capsicum either. We shall see.

Dinner time now. 
Tracy xo

So long 2024

Hello, it has been a while... again. I am popping in to wish any of my friends here who might just happen to read this, a happy New Year. 

This past year has had its ups and downs like they all do. Travel was a big highlight for me this year with a couple of big trips. China in May and then almost 7 weeks in the UK in July and August. I missed home but I truly enjoyed seeing and doing so many things. It's too much to catch up on in one post but I've added a few pictures from the thousands I took. 

Other things I have been up to. Not enough gardening that is for sure. I have really let that slide and I want to get back to doing more than just the bare minimum that I have been doing. I have been learning languages via Duolingo- Spanish, Japanese, and a little bit of Welsh. It's fun.

I have also been taking part in a photo-a-day challenge on Instagram. A lot of fun and a nice way to make some new online friends. 

And of course I have just been keeping on with all the minutiae of everyday life. Reading, cooking, cleaning, walking, yoga, writing letters and so on.

River Cottage HQ

Drizzle 

Mary Anning at Lyme Regis

The Great Wall of China

Somewhere in Wales.

 I do hope to make blogging a regular habit again and to see you here again soon.

Happy 2025,
Tracy xo

FNwF catch-up

My Friday Night with Friends extended over to Saturday morning as I fell asleep on the lounge on Friday evening. What I am making doesn't look too exciting and isn't. I have 12 sets of produce bags to make. I have promised 3 bags per set so luckily they are quite quick to whip up. I also have 12 other items of which I have made 8 and will get some more supplies when I go to town next.

And then I think my sewing machine will need a service. It is misbehaving a little. 

Thanks to Cheryll for hosting Friday Night with Friends.

Bye for now,

Tracy.

 

September Friday Night with Friends.

 And just like that it's September. 2024 is passing me by and I really want to just slow down and catch my breath for a little while. So here I am for Friday Night with Friends and ready to do some stitching this evening. Thank you Cheryll for hosting. I'll be doing some sewing for a Christmas swap I am in. I need to get a wriggle on and finish up my items.

Bye for now,

Tracy xo

Home

Hello there, it has been a little while.

Life has been busy with one thing and then another, and another... But with the change of season, I thought why not try posting on the blog.

I have been on holiday for 6 weeks in the UK.It was so nice to visit again. I met up with two penpals, one of whom I became pals with firstly via blogging. We did lots of sightseeing, walking (a lot of walking), eating, and generally just being tourists. Some pictures to come.

Back home, spring sprung early. I missed almost all of winter by being overseas. The fruit trees have blossoms, the frogs are calling, and the days are delightful (when they aren't windy), and the mornings are lovely and cool and just right for a peaceful walk.

Well that has to be it for now. I am cooking dinner and should keep my mind on the job.

Bye for now,

Tracy xo