The Christmas beetles come out. These are found predominately along the east coat of Australia but can be found over most of the continent. They are a scarab beetle and are common especially near Christmas, hence the name Christmas beetle.
In early summer, adult beetles emerge and seek out mates, eating eucalyptus leaves. Females lay their eggs in the soil, which hatch into white or cream-colored larvae called curl grubs. The grubs live in the soil for 1–2 years, then form a pupa and transform into adults. They can be brown, grey but the most exciting to find is the gold iridescent beetle.
Sadly, Christmas beetle sightings appear to be in decline. There is currently no formal monitoring program, it is unknown how bad the decline really is, or if it is affecting all of the 35 Christmas beetle species.
It is thought that because they live in the soil, when people are digging gardens or lawns find the grubs and think they are bad for the soil and they get thrown to the chooks or the birds get them.
So the other night when we found this one it was exciting. We have had the brown ones here before but to see this little beauty with its gorgeous iridescent gold colouring was wonderful.
Christmas must be just around the corner!
I would like to wish you all a safe and very Merry Christmas.
I am rubbish at getting festive pictures of my dogs. They spend most of their time trying to get the outfit off, so the photos are just a blur.
If I do manage to get a good picture it will be of them sitting in front of the tree, with no outfit, while I hold a handful of treats to get their attention.
So I was delighted when hubby sent me this picture of Billy wearing reindeer ears. Ok, he doesnt look too impressed, but it is the best we can do. Bah Humbug Billy! This week I have added lots of Christmas quick cards for those last minute makes.
I have added some pretty bow elements, that can be used to decorate these cards or can be used on any project
Last weekend my daughter and family went to Blenheim Palace the childhood home of Sir Winston Churchill. Every year Blenheim fo a Christmas Themed spectacular, both in the palace and outside.
The theme in the house this year is Peter Pan so as you walk through the house the story of Peter Pan unfolds, with beautiful scenes and props as well as special effects.
Outside is a wonderland of lights, with a beautiful fair and a spectacular drone light show. Of course a certain jolly old man made an appearance. A true Christmas experience.
….. it was soooo soooo cold but we braved the bracing weather and headed off to Welbeck College for the Cross Country races.
It might have been freezing but there was lots of warm welcomes and happy faces!
My youngest grandson, eight year old Austin, was the first of my family to race. Hes no t very confident and worries a lot. But …. he did so well taking a brilliant 17th place! And scoring points for Mansfield Harriers. Olivia aged 12 ran in a later race and she too 1st place! She just gets better and better.
We are all sooo proud of the pairs of them.
Well my youngest granddaughter here decorating her own little Christmas tree, its her second Christmas this year and just two days before the big day she celebrates her 2nd Birthday.Shes now into everything and nothing fazes her at all, she will literally have a go at anything thats offered to her to try.Shes wanted her own tree so my daughter got her a small one and let her loose to decorate, as you can see she did a good job.
Little Elsea was pleased Id like to take this opportunity to Thank all of my customers old and new for your continued support, I truly hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year!!
The local smoke shop had a promotion on for cigarette lighters and had a big cardboard display outside the shop featuring Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart.
Hubby asked the owner if he could get hold of another one as wed love to take one home.
As it happens we had a week of rain and the display that had been out front of the store for about a month was brought inside the shop.
Last Monday hubby noticed it was no longer outside and asked where it went. Owners wife asked if we wanted it…..yes…..and she said her hubby had put it out back and to ask my hubby if he still wanted it.
YES.
Brought it home and hubby took selfies with it and sent to the grandkids (they are into that type of music).
We now have the grandkids all trying to bribe us into giving it to one of them. They are going to miss out (for now) as it will go into the rumpus room when we are finished with the renos.
Hubby said it will become a collectors item in a couple of years. I didnt believe him. But on FB Market place they are already being sold around the $100AU to $200AU mark! So Snoop and Martha are getting into the Christmas cheer and residing beside the Christmas Tree this year.
Gorgeous Great Grandson Noah is now five months old and is enjoying is first Christmas Holiday time! He had been too see the pretty lights in town and loved them!
Im sure he didnt understand who the big fat man dressed in red was … but he loved the feel and touch of his furry sleeve cuffs … and he made the cutest little elf ….
No that Im biased! lol Im fairly sure hell loved getting his Christmas pressies …. but Im guessing hell probably spend more time playing with the Christmas wrapping paper! lol
I have finally got my sewing mojo back. I made my last item back in February, but thought once I retired I would get back into it. Unfortunately, it didnt happen and I had lost my confidence to get started.
Then a few weeks ago I found a bag pattern that I really wanted to make. I sorted out what fabrics went together, printed out the pattern and I was off! I even bought myself a rivet press to make the detachable straps. But it can be used for so much more.
I had so much more confidence this time and have already planned my next make. So here is my new bag. There will be no stopping me now!
I live to see handmade creations especially at Christmas. There are so many talented crafters out there, and Christmas craft fairs are fantastic to see all that talent on show.
But there are some who find crafting a little more challenging, but still like to join in making something around the festive season.
My daughter has always been willing to have a go, but wouldnt naturally do it herself at home. Last weekend there was a ladies crafty afternoon at RAF Benson so she went along. Her results are as pictured, and I think they are fab.
For someone who says she missed out on the crafting gene lol.
Hi everyone, I wanted to share something personal with you all. In October, I discovered I have breast cancer. Ill be heading into hospital this Thursday for surgery to remove it, along with a double breast reconstruction.
The medical team at Wythenshawe Nightingale have all been amazing so far and Ive met my surgeon, who I have great confidence in to perform the three hour operation that will get rid of it (and not make me look like Frankensteins bride when hes finished!).
Im told the procedure is usually just a day case.
However, since I have a very lively three-year-old at home who loves to climb all over mummy, they might keep me in for a little longer to ensure I get some much-needed rest (and some seriously strong pain relief!).In the meantime, Ive been working hard to upload as many new designs as I can.
Im not sure when Ill be back to designing. Im told I wont be able to lift my arms for 6–8 weeks, but they cant tell me how soon Ill be able to use a computer again.
Nows the perfect time to grab something from my collection!
Your support means the world to me, and knowing my designs are being selected and loved by such talented crafters keeps me motivated.To all of you who have chosen my designs or shared your creations in the Craftsuprint gallery this year—thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Your kindness and creativity have given me a positive focus during a challenging time.Just in case Im not online much in the coming weeks, Id like to wish the wonderful Craftsuprint staff and community a very merry Christmas and all the best for a happy, creative New Year.Take care, and thank you for your continued support!Warmest wishes,Rachael xx
Well this week I had to take Dolly to the groomer, my husband normally takes us but he had to work so I was left having to take her.On my own in the car Dolly sat front seat in my Range Rover strapped in of course, shes a very nervous traveler and I wondered if I would get there on my own, she did sit nicely but kept looking to the back of the car she wouldnt look forward at all and by the time we did get there I was absolutely shattered even though it was only a mile in the car,With the looking at Dolly making sure she was ok and keeping my eyes on the road was very tiring indeed LOLNever again Ill wait for the help to take me
… what a wonderful weekend we had last week! On the Saturday our youngest granddaughter Olivia aged 12 was competing in the 3rd of 3 cross country races. This was for the schools cross country competition. There were lots of schools and even more entries in each age category.
Olivia had already won the 1st 2 races and she won this last one too …. again by a gauge margin.
Having won the 1st 2 she automatically win the gold medal too! Then on the Sunday we were cheering for her Dad, my youngest sin Paul, who was also competing in a cross country races and…. and he too won his race too!!
Hes competing again this weekend ….
Watch this space to see how he does! lol
The latest post box topper on our dog walking route is now up, and it features a cheerful Christmas theme.
The topper includes Father Christmas, Rudolf, a snowman, a Christmas tree, and Kevin and Katie Carrot at the front.
It looks like its covered in snow, adding to its festive charm. I enjoy walking past this topper; it truly gets me into the Christmas spirit. However, with strong winds and rain forecast for the weekend, I imagine the woman who creates these toppers will bring it indoors for a few days.
This week like me and everyone else Christmas trees and decorations have been put up, adorning inside and outside our homes.
My daughter spent last weekend putting up their decorations.
This was done with great trepidation as they now have Otto their 5 month old Wiemaraner pup, who at the moment is chewing everything in sight.
But she neednt have worried because he was as good as gold. To get into the festive spirit Otto wore his best Christmas sweater. My son in law then surprised my daughter with a beautiful decoration for the tree which made her burst into tears.
It was an acrylic plaque which had Otto on and Roxy their old Staffie who passed away last year. Roxy had on angel wings and the caption read Otto- They still talk about you, Roxy- I know,and Im still here.
Never mind Kayleigh crying, when I saw it I was in tears too. What a lovely memorial sitting proudly on their tree.
My contribution to their tree was a Merry Woofmas decoration to welcome Otto to his first Christmas.
Twelve months ago we had this banana like plant start growing in the side garden. No idea where it came from as it wasnt there when we brought the place 3 years ago.
Havent bothered much about it other than to cut a couple of leaves off that hit us in the face when we are mowing.
Last Monday hubby told me to go look at it. I got a shock…its a beautiful white strelitzia! Has been a couple of flowers by the looks of it with a couple on it now. It is a Strelitzia Nicolai or a Giant White Bird of Paradise.
They are a tropical plant and they grow to around 6 to 10 metres. The normal Bird of Paradise are the vibrant goldy orange colour which we also have in the garden but they grow a lot smaller than the white.
They are quite expensive if sold tree size.
There are some shoots growing and I plan on digging them out and putting in a pot. They are very hardy plants but very invasive apparently, so by potting them and putting on concrete it will stop the roots doing any damage.
They will grow to about 6 feet in a pot.