News & Updates from Helen Howell Designs · Page 4

We had our 8 year old granddaughter stay with us for a few days, and decided to take her to Garden World where there are a number of Dinosaurs, some of the models even moved, which was a delight.

But she also loved the models of the enormous bones, including this one of somethings jaws. Of course we had to take a picture of her with it. Her raw is as fierce as the models. Needless to say she enjoyed her visit.

A week ago we took a trip to Healesville Sanctuary, its a wildlife Sanctuary for Australian native animals and birds.

We were lucky with the weather and the sun shone down for us.

It has been many years since I had visited this place and it was obvious that they had done some really good changes.

It was a pleasure to walk around and see the various animals, Koalas, Echidna, Tasmanian Devils to mention a few and of course lots and lots of our native birds.

I especially enjoyed Spirits of the Sky, where we got to watch some of these birds including an Eagle in flight.

Sunday I got together with my daughter-in-law, Lauren, and my granddaughter, Alyssa and we headed off out to the Nail Salon for a bit of pampering.

Alyssa, who is 7 is not allowed to wear nail varnish on finger nails at school, had her toe nails painted instead, in a striking blue, very nice they looked too.

I chose a 1925s colour red for my nails, just loved the result, while Lauren had the most exquisite design painted on hers.

After out pampering we retired to the nearest coffee shop for a nice cup of java and a juice for Alyssa - a good afternoon was had by all.

We are in mid Winter here in Australia, but it is the perfect time to start sowing seeds for tomatoes, capsicum and chillies.

What you say, in winter? Yes, that is provided one has a heated propagator or heat mat.

If so, then this is the time to get those little seeds off to a good start and by doing so, come Spring you will have some nice plants ready to go out into the garden for this years summer crops.

Living in Victoria, this is exactly what I have done. I have sown several varieties of tomatoes and capsicum, but only one variety of chilli called Sweet Temptation. Heres to a bumper Summer crop!

Its now winter in Oz and in Victoria where I am it is fairly cold but at this time of the year we have an abundance of citrus fruits.

Both my neighbours either side have lemon trees, so I am more than able to obtain lemons and oranges are freely available in the shops.

So this is the time I set about making my orange and lemon marmalade - not too sweet and not to bitter - just right!

Something to enjoy on my toast at breakfast.