Winter in Australia

I guess you would have to live under a rock if you are an Aussie and haven't heard about the Antarctic air mass which is going to be moving into south east Queensland on Sunday and Monday and will possibly bring snow or sleet to Stanthorpe which is a only a two hour or so drive from here. Stanthorpe is situated on The Granite Belt and is home to a number of winemakers who are looking forward to the frosty conditions which act as a natural pesticide in their vineyards. This area is the coldest spot in Queensland and apparently people from other areas in the state flock there during winter to experience the chilly weather. I think they need to get a life :-)

In light of the cold, windy forecast I took some photos of the peach blossoms this week before they get blown away. 

We have had some beautiful sunny days with clear blue skies ....

 ...which make a stunning backdrop for the pink blossoms.

Another variety of bromeliad is in flower...

...and is equally stunning in its own way. 

I was going to try and make Faye's Violet Salve  but I don't think I have enough flowers so have dried a couple of batches of leaves and flowers thoroughly and am going to sun infuse them in olive oil and then add the strained oil to my next batch of soap. As a first I am going to colour the soap so bought some from a Queensland firm Big Tree Supplies. I haven't infused violets before so hope the oil turns out okay. I guess the worst that can happen is that our skin will peel off. ;-)

Instead of violet salve I might make some Calendula Salve using Rhonda's instructions. Actually, while I was searching on Down to Earth for that link there was another interesting post that came up in the results named Do you know what's in the cosmetics, cleaners and skin products you use? which I am sure you will find very enlightening if you haven't read it before. I am pleased I have learned how to make my own soap and hopefully will master making salve in the near future.

I am hoping that I don't lose the tomatoes that are growing down the back when the cold change hits as I really hate buying them in the supermarkets and fruit shops as they are often like rocks. We have a jungle of parsley and tomato plants growing in places...

 

...and these little tomatoes just pop up everywhere amongst the greenery. We haven't planted tomatoes for years and these don't seem to be bothered by the fruit fly. I would like to see if I could keep them growing right through winter but I won't hold my breath.  

Well, I hope that everyone survives the cold during the coming week. If it gets too bad in this old wooden, hardly heated house, I might head off to the shopping centre. So if you are looking for me I will be sitting on the couch there with the oldies trying to get warm. Now....where are those thermals?

I guess you have heard of Weatherzone which is a great place to get current temperatures and forecasts a week ahead. I check it out every day to see how cold our mornings are getting and today the site has a little story about the unusual weather we are going to get called 'Mr.Cold Front Takes a Holiday - A Children's Story'. It is good for a laugh! :-)

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.