From the chatty and lovely feedback I received on last weeks blog, ‘Boronia Blues’, it sounds like those who are like me and struggle growing Boronia are also challenged by Daphne! And, whats more, a lot of us are trying to grow either or both because they remind us of our mums and grandmothers. Isn’t that just the most beautiful thing?

You’re walking through the local nursery, or at the very least Bunnings. You’re in a mad flat out rush because you need to get back to pick up the kids from whatever sport they’re doing.

There are times in your life when you just have to have a breather. Take a step back and contemplate the world around you … where you are going … what you are doing. A sabbatical, I suppose one could call it.

Brrrr … June has arrived and winter has slammed into us with a vengeance here in Southern Victoria. The wind is icy and days overcast and grey. It was such a sudden change!

Lake Hill is launched, reminder about the Latrobe City Literary Festival, and a carrot cake recipe.

What an incredible night we had at the LAKE HILL Launch! IT WAS A SELL-OUT! We couldn’t fit another person in the room and I can’t even BEGIN to tell you how much fun it was.

Our book launch for LAKE HILL is a sell-out! Thank you to everyone who has responded in any way to the invitation to help celebrate the arrival of my seventh book! It should be a fabulous night!

The time is nearly here! LAKE HILL is due to start arriving on shelves at a bookstore near you LATE THIS WEEK. Are you excited? I’m excited! Can you tell? (Plus launch details for the 28th April)

What a time we had at Jugiong Writers' Festival and a note about the Gippsland Health Summit

And so, this week I need to share with you all, the most fabulous news.

Good morning on this balmy Friday! It feels like rain but the clouds are too high, a bad thing for my paddocks which are so dry the grass crackles as you walk; a good thing for the Mountain Cattlemans Get together that starts today at Buchan.

Hello 2017! I hope your Christmas was wonderful and not too jam packed to sit, relax and read a book which hopefully someone stashed in your Santa sack.

As I don’t live in town I never get junk mail. This would be a dream for most people who get inundated with trailer loads of the stuff, but for me, it’s disappointing. I LOVE junk mail, probably more so because it is such a novelty.

I am SOOO excited!

Well, my wonderful readers, how are you surviving the school holidays? Loving every single second of not having to think about nor make school lunches, sort out pickups, drop-offs, sporting events, and ‘is it regular or sports uniform today/tomorrow’?

For those of you past having kids of school age, this won’t necessarily cause a bump on your road. Except, perhaps, if you’re a grey nomad travelling around and all of the sudden everywhere you want to go is booked out, jam packed with screaming kids or even – woe forbid – the local Dan Murphy’s or IGA has sold of out of your favourite wine (#mumsinneedofliquidtheraphy)

All I can say is thank goodness, winter is nearly behind us. After the warmth of the Pilbara, this time last year, I can categorically say, ‘I loath and detest the southern winter.’

There is a hint of Spring in the air, so I’ve snuck out of a late winter hibernation.