The return of the 'long/formal' dress for evening, pistachios and autumn harvest.

Long or cocktail length for formal occasions?  
This  dilemma drove me quickly to see what was available so I could road test a few patterns. I was attracted to this Burda pattern as it has an elegance and is not fussy.

Not only did this pattern come together in a matter of hours but I managed to dispense with a zip

as I used a cotton with a little lycra from Cooper Street.

Autumn harvest is near complete as we are all surfeit with pears and chokos. The white cockatoos  managed to finish off the unharvested walnuts so we have started to pick pistachios and thankfully the processing and salting is easy. It is always a surprise to taste the sweetness and colour of fresh green pistachios. 

Rhubarb is still generous  and finally we are looking at the abundance of olives and deciding on their fate. Autumn flowers also start to flower on shorter stems, ensuring enough seed set for future generations though presenting challenges for florists.

All old farm sheds have a pile of hessian potato and seed bags that are testament to many of the big agriculture firms and districts. These bags have recently become a collectors item.

Finally the Easter Show is starting Thursday. It is a great opportunity to see our best produce and livestock. Whether you are a dog, pig, horse or chook fancier, it is the best show in town!