GM and I had a great date day.  The sun was shining after a very wet, windy wintery week.  Fluffy white clouds kind of day.  The ground was a bit wet but with the right shoes it wasn’t a problem.

We spoke to great local producers, had a good chat to the goats milk soap man. I cannot remember his name. I am so bad with names.  He was very helpful with a potential solution to manage our bracken fern problem. Yippee! Also Karen from Lost Lake Wines in Pemberton, she was very chatting. Fortunately or unfortunately, not sure which, Karen’s stand was right next to the Thermomix demonstration stand. Karen had not seen one in motion before, so she was concerned that she might buy one by the end of the day….

The main draw card for GM and I was Matthew Evans and Ross O’Meara from SBS Gourmet Farmer series.  They were at the festival to conduct a couple of masterclasses and also just chat about their experiences and how the Gourmet Farmer project came about.  GM has a little man crush on Matthew.  He openly admits it!  I don’t blame him, as I think he is fabulous also. What Matthew has been able to achieve in a short time is very encouraging for GM and I with our tree-change adventure.  GM was very calm when we spoke with Matthew about small land holdings and our idea for our 28 acres of the beautiful south west.I didn’t say a word.  I don’t do well with famous people.

Lunch was from the Pata Negra and Xarcuteria food stalls.  David Coomer  always providing great food from great produce from our beautiful southern forrests.  GM had the paella covered in black truffle shavings. Delicious.  I went for the rillettes with fresh bread from the charcuteria. Delicious times two. All washed down with a wheat beer and Bridgetown cider and some good company of strangers at our table. Two lovely couples who had the courage to take on the tree-change challenge 25 years ago.  They praised GM and I for our courage to take the leap to achieve our dreams.

More great produce, wine and chats were had during the afternoon, followed by a quiet drive home (quiet for GM as I had a little snooze). Mr Nelson was patiently waiting for us, kidding! He was barking up a storm. He is very good at making us think he has been doing that for hours.  We both know he was asleep on his bed in front of the wood stove for most of the day.

Our Date Day finished with a light supper of our treats from the festival, yum, yum.

Mr Nelson is a very loving dog. I love him very much, perhaps too much. He is my little shadow, where I go he goes. I was sewing yesterday afternoon and this is his normal spot for a sleeping.

other things I love:

the quirky style of this wedding.

2 more assignments, and I might get this.

with the change of season I want to eat more pies, yum.

a websurfing crafty girls paradise.

Instagram is finally on Android…

ah such lovely yarn.

our current favourite family fun.

and my sister, it’s her birthday today.

— miss lkt—

Just a bit of a casual outfit tonight.

Jeans – Riders by Lee

T-Shirt – American Apparel with custom print (RedBubble.com)

Happiness Score – 9, it’s a birthday afterall.