Sunshine and bees bottoms

Well with less than a week to go until the official start of Spring, things have taken a turn for warmer and sunnier around these parts. A prowl around Betsy's garden has revealed lots of hints to a new season around the corner. Much as I tried to photograph the bees in my garden, I was only able to obtain a series of bottom shots as they are so fast. Does anyone know what this flowering shrubby tree might be called?

I was super excited to not only find the regular bees stocking their pollen bags but also our teeny tiny native stingless bees out collecting as well. We are hoping to have some honey by the end of spring.

They look a  little like tiny black flies and have no audible buzz, much less flashy than their stripy counterparts. They seem to be doing their Spring swarming again as well.

Our mulberry tree is laden with fruits, last year they were ready just in time for school holidays.

And we have had a few visits from the birthday duck even though it isn't anyones birthday (last year they visited on Liongirl's birthday with a celebratory treetop quacking).

Inside, the anticipatory spring sprucing continues. Ages ago when I was op shopping by the sea, I stumbled across this lovely little silk oak hall table, for $22. Straight home to live just inside Betsy's front door. The little magpie painting came from the little old lady craft shop near my work. And the milk glass dish was from the same seaside trip but was quite tricky to photograph.

 Now all I need to do is get rid of that cream wall paint and replace it with some fresh white. Still working on the custard though which is infinitely worse so the quarter strength Hog Bristle will have to wait. Cannot believe this is a top three popularity colour, it looks hideous on Betsy. Especially in our south facing bedroom where it is distinctly greenish.

As the season turns we are enjoying eating icypoles in our winter pj's. See the distinctly untrustworthy look on this childs' face? He is plotting to plant a cold icypole on my back, it was cold spoons last week.

He has discovered the joy of crosswords now that he is able to read the clues by himself.

And this minxy girl has discovered a love of numbers and is writing them everywhere. I think it might be nearly time to pack away the crochet blankies. This was the set up for our last trip to space in our rocket, with essentials like magazines and cupcakes.

Back soon but leaving you with an action bee shot- can you see those bulging yellow pollen sacks?