Hi all. Well, here we go … the last one for this year. Where has it gone? The acceleration of time feels real. Surely it can’t all be in my imagination. Nah! It’s real…just ask my knees…lol.

Christmas, the time for giving, caring and sharing and apparently helping yourself to other people’s property. Some lowlife decided they needed my brewing ingredients more than I did. I hope they enjoy it as much as I would have.

On a much happier note…my newest grand baby is only a matter of days away. It will be great to have some joy and a reason to celebrate.

And continuing on a celebratory note. We are rejoicing, that finally, we have managed to keep the wallabies/pademelons at bay. It has been a few months now and the difference in the garden is amazing. The plants are thriving…revelling in the fact that they are not getting tip pruned (or totally destroyed) every evening.

Heidi is still managing to surprise us on a regular basis. Her absolute favourite place is the beach. Some days she will chase the birds…other times, not interested. Some days she will chase thrown objects into the water and duck dive down to find them (yep you read correctly…she sticks her whole head under water) and other days not interested. And then randomly, she will decide she is going for a swim. Michelle thought she was going to have to go after her one day as Heidi seemed determined to swim to Melbourne! Crazy dog.

Work variety, and unpredictability continues. Just recently my subject matter has included dairy farmers, doctors, medical practices, first-home buyers and mortgage brokers…the spice of life …reputedly.

And driving to a job you can’t help but notice the riot of colour that is an outbreak of feral Hollyhocks. Very pretty, but very much out of place.

My happy place of late has been my shed. It’s not very big but it is becoming quite productive. My latest project has been a small set of drawers…a birthday present for Michelle. I’m not letting the cat out of the bag or spoiling her surprise, as I have given it to her early.

Some time ago I was gifted a blackwood board (thanks Crispy) that I have had earmarked for a special project. What better than Michelle’s 60th birthday present.

I decided the carcass would be blackwood and the drawers Tas oak with Huon pine fronts. Firstly, I needed to mill the board. With each pass through the thicknesser the character of the timber was being revealed…satisfying to see. Enjoying a challenge (or a glutton for punishment) I decided to use splined mitre joints…something I had never attempted before. They turned out ok, but I reckon I can do better.

The drawer carcasses were both finger-jointed.

I really enjoyed working with the Huon pine (not as prone to tear-out or splintering like the blackwood) as it is very rewarding as you work your way through the grits when sanding, giving an almost velvet feel…not to mention the gorgeous aroma. Mind you, the finish on the blackwood is not too shabby…if I do say so myself. Some people really hate sanding. I find it quite therapeutic…and extremely rewarding if you are patient. I love the super-smooth feeling when you run your finger tips over a finely sanded piece of beautiful timber.