November bee: a floral affair

A working bee usually starts off nice and slow.

A chat,

a smile or two,

before the labour begins.

The labour of reclaiming,



of celebrating,

of sharing,

of togetherness

of quenching,

of replenishing,

of being,

of building,

of enacting,

of planting,

of becoming,

of thanking the mother for her providing.

And thank you once again to Mara Ripani for taking these lovely photos and for sharing your surplus tomato seedlings with us. Thank you Anna and Ben and Artist as Family for your seedlings too!

See you all at the next bee! December 8th from 9am - 12pm at the garden beside the library.

We are also planning to be in the NYE parade again this year so start your op-shop raiding for colour-filled costumes.

October Bee

A participatory bee.

A maternal bee.

An experienced bee.

A visiting bee.

A hungry bee.

A learning bee.

A wise bee.

A working bee.

A welcoming bee.

A communal bee.

A familial bee.

A generous bee.

A free bee.

A sunny bee.

A creative bee.

A beautiful bee.

A flirty bee.

A busy bee.

Thank you to everyone who came along! What a beautiful, communal and fun day.

See you at next month's bee: Saturday November 10 from 9am - 12pm.

Also, we hope to see you at Land for Life this coming Sunday. More info about the event here.

Update: Rae Lands Park in autumn

Earlier in the year Paul, and more recently Luke, Anita and Rob in particular, have been busy at Rae Lands Park – mulching, pruning, planting and generally tending this wonderful community resource. Anita especially has been making new beds and watering virtually every day through this extended dry period. (2014 has seen less that 1/3 of the average rainfall to this stage of the year – and less than half the amount we received in the same period last year.) The park is looking established, the fruit trees are growing... there is a developing sense of a place with a presence that reflects the care and attention being put into its tending. Betty Rae would be delighted to see this appreciation of, and responsibility to her gift to this community, now becoming ever more evident...

Autonomous Art at Albert Street

Thanks this week to artist-essayist Jeff Stewart for his beautiful stencil work and to tattooist-illustrator Heath Todd for his handy sign-writing.

Jeff has lived in Daylesford for over 20 years and has contributed significantly to the cultural life of the town. Heath is a visitor from NZ and is in Daylesford to learn more about permaculture and community food systems. Both your crafts are much appreciated and welcomed within the gift economy of DCFG. Thank you Jeff and Heath!