As some of you know, each Christmas I bake small gingerbread houses, three to be exact, one each for Annabelle and George to have fun with and one for me to get creative with.
This year I decided to turn my creation into a little goat yard. Goats are a big part of our life both as loyal pets and as an additional part of our business. This little scene makes me think of all the times we have had with goats this year; the hard work times, the tender times, the jumpy biscuit eating times and the heartbreaking times.
Speaking of goats, our favourite local café when we go to Broken Hill is the The Silly Goat . In fact, if we are meeting anyone for coffee we no longer even confirm the venue, just the time. This hardworking family owned business has been making exceptional coffee and gathering loyal customers from a modest building in our main street for the past twelve years.
After extensive renovations to a classic Australian country town Chinese restaurant our favourite barista and food team have moved into a shiny new location. Thank you Silly Goat crew for bringing a slice of city vibes to the outback. This move has been a long time coming and it has been worth the wait, just as I knew it would be. Congratulations!
Just a few doors down from where the coffee is flowing we have another new local business to support The Little Bloom Studio. Lindsay has quickly turned this beautiful, original Broken Hill shop into a vibrant space full of flowers, foliage and clever displays made with vintage finds. I walked out with a prickly bunch of traditional holly and sea holly stems, happy days.
In a country town it is always exciting to see new businesses open and even more exciting when they are being run by creative, passionate people who love what they do. Both these businesses have breathed new life into this little part of town just in time for Christmas. Look for the shiny coffee window, the patient coffee queue and the fresh flowers.
Happy Friday, friends. Stay safe and go gently x
*I wasn’t sponsored in any way for this post, I am genuinely happy to see progress in our town. Just saying.
kate
How great is it to see these creative, passionate, clever people take the brave steps to open businesses that do breathe life into a place? We have been on the Central Coast for 15 years, and from Mudgee, we really missed the food, art and wine culture. We had only a handful of places that made a decent coffee (I would have said one place). In the past couple of years though, we have been seriously spoiled for choice and more and more eateries, cafes, restaurants, bars and beautiful boutiques are opening all the time. So, so lucky to live where we live.
Jane S
I agree Kate! The Central Coast sounds lovely. I hope you are enjoying the Christmas break.
Kate
Beautiful Jane. I too am excited about the fresh look in our main street. I love your gingerbread goat yard xxx
Jane S
Thank you Kate, I hope you find some time for the Silly Goat in your holidays! x
Kim
These little businesses are what give value to our little communities, it’s what makes them great! I love hearing stories like this.
Jane S
Thank you Kim!
Kylie
Happy Christmas to you and your family Jane. I love your goat yard! x
Jane S
Thank you Kylie!
Anne
Darn it Jane. Your gingerbread house post always reminds me that yet another year has passed and I still haven’t made one! I love the goat yard and feeders. Lucky you to have thriving local businesses; our town has been taken over by chain coffee shops and charity shops with all the small family shops gradually closing their doors. I seem only to go into town now for the bank or the library.
Hope you have a fabulous Christmas. Anne x
Jane S
We also have our fair share of empty shops and chain takeaway food places. But, it is nice to see local people in local businesses. Thank you Anne.
Marcellina
How wonderful that there is such confidence in your town with new businesses opening. I’d love to come down to your area and do a road trip. It looks beautiful!
Jane S
Thank you Marcellina!
Lenore
Love the goat house Jane. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Lenore
Jane S
Thank you Lenore.
Paula
Love your gingerbread goat house & yard Jane.
The new “Goat ” is just wonderful isn’t it, I didn’t realise the business had been operating for 12 years – time really does fly. I too adore Lindsay`s beautiful flower shop – it has a happy feeling the minute you walk in the door.
Hope you are all enjoying school holidays & staying cool.
Jane S
Thank you Paula. I think the 12 years included the Food Affair days. Hope to catch up soon x
Paula
Forgot to say loving the new look of your blog!