A Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY ~ Tuesday 27th March 2012 (I know it's usually Wednesday but below will hopefully explain)

Outside my window...there are two spotted doves (Streptopelia chinensis) checking to see if there are any tasty pickings on the patio. I'm sitting at the kitchen island looking out to the side of the house and the entertaining area. The air is cooler today but thankfully the sun is still here with us. Autumn has certainly arrived with all the trees gently blushing, but we've yet to see the full colour display of autumn. The lime tree looks healthy but I don't have one single lime! But the lemon tree is heavily laiden thankfully. There are flowers on the strawberry plant, so hopefully we may get to even taste one (that is if we're quick enough before the birds get there). My christmas  poinsettia that I placed outside is obviously happy because it has all new shoots and leaves.

 

I am thinking...how can the packet of Cadbury Creme mini eggs be empty, when there's only me in the house? It's a complete mystery!

I am thankful...that my mojo has returned from wherever it went for the last 12 years!

In the kitchen...its a bake free zone and has been for weeks. It seemed to stop when my OH was due a medical and since then although thankfully everything was fine, the baking hasn't resumed to it's past level.

I'm thinking I would like to bake today ~ it seems that kind of day, so we'll see what happens.

I am wearing...blue jeans, black vest, black fluffy long sleeved cardigan, blue pashmena and my ugg slippers.

I am creating...line drawings or zentangles. This is the reason why I'm posting my daybook today instead of tomorrow.  Whats on your workdesk Wednesday obviously needs a post on Wednesday and last week I did post the two on the same day. I'm not sure that worked well, so I'll change the day for my journal.

If you would like a peek at my desk then click here. By joining the WOYWW group it ensures I keep my mojo on track and there's so many talented people who provide inspiration out there. They're a great bunch so have a peek ~ they won't mind, honest!

I am going...nowhere today apparently as I'm having to wait in for the pool company to come and assess my equipment!Sounds dodgy doesn't it? 

I think the main pump filter needs cleaning and I'm wanting one of those creeper things that go along the bottom of the pool doing the work without my help. The contraption I have to use at the moment takes hours it seems and I'm dreading the autumn leaves landing constantly because I'll have to live out there.

 

I am wondering...where all the Cockatoo's where heading this morning? They've been in the neighbourhood for over a week, but this morning as I was walking they were all flying up in circles on the air currents making an incredible noise. If you imagine the starling’s ritual of flying around like shoals of fish before they roost at night, then you can imagine what this sight was like. Their white wings catching the sunlight. I think they were having heavy discussions on whom should lead the way and which route they should take...(must have been male cockies! LOL)

 

I am reading...  'The Dovekeepers' by Alice Hoffman

Over five years in the writing, Alice Hoffman’s most ambitious and mesmerizing novel ever, a triumph of imagination and research set in ancient Israel. 

At this point I normally write about the book and author, but I think the best idea might be for Alice Hoffman tell you about her book herself....

A few of the girls from my book club have read this amazing book already and are euphoric when talking about it. One of the girls is a prolific reader but couldn't read another book straight after finishing this...she said she needed time to appreciate fully what a magnificent piece of literature she had just read. Reading quite a few reviews I think I'm in quite a wonderful read. 

About the Author: 

Alice Hoffman was born in New York City on March 16, 1952 and grew up on Long Island. After graduating from high school in 1969, she attended Adelphi University, from which she received a BA, and then received a Mirrellees Fellowship to the Stanford University Creative Writing Center, which she attended in 1973 and 74, receiving an MA in creative writing. She currently lives in Boston and New York.

I am hoping...that I'll be able to finish my book in time for the next book club meeting. It's normally not a problem but I'm struggling juggling my time at the moment. I want to keep drawing and hope to progress to painting, plus I'd love to organise an Etsy shop, but that's a whole new experience for me. There's never a dull moment and always something new to learn.  

I am looking forward to...the weekend. Not sure about some of the plans, but I know it will be good.

Around the house...Everything is neat and tidy. The boys have both been away this week so everything has stayed in its place. Not that I'm blaming them of course ; )

A favourite quote for today... If you cannot teach me to fly, teach me to sing.

~ Sir James Barry Born May 9, 1860, Kirriemuir, Angus, Scotland
Died June 19, 1937, London, England
Dramatist and novelist who is best known as the creator of Peter Pan, the boy who refused to grow up.

One of my favourite things...is going to the cinema to see a good movie. I recently went to see 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' and really enjoyed the film. If you haven't heard about it's about British retirees who travel to India to take up residence in what they believe is a newly restored hotel. Less luxurious than its advertisements, the Marigold Hotel nevertheless slowly begins to charm in unexpected ways.

There's an incredible cast of actors with some really funny one liners.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Work, rest and play but not necessarily in that order : D

 

A peek into my day... whilst walking this morning I passed this unusual postbox or was it the doorbell? The glass had gone, but I wasn't brave enough to press the button to see what would happened. Imagine if the garage door whipped up and a fire engine came screeching out!

 

 I'm a day early this week due to having to post another topic on Wednesday's. If you regularly read my Daybook on Wednesdays (thank you) I hope I won't confused you with the days....I know I probably will be (:-*)

So that's it for this week; I hope you enjoyed your visit. Don't forget to pop over to The Simple Womans Daybook and check out the other day book entries

Have fun : D

A Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY ~ Wednesday 21st March 2012

Outside my window...There's an urgency to the wind this morning...it's in a hurry to get to somewhere, making the trees dance like there's no-one watching! The sky has just changed from an orangey/red glow to a whiter light. There are wisps of grey clouds up high so maybe if they get together for a chat we may have some rain?
It's still really quite warm. My bedroom window is open and rattling with the warm breeze that's come to visit. I think the birds have decided to wait keeping safe on their perches...there's not a lot of birdsong yet. The wind chimes have decided to untether themselves and are gently singing. I knew that the winds were coming to call today so decided that I'd tie them up so that the neighbours wouldn't be driven mad but they had other plans. Personally I love to hear them tinkling away.

 

I am thinking...I better get a move on this morning if I'm going to fit everything in...but Muffin doesn't look like she's ready to start the day...she's still curled up and gently snoring. Yeah its a dog's life ^..^

I am thankful... for Nature and all its splendour.

In the kitchen...standing in a corner is a bunch of twisted willow branches. I know it seems a strange thing to have in the kitchen but they aren't quite dry yet. It'll be a future project...although I'm not sure quite what that project will be just yet.

I am wearing...bedcovers (again!) I know but it is so much better if I write this daybook early before the day takes me wherever.

I am creating...line drawings! Whoohoo...still really thrilled with myself that after 12 years I'm finally doing something creative again. Silk painting is also knocking to come in...and maybe I'll get to answer soon.

I am going...it was going to be the Dentist but I decided to reschedule that appointment. I've got lots to fit in and the Dentist always seems to be put on the back burner...I wonder why that is? :-$

I am wondering...why my body (especially my waistline) thinks I'm going to hibernate this coming winter? I hadn't planned to hide away and lie dorment for the duration, but maybe it know's something I don't?

I need to seriously up my game and get moving!

I am reading...  'The Dovekeepers' by Alice Hoffman

Over five years in the writing, Alice Hoffman’s most ambitious and mesmerizing novel ever, a triumph of imagination and research set in ancient Israel. 

At this point I normally write about the book and author, but I think the best idea might be for Alice Hoffman tell you about her book herself....

A few of the girls from my book club have read this amazing book already and are euphoric when talking about it. One of the girls is a prolific reader but couldn't read another book straight after finishing this...she said she needed time to appreciate fully what a magnificent piece of literature she had just read. Reading quite a few reviews I think I'm in quite a wonderful read. 

About the Author: 

Alice Hoffman was born in New York City on March 16, 1952 and grew up on Long Island. After graduating from high school in 1969, she attended Adelphi University, from which she received a BA, and then received a Mirrellees Fellowship to the Stanford University Creative Writing Center, which she attended in 1973 and 74, receiving an MA in creative writing. She currently lives in Boston and New York.

I am hoping...that I can get everything ready and plans into action before my SIL comes to visit. There's always so much going on in Melbourne that I need to come up with a strategy so that we can maximise her time here.

I am looking forward to...making a trip to the garden centre to buy bulbs. I'm going to put some into pots so that when spring arrives, I'll have wonderful surprises. I also want to change the hanging flower mangers to winter plants. They really did well this last year and I've been really pleased with them but they look like it’s time to renew. But I'll be able to save the fuchsia, ivy and germaniums for next spring’s replanting (I hope).

Around the house...There seems to be lots of clothes that need to find their way home. One of the things about living in Melbourne and it's ever changing weather you need to have layers...depending on what I get up to during the day I can have numerous changes...from dogwalking, to chores, lunches, gardening, etc and it's obviously not practical to wash after only a few hours of wearing...so a chaise lounge comes in handy...too handy in fact!

A favourite quote for today... There is more to life than increasing its speed ~ M. K. Gandhi

One of my favourite things...writing this daybook although some times it can be a challenge. I am having such a brilliant time writing my blog and can't quite believe how rewarding it can be. Also the fact that so many visitors come to take a peek and some are even brave enough to leave me a comment : D 
I'm so excited and thrilled to see everyone and from all the four corners of the world too. So don't worry I know you're out there and am so happy that you choose to spend a little time out of your busy lives to visit. A huge thank you to you all.... X

A few plans for the rest of the week: Work, rest and play but not necessarily in that order : D

 

A peek into my day... well more into my last weekend really. Here's one of the chef's from Kobe Jones  Riverside Restaurant here on the Northside in Melbourne. It was a great night and we had 11 courses in all!
For anyone not too familiar Teppanyaki is a traditional Japanese cuisine. The word teppanyaki is derived from the word teppan which translates to iron plate and yaki which means grilled. It was so entertaining sitting in from of the chef's and watching their skills at work. 

If you would like more information just visit Kobe Jones to check out their restaurants.

We visited the Kobe Jones Riverside Restaurant   

We also went for dinner another evening to Neil Perry's Rockpool Restaurant

but I may post about that visit later in the week. 

Now you can see why I'm spreading like a chestnut tree....!

So that's it for this week; I hope you enjoyed your visit. Don't forget to pop over to The Simple Womans Daybook and check out the other day book entries

Have fun : D