A Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY ~ Monday 25th June 2012 

Outside my window...is a wintery scene...although I use the term 'wintery' loosely? Here in Victoria it can be chilly, wet and even snowy at times which for Australia is not what you'd normally think the weather would be. At the moment the sky is covered with a grey blanket, but I walked this morning with the sun on my back so I'm hopeful that it's only a temporary blip. There's a stiff business-like breeze that's impatient to get to somewhere which I'm hoping will clear the clouds away soon. 
The hibiscus outside the dining room window has lost the last of its blooms, so we'll have a wait until they return. The lilac bush is also completely bare but there's hope because if I look really closely I can see buds have appeared. We're over the mid-way point of winter now, so it's heading in the right direction.
I've also a hanging manger waiting for my attention. My OH took down yesterday, so that I can replant it. I've filled one already with it's winter plants and it's doing quite well...the flowers are just appearing and it's filling out nicely. I'll maybe take a photo of it soon to show you.

I am thinking...what a lovely weekend I've just had. It was our anniversary so on Saturday (which was the actual anniversary day) we went into the city to have dinner and to the theatre. I was tempted to do a post about it, but then thought I'd better concentrate on the anniversary and not in taking you all with us. I hope you don't mind?
We had dinner in a lovely little wine bar not too far from the theatre. It had a great atmosphere and it would have been nice to linger but we had a performance to catch, so had to curtail our visit. It's certainly somewhere I'd like to return to.
Then on to the theatre to see the musical Moonshadow. It is a show that has been created to encompass 40 songs by Cat Stevens. There was a storyline but at times I did feel that perhaps we were in a pantomime.
The singing, scenery and effects were brilliant though.We actually had the Cat Stevens song 'Morning has broken' at our wedding all those many moons ago....so it was very poignant.

I am thankful...that I have such a wonderful family. Both near and far. I am truly blessed.

In the kitchen...a steaming kettle having yet again just boiled....it's never far from the boil in this house. 
No baking or goodies in sight at the moment, but I plan to perhaps remedy that a little later today. I blame Masterchef because it does inspire me to try out wonderful recipes but also gives my boys idea's. Last night we had crêpes and I decided to challenge them....they had three crêpes each to decorate in their own way within the count-down. What a giggle!
My son's choice was to make a stack with the first layer of lemon and sugar, second layer maple syrup and the last layer with Nutella spread....yuk what a mix...not my choice and I think he'd be up for elimination if I'd been the judge, but he seemed to like it :$
My OH chose to fold his into triangles with yoghurt poured over, topped with fruit and mixed nuts, then drizzled with honey. He won on presentation so was thrilled. 

I am wearing...Black joggers, black long-sleeved t-shirt, red sweatshirt, a black pashmina (which was too cosy wrapped around my neck from my walk so its stayed put for now) socks...no Ugg slippers yet, but no doubt they'll be on later unless that sun appears. Fingers crossed!

I am creating...my notelets, cards and other possibilities. If you would like to see my designs then click here

I find it so handy having cards or notelets available in the house. I very often suddenly realise I need one and hate to have to dash off to the shops to try and find something suitable. ;D

I am going...to finish my cuppa then go shopping as soon as I finish posting this daybook. Nothing too exciting but then it is Monday and I'd like to get back quickly to do some drawing. I didn't manage any over the weekend. I have a few appointments this week and finally have a hair appointment...I feel I could play the role of Rapunzel without the need for any embellishments!

I am wondering...why time can play such tricks on us! You can be sure when we are doing something we love or are passionate about the time just fly's by... but then when we're carrying out a chore or have to wait for something it can hardly move. 

 

I'm reading...The Seamstress by María Dueñas. I've only just started to read this book and thankfully I've got until August for my book club meeting because it is quite a thick book. My reading seems to be taking a back seat just now, but it looks a good read so maybe I'll be able to squeeze in a little time somewhere?

Maria Duenas' million copy best-selling tale of adventure, tragedy, love and war, "The Seamstress". Spain, on the brink of civil war, 1936. In love for the first time, Sira Quiroga leaves Madrid, along with everything she knows and cares about, to run away to Tangiers, Morocco with her lover Ramiro. She entrusts him with all her inheritance only to be left by him - pregnant, penniless and in trouble with the authorities. At her lowest ebb Sira falls back on the one skill she possesses: sewing. Moving to Tetouan, Sira survives by sewing beautiful clothes for the English mistress of one of the most powerful men in Morocco and for her German friends. As the women unguardedly gossip about their husbands and lovers, Sira is placed in a position very valuable to the British secret service, and she is soon forced to move to Madrid where great danger lies. A grand and epic story that tells the story of Spain's civil war, Madrid in the Second World War and reveals a world of war, glamour, espionage and passion. "A wonderful novel with intrigue, love, mystery and tender, audacious and clean-cut characters". (Mario Vargas Llosa). "A magnificent novel that flawlessly brings together history and intrigue". (Juan Gomez-Jurado, author of "The Moses Expedition"). Maria Duenas holds a PhD in English Philology and is currently a professor at the University of Murcia. She has also taught at American universities, is the author of several academic articles, and has participated in various educational, cultural and editorial projects. She is currently writing her second novel.

I am hoping...that I can carry on creating my art. I'm having a great time and am so thankful that my mojo came back to me...heaven knows where he went for 12 years, but I'm so happy that he found me again. I hope he stays with me forever now :D

I am looking forward to...hopefully a holiday anywhere!
 

Around the house...everywhere is reasonably clean and tidy. Even the floors have finally been moped and are sparkling. This is a major achievement after having so much rain last week. I know there's a mountain of ironing lurking ~ waiting to pounce on a passerby, but I hope to tackle that later. I think a good DVD might make the task bearable! Do you like to iron watching a movie and if so let me know which will make this mind numbing task endurable....please ;D

  

A favourite quote for today... 'Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning' ~ Albert Einstein
 

One of my favourite things...is to walk with my friend and her dog in the mornings. Mufftypup and her friend can also enjoy spending time together. You can see just how enjoyable it is for them by their antics! I just wish Muffy wouldn't roll over at every opportunity...which necessitates in bath time virtually daily! ^..^

 

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...I'm thinking towards spring, now that we are just over half way through winter.

'Hope Springs Eternal' and all that....so when I caught sight of these little babies gently waving in the sunshine yesterday I had to capture them....you could easily be forgiven for thinking that spring has already arrived!

 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 a fabulous week and hopefully the sun will shine where you are : D