A Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY ~ Monday 2nd July 2012 (EEK! July already!!!!)

Outside my window...is a wintery scene again. In fact I've just read what I posted on my last journal and it is virtually the same, only a week later!

It was tippling down earlier (I knew...not quite a meteorologist term...but hopefully you get my jist) with the grey blanket still very grey overhead, although we have seen some sun on other days. Unfortunately it appears very shy today and well hidden, so I don't think it'll make an appearance, but we live in hope.

The manic refuse collection trucks are using the quiet suburban streets like a grand prix course with their lights flashing whilst screeching breaks and flinging wheelies like they're on a fun park ride of their lives!

The magpies are chorkling as the rain has stopped and they have a lot of catching up to do. I did see one the other day with twigs in it's mouth...hopeful that spring is about to arrive. I'm thinking he'll be making alternative plans today.

The garden is mostly sleeping but we have amazing azaleas blooming like they have a huge responsibility to cheer all the wintery blues away. I didn't even notice them budding....how rude! But I'm making up for it now appreciating their wonderful displays of pinks, cerise and whites flowers. 

I am thinking...about Christmas! Well doesn't everyone in July? It's very strange here in Melbourne because quite a few families celebrate Christmas during the winter month of July!  Christmas in July....I know you have to flip your head around this...everything in opposites remember when thinking about here.

Even some of the large department stores are holding Toy Sales! 

But I think I'll leave my celebrations until December ~ thank you.

I am thankful...for modern medicine and all the medical experts that can make such a difference to people's lives.

In the kitchen...there's the lingering smell of my son's porridge which he microwaves and then smothers with honey...a good start to the day. I have one melting moment left in the cake container but I think that won't last long...I'm not saying anything more on that subject!

But it's a fact that you have to take in more calories over the winter to help keep you warm...isn't that right?

I am wearing...Now here's the thrilling details....brace yourself....Thermals! 

Yep I've succumbed plus grey joggers, long-sleeved black t-shirt, black fleece, socks and Ugg slippers.

I am creating...well I'm hoping to create a winter hanging manger. I've completed one and its up on the wall looking settled and right at home. The winter pansies are just flowering with some warm colours. It was definitely worth doing, so I'm going to do it once more with feeling! I'm not sure when I'll manage to get to it but if that sun finds it's way into my garden I'll be wrapped up out there and doing!

I am going...to arrange something as a surprise for my OH's birthday. I won't write it in here just in case he takes a peek. I'm also going to a posh restaurant on Saturday night but once again I'll probably post about it next week so I'll leave you in suspenders for now ;D

I am wondering...what I would be if I were an animal or plant? It's difficult to answer this for oneself so I may have to refer to my family and friends. 

I'm thinking as an animal I'd like to be something sleek, fast and beautiful to look at...but in reality I think I'm probably a tea drinking cat, liking the warmest comfy spot and being pampered whenever I decided but snoozing for the rest of the time.

As a plant I'd like to be an exquisite bloom with a beautiful perfume...an English rose perhaps, but again I'd probably be a double headed sunflower (of course I couldn't just be an ordinary sunflower...not that there's anything wrong with single headed sunflowers). Why would I be a sunflower? Well you guessed it, because I tend to gravitate towards the sun of course! 

 

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...a holiday anywhere! Yep I'm still hopeful!
 

Around the house...okay we're reasonably tidy today. We were out on Friday night and Saturday with a relaxing lazy Sunday (perfect) so not too much devastation happening over the weekend. 

I could find lots to clean or sort if I look closely, but I'm not looking! So sue me! ;D

  

A favourite quote for today...Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible ~ Dalai Lama

One of my favourite things...are flowers of any kind. They never cease to cheer me up. It's at this time of year that you begin to search for any buds or blooms (well I do anyway). I always like to have fresh flowers in the house, but even better if they are from the garden. I remember my garden in Scotland was a great source for floral displays with such a wide variety of plants available. Here in this current garden I have to improvise and sometimes add additions from the local florist.

 

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...

 Our little lemon tree is producing masses of lemons, which is making my OH drool thinking there's enough for me to make a classic lemon tart. They smell incredible every time we pass!

 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