A Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY ~ Friday 28th September 2012

Outside my window...I became aware of the rain dancing on the roof...with a low rumble of thunder to accompany it long before daybreak. What a lovely way to begin the day...listening to the beating rhythm and its roar.

Now that the blinds are open I can watch it too. I'm not bothered by having more rain because we've had some brilliant sunny days lately and have appreciated it fully with beach walks, eating al fresco and generally being outdoors from dawn to dusk! 

The cockatoos are calling with their squawks echoing around over head. They even came to call just to see if we had anything of interest to share...perfect photo opportunity as they land on the balcony showing their best side to the camera.

I can see the tall blue gum trees swaying against a bright but fully laden sky...the rain will be here for a while yet...but that's fine by me. It's giving a refreshing feel to the morning.

If I look over to the left I can see the ocean with amazing waves rolling in onto the clean golden unspoilt sand. No foot prints have marked the perfect scene so far.

The amazing azure blue with starch crisp white crests rolling and tumbling forwards...oh I could sit here and watch it for hours. This has to be good for the soul.

I am thinking...whilst I'm sitting here appreciating this scene...when will my breakfast arrive? I wonder who's on duty this morning? (rumble in the tumble) Ahh haaa...it's not me as I hear clatter coming from the kitchen. The day just gets better

I am thankful...for moisturizers. After a day at the beach my skin drank in my moisturizer like a parched elephant at a waterhole!

In the kitchen...It's not my own kitchen today because we are on a road trip but the kettle is cooling so needs to be refreshed and another cuppa made. The fridge is stocked with fresh juice and champagne (not bad eh?) The breakfast order is sitting in a basket waiting for us for whenever we decide to participate. Which by the sounds and feeling in my tum won't be long!

I am wearing...cropped jeans and a t-shirt although if I venture out I'll be wearing a cagoule.

I am creating...a huge porfolio of inspiration! We have been collating photographs for the last two weeks...literally hundreds so that should stimulate our creativity. There seems to be an abundance of

stimulus at every turn.

I am going...home today to prepare for our next trip! It's all go.....
 

I am wondering...how Mufftypup is behaving? She's staying with Zac whilst we nip here, there and everywhere....so I can imagine there could be high jinx! 

I'm reading... The Paris Wife by Paula McLain (I'm reading it on my kindle)

The Paris Wife

I decided that I would use my kindle for this read because I know I'm going to be busy travelling around so it will be ideal. I've enjoyed holding three huge 'real' books (as I call them).

I've only just started it but already I'm enjoying it immensely.

Book Description:-  

A deeply evocative story of ambition and betrayal, The Paris Wife captures a remarkable period of time and a love affair between two unforgettable people: Ernest Hemingway and his wife Hadley.

Chicago, 1920: Hadley Richardson is a quiet twenty-eight-year-old who has all but given up on love and happiness—until she meets Ernest Hemingway and her life changes forever. Following a whirlwind courtship and wedding, the pair set sail for Paris, where they become the golden couple in a lively and volatile group—the fabled “Lost Generation”—that includes Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, and F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald.

Though deeply in love, the Hemingway's are ill prepared for the hard-drinking and fast-living life of Jazz Age Paris, which hardly values traditional notions of family and monogamy. Surrounded by beautiful women and competing egos, Ernest struggles to find the voice that will earn him a place in history, pouring all the richness and intensity of his life with Hadley and their circle of friends into the novel that will become The Sun Also Rises. Hadley, meanwhile, strives to hold on to her sense of self as the demands of life with Ernest grow costly and her roles as wife, friend, and muse become more challenging. Despite their extraordinary bond, they eventually find themselves facing the ultimate crisis of their marriage—a deception that will lead to the unravelling of everything they’ve fought so hard for.

A heartbreaking portrayal of love and torn loyalty, The Paris Wife is all the more poignant because we know that, in the end, Hemingway wrote that he would rather have died than fallen in love with anyone but Hadley.

About the Author:-

Paula McLain was born in Fresno, California in 1965. After being abandoned by both parents, she and her two sisters became wards of the California Court System, moving in and out of various foster homes for the next fourteen years. When she aged out of the system, she supported herself by working as a nurses aid in a convalescent hospital, a pizza delivery girl, an auto-plant worker, a cocktail waitress--before discovering she could (and very much wanted to) write. She received her MFA in poetry from the University of Michigan in 1996. Since then, she has received fellowships from the corporation of Yaddo, the MacDowell Colony, the Ucross Foundation, the Ohio Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. Her first book of poetry, Less of Her, was published in 1999 from New Issues Press and won a publication grant from the Greenwall Fund of the Academy of American Poets. She's also the author of a second collection of poetry, Stumble, Gorgeous, a memoir, Like Family: Growing Up In Other People's Houses, and the novel, A Ticket to Ride. Her most recent book is The Paris Wife, a fictional account of Ernest Hemingway's first marriage and upstart years in 1920's Paris, as told from the point of view of his wife, Hadley. She teaches in the MFA Program in Poetry at New England College, and lives with her family in Cleveland. 

I am hoping...that a friend who is having such a difficult time at the moment finds peace, stability and can embrace the new start in her life no matter how scary it appears just now. She deserves the best! ;D

 

I am looking forward to...the list is endless and would take far too much time here.

Oh breakfast has just arrived....brilliant timing...yum!

 

Around the house...well its hardly a house as we are staying in a hotel but we're heading home later...once I've finished here I'll be packing up our belongings, loading up the car and off we jolly well go....toot toot! 
 

A favourite quote for today...which we saw written on the rear of the vehicle in front of us whilst on the road!

"Why do people with closed minds always open their mouths?"

 

One of my favourite things...is having my photographer with me. I don't have to carry the equipment, worry about light, exposure, or composition...we just see things so similarly and sometimes at exactly the same time...sometimes no words are necessary...just a look or a finger point and click!

   

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... it rendered me speechless!

 What better way to end a spectacular day than to witness the rugged splendour of the famous 12 Apostles, magnificent rock stacks that rise up majestically from the Southern Ocean.   

 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 weekend and hopefully the sun will shine wherever you are   but if it doesn't just make the most of everything.....Enjoy!

What's On Your Workdesk - WOYWW #173

Can you believe it? WOYWW is here already...

Everyone get ready... and open your door to let visitors in from all over the world. 

The WOYWW gang love to snoop see what you've been up to (creatively that is) and see what's been happening on your work desk this week! 

 But first I have to apologise to everyone I didn't get to visit last week...

I confess that at the moment I'm being totally self-indulgent because having all my family under one roof is so special that I want to make the most of it! 

I make no excuses I'm just devoting all my time to this for now...but I will get back to you...I promise.

 So what's on my desk this week?
Well not a lot really...in fact I'm not actually at a desk at the moment!

We've been away for a few days...(see previous posts if you want a nosey) so we've been catching up at home today...but the beautiful blue sky and sunshine kept calling me outside...so what's a girl to do? 

Give in I say... ...so I did!

(Note I don't get to have a cushion!)

I know it's a little naughty to post such a lovely desk....but then you have to remember we've just come out of winter here, so the springyness has made us all slightly lightheaded and crazy!

Yep even more crazy than usual ~ eek...now that's a scary thought. 

I've not much art to show you at the moment..although I did start a sketch here...

My aim is to try to loosen up whilst sketching so to send me crazy 'help' my daughter wouldn't even let me use an eraser!

(I know....I've never liked her!)

It was touch and go who or what would end up in the pool first...the journal, my sketch, me or my daughter!

 I found it incredibly difficult and scary to start...and I know I've got a long way to go...

...so that's it folks possibly my shortest WOYWW post ever!
Pretty unusual for me huh?

If you're new to the term WOYWW (What's on your Workdesk Wednesday) or just here for the first time then you'll wonder what on earth I'm referring to....basically Julia at Stamping Ground thought up this amazing desk hop, nosey thingy party that happens every Wednesday and its a BIG hit!

So if you want to see lots of creative artists/crafters work just nip over to take a look at their desks.

There's so much talent and inspiration out there plus they're a friendly bunch and would love to see you. 

Have a wonderful Wednesday and I'll hopefully see you soon.

An eventful day trip....

What a way to start the day...

pity I wasn't there but my daughter was...so we're able to appreciate this beautiful sunrise...
I've now got used to the early morning sounds of the front door softly opening and shutting and smile to myself :D

Another perfect photo opportunity in the bag! 

Here's a lone pelican and black swan enjoying the early sunrise...

 Just a quick pit stop to feed the roos....

How special is this...to be able to feed a roo with a joey peering out of her pouch! 

 
After another enjoyable al fresco breakfast...we decided that we'd pay a visit to nearby Raymond Island.

This island has a koala colony and is reached by a local ferry.

More about the ferry later....

So how did the koala colony begin? 

In Victoria in the 1920's the koala population was almost wiped out. 

Koalas were then relocated to islands as part of an early conservation programme.

An local islander wrote to the authorities asking for koalas...

and this was the reply:-

Raymond Island received 16 male and 26 females from nearby Phillip Island.

There's a trail of about 1.2km long to wander and the walk takes approximately 20 minutes.

That is if you stay on the mapped walk...we didn't!

It was fantastic to just gaze up into the trees overhead and be rewarded with such brilliant sights...

koalas just doing their thing.

Here's a few koala facts...

The koala's scientific name is Phasclarctos Cinereus and they aren't bears as many people are led to believe. They aren't even related to bears. The koala is related to the kangaroo and the wombat. 

They're a marsupial mammal which means that the females carry their babies (cubs) in their pouch. 

The male has a large scent gland on his chest and grunts like a pig.

They live from 10-15 years.

The female is smaller and can breed from the age of two. 

Young cubs are born after 34-36 days gestation... Blind and hairless they make their way to their mother's pouch, where they stay for 6 months feeding on her milk. Afterwards the cub climbs out of the pouch and rides on the mother's back. At one year old, it is ready to start life on its own.

Koalas have evolved into an animal that has a restricted diet of the leaves of a few species of eucalyptus trees. It is rare to see a koala on the ground...this can mean it is either sick or injured.

By 2003 the koala population of Raymond Island grew to over 600. 

This put their food supply under stress.To solve the problem, the government initiated a population management programme involving fertility control and relocation of some koalas. 

As a result, those remaining are healthier and the manna gums are recovering.

(I feel compelled to shout 'duck' whenever I look at this photo)

I can't imagine how this could possibly be comfy?

I have heard that koalas can run as fast as a rabbit but also sleep for up to 19 hours a day.

I can believe the second part of this last sentence but have to admit I've difficulty with the first!

Pelicans are frequently seen riding the thermal lift or gliding down in their classic 'V' formation before gracefully landing on the water.

Black swans (cygnus atratus) often nest along the foreshore and are a delight to see on the water with their little grey cygnets. So cute!

The adult black swan's body is mostly black, with the exception of the broad white wing tips which are visible in flight. The bill is a deep orange-red, paler at the tip, with a distinct narrow white band towards the end. Younger birds are much greyer in colour, and have black wing tips.

Black swans form isolated pairs or small colonies in shallow wetlands. Birds pair for life (ahh..), with both adults raising one brood per season. The eggs are laid in an untidy nest made of reeds and grasses. The nest is placed either on a small island or floated in deeper water. The chicks are covered in grey down, and are able to swim and feed themselves as soon as they hatch.

Many sea and wading birds are often observed on the sand or gravel foreshores and great egrets and white faced herons wade at chest height in the shallows feeding on small fish. 

Meanwhile in the water nearby, the local bottle-nose dolphins often in pods are regularly seen emerging from the water to display their aerobic skills. Unfortunately we scanned the water but we not lucky enough to see any.

The island's identity is, of course, highlighted by the ferry. It has grown from a row boat provided by the Shire in 1888, to a hand winched chain driven punt for horses and carts. The ferry was first for 3 cars, upgraded to the diesel  for 6...extended to 10...then to a 21 car iron monster. 

The latest ferry was commissioned in 1997. 

Horses and cattle used to swim the straits!!

Upon driving back to our accommodation, thinking that the day had given its all...we came upon a really incredible sight. How many times have you been driving along a road to have birds ahead...and as you drive nearer, they just fly away....well not so in this case.

As we approached the bird (at speed!!) we suddenly realised it was heading towards us.. flapping its wings in a desperate attempt to slow us down.

We all shouted 'STOP' to my hubby (who was driving) and suddenly the bird went missing under the bonnet! We all cringed ready for the bump but the bird suddenly appeared unfazed at the side of the car still flapping!

We then noticed that there were baby birds trying to cross the road! 

Never underestimate a mother's willingness to protect her babies. 

This lapwing was dedicated to her young and ready to put her life on the line....the white line literally.

Then virtually before we could draw breath we encountered a huge fallen branch which covered the whole road... Everybody out...it's time for a game of tug-o-war!

What a challenge that was...but thankfully with two other cars joining us, we managed to shift it to the side of the road.

And so once more off we go...heading home...

 What a full action packed day!

Artist Play Room - In Your Own Back Yard

Where would I begin if I was to sum up today, sitting here contemplating whilst sipping my chilled Sauvignon Blanc... the first words that come to mind would be 'sensory overload'...

From first light and the start of the raucous dawn chorus, it has been full on... but in a good way. 

In this part of the world, swans are black with bright red and orange beaks. My daughter was out with her camera from first thing and caught these beauties preening and preparing themselves for the day. 

So atmospheric...

 
After an alfresco breakfast, we headed off on a bike ride through the outback until we reached the beach. Sat for a while watching the bird life, busy about their business. Cormorants sitting in the sun spreading their wings like washing drying on the line.

Upon returning to the house to prepare for the afternoon's activities we had a visitor just near the back porch... an echnidna... 

Funny little creature digging away searching for bugs...

 

I'm aware of how long this post is taking, and although we are sitting here chilling and recharging our batteries (like this chap below, who we saw this afternoon... an expert in the art), you may not be and your coffee break may be over soon, so I'll keep it brief... 

  

How can all this not inspire you to be an artist, so therefore I am entering this post into Jenn's Just add Water, Silly challenge where the theme for this week is "in your own backyard". 

This is my back yard for the next few days - don't worry, I am soaking it all in and appreciating every moment. We have our art supplies with us - we will try and get the chance to put something on paper!!

Why not nip over to the Artist Playroom and see what inspires lots of other talented artists.

As you can see... the holiday is going pretty well so far!!

What's on Your Work Desk ~ WOYWW #172

So, where am I working this WOYWW? 

Am I in the studio?...at the kitchen table or the back in the dining room?

Well, in fact, it's none of the above...

...I'm here!

Not bad eh?

(photograph courtesy of my daughter and her amazing camera ~ I'm not jealous in the least ~ honest!)

Sorry I'm so late posting today but we've had an eventful time...what with pesky poaching possums on our patio trying to pinch from our BBQ...and kangaroos coming to call with their joeys for feeding!

Lots of photos to follow....

If you haven't heard of the term WOYWW (What's on your workdesk Wednesday) then nip over to

 Julia's blog at Stamping Ground where you'll be able to check out crafty desks from all world!!!

Have fun and I'll be back soon with lots of inspiration and photos. 

'The Eagle Has Landed....'

Well peeps...just in case like me you've been holding your breath and ready to pop with h'eggscitment....

I thought I'd let you know 'the eagle has landed'!!!

My daughter arrived safely in the early hours of this morning...four hours later she's bought a new bikini!

so let the sunshine commence....

Ahh....I'm such a happy bunny having all my chicks in the one nest.

Have a great week everyone...I know I will ;D

Hot off the Press...

Breaking news hot off the press....

My dear friend Jenn from Just add water silly is a contributing editor to a magazine and wants everyone to know that the 'FEATURING' magazine (Issue #2) is now available for pre-ordering 

(Issue 1 is still available). 

 And what's more there's a 'GIVEAWAY'  with this issue! 

Who doesn't like a giveaway? ;D

The magazine is giving away one of thirty inchies on the back of issue 3 and everyone who purchases a pre-order of 'FEATURING' magazine issue 2 before 21st September, gets entered into the draw to win a small piece of the winners' own artwork displayed on issue 3's back cover. 

 

Imagine having your own artwork on the back of a published International magazine!

How cool would that be?

You can even submit your artwork to the magazine....

So take a peek inside and give yourself a treat, inspiration, and the possibility of publishing your art!

A Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY ~ Friday 14th September 2012

Outside my window...I'd love to say it's a beautiful spring day but I'm afraid I can't. There's a drab grey blanket sky which possibly holds yet more rain...it's certainly heavily laden. The cold wind is still visiting and I really wish it would move on to its next destination...it has been here for far too long! Talk about outstaying your welcome!
But there has been some sunshine that has caused stirrings within the bird and plant population. I counted 10 different birds in a high state of activity yesterday on my short walk. I say short walk because it was freezing and I'd not wrapped up enough...will I never learn about Melbourne weather?!?!
I see new shoots and buds about to pop in the garden and thankfully I appear to have not killed off the roses after my pruning frenzy. 
I now see that I've got figs appearing even though there's hardly any leaves open yet...see photo below.
The jasmine has popped along with the wisteria...there's a bitter sweet feeling here because I do adore them but unfortunately someone in their weird and wonderful decision thought that they would look perfect hanging over a trellis near the pool. Very near the pool in fact!
This does give quite a stunning display but hey people do you know how many petals and bits fall off !!! I'm just not looking today....

I am thinking... about my big brother as it's his birthday today. I haven't been home for two years which is unusual for me as I normally return home every six months for a visit. (There's a story there which I may divulge at some stage but not today) I'm hoping he's having a fantastic day ~ Happy Birthday Bro XXX

I am thankful...for my health. It's very easy to take for granted whilst everything is working well...but as you know this can change in an instant. So I'm stopping for a moment to be thankful.....

In the kitchen...bare for now but there's going to be a baking frenzy soon. My daughter is coming and it's my mission to feed her up...well isn't that what Mum's are supposed to do? My boys will certainly not object either. My hubby asked the question yesterday..."does this mean we can have duck fat on our roast potatoes again"?


I am wearing...A Fleece! I know I can't believe it either...still having to rug up here...Ugg slippers are keeping my toes cosy too.  I'm doing the 'hokey cokey' dance with the heating...too hot with it on...too cold with it off...(sigh)

I am creating...an email to present my designs to a publishing company...wow...tummy flip there. Wish me luck.

I am going...on a few mini trips soon so I'll be inviting you along if you're free...get your bags packed ready!

 

I am wondering...why my links within this post and my last post have different colour fonts. It won't let me change the colour either no matter what I try? Its infuriating having different colours...I'd prefer blue and I've tried so many times to correct it but it's just not listening. If you know how to correct this then please can you let me know? Is it me or Blogspot?    

I'm reading... The Paris Wife by Paula McLain (I'm reading it on my kindle)

The Paris Wife

Before I give you some insight into this particular book I must mentioned how much I enjoyed my last book The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society It was a delightful novel of post-war friendship, love and books. If you missed it then all you have to do is click on the link above it will take you to the book review and authors video interview.

So onto this book. I decided that I would use my kindle for this read because I know I'm going to be busy travelling around so it will be ideal. I've enjoyed holding three huge 'real' books (as I call them).

I've only just started it but already I'm enjoying it immensely.

Book Description:-  

A deeply evocative story of ambition and betrayal, The Paris Wife captures a remarkable period of time and a love affair between two unforgettable people: Ernest Hemingway and his wife Hadley.

Chicago, 1920: Hadley Richardson is a quiet twenty-eight-year-old who has all but given up on love and happiness—until she meets Ernest Hemingway and her life changes forever. Following a whirlwind courtship and wedding, the pair set sail for Paris, where they become the golden couple in a lively and volatile group—the fabled “Lost Generation”—that includes Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, and F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald.

Though deeply in love, the Hemingway's are ill prepared for the hard-drinking and fast-living life of Jazz Age Paris, which hardly values traditional notions of family and monogamy. Surrounded by beautiful women and competing egos, Ernest struggles to find the voice that will earn him a place in history, pouring all the richness and intensity of his life with Hadley and their circle of friends into the novel that will become The Sun Also Rises. Hadley, meanwhile, strives to hold on to her sense of self as the demands of life with Ernest grow costly and her roles as wife, friend, and muse become more challenging. Despite their extraordinary bond, they eventually find themselves facing the ultimate crisis of their marriage—a deception that will lead to the unravelling of everything they’ve fought so hard for.

A heartbreaking portrayal of love and torn loyalty, The Paris Wife is all the more poignant because we know that, in the end, Hemingway wrote that he would rather have died than fallen in love with anyone but Hadley.

About the Author:-

Paula McLain was born in Fresno, California in 1965. After being abandoned by both parents, she and her two sisters became wards of the California Court System, moving in and out of various foster homes for the next fourteen years. When she aged out of the system, she supported herself by working as a nurses aid in a convalescent hospital, a pizza delivery girl, an auto-plant worker, a cocktail waitress--before discovering she could (and very much wanted to) write. She received her MFA in poetry from the University of Michigan in 1996. Since then, she has received fellowships from the corporation of Yaddo, the MacDowell Colony, the Ucross Foundation, the Ohio Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. Her first book of poetry, Less of Her, was published in 1999 from New Issues Press and won a publication grant from the Greenwall Fund of the Academy of American Poets. She's also the author of a second collection of poetry, Stumble, Gorgeous, a memoir, Like Family: Growing Up In Other People's Houses, and the novel, A Ticket to Ride. Her most recent book is The Paris Wife, a fictional account of Ernest Hemingway's first marriage and upstart years in 1920's Paris, as told from the point of view of his wife, Hadley. She teaches in the MFA Program in Poetry at New England College, and lives with her family in Cleveland. 

I am hoping...that a magic fairy comes in the night and cleans everywhere...what do you think the chances of that happening are? Yeah I think so too...nothing for it...I'll just have to wear my tutu and get on with it!

 

I am looking forward to...I think you know what this will be. Warmer weather and of course my daughter arriving. Sorry to sound like a broken record here but once she's here and it gets warmer I'll be able to move on ~ promise!
Oh I've just had another thought...a positive reply from the publishers would be good too.

 

Around the house...one cold pooch curled up in her fleece. There is a lot to sort out before my daughter arrives...the usual boring chores but if I get ahead of the game...then I'll be free to do whatever takes our fancy! I've moved most of my art stuff back into the studio from the dining room so both rooms need organising.

 

A favourite quote for today... 'Seize the Day'! I use this quote constantly (not sure where I got it from but it works for me)

 

One of my favourite things...is having my washing machine take all the hard work out of my day. I've completed two loads of washing whilst I've been chatting here with you. Not bad eh?
I remember not so long ago seeing my wonderful Grandmother washing her bed linen in her washing tub outside in her shed...using a podger to move the huge heavy sheets through the water....then folding them through a mangle numerous times to get all the water out of them...before them hanging them on the washing line. What a woman! 
I'm not sure I'd be changing my bed linen so frequently if I had to do that performance each time. 
(Bless you Nanny Pridd  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... The rebirth of a Fig Tree...so someone thinks it's spring!

   Well I better 'seize the day' then...before it disappears....

 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 wherever you are Enjoy!