A Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY ~ Thursday 6th December 2012

Outside my window...I can't actually see any blue sky peeking through the blanket of cloud at the moment, but it must be there somewhere? After all it is summer here in Australia and I can see the sunlight casting its shadows onto the patio. Now people who visit my blog will know that I'm a Brit and I have to say I always thought that the UK weather was changeable to say the least, but let me tell you it has nothing on Melbourne. For instance we had temperature of nearly 40C last week but then whoosh something happened and we plummeted to 16C (we actually put the fire on in the evenings and started to hunt out the fleeces again!) but hold on there's reports that we are expecting it to rise again to the high 30's this weekend. 

It just plays with your mind and your wardrobe....but I'm getting sidetracked because I'm supposed to be discribing what I can see outside my window....the lemon tree is looking very healthy due to having lots of attention and I also repotted the lime tree last weekend. Well I delegated and stood to watch that it was done correctly...giving helpful advice on how best the delicate manoeuvre needed to be carried out of course! (I think someone might have been holding his breath and tongue whilst undertaking this task but I can't be sure?)

The loungers are naked once again due to the rain and wind over the last few days and I can see that there are yet more leaves to be swept up even though I've done this chore every afternoon since we moved into this house...(maybe a slight exaggeration there)

I am thinking...it's been quite some time since I wrote a daybook entry.

I am thankful...that I've only just come back from a holiday to the North Island in New Zealand and here I am about to embark on another holiday to Canada! There is a background story as to why we haven't been away for three years but now we're making up for it...but I won't go into that today...the packings waiting. 

In the kitchen...Still no baking and absolutely nothing in the way of Christmas prepartions. Don't worry I'm as shocked as you...but we're away for Christmas so I'm sort of lost in this department at the moment because by now I'd usually be baking mincepies, sorting through my special recipies and generally stocking up on ideas whilst locating all the Christmas crockery! 

I am wearing...it's rather depressing but there's a fleece involved. I'm away to start packing after posting this so I'm in my working joggers and t-shirt. I'm thinking of it like a workout session! 

 

I am creating...I've just finished two Christmas card designs...one a robin and the other a 'Wannabe Rudolph' moose. It was to keep in with the Canadian holiday theme. They're quite fun and seem to be popular. I just didn't get my act together in time to include them into my Etsy shop. I know what have I been doing??? :$

I am going...I'd like to say I'm going Christmas shopping but just now I'm stuck for ideas but what I have thought about I can get online so that's a help. 

I am wondering...How did the poinsettia plant ((Euphorbia Pulcherrima) from the Mexican countryside become a botanical staple in our season of giving? Who brought it to America? And is there any truth to the belief that munching on one of its leaves could be fatal?

Many mistake the poinsettia's leaves as flower petals, but the flowers are actually the smaller, yellow buds in a poinsettia's center. These bracts -- the upper portion of the leaves -- are famously red, although they actually bloom in a variety of hues, such as pink, white and yellow. Poinsettias, also known as the "lobster flower" or "Mexican flame leaf," bloom in December, so I suppose that makes them an ideal holiday flower.

If you want to know more about the poinsettia then click on the word poinsettia.

 
I'm reading...Bill Bryson 'Down Under'

 

I'm assuming that you might have heard of Bill Bryson but if by some strange phenomenon you haven't then you really have been missing some great reading. Bryson is principally a travel writer and this book was written as he travelled around Australia in the late 1990's. His knowledge of Australia, its history, politics and geography is astute and insightful and he has the wit and humour to make what he has to say both funny and enjoyable. Although this book isn't a new one in fact it was published in 2000, it is just as funny and could provide valuable background to anyone wanting to embark on a tour of Australia today.

I've learnt so much about this country since I started to read it and been caught laughing out loud on more than one occasion!

Bryson travels around the country by train, plane and motor car visiting all the mainland States and Territories. In each State and Territory he visits each capital city and also often gets off the beaten track to far flung outposts of each State, some with names I haven't heard about never mind visited.

Bryson presents lots of fact and figures on most of the places he visited and the bibliography of the book would suggest he did detailed research.There are some real gems in this book with lots of humourous anecdotes, witty observations. 

If you live here in Australia, plan on visiting, are interested in the country or just want a great read then I highly recommend this book. It's actually my first Bryson book but it won't be my last!

About the Author:

Bill Bryson was born in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1951. He settled in England in 1977 and lived for many years with his English wife and four children in North Yorkshire. He and his family now live in America. He is the bestselling author of The Lost Continent, Mother Tongue, Neither Here Nor There, Made in America, Notes from a Small Island, A Walk in the Woods and Notes from a Big Country.

I am hoping...that our magic Elf appears and packs all the cases for our holiday then by a click of his fingers transports us to our place in Canada. That way we won't have to endure a long-haul flight! Well I can hope can't I?

 

I am looking forward to...Arriving at our log cabin by the lake with all my family around me. Settling before the open fire with a good book, a glass of something to warm my insides and the Christmas tree to be twinkling in the corner...all with a beautifully white crisp winter wonderland outside the window.  Ahh....
 

Around the house...Empty cases unfortunately...so I'd better get a wriggle on if they're to be full and ready for the airport!
 

A favourite quote for today...Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'! ~ Audrey Hepburn

One of my favourite things...clouds....they never cease to amaze me. I can sit and stare for quite some time marvelling at them if time allows.
   

A few plans for the rest of the week: Work, rest and play but not necessarily in that order! Although I don't think they'll be much playing just yet.  

A peek into my day...I first saw this plant whilst living in Brunei but didn't know that it was called Kangaroo paw until an Australian friend came to visit. I had mine in a hanging basket but this specimen was in a nature strip (grass verge). I took this photograph whilst on a bike ride at the weekend so it's not really a peek into my day but I hope you forgive me ;D

Common name: Kangaroo paw

Botanic name: Anigozanthos 'Bush Dawn'.

 So that's it for this week; 

I hope you enjoyed your visit. Don't forget to pop over to The Simple Woman's Daybook and check out the other day book entries

Have a fabulous weekend and hopefully I'll be nattering again with you soon   

Have a wonderful weekend everyone....Enjoy!