A Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY ~ Tuesday 5th March 2013

Outside my window...well there's actually no window this morning because I'm sitting outside making the most of this beautiful day we've been blessed with. As I look across to the table and chairs I remember indulging recently in dinner with friends. Eating, drinking, laughing and enjoying each other's company. There's nothing better than sitting outside eating al fresco on a warm evening. The table flowers are still on display as are the remnants of the candles which gave a perfect glow to the evening. Everything is tidy and surprisingly there aren't too many leaves scattered over the area. The clearing of falling leaves can be a daily ritual here and we haven't even got going with autumn yet! 

Muffin is curled up in a little square patch of sunlight that has manoeuvred its way through the vine lattice canopy. She's had her walk, eaten a good breakfast, so it's time to relax. Not bad having a dog's life eh?

It's still early and the sun hasn't visited this side of the house yet...it makes an entrance later in the day.

There's a beautiful hint of a breeze just gently whispering through. The temperature this week is reported to be in the low 30's. (Celsius) and I have to admit I really like this early start to autumn. The days are hot and sunny, but the nights are cool and therefore no problem with trying to get to sleep. I'm glad we've left the 27 degree night-time temperatures! They weren't fun. 

The pool is rippling with the breeze and making that beautiful trickling sound as the water falls over the spa ledge, enticing me to take a dip but I'm going to resist until later.
The birds are very vociferous today...there's lots of gossip going on. 

As usual I have music gently wafting through from the kitchen (sigh) I think I like Tuesday morning and therefore I'm shall embrace it and appreciate it fully. It would be rude not too!    

I am thinking...I need to apologise to all my readers because I've been inundated with too many anonymous comments lately for me to ignore, so much so that I've decided to make the big decision to enable the comment moderation option on my posts, in the hope that the annoying spam will stop! I've only placed it on older posts for now. Hopefully I'll be able to remove it later and that you'll forgive me! 
 

I am thankful...for being fit and healthy. I'm fully aware that there are many people out in blog land that have daily struggles for whatever reason. I hope that today will be a little easier for you ;D

In the kitchen...Everything is reasonably clean and tidy. There's even fruit cake because I decided that I really should work my way through my store cupboard. This boiled fruit cake is the easiest cake in the world and has featured in a previous post. The recipe is here. It's so moist and lasts brilliantly. 

 

My cup is patiently waiting for my next cuppa...which is imminent! 

I am wearing...nothing on my feet (nothing new there) black linen Capri shorts and a shocking pink shoe string vest. Ha...you'd think it was summer!

I am creating...a few things but I'm not making much progress, so after I've finished this daybook I'm going to try to be productive. I've got three projects to complete and I'd love to have them all done by the end of the week....LOL 

I don't think that's going to happen but I hope to certainly have made some progress. I know you can't rush these things but I need to get a wriggle on...seriously I've procrastinated long enough! 

Here's a little project I finally got to earlier in the week...I took these precious photographs out of my treasure box and placed them in frames.  

They are my Great Grandparents on my maternal side. Quite some time ago I started to trace my family as in the 'Who do you think you are' programme, which is always a favourite for me. I might even post about my ancestry one day...but for now I still need to do more research. 

It feels only right that they should be out in the daylight. I wonder what they would think about being here in Australia? My Great Grandmother came from Scotland and was the daughter of a farmer and my Great Grandfather was one of seven children and the son of a labourer! No blue blood found in my ancestry line yet, but I'll keep looking! ;D

I am going...on another couple of trips soon and I'm hoping you'll come with me? Are you free?

I'll swing by your place on the way...so pack your bags! :D 

I am wondering...when I might manage to have a good old chin wag with my sister and brother. I've not spoken to them person to person for a while and it's time we checked in with one another. I know they are fine thanks to texts etc.

Thankfully with text, tweets and Skype communications are far easier than it used to be. It's just getting the right time for both ends of the earth to be available and 'in sync'! It's quite a task!

I'm reading...I'm very excited about this book and just wish I could find more time to read it in one go. I'm only managing to read late at night which isn't ideal.  A book club friend put this forward as a recommendation and I must say after seeing her face talking about it and after reading some reviews, I couldn't resist. So it's my Book Club entry for this month. 

 

Details taken from Gillian Flynn own website...

On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick Dunne’s clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer? As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. ..

For more reviews click here

About the author: Gillian Flynn is an American author and former television critic for Entertainment Weekly. As of 2012, she has published three novels: Sharp Objects, Dark Places, and Gone Girl. 

Born: 1971 Kansas City

Education:  University of Kansas, Northwestern University

Awards: CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger, CWA New Blood Dagger, Black Quill for Dark Genre Novel Of The Year

Nominations: CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger,

 

I am hoping...that I can do justice to a piece of work that I want to produce. I can't say too much here and now but hopefully if things go well, I'll let you see the end result. Wish me luck :-/
 

I am looking forward to...discovering new things. Whether it's on my next trip or within my artwork...there's always something new to discover. It's all about the wonderful journey. 

 

Around the house...I know there is ironing lurking (isn't there always) but I'm just not looking! There's a large box of beautiful mangos bought fresh from the market at the weekend. I'm not sure we needed 15 but for $5 dollars I don't think anyone would say no. I think there could well be a large jug of mango smoothie in the fridge by this afternoon. ;D

All of my fur cushions went to the groomers on Saturday (well they do look like pet furry beasts) and they are all fluffed up and fresh...back in situ sitting pretty. I wanted to make the most of the weather to give them an airing!They could possibly win best in show now!  

A favourite quote for today...A woman is like a tea bag ~ you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water! Eleanor Roosevelt. 

One of my favourite things...I recently was sent the link below by a friend...it's special and I wanted to share it with you.

It's a female golden Lab with a little Down's syndrome boy who has likely never seen a dog up close like this before. The dog is so gentle and keeps trying to engage the child. Its just so beautiful....if you are like me perhaps have a tissue to hand....

http://www.youtube.com/embed/JA8VJh0UJtg?rel=0
    

A few plans for the rest of the week:  At this point I normally say.....Work, rest and play but not necessarily in that order...it still seems appropriate! : D

 

A peek into my day... Hopefully this won't shock or distress anyone...

It was a photo that was sent to my hubby during last week from an plant in Darwin....apparently the crocodile just appeared on site! A new recruit perhaps but I'm not sure he's suitable ~ he seems a little snappy! 

I'm thinking that this might be a good camera lens because I don't think anyone would want to get up close and personal with this baby! It's okay though because he moved on after doing his value checks....everything seemed to be in good working order. :D

 So that's it for this week; I hope you enjoyed your visit and if it's your first time reading my daybook entry, I hope you enjoyed it.

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 for you....keep smiling!

I hope to see you again soon...Have a wonderful week everyone.