A Simple Woman's Day Book

FOR TODAY ~ Friday 14th June 2013

Outside my window...thankfully it looks so much better outside my window today than it did yesterday. If I'd have sneaked enough time to write my Day book yesterday, then I'd have been very negative because it was a complete washout! Dark and wet...in fact you'd possibly have thought that I'd already moved back to the UK! 

Thankfully the three days of virtual none stop rain seem to have emptied the clouds for now, although they are still hanging around. There is the odd little peek of sun but it's rather weak. 

The swimming pool is looking exceedingly full and I'm just wondering what will happen if we get more rain...eek! The grape vine is stripped of all its leaves and now looking very bare but the main stem always appeals to me...it's so twisted and full of character. 

I've found a few stray strawberries that were hiding on the plant which I have to say were a total surprise. I thought they'd be finished by now. But I don't think these few brave beauties will ripen...it would be a miracle if they do...but never say never! 

The wisteria is completely naked now which is quite sad as I've had to clear every last leaf but won't have the pleasure of seeing it bloom again! But I've just remembered that I have a wisteria waiting for me back in the UK and so I'll have that to look forward to so all is not lost! 

My orchids have been adopted and are settling into their new home. I know they will be very happy. Their new owner doesn't even know how spectacular they are or even what colour. So that will be a real treat. ;D

There's one last rose of summer sitting looking so pretty. It's a gorgeous yellow and the perfume is incredible and wafts as people come to the door. I'm so tempted to cut this last one and bring it in the house to enjoy. So far I've resisted but I don't think that'll last. It's like a burst of sunlight.

I am thinking...that I really have been a bad blogger recently because I haven't visited many other blogs. It's not that I don't want to...in fact I'm bothered what I maybe missing. Okay yes I know...I'm nosy and don't want to miss anything. But I find once you miss a few posts from your favourite bloggers it's really quite a task to play catch up! But if nothing else I'm determined, so I'll strive to pop into a comment box near you soon...I just ask that you be patient with me. It really is quite a task to move from one part of the planet to the other and unfortunately time gets swallowed up in huge chunks! 

I am thankful...for such much that it really is too hard a task to just pinpoint one....so today I'm not going to. I am an incredibly privileged and lucky person...but don't get me wrong, I don't take that lightly. Sometimes I don't feel it but it only takes a few seconds to be reminded. There is so much to be thankful and I intend to keep reminding myself of even the smallest thing daily! ;D 
Just to prove my point as I've been sitting here chatting with you...this has happened...life's full of surprises.

No matter what is going on in your life...it may not be going where you thought it might...but there's always something to be thankful for. Just take the time to appreciate it. 

In the kitchen...there's a gorgeous pan of homemade soup warming. My hubby has 'man flu' at the moment so I'm suffering! Yes you read that right...I'm suffering! There's nothing like a good homemade chicken and veggie soup to warm the cockles of your heart when you're not feeling 100%. 

The cupboards are getting slimmer (pity I'm not!) as I try to work my way through my store cupboard. I think a few friends might be getting odd provision pressies soon. 

I am wearing...no thermals. LOL but that's because the heating is gently wafting through the house. Starting at my feet I'm wearing trainers (only because I nipped out earlier and just haven't got around to taking them off yet ~ naughty I know but hey who cares?) Jean's and a long-sleeved t-shirt under a white cotton jumper. There's a white, blue and black patterned pashmina cuddling my neck just in case I feel the heating isn't sufficient enough ;D

I am creating...nothing at the moment. I think my creative juices have dried up for this week which isn't surprising with what's been happening here. It's been rather hectic as we enter the last few weeks of our Aussie life, but I'm hoping that my mojo hasn't abandon me but just taking a little break. 

I am going...to get fat with the way I'm eating at the moment. Seriously with so many meals and lovely leaving events lately my waistband feels in serious threat of pinging! And there's still so many more to go...I'm seriously clocking up the calories! 

I am wondering...who opened that new bar of chocolate in the fridge? I think we may have a serious choco-goblin that visits at night! It wouldn't be me would it? Not with all of those calories lining up (as she pops yet another square into her mouth....Mmmm)! 

I'm reading...The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

(Details taken from Booktopia)

Don Tillman, professor of genetics, has never been on a second date. Then a chance encounter gives him an idea. He will design a questionnaire—a sixteen-page, scientifically researched document—to find the perfect partner. She will most definitely not be a barmaid, a smoker, a drinker or a late-arriver. 

Rosie Jarman is all these things. She is strangely beguiling, fiery and intelligent. And she is also on a quest of her own. She’s looking for her biological father, a search that a certain DNA expert might just be able to help her with—even if he does wear quick-dry clothes and eat lobster every single Tuesday night. 

When rights to a debut novel are sold in more than thirty countries, you know a book is generating serious buzz. I am glad to say that this feel-good debut delivers what the hype promises.

I'm really enjoying reading this charming and amusing book and recommend it.

About the Author:

Graeme Simsion was born in 1956. He is an IT consultant and data analyst with an international reputation. He has taught at four Australian universities and is currently a Senior Research Fellow at Melbourne University. He is a founder of Pinot Now, a wine importer and distributor, and is married to Anne, a professor of psychiatry who writes erotic fiction. They have two children. 

In 2007, Graeme completed his PhD in information systems and enrolled in the professional screenwriting course at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. He has made a number of short films and his screenplay, The Rosie Project, won the Australian Writers Guild / Inception Award for Best Romantic Comedy Script in 2010. While waiting for The Rosie Project to be produced, he turned it into a novel which in June 2012 won the Victorian Premier’s award for an unpublished fiction manuscript.
Readers of The Rosie Project will know that Graeme Simsion has a first-class sense of humour. At professional conferences he has given addresses from on top of a ladder, dressed as a duck, and he once engaged a group of spellbound chartered accountants in community singing.

I am hoping...you didn't see me nip back to the fridge for a few more squares of choccy! ;D

I am looking forward to...starting a whole new veggie plot with raised beds in my new garden. I think I might be up with a fight to keep the wildlife away from my produce but hopefully I'll be able to grow enough that we can share...I'm keeping my options open. My hubby is suggesting I get a rabbit recipe on hand but I don't think  I like that thought! I'm thinking that Muffy won't be much good as a guard dog but you never know. She may think it's a whole new circle of friends! ^..^

Around the house...All ship-shape Sir! Even though we aren't open for a house inspection this weekend. With having so little of our furniture and belongs with us now, it's easy to keep clean and tidy. My hubby is getting into this minimalism but I'm afraid I like all my belongs. I can't wait to be re-antiqued with them all.

A favourite quote for today...(an image courtesy of Google Quote of the Day)

One of my favourite things...obviously chocolate by the look of this post but I've mentioned that before possible numerous times so I'll say something new...if only I could think of something...mmmm...

I love to hear the wind and rain lashing and bashing the house when I can snuggle further down under the duvet (dunna) where it's all cosy and snug. It's probably just as well because come next winter that may well be how I will spend most of my days LOL 

I'm looking up how to survive hibernation...well I'm doing well on storing up with the excess fat already, so I'm half-way there already! 

    

A few plans for the rest of the week: Well thankfully we're just heading into the weekend. But I don't think they'll be much resting time...we're trying to make the most of each day until we leave :D 

A peek into my day...well maybe that should read a peek into last night. 

This photo was taken as the seafood bomb arrived at our table.  

But then there was so much more....

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

Don't forget to pop over to The Simple Woman's Daybook and check out the other day book entries.

 I hope to see you again soon...Have a wonderful weekend.

Have fun and hopefully the sun will shine!!!