A Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY ~ Saturday 13th October 2012

Outside my window...it's dark right now. Normally I'd write my daybook at day break but not today.  

It's been some time since I made an entry into my daybook, so although it's late I still thought it was about time I did. Even without seeing outside I know the pool has leaves floating on the top...but the lawn has been cut. The hanging baskets are growing and putting on a good show as each day passes. Their flowers are adding beautiful colour and the promise of profusions to follow.

Unfortunately the loungers are nude of cushions due to the temperature still not rising enough for leisurely lounging. I am completely enamoured with my lilac tree. Last year I remember it only had three blooms but after my pruning and the vast amounts of rain we've had this last winter it's putting on a fine show!

The lilac has a strong scent that carries on the warm air to fill the garden with a wonderful perfume.

I am thinking...have I packed everything I might need for my trip? But if the plane is to get off the ground I suppose I will have to say enough is enough! If I haven't got everything then I'll live! It's not life threatening ~ is it?

I am thankful...that I know I have all my family safe, well and happy. 

I always like to stop and appreciate these things when writing my daybook. It's all too easy to take for granted these precious moments. In a whisper it can change so stop and be happy in the moment.

My thoughts go out to anyone who is suffering a loss, grieving or trying to cope with a tragedy. 

I hope they find comfort soon. 

In the kitchen...everything is spick and span. It's compulsory in my book to have everything clean and tidy before leaving for a holiday.

I am wearing...trackies, sweatshirt and ugg slippers. I have to say I'm extremely comfy and cosy.

The fires on and I've a cuppa on hand. Perfect! 

I know it's supposed to be spring in Australia but with the temperature only 11°C tonight...I need to wrap up. 

 

I am creating...basically a mess but thankfully it's contained within the guest bedroom. But I'm nearly done.

I've been packing for our next holiday which will start in a few hours. 

You have to understand I never travel light....NEVER! I do try but it's just not within my capabilities. It goes against my nature!

I am going...on holiday...AGAIN! Yes I know but with my hubby having six weeks off work it's a must!

Don't forget to pop back later to see what we get up to.   

I am wondering...why I left buying a new android phone so long. Yesterday that was corrected! 

I have to admit its a steep learning curve but so exciting. I love to learn something new and the graphics are brilliant...it makes the learning all the more exciting! I didn't even know how to answer it when it first rang (hehe) but I'm getting there. Each time I touch it I discover something new. I'm not sure how long it will take me to feel as comfortable with this one as my old trusty friend but I'm hoping it's not too long.

 
I'm reading...The Dressmaker by written an outstanding Australian author Rosalie Ham

I'm reading the Kindle version and have to say I'm thrilled with it so far and highly recommend the book.

Peopled with exotic characters, this is a story of love, hate and haute couture, set in a country town that's disconcerting to visit but a bitingly comedic and heart-breaking place to live. The townspeople's eccentricities are many and varied - from Sergeant Farrat's predilection for cross-dressing, to pharmacist Almanac's retributive scheme of potion dispensing, not to forget the affairs and assorted dark secrets.

After twenty years away, Myrtle Dunnage returns to Dungatar.
Dungatar is a small country town, where the townspeople's eccentricities are many and varied – from Sergeant Farrat's predilection for cross-dressing, to pharmacist Almanac's retributive scheme of potion dispensing, not to forget the affairs and assorted dark secrets. But none of these can compare to the sin of Tilly and her mother: to have come from somewhere else. At first ostracised, the townspeople gradually accept her in order to make use of her extraordinary dressmaking skills and, at last, Tilly feels that she might have found home.
But small towns are strange places, where vanity rules, and, once again reviled; she sets out to teach the town a lesson. In the process she faces the ghosts of her past, and wreaks a havoc that provides a most satisfying revenge.
Peopled with exotic characters, this is a story of love, hate and haute couture, set in a country town that's disconcerting to visit but a bitingly comedic and heart-breaking place to live. A warm and nasty book, The Dressmaker evokes Drysdale's 'Drover's Wife' dressed in Chanel. 

About the author:

Rosalie Ham was born and raised in the Riverina, in southern NSW, and now lives in Brunswick, Victoria. She studied drama and literature before taking up writing seriously and has had written three stage plays and one radio play which were performed in Melbourne. The Dressmaker is her first novel.

I am hoping...that we see some sun and perhaps feel a little heat on our trip. We're heading south so it could be rather chilly.

 

I am looking forward to...tomorrow. Our flight and holiday should be pretty special. I'll tell you all about it in future posts...so as they say...watch this space!

 

Around the house...similar to the kitchen...everything is tidy. But please don't look in the guest bedroom...clothes are on the hanger for easy reach at dawn. The cases are lined up ready for the off and the last few items on the bed ready to load.

Pack horse comes to mind...but my hubby has had many years experience and has done his limbering up exercises in readiness...as you can imagine he can't wait     

A favourite quote for today...'Reading one book is like eating one potato chip' ~ Diane Duane

 

One of my favourite things...is taking a hot shower!

   

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 Austalian fairy wren.

Which is so flighty and extemely difficult to capture on camera...well for some of us...but not others!

  Here's the photographer....just wish I could say it was me!

 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 I'll be nattering again with you soon   

Have a wonderful weekend....Enjoy!

The Artist Playroom....Masquerade...

As soon as I heard that this week's challenge from Jenn in the the Artist Playroom was to be a Masquerade theme, I decided to put all the chores on hold...yes I know not a difficult decision.

Every time I even hear the word 'Masquerade' immediately I have the Phantom of the Opera playing in my head! 

I think you'll agree that this clip is fantastic....pure Masquerade magic!

Fantastic costumes....

I have such wonderful memories of a fancy dress party that my sister and BiL threw for us before we left the UK and headed towards Australia.  All the guests really pulled out the stops and went to town on their costumes. One of the party members (who'll remain nameless to protect his identity) dressed as the Phantom. To say he enjoyed the costume would be an understatement. He swished his cape constantly and assumed the role by disappearing and reappearing throughout the night. He has seen the theatre production in various venues numerous times and I often imagine him sitting in the audience fully robed...mask, cape and all...just waiting to be called because the lead has developed a mysterious 24 hour virus and the understudy suddenly takes a tumble.

No worries ***** is here to fill the role perfectly!  

So with spending time I didn't really have drawing....I had to resort to squirting furniture polish ramdomly around the room masquerading it as a clean house...(hehe)

Here's what I produced...

 A brand new page in my second journal....whoohoo!

It hasn't been a particularly bright day today, so unfortunately I don't think it's the best photo.

I'm also not sure that you will be able to see the silver highlights...but what can you do when the lights not right? 

(Maybe replace the image at a later stage when it is? )

Jenn is kindly having a 'giveaway' too, so not only will you see all the other artists interpretations on the 'Masquerade' theme if you visit her blog...

there's also a chance you might win a special mystery bag of wonderfulness too. 

Good luck and have a fantastic Friday everyone...

What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday ~ WOYWW#175

Wow...it's Wednesday...

So why am I showing you this mess?

Because basically Wednesday means WOYWW (what's on your workdesk Wednesday)!  

It's the creation of Julia from Stamping Ground who thought up this fun passing of creativity between like minded people, but unfortunately there's little creativity going on around this place just now.

I'm half way through my OH's six week leave (don't ask!!!) 

so you can imagine there's not much time to self-indulge in my art work!

Therefore I'm using the time to collate immense amounts of inspiration in the hope that once I get my time back I'll be raring to go....

I know these WOYWW posts to supposed to be short but I couldn't help think you may like to link in to see some more artists from Melbourne and what they are up to....so if you have time just carry on reading...

if not thanks for popping by...I'll try to do likewise soon....

Every Sunday morning in a place called St Kilda there is The Esplanade Market....

 The market is open every Sunday of the year from 10am - 5pm

where you can meet over 150 artists offering an exciting range of their contemporary artworks...

 

The market has been running since 1970 and remains a favourite destination with locals and tourists alike who appreciate the diverse and unique range of quality handmade artworks made from wood, glass, paper, resin, recycled materials and so much more. The various styles and types of art are collectable, functional, beautiful, original, and make great gifts. 

 True to form we were the early birds and some of the stall holders hadn't finished setting up...

St Kilda is a remarkable place. 

It is situated on the Bay a short distance from the city.

Here's some of the local residents....hehe...

St Kilda has a very arty feel to it...even the shops indulge

Before we left St Kilda it was a must to stop off for a cuppa and a cake...

 Well it would be rude not to....

The trouble was deciding which cake didn't have calories??? 

Another St Kilda landmark....

 

I hope to visit more desks this week but having to share nice here reduces my time for playing and also we are heading off again at the weekend...this time it will involve the airport...whoohoo!

Have your bags and passport at the ready.... 

and I'll come to collect you soon!

Have a great WOYWW and I promise to try and visit you soon.

The Melbourne Show....roll up...roll up...

Maybe it's the fact that I have the house to myself for the first time in over three weeks...or maybe it's a hormonal thing (nah) or maybe it's just because...? 

Whatever the reason...I'm in a carnival mood...the music's turned up loud (can you still hear me?) 

I'm dancing around...well not quite at the moment obviously...that would be a little tricky whilst typing...

but you get the gist...I'm a happy bunny to have my space and time back even if it is only for a few hours! 

So let's have some fun....

Let me show you the Melbourne Show that was one of our day trip visits....

I did intend to post this whilst the Melbourne Show was actually still running but hey things happen and when you are high tailing it all over the state...time and internet don't always allow.
So here we are a little late but my second name is tail-end Charlie after all...

  (just a little interlude here...are you impressed with my photos?...see how I think of you

I thought I'd use picmonkey to create a collage so that you won't have to wade through tons of pics ~ thanks Tracey for the idea and hey it was peesers!)

I have to confess right up front here that I don't particularly like fun fairs...call me weird but that's the way it is...I never even liked balloons at birthday party's when I was a tot. 

But first let me explain why we decided to visit the Melbourne Show if I didn't like fairgrounds...

Well when we lived in Cheshire, England way back...we would visit the annual 'Cheshire Show' and it was fantastic. I have such wonderful memories of brilliant days out. It was more of an agricultural event and would only cover a few days (not like Melbourne which covers 10 days)

...so upon hearing that Melbourne had a similar show we decided to pay a visit. 

Immediately upon arrival I knew this particular show was going to be different than what I had expected...hearing the music blasting (no problem there I can cope with that) stall holders shouting through microphones trying to drag in punters, squeals of delight from on high as people where flung every which way...I knew that it wasn't really going to be my cup of tea.

I mean seriously...I just don't get the idea of flinging myself upside down and inside out until my last meal reappears...because let me tell you it would!!!

I remember when I went on a school trip once which included a big dipper ride as part of the so called 'fun'...anyway I remember the teacher accompanying the group wasn't too keen on going on the ride either but for some reason that has always escaped me we decided that we should face our fear and just do it together anyway!

WRONG!!! 

When I was finally still although I use that term loosely because I don't think my stomach landed for a few days...I had to prize my finger nails out of the teachers arm....

I'd make a bet that that particular teacher has never ever been back on a roller coaster again...likewise! 

So let's move away from the fair rides to another kind of ride that I imaged to be at the show...

Then of course there has to be a dog show that I obviously had to check out...

From the unbelieveably large to the tiniest...

The St Bernard wore a very fetching dribble bid (yuk) but obviously out of necessity...
one shake and you'd dripping from head to foot.
Then the hairy kind...who would have far too much grooming sessions for my liking...
I have enough trouble putting the comb through my own hair!

Then the teeny tiny chap...I think he was checking that all his followers of his blog were getting all the gen about his latest awards and rosettes...he's very intent on the ipad! ^..^

Then onto the country fair...and all the animals on the farm...

I'll just attach the photos here because I have to warn you there's quite a few...

Seriously how cute are these critters....

The Alpaca family

I'm seriously taking far too much of your time so I'll just group the usual farmyard together....

I'm sure you've all seen sheep, ducks, goats, and cattle before....

 I can just see the caption on the top right photo here...

'Hey Gertie does my bum look big in this stall?'

 Now that's a serious hairdo for the show...and the turkey certainly knew when the camera was anywhere near...strutting his stuff in fine style 
(by the way Happy Canadian Thanksgiving this last weekend ~ I just remembered ;D)...
and obviously someone got very nervous on this last pic when the judges appeared...
they just couldn't help themselves! 

This chap seriously can chop wood...he chopped this log in half within what seemed a few seconds.

(No jokes or smutty inuendo's here please!)

And just a few more cuties to finish....

 Hmm...I think I really should have put a warning at the start of this post...it does go on doesn't it?

Oh well...so that was some of the fun at the fair....

I hope you'll visit your local country show next time there's one in your area....
they're a brilliant way for the town and country to mix.

Happy Monday everyone ~ let's hope this week is a good one...and if not just take a deep breath and smile

Catch you later

Morning has broken....

Did you miss me?

I'm hearing a resounding 'of course' here (hehe)....so thank you for that....I know... just humour me...

Well I've been so quiet (for me anyway) since Wednesday, but as you can imagine we've been making the most of the last few days of my daughters visit...but alas the party's over...

she's about to land in the UK in the next half hour...(sigh)...but we're okay about that because we will see each other again at Christmas...so that's not too far away (so I hear).

 I've spent most of today working my way through the 3,000 photographs that she took whilst she was here...and I've been given exclusive rights to use them...for your delight!

Don't worry I don't intend to post all of them and I certainly wouldn't want to have you squirming in your seat wading through masses of holiday photos...but I think you may be in for a treat.

One thing that will stay with me from this visit is how special the dawn came be...the start of a new day

What better way to start a day full of new possibilities...than to capture that special moment....savour it...

take a deep breath and make your heart smile...

I hope your day starts this well ~ have a great weekend everyone....

 

What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday ~ WOYWW#174

Prepare to be amazed peeps! 

This is going to be my record for the briefest entry to WOYWW ~ What's on your Workdesk Wednesday...

 If you haven't heard about Julia from Stamping Ground who thought up this fun passing of creativity between like minded people, then just pop over to her place to see what it's all about...

you'll see desks from around the globe in the raw!

Artists and crafters alike....having fun creating

Now onto my desk...

but not much is actually being created at the moment, even though I've been carrying my art gear with me...

there just hasn't been time to sit still...but I shouldn't ever be short of inspiration in the future with thousands of photographs collected and stored, ready to use. 

There has been a little creation...in the form of a sample calender for next year.

I had difficulty deciding which designs should appear...but went with the following....

The front cover ~ Tropical Leaf

January ~ Protea

February ~ Kangaroo

March ~ Teapot 

April ~ Hibiscus

May ~Garlic

June ~ Magpie

July ~ Rosebud

August ~ Willy Wagtail

September ~ Frog

October ~ Turtle

November ~ Mushrooms

December ~ Owl  

I'd be really interested to hear what you think?

I'm still out and about on our little gallivanting trips, so if you fancy a nosey into what I've been up to...whether you would like to see a waterfall or beaches, Australian wildlife and nature or perhaps just a different landscape...then click on the icons to join me.

 Finally I apologise for my lack of visiting people but this post has taken years off my life just waiting for the internet to drop in and out! (I've actually been here nearly four hours off and on and nearly loosing the will to live!)

Once I'm back I'll make up for it ~ promise! 

Erskine Falls...another stop on the road trip....

...on the road again....

space, sky and lots of scenery...in fact unbelievable scenery, some to take your breath away. 

I've felt incredibly priviledged to have witnessed nature's magnificence....  

Long straight roads that stretch for miles....

but then there's so much to stop and see along the way....

Take for instance...

Erskine Falls (aboriginal name Kitjarra Ngitj/Ngatanwarr) which is a magical waterfall, tucked away in the beautiful Great Otway National Park...just off the Great Ocean Road.

 The offical photographer busy at work...

with so much to see on the descent...

But with a few hazards to watch out for on the way down....

 

 But then the rewards....

Misty ferns....cool freshness....incredible bird song...peace...plus cascading crisp clear water.

You cannot help but stop and stare in wonder....

...even believing perhaps that you have travelled back in time thousands of years...

Falling from a height of thirty metres...

continually moist from the fine mist of water dancing over the rock face. 

It has inspired thousands of nature lovers over the decades. 

Even the poet and novelist Rudyard Kipling wrote of buying a frond of fern “gathered where the Erskine leaps down the road to Lorne”. 

 Who knows, it might have come from this same plant?

As we started to climb back up into the present...the heavens opened and the rains came down...

timed to perfection ;D