Autumn...

In honour of the first day of Autumn in Australia, here is a pic of my Rob Ryan autumn plate... one of a set of four that I gifted to myself at Christmas. Collecting plates is not really my thing, but this little bit of art was impossible to resist.

Last day of summer...

I would like autumn if only it wasn't followed by winter.

And so it is a sad day as I say my goodbyes to summer.
But in honour of my favourite season, here is a pic of one of my favourite places in the world, on a beautiful summers day.

"sigh"

Bubblewrap Calendar

Lovin this funky calendar...
There's a bubble to pop every day...
But I'm thinking, it would be way too easy to start the pop and not be able to stop, and before you'd know it... it would be Christmas again!

You can order one here for next year.
Hmmm... I might have to add one to my wish list!

The story behind the smile...

The smile from yesterday's post has a story.

A couple of weeks ago I went to my beach house... well actually, I went to my parents home which happens to be in a beachside town, and I happen to be lucky enough to visit them there often. It is my home away from home, and I count myself blessed to have 'the best of both worlds' - my life in an inner city suburb of Melbourne and my beach side retreat at my family home.

I am also totally blessed to have a family who love me and who always greet me with wide open arms and smiles. When I arrived on the Friday afternoon, after a warm drive following a long day of work, my Mum and I took a quick trip down to the beach to dip our toes in the water and cool down a little. Normally we would walk, but Mum had a dodgy ankle so we jumped in the car.

On the way home, she asked if I wanted to see something special and (of course) I said yes. Up the hill, away from the beach and a few corners later and she got me to pull over and we got out of the car and walked back to the spot on the road where this smile was waiting to greet me. Here I was expecting a nest full of freshly hatched chicks, or a painting on some wall, or a beautiful flower or tree... and instead I was being shown a small scar in the asphalt of the road that looked like a smiley face!

And THAT is why I love my Mum so much (that and so many other reasons besides). She has a sparkle and a sense of fun, and also, she knows me so well, she knew that it would bring a smile to my face and she couldn't wait to share it with me.

Love.

The Hobbit House...

Have you heard of Inhabitat?

Their catch phrase is 'design will save the world' which I love. They're worth a look when you have a spare minute (or 3 hours!) As stated on their website, Inhabitat.com is a weblog devoted to the future of design, tracking the innovations in technology, practices and materials that are pushing architecture and home design towards a smarter and more sustainable future.

Here are some pictures that they posted recently about a home in the UK, rather aptly named The Hobbit House. It cost just 3000 pounds (and a lot of ingenuity) to build.

Summer lovin...

I love summer as you know, and one of the very best things is opportunity to pick fruit and vegetables straight from the garden.

I don't have anything edible in my pots anymore as I gave that up years ago when I found my stuff was being 'taken' by fellow residents before I could get to them...

But my Dad grows lovely tomatoes and the best corn and 'to die for' snow peas!

Mmmm mmm.

*This photo was taken at a friend's home recently, and were not the fruits of my Dad's labour, but you get the picture, right.

Must watch TV...

This program has been highly recommended by a friend who has seen it pre release and says it is a supurb, powerful documentary. I expect it to be heart wrenching, traumatic and shocking. I do however believe my friend when she says it is must watch TV for every Australian. 

I imagine it is actually important watching for people all over the world. It's showing on the ABC on Tuesday night at 8:30pm, 3 years to the day that the tragedy unfolded. I plan to be watching.

Australia Day...

"I've been to cities that never close down,
From New York to Rio and old London town,
But no matter how far or how wide I roam,
I still call Australia home."

Music & Lyrics, Peter Allen

Australia is my home and I count my blessings every day.
Happy Australia Day everyone.

The Butterfly Circus...

Have you seen The Butterfly Circus? It's a magical short film that was introduced to me by my Dad and has become a favourite. In fact everyone who I have recommended it to has been equally entranced.

I recommend you track it down and take some time out to watch it too. It's just over 20 minutes, so grab yourself a drink, make yourself comfortable and lose yourself for just a little while.

You can watch it here on the website...

And once you've seen it and decided you'd like a copy for yourself, you can buy it here. And if you really like it and want to give a few copies away to friends, like my Dad did at Christmastime, you can buy a pack of five here.

I heart home #7...

This is my favourite room at my favourite time of day...
My bedroom, late in the afternoon, when the dappled sun rests on my bed.
And a few other things I like here too...

If it's so damn hot, why do I feel like I'm living in a fridge?

I love the summer and I love the heat.

I love the feeling of warm sunshine on my back. I love warm mornings where the wind is soft and the light cast by the early morning sun is a pale gold.

I love swimming in the ocean and the instant drop in body temperature. I love floating on the waves with my painted toes bobbing on the surface, rising and dropping with the rhythm of the ocean. I love standing on the beach, with my feet greeting the waves and sinking in the sand as my skin prickles with the drying of salt water on my skin.

I love going barefoot. I love tanned skin and white smiles. I love ice-cream and coke spiders.

I love the smell of a storm after a long hot day. Steam rising from heat soaked surfaces, the smell of plants drinking deeply and breathing a cool sigh of relief.

I love hot summer nights and tall ice-filled drinks. I love sleeping with nothing but a sheet.

I love it. And even when the temperature rises to the low 40's as it has here in the last couple of days, I refuse to complain. Because at least it isn't winter.

And yet, there is one thing I hate about summer... because as the summer heats up and the inevitable complaining of summer-haters hits full force, the inside air temperature inevitably drops as the air conditioning is turned to high. There is no escaping as you enter shopping centres, movie theatres and offices and are subject to icy conditions that would be considered uncomfortable in winter.

I hate the over use of air conditioning. I spend my summer work days unable to escape and unable to appreciate the seasonal passing. I have to take additional clothes to avoid frostbite! I understand and appreciate that cooling is needed for a comfortable work environment, what I do not understand is having to contend with these goosebump inducing conditions at temperatures way below the comfort level.

And my discomfort is nothing in comparison to the environmental implications and additional drain on electricity supplies. Come on people... pull down the shades when the sun is at it's hottest, open the windows when there is a cool breeze, drink long cool drinks and take a swim if you can... embrace the seasons and soak up the summer while you can.

And please please please, turn down the aircon!

Today...

Today 

I am 44 years

1 month and 

24 days old.

Winter beauty...

Here is a picture taken of my Mum in the 50's and beside it a bunch of violets straight from my garden. I picked them a few hours ago and their fragrance has since filled my studio. I am posting them here for my Mum along with a virtual big hug in the hope she feels better this week. She has been sick for 2 weeks now and still not feeling improved.

I wish I could send her their perfume too.
They smell so beautiful.

Get well Mum.
Love you.
xxx

Love one another...

Love one another and you will be happy. 

It's as simple and as difficult as that.
Michael Leunig

Happy Valentine's Day everyone.

xxx

50th Wedding Anniversary...

50 years ago on January 7th, 1961, my Mum and Dad were married.
Yes, 50 years!
It's been quite a trip.
It's rather a lot to fathom really, but this post hopefully brings it all together nicely...

During their 50 years together they have ...
Lived in 9 homes
Owned 6 cars
Taught at 16 different schools

They have...
had 3 children...
All of them beautiful children I might add - 2 boys and a girl (yours truly)
Changed 1000s of nappies
Soothed millions of tears - many with the aid of mercurachrome and bandaids.
Read more than 3,000 bedtime stories

Attended at least 72 teacher/parent interviews, plus a few "additional" meetings...
Watched and played countless games of sport (mostly golf)
Shared at least 50,000 meals
Sung Happy Birthday at least 250 times to each other or to their children
Created legendary childrens' birthday parties with awesome cakes to match

They have...
attended 8 family weddings (though none of their children have ever married) and welcomed many new members into the extended family...
9 nieces and nephews and
23 great nieces and nephews
and a growing number of great great nieces and nephews.
They have no grandchildren (my Dad told me quite a few years ago he thought they might have to adopt!)

They have...
Laughed at bad jokes (and a few good ones)
And groaned at many really bad ones!
Argued over directions
Solved 10s of thousands of crossword clues
Played 500 games of scrabble with family and friends (with either Mum or Dad winning many of them!)
Written at least 3,000 Christmas cards.

They have...
Cried at funerals, and births, and good-byes,
and watching their kids on Christmas morning.

They have...
Said good-bye to their own parents
and shared grief no parent should have to endure, mourning the loss of their second son.

They have shared joy and sadness and laughter and tears
50 years is a long time afterall.

But, most importantly (in my eyes at least)
they have...
Loved each other and loved and been loved by their family and friends.
They have encouraged their children to live fully and follow the paths they choose
They have taught and inspired 1000s of students
And they have made lifetime friends from all corners of the globe.

In 50 years, that's a lot to be proud of...
Happy Anniversay Mum & Dad.
I love you.
xxx

Thinking about you..

"If I had a single flower for every time I think about you... I could walk forever in my garden."

Claudia Ghandi

To my beautiful brother

It's been 2 years since we lost you...

You are in my thoughts every day.

I will miss you and love you always

& Forever.

xxx

I used to believe in forever...

I used to believe in forever, but forever is too good to be true.Winnie the Pooh

To my beautiful brother on his birthday
I will love you and miss you always.
And more than anything,
I wish you were here.

xxx

A long weekend is just a day and a half of madness away...

Believe me, it's been madness here, and I am looking forward to a long weekend.

Not long now and I'll be enjoying...

A walk along the beach...

Good company and coffee...

And a peaceful view...

THIS is what keeps me going.

Remembering Renee

My friend Renee died today.

In 2008 when I was grieving the loss of my brother, I was contacted by Renee via my blog and she became a friend from the very beginning. She had stage 4 inflammatory breast cancer and her blog Circling My Head told her story. With almost daily posts, she spoke of her family, her loves, her despair, her joys and her laughter. She shared openly about her condition and her life as she dealt with it's daily challenges.

She offered me hope, understanding and insight, and she offered me her love with an open heart. Although we have never met 'in the flesh' she has been an incredible friend and I will miss her as part of my life. I share the heartbreak of her family and friends. Family and friends who adore her and fellow bloggers who she has also touched.

She reached out to so many people via her posts and replied to every comment that was left on her blog. And there were many many comments. In her battle she has changed many people's lives by welcoming them into hers. We shared long emails and exchanged cards in the post (as I know she did with many others). I don't know where she found the energy, but she was always full of surprises.

During the time I have known her, Renee has had more than her share of grief. She has lost friends from her support group, her father, her nephew died of cancer, and just over a month ago, her dear mother also died from cancer. One of her sisters is also facing a similar battle. Sadly Renee has now lost her battle too. Though she will not be forgotten.

I am so so sad she is gone, though I am relieved the pain she suffered in her final weeks is now over.
Thank you Renee for everything.
Thank you for your light and joy.
All my love to you.
Cinta
xxx

The following words are from Renee's blog, that she posted in January of 2009.

"I must comfort myself with what I have always comforted myself with ‘words.’ Thank you Francis Bacon for these:

Begin
doing what
you want to do now.
We are not living in eternity.
We have only this moment, sparkling
like a star in our hand –
and melting like a
snowflake.

I remind myself that partly cloudy is partly sunny and that here on this earth right now I have been given the opportunity to live with angels. This life here and now is good and the people I am able to share my life with are good. I have to believe that this time here will not be all there is because my soul will never be full of them. My soul will yearn for them always."
Renee
Jan 26th, 2009.

*The picture above is by the beautiful friend of Renee and artist Julie-Ann Bowden of Heavenleigh Art.

Strange dreams in my beautiful bedroom...

The studio is nearly finished and I will be posting photos in the next few days. In the meantime, I am happy to say, since I have cleared up my entire flat, I have my bedroom back to being a bedroom.

And I love it.

Now, I'm not sure why, but I have been having the strangest dreams. Maybe it's that I have been sleeping so soundly, I don't know. Usually I don't recall the exact details in the morning, but there have been many familiar faces and places... even the end of the world.

But the funniest of all... the other night I dreamt I was reading the classifieds and in the births, deaths and marriages section, I read an old friend's sister had had a baby... And the middle name was "Oops".

Seriously! I actually woke up laughing aloud. Too too funny. I'm glad I remembered that one!