Living cheerfully

The Folio Society

2012-01-27T10:00:00.000+11:00

Back in 2006 I blogged about tracking down a mint condition copy of my top ten favourite books. While some of those books have dropped out of the top ten to be replaced by brilliant new work, a book that still remains in the list is John Steinbeck's Travels With Charley.I'm a sucker for dog themed books and autobiographical travel books, and this one combines the two. It's taken me ages, but I've finally found the most amazing copy of his work. In fact, I never imagined a book so beautiful. Cloth bound, illustrated, a real collector's piece.

The Folio Society is a real find. Not every book is selected to be so stylishly bound and produced. It's an exclusive club.

As stated on their website, The Folio Society sets itself apart by using exquisite bindings, fine typography and the highest quality paper.

Every book is superbly illustrated with specially commissioned artwork, using expertly researched paintings and photogaphs.

In the case of this book, veteran illustrator John Holder was behind the beautiful artwork.

Although I bought this book second-hand, I think I'll be visiting the Folio Society for some further special editions very soon.

Wedding #1

2012-01-25T21:02:00.005+11:00

It took place last Saturday at a beautiful boathouse in Kew, Melbourne. The weather was perfect, the Yarra River made a stunning backdrop, the food was divine.

By far my favourite part of the day was seeing my eldest nephew - aka Frodo the ring bearer - in a suit.

My what a lovely young man he's turned into.

My favourite photo this week

2012-01-20T10:00:00.001+11:00

By Mishy Lane and available to buy!

Tickled pink

2012-01-19T10:00:00.001+11:00

Ever since I saw this image I've been coveting a pink typewriter. It became something I just had to have.

Seven months later I finally found her and I'm so chuffed. A Sperry Rand Remington Riviera arrived just before Christmas and she and I have been sharing some lovely productive time in my garden.

I think she's circa 1970s, just like me, or possibly 1960s. She came complete with a hot pink cover and I'm totally in love with the Riviera font.

A shmerpi for Miss J

2012-01-18T10:31:00.009+11:00

Flirty shmerpi Now that I know this little creature has been received, I can post about it.
In the second half of last year I lost my sewing mojo, so this was a little overdue. The fabric pieces had been cut out for quite some time, but the hauling out of the sewing machine and the actual doing was the challenge.

The pattern was designed by the very talented Jhoanna and, as you can see by the long arms, is designed to hug and be hugged. She was given many hugs before she was posted, and I'm assured she's received lots since she arrived! Particularly by big sister Miss P, which is as it should be:)

I especially love the bloomers, although I find it hard to sew clothes. The material came from my extra special stash and is by the wonderful Mandy from Belle and Boo.

A promise kept

2012-01-07T09:52:00.006+11:00

WunderkammerMinotaur
Today I kept a promise to my 12-year-old nephew when we visited what are probably the two coolest shops in Melbourne, if not Australia.
First we went to visit Minotaur, a pop culture wonderland full of cartoons, action figures, t-shirts, mugs and more.
Secondly we visited one of my favourite shops Wunderkammer, which translates to chamber of wonders. It's a natural history museum/retail store specialising in medical and scientific instruments, natural history specimens and models.
Very, very cool.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T18:46:00.006+11:00

Dancing in the kitchen; Halle; Louie

I didn't intend to see in the new year. In fact I went to bed early, wrote in my journal and turned out the light, expecting a peaceful last night of 2011.
But I was rudely woken at 12am by fireworks set off directly across the road, which resulted in Halle lying across my head trembling and Louie out on the landing barking at the loud noises and light show.
So we did see in the new year for the next half an hour after all.
Yesterday I had an overwhelming urge to watch Four Weddings and a Funeral. Why? Because that's what I think 2012 is going to bring.
The first wedding is in three weeks, the second three weeks after that, and I have a little feeling more will follow this year;)
The funeral part does sound a bit morbid, but unfortunately some dear people I know are not in good health and this could be on the cards. I certainly hope not, but it wouldn't be unexpected.
I'm not going to make resolutions for 2012, but I am going to try to live a happy, healthy, generous, fun and loving year.
Here's wishing you and your families the same.
Renee xxx

Book page wreath

2011-12-20T13:05:00.009+11:00

I made my very first Christmas wreath last week. This one is made up of old book pages and I thought the effect was pretty cool.
I ended up using two books because the only styrofoam wreath left in my local Spotlight and Lincraft stores was a larger size, so sorry about tearing up your books Alistair Maclean Night Without End and Arthur Hailey Airport.
Before I post the link to the instructions, a few added suggestions (or things I learnt from experience) are:
- While hunting for an old book in your local op-shop, go for one that's at least 400 pages (200 pages to curl) and has a good paper quality. You want a heavier weight paper, not a thin one.
- A smaller styrofoam wreath means less work, and this takes hours to put together already.
- I had to use a letter opener to unstick the pages after gluing glitter on the edges, so it was a bit fiddly for a minimal glitter effect.
- Start from the outside in because the more cones you roll, the better you get. My first ones were terrible!
- Oh, and as a first time glue gun user, I quickly learnt not to put the hot glue on the styrofoam because it melts. Glue the pages, then stick to the wreath.
Here are the instructions.
Have fun!

Diorama fun

2011-12-11T22:24:00.005+11:00

Sail away with meThe winter village is up again, with the addition of some bristle trees, snow glitter and a laser cut tree I found in DaylesfordI think I might be becoming obsessed with all things miniature! I found an old terrarium in an opshop for $5, not sure what to do with it. Until I found a little ship, also in a second-hand store. As luck would have it, it fit perfectly in the terrarium, and I embellished with some shells I collected from my last trip to the beach. I love it!
The winter village has come out to play again. I love that this is the sort of Christmas decoration that stands the test of time and can be added to each year.

Incredible

2011-12-08T12:57:00.001+11:00

Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Details here.

World's coolest combi?

2011-12-07T15:21:00.002+11:00

This little number pulled up in the carpark opposite my work today.
Check out the solar panel and garden on the back.

Vale Morran

2011-11-28T21:07:00.003+11:00

The dog that inspired me to get my first dog passed away today.
I will forever remember Morran hiking in the Swiss Alps with her mum Camilla. RIP little one.

Rain rain go away

2011-11-26T21:05:00.003+11:00

A view from my fernery
Have a case of serious cabin fever today.
The rain began at 6am and hasn't let up AT ALL.
I ended up dragging out the sewing machine to begin making for babies born and babies due.

This moment

2011-11-12T15:41:00.004+11:00

It's 3.45pm and I'm wondering where the day went. I slept in until 8am, made breakfast, cut my hair, took the dogs for a walk at 9.30am, came home and vacuumed, did a load of washing and then simply pottered in the garden.Now that the front garden is finished, I spend my time pulling a weed here and there, watching things grow, flower and die off, and prepare myself for landscaping the fernery and building up my vegetable gardens.
It is lovely having something completed though.

Wedding crasher

2011-10-24T21:35:00.003+11:00

Nah, this little cutie was the page boy and a part of the wedding party. He certainly had a lot to say during the vows, much to everyone's amusement.
Went to a beautiful family oriented wedding last Saturday where the groom and his sister-in-law (both Italian) catered for the guests.
One of the sweetest weddings I've ever been to.

Hello faithful friend

2011-10-18T13:46:00.003+11:00

Why hello there. It's been awhile, yes indeedee.
I have been one busy bee, spending weekends away, and those weekends at home in the garden.
I'm so proud to say I've finally landscaped my whole front yard! Hooray! It was a big task that began last spring with the back-breaking removal of unwanted enormous euphorbias and cacti.
Now I have beautiful garden beds with blooming camellias, azaleas, rhododendrons, and my current fave plants: geums. The rosebushes are in bud and about to put on their display.
I've also built an arbor, removed a tonne of scoria and weedmat, and built new garden beds edged with huge rocks.
It has been monumental, especially as I've only had random weekends to do all the work, but it is done done done!
I'm about to give a bench seat a paint and spruce up and place it in the deserving front garden, and then I'll post some photos.
Then it's on to the vegie garden, and the fernery, which have both been neglected through the winter...

My favourite photo this week

2011-09-18T21:23:00.004+10:00

Louie 'enhanced' using Picnik photoshopper Original photo of Louie at my parents' farm

Everybody has a story

2011-09-06T19:56:00.003+10:00

It's been an interesting week. I just interviewed somebody whose daughter was murdered almost 20 years ago to the day - an unsolved cold case, and am about to interview someone who lost three brothers to suicide and was homeless and living under a bridge at 13.
It not only gives me perspective, it also reminds me that everyone has a story. Sometimes it just takes a scratch to unearth an incredible life story.
These are the days I love being a journalist.

Pesto pizzaz

2011-08-25T20:50:00.003+10:00

This was my first ever effort at homemade pesto and it was divine! I used it on fresh gnocchi, baked salmon and chicken. Que rico!
2 cups basil
pine nuts (toasted in a dry frypan)
two cloves crushed garlic
olive oil for consistency
salt and pepper to taste

Mix in a food processor and voila. Adds pizzaz to every meal.

Really looking forward to...

2011-08-08T19:53:00.004+10:00

Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss EverdeenJennifer Lawrence as Katniss and Liam Hemsworth as GaleThe Hunger Games movies! My friend Amra loaned me the trilogy by Suzanne Collins and I haven't been able to stop reading them. Action packed, empowering, post-apocalyptic worlds just suck me in.

Halle's stitches explained

2011-08-06T19:23:00.002+10:00

It occurred to me I should explain Halle's stitches. Almost six weeks ago I came home to find that Halle couldn't use her back legs. They'd collapsed completely. And she is only six years old, so it was very unexpected. I rushed her to the vet and was told she had suspected spinal and neurological damage and the prognosis was not good. In fact, it was dire. After she'd been given a morphine injection and an anti-inflammatory injection, I was told to take her home, make her comfortable and bring her back the next day for a review.
Given that Halle's littermate had been put down 10 months prior for the same thing, I spent that night completely devastated, somehow trying to say goodbye to a dog who is my heart and soul.
The next morning a wonderful friend drove all the way up from Portarlington to be with Halle and I when we returned to the vet. There was no improvement, however the vet gave me a ray of hope. She said there was a brilliant surgeon in Kensington, Melbourne who could possibly operate, if I was prepared to pay a lot of money.
After getting a referral from the vet, we drove straight to the absolutely fabulous Sam Snelling in Kensington. After examining Halle, he said the words I'd been hoping to hear. It looked like a prolapsed vertabrae and he could operate. I left my girl in his capable hands and that night he rang to say that, indeed it had been a severe prolapse, but the operation was a success.
In fact, it was so successful that she hasn't required rehabilitation and she's recovered fully. She is one lucky girl, and I am so humbled and grateful for everybody who supported me through my darkest hours.

Poor pooch!

2011-08-02T21:37:00.000+10:00

Ultimate Dog Tease - Watch more Funny Videos

Holidays!

2011-07-10T12:34:00.003+10:00

It is so good to be on holidays. New warm pyjamas, clean sheets on the bed and gorgeous thrifted fabric set the scene for what and where I'll be spending most of my time.
In between looking after this little patootie...

Portrait sitting

2011-06-24T09:15:00.004+10:00

As part of Louie's dog training, I got a free voucher for a portrait sitting and one print. Of course I had to get a photo of Halle too. And do you think I could only buy one photo? The others can be found here.

My favourite photo this week

2011-06-17T23:34:00.003+10:00

Henry V Picton

2011-06-07T09:07:00.000+10:00

A friend's clever hubby made this cute film of Spaceboy Henry (made by me) kicking Picton piglet's butt. So cute!

The heat is on

2011-06-07T08:55:00.002+10:00

Today is my one year anniversary for moving into my new house. And it was only last night that I sat down and finally figured out how to set the timers on my heater. Yes, I confess I am a major technophobe.

For all that I miss my old gas log fire, this gas heater has some endearing qualities too. As the cold sets in, I've set one timer to start at 5.30am so the house is lovely and warm when I get up, and my second timer begins at 5pm so the house is warm again when I get home. For those who are wondering, it's a Rinnai brand.

I've also got some timers for my lamps, but I need to psyche myself up to read another instruction manual!

A peek at my childhood home

2011-05-18T09:08:00.007+10:00

On that front porch I once found my name spelled out in rose petals by a lovestruck classmateThe corridor where my brother and I scrawled our names in wax on the walls. I wonder if it showed up like invisible ink when they repainted?In front of this fire I used to play patticake with my baby sister, and curl up next to our Golden Labrador 'Kimba'This sunken living area is a new addition to the house, using bricks from the old laundry. But the kitchen is in the same spot, and where my brother and I used to make each other laugh until milo came out our noses.To the left is a huge apricot tree I used to climb, and they've kept the rundown little shed with the same sloping roof which my brother and I used to slide off into the neighbour's hedge. We also used to have a trampoline and an above-ground pool. I wonder if they still bounce off one into the other?Everywhere I turn I'm being smacked in the head with a tonne of nostalgia lately. My childhood home in Donald is on the market, and thanks to the magic of internet, I get to tour my old home from the comfort of my new home.

Mum happened to notice the tiny ad in her local paper and told us it was up for sale again. It begs me to wonder if all of this is just a series of happy coincidences, or if I'm meant to delve back into my past for a reason... We shall see.

My log cabin

2011-05-12T16:07:00.000+10:00

I've created a set of photos of my log cabin in Belgrave over here on flickr.

The house is looking particularly clean and tidy as these were the marketing photos when it came time to sell. It's hard to believe that almost a year has gone by since I moved.

This week, as a cold snap hits, I really miss the ambience and effectiveness of that fantastic Osburn gas log fire I used to have. I have another gas heater in the new house, but there's now a lot more house to heat!

I think I'll always miss the old house and the community of Belgrave, but I know it was the right time to move (and sell as it turned out).

Royal parade

2011-05-01T18:40:00.002+10:00

A wonderful start to May. I just found out I won a Royal Party Parade print from Belle and Boo.

And speaking of royal parades, how nice was it to have positive, happy, cheerful news on the television for a change? It was wonderful to see so many happy people.

Those schoolgirl days of telling tales and biting nails

2011-04-26T14:00:00.005+10:00

Perhaps it's the new TV series 'Winners and Losers', which is based on relationships formed in high school, or perhaps it's because I'm organising some high school reunions as part of my job. Whatever the reason, I've been thinking of old school friends a lot lately and wondering what everyone is up to.
Good old Google has helped me find some of the people in my class (I'm not on facebook and don't tweet), and I've been amazed at how well people have done. From a graduating class of 14, we produced three doctors: one medical and two with PhDs who work at Monash Uni and Melbourne Uni. Other school mates who dropped out along the way became architects, accountants, lawyers and business owners.
The girl who became a doctor was treating a friend's father in January and they discovered they both knew me. As a result, I got in contact and we caught up for the first time in 20 years last week. It was great! We spent almost three hours trying to remember people's names and fill each other in on news from our old hometown of Donald.
We're going to start organising some smaller reunions and hope to build up to a 25 year (OMG!) reunion in 2013 for the Class of 1988. I love how we've all chosen different paths and found our places in the world.

The Lazy Song

2011-04-16T19:20:00.001+10:00

Caught this on Weekend Sunrise this morning. Very appropriate for my first day of holidays. Enjoy.

Maps

2011-04-11T14:22:00.003+10:00

One of my favourite designers Lena Corwin has a new book out featuring whimsical illustrated maps of cities within the US and around the world. My home city of Melbourne, Australia is one of the prettiest. Who would've thought the controversial Federation Square building would be such a feature? Go here to purchase.

I love Lena's designs, her decorating style and even her dog, Gus!

A million lights are shining

2011-03-21T09:33:00.004+11:00

At the Xanadu: The Musical marquee in Docklands, Melbourne.

I was fortunate enough to get comp tickets for Friday's show and took an elderly friend to see her first ever musical. We had an absolute blast and I couldn't stop grinning. It is simply fantastic! Christie Whelan as Clio is a bonafide star. I'd highly recommend everyone skate along to this 'musical beneath the mirrorballs'.

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - Wonderful World

2011-03-15T13:36:00.000+11:00

Two years today

2011-03-15T09:38:00.003+11:00

Two years ago today I went to visit Save-a-dog in Glen Iris, in the hopes of adding to our family. I'd only been to a dog shelter once before, in 2005, and I ended up walking out in tears without a dog, completely traumatised by the experience. This time I took a friend and Halle with me. This time Halle would make the choice.

We knew it would be a small dog because of the size of my Belgrave house and Halle's petite doggy door. Three gorgeous little Jack Russell boys were lined up in cages inside the dark, smelly and noisy facilities (this is no criticism of the wonderful people at SADS, they made the very best of what they had at the time and have since moved to brilliant facilities further out of the city). Louie was at the front of the cage, staring mournfully at us, while his companions were destroying their bedding out of boredom or jumping around. Of course we chose to introduce Louie to Halle first.

We took them for a short walk where, despite his previous confinement, Louie paid polite attention to Halle and watched what she did instead of trying to make an escape. We then tested them in an enclosed yard, where again Louie politely sniffed at Halle while she completely ignored him. Then, in the interest of making the best choice, WE RETURNED HIM TO HIS CAGE! The look on his face is imprinted on my brain. His downcast eyes, his ears against his skull, his trembling, his abandonment yet again. My friend tried to hide her tears as we 'road-tested' the two other dogs with Halle. One tried to jump on her and the other was completely uninterested, trying to find the nearest tree to mark.

So, with heart in my mouth that he might have been snapped up already, we rushed back to claim Louie as our own. We waited in the reception area while I was interviewed for suitability, and then he was brought to us. He was so joyful to see us again, as if he knew we were his to keep, and vice versa.

Margaret, the manager, was absolutely wonderful, loading us up with extra bedding and towels, a leash and collar, and a dog roll that he'd been fed on. We discussed his stitches (he'd been desexed the day before) and his overall care, and then we were in the car on the way home.

My friend held Louie and marvelled at how thin he was while he peered out of the window with tongue lolling out of his mouth. She had her hands full because he was super excited and wouldn't sit still. We took him straight to the park to sniff around on lead while Halle ran about oblivious to the impact this boy was going to have on her spoilt-only-child life.

It all feels like yesterday.

Give a Kiwi a hug

2011-02-24T16:27:00.004+11:00

I'm borrowing some time to post while waiting for people to arrive for a wine and cheese night. My internet is not back on until mid-March (thank you Telstra for inconveniencing me yet again), which is why I've been absent.

My heart has been heavy this week with worry about friends in Christchurch and sadness for the loss and destruction in that beautiful city. It's been more than 10 years since I lived there, but I still consider it the most beautiful city in the world, filled with generous, warm-hearted people.

So this week, if you see a Kiwi, give them a hug. Let them know you care.

Read in 2010

2011-01-31T12:47:00.004+11:00

I seem to be hovering around the one-book-a-month speed when it comes to reading, which is fine by me if those books are great reads. Fortunately, I've had another good year with book selections.

1. The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. A gorgeous, luscious read which makes you think deeply about the world and the choices we make. Also highlights the absurdity of social heirarchy. 4.5/5
2. Of A Boy by Sonya Hartnett. Another brilliant novel by one of my favourite authors. My heart was in my mouth from the first page to the last. A book I couldn't stop thinking about for a long time after closing it. 5/5
3. Grave Secret by Charlaine Harris. The third and final (?) book in the Harper Connelly series was gripping and answered all the questions asked in the first three books. 4/5
4. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. Yes, I jumped on the bandwagon with this Swedish thriller and for good reason. A brilliant plot and wonderful writing. The best thriller I've read since...I can't remember when! 5/5
5. Affluenza:when too much is never enough by Clive Hamilton. Materialism is so prevalent in today's society, we often don't see it. It was good to be reminded that 'keeping up with the Jones's' is a lifestyle choice that usually brings with it a lot of unhappiness. 3.5/5
6. The Girl who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson. Once I started this trilogy I couldn't stop. An edge-of-your-seat final chapter. 5/5
7. The Girl who Kicked the Hornets' Nest by Stieg Larsson. A bittersweet final book as we know Larsson died after delivering the trilogy to his publisher. It's a tragedy he didn't live to see the success his books became. 5/5
8. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. One of my favourite Austen books and movies. 5/5
9. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. Beautiful, tender story full of strength and healing and love. A keeper. 4.5/5
10. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski. An incredible story about a deaf/mute boy and his special language with a new breed of dog. Based on Hamlet, it is a tragedy, so don't expect a fairytale ending. Unique and brilliant. 5/5
11. The Tale of Despereaux by Kate Di Camillo. Gorgeous book for children and adults alike with themes of impossible odds, courage, chivalry and soup! Loved it. 5/5
12. Burn by Linda Howard. It's funny how the magic of favourite authors can fade over the years. I used to devour Howard's books, mostly for the sexual tension!, but now unfortunately I have to say that they just don't do it for me. 2.5/5

There were a couple of other books read during my house move, but I can't remember a thing about them, so I didn't think it was fair to post a review. Overall, it was another year of fantastic reads. I'm sticking to the formula of reading books recommended to me because I love being surprised and excited by new authors and books that I otherwise wouldn't have picked up.

Nice weather for black swans

2011-01-20T13:14:00.004+11:00

But the rest of us are waterlogged. This is my lunch spot when it's not raining. We had 200mm last week and the lakes and rivers have overflowed. It's nothing compared to the devastation in Queensland though. Please give generously to the Queensland Flood Appeal.

A beautiful self-portrait

2011-01-11T13:37:00.003+11:00

I love how Sabino experiments with double exposure on her camera. The results are fantastic!

Happy New Year!

2011-01-10T13:49:00.002+11:00

Oh wow, I blinked and 2010 disappeared. It probably had something to do with being incredibly busy all year.

2010 snapshot: I put my house on the market in the last week of February, sold it in March, bought another house the following month, packed up and relocated in June, quit my job and travelled to the Galapagos Islands in July/August, commenced a new job in September, turned 40 in October, began to overhaul the garden and paint the house in November and December, and then Christmas was upon me...

Overall, 2010 was a wonderful year full of positive changes.

This year I have many hopes, dreams and wishes. My buzzword is going to be enjoy. Enjoy all new experiences, enjoy my new home and financial freedom, enjoy learning how to live more sustainably, enjoy spending more time with family.

Along the way I have a couple of resolutions. The first one is to finish projects (some over a year old) that I start, to free up my time and energy so that I can tackle new challenges. The second one is to live more cheerfully. To recognise the extraordinary, to practice gratitude, to love selflessly and fearlessly, to let go of negativity, to embrace change, to become more grounded, to write for fun, to live an extraordinary life.

May 2011 bring you all joy and laughter and love.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T09:28:00.005+11:00

This Christmas has really snuck up on me and as a result I haven't even put up a tree! But the Winter Village has made its first appearance in the new house.
Wishing you and yours a happy and safe festive season.
See you in 2011 with, hopefully, lots of exciting news.
Renee xxx

The happiest creature I know

2010-12-19T15:38:00.006+11:00

Somebody asked me a couple of weeks ago who was the happiest person I knew. I thought about it. I thought about it hard. I even left it a few days, sure the answer would come to me.

I know lots of people who've been happy at certain times of their lives. On holidays, travelling, welcoming a new child into their lives, getting published, getting married, finding that new job.

But, and this is in no way meant to offend anyone, holy crap Batman, I don't know anybody who is consistently, overtly happy. Nobody I can point a finger at and say, wow, that person is the happiest person I know.

Then, still muddling through what turned out to be a tricky question, it dawned on me that my dog Louie is the happiest creature I know. And with that, I was able to better define what happiness is.

Louie lives for the moment; lives without consequence; embraces the inner child; doesn't let his past affect him; moves on if he has to; doesn't hold grudges; is completely affectionate and demonstrative with those he loves; trusts that everything will work out; is always ready to play; doesn't let fear stop him from getting what he wants; is completely content with food, water, shelter and family...and a ball; and is completely joyful ALL THE TIME.

River rat

2010-12-08T21:45:00.004+11:00

My little girl is happiest and most confident when she's in or near water. In fact she becomes downright demanding, insisting I throw another stick for her to swim out and fetch. When the ears go up, it means she's lost patience and about to bark.

Banana Pancakes

2010-12-08T20:42:00.000+11:00

Listening to:

Painting, painting and painting...

2010-12-03T12:47:00.003+11:00

I've been immersed in painting all of the downstairs walls in my new house, hence the absence.

I'm out to prove to my mum that I can do it before Christmas. It's a huge job, but I'm finding if I take it one wall at a time (sometimes the wall is huge, other times tiny) I can see progress.

The preparation has been the biggest job. Removing hideous wallpaper frieze, patching up holes from the 50 odd screws and nails hammered into the walls!, then undercoating it all. But I've just purchased the topcoat colour and it will start to go on this weekend!!

I can't wait to be able to move furniture back into place, unpack my books onto bookshelves, and hang pictures. Not to mention putting up Christmas decorations! My first Christmas in the new house is going to be special.

Four red hens

2010-11-19T11:11:00.011+11:00

Introducing the 'myrtles': Kylie Kwong, Donna Hay, Maggie Beer and Stephanie AlexanderChickens are the funniest, most endearing pets.They've been busy!Eggs for breakfastAn opshop findAnother opshop findPerfect accompanied by a cup of tea in my Cath Kidston 'Breakfast Cockerel' mugsWhen I moved house, I inherited five red hens. Sadly one passed away on October 12. They are such a hoot and so friendly! I get rushed everytime I go into their pen, then they squat so I can scratch their tails. They also like talking to me through the wire as I weed the vegie garden. They go berserk over snails if I throw one over the fence. It's hilarious watching them all chase the chicken with the snail, although I do try to find a handful so they get one each.

The variety is Isa Brown or Rhode Island Red. Either way, I think they're a leghorn variety, which means they're excellent layers. I get four eggs each day. My neighbours have Australorp hens, which are meat breeds. They only get one or two eggs a week from 5 or 6 chickens.

I'm having so much fun raising these girls!

$3 happiness

2010-11-13T12:53:00.003+11:00

I had the best fun visiting my two local op shops yesterday. These two beauties came home with me, for the sum total of $3. I also scored a flan dish and some 20 cent magazines. It felt like a windfall for less than $5!

Halle and Louie at home

2010-11-12T19:32:00.003+11:00

How are Halle and Louie adjusting to the new house?

Miss DenialMr Adaptable

Along comes the tortoise

2010-10-26T12:12:00.011+11:00

Breeding baby giant tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Station. They have a lot of growing ahead of them!Of course, following every rabbit there has to be a tortoise. In this case, the giant tortoises of the Galapagos Islands. It's easy to see where Spielberg got his inspiration for the alien 'ET' isn't it?

The pirates and whalers nearly drove this species to extinction. They used to fill the cargo hold of their ships with tortoises stacked on top of each other because tortoises could live a long time without water and food, providing a constant fresh supply of meat to the crew.

Lonesome George is perhaps the most famous tortoise in the world. He lived alone on the Galapagos Island of Pinta for many years before they transported him to the Charles Darwin Research Station and introduced him to the ladies (the closest subspecies to his own). It took him a while to figure out how to romance the girls, but they managed to produce some eggs. Alas, none hatched and George is yet to become a father at the grand age of about 90 years.

Seeing Lonesome George was definitely a highlight of my trip.

Follow the white rabbit

2010-10-25T22:04:00.004+11:00

This is where I spent my Saturday. In private gardens at the base of my most favourite place on earth, The Grampians. It was supposed to be for work, but I loved every moment.

Attention all bookworms

2010-10-14T22:06:00.003+11:00

I generally like to buy local, but when things are incredibly cheaper elsewhere, it's kind of hard to stick to that.

The Book Depository is a great place to buy new books, and they offer free delivery to Australia. I can also recommend their customer service! I ordered two Lego activity books for my youngest nephew. The first one (they ship all books separately, but hey, delivery is free!)arrived quickly, however the second one didn't appear. They were wonderful on email and immediately sent me out a replacement, which arrived today. Just in time, as we're having a birthday party for cute nephew on Saturday.

A few months ago, I bought Stephanie Alexander's 'Kitchen Garden Companion' from a Melbourne bookstore for $120. The Book Depository is selling it for AUS$48 (with free delivery, remember). Nuff said. Now start Christmas shopping to get your orders in time!

My favourite sea bird - the Albatross

2010-10-10T20:31:00.006+11:00

I had the privilege of watching the Waved Albatross mating ritual and it is something I will never, ever forget! Firstly, the walk, oh my god the walk. John Travolta and all the 'homies' have nothing on this creature. Laid back to the max, the albatross has a swinging walk that makes you laugh out loud, it's so ridiculously cool. After circling each other, the male and female then engage in a beak sword-fight, complete with fast and furious clacking. Their beaks must be made of pretty tough stuff to endure countless bouts. When they tire of 'sword-fighting', one or both will go en pointe, pointing their beaks to the sky as if to say "en-garde, mon ami". A precursor to this pose is a loud percussion noise that they somehow produce, so it sounds as if they go en pointe to a drum-beat.

It is simply one of the most incredible things I've ever witnessed. My guided party were kept spellbound for half an hour. I took a rather grainy video sans sound that doesn't begin to do it justice, so I'm not going to bother posting it.

It hurts my eyes

2010-09-29T14:32:00.002+10:00

After last year's marathon painting of the spare room, chairs, balustrade and window frames in the old house at Belgrave, I never wanted to pick up a paint brush again.
But now I have no choice. The salmon/gray/terracotta (with a blue frieze) colour scheme downstairs is starting to seriously hurt my eyes. I can't take it anymore!
Then, if I have any energy left, I might just tackle the hot pink painted beams in the upstairs bedrooms.
Prepare to be horrified by the before shots, and hopefully impressed with the after shots. Needless to say, I'm going with some soothing and relaxing tones.

The puppy dogs of the sea

2010-09-24T21:23:00.013+10:00

Snorkelling in the Galapagos was absolutely incredible thanks to the playful antics of sea lions. They'd swim in close and flutter their big brown eyes at you underwater, then circle around you like a hoola hoop until you were dizzy from play. They'd body surf onto the beach, then ungainly maneouvre their bodies across the sand. The bleating sea lion calves melted my heart, and the fearsome dominant males made me tread cautiously. The mothers used their flippers to draw their young in for a feed, then protectively covered their heads. Like puppy dogs, they were either in play mode or sleep mode, and those eyes...beautiful.

More beautiful birds, but still not my favourite

2010-09-22T21:57:00.010+10:00

Great blue heronHooded mockingbirdBrown pelicans fish the easy wayYellow Warbler FinchThe third smallest penguins in the world, the Galapagos penguin. Our Fairy Penguins are the second smallest in the world.The famous flightless cormorantStriated HeronSwallow-tailed gullMy camera's zoom and shutter speed weren't up to the task of capturing storm petrels in flight, pink flamingos in a volcanic rim, and the elusive camouflaged short-eared owl, but I was thrilled to see them all. A fellow passenger, who we named 'Bazuka Bill' for the length of his camera lens, has kindly sent me hard copies of the birds I couldn't capture on film. They're so amazing I'm going to enlarge and frame them.

5 star living

2010-09-22T14:38:00.003+10:00

This is where I stayed for the conference in Adelaide. As I was a last minute booking, they upgraded me to a studio spa suite with a balcony overlooking North Terrace. I couldn't believe it. Quite simply, it was the most beautiful hotel room I've ever stayed in, even outshining my corner suite in the glamourous Hilton in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, back in 1999.

I had room service breakfast each morning.

I'm spoilt, I tell you. Totally spoilt!!

I believe I can fly

2010-09-21T20:59:00.010+10:00

The incredible frigate birds of the Galapagos Islands. The male inflates the red pouch on his neck to attract a female flying overhead. As much as I loved the frigate birds and the boobies, my heart belongs to another sea bird. Can you guess which one?

Where the earth shifts and spits at you

2010-09-14T20:32:00.011+10:00

Close up of a marine iguanaOn Espanola Island the marine iguanas are called Christmas iguanas because of their red and green colouring.This mighty land iguana features in a video with me that was sent to America's Funniest Home Videos. In it I invented new moves called the 'iguana dance'.Marine iguanas blend into the volcanic landscape of Fernandina IslandPreparing to spit. Marine iguanas feed on algae in the sea and then spend hours on land spitting out sea water and soaking up the sun
Flat out like a lizard drinkingOn the moveWatch where you step
These amazing looking creatures can lull you into a false sense of security with their lazy postures and half-closed eyes, but trust me, when they move you don't want to be in their way! Check out the size of their claws, particularly on the land iguana.

Drive-by blog

2010-09-05T14:38:00.002+10:00

Sorry for the absence. I've been juggling a new job, interstate conferences, insane weather resulting in flash-flooding and power outtages, concern for friends in Christchurch who've just endured a massive earthquake, and pondering how on earth I can describe a trip of a lifetime in blog posts.

I hope everyone is safe.

Boobie brigade

2010-09-01T11:34:00.017+10:00

Masked boobie on Genovesa Island How cute! A baby masked boobieBlue-footed boobiesChoosing a mateThe male 'sky points' to attract the femaleThe result!The red-footed boobie is the only boobie which nests in treesBaby boobie!Adolescent red-footed boobies
I literally took hundreds of photos of the renowned boobies of the Galapagos Islands. They were gorgeous, goofy and an amazing example of evolution. A simple "loop of poop" on the ground is enough to warn others away. The mothers and fathers take it in turns fishing and sitting on the eggs. The hilarious mating rituals, sky-pointing, air-conditioner feather ruffling and penguin-like walk are so endearing. Yet any awkwardness gives way to grace in flight and a predator like fishing style, where they turn themselves into an arrow (they're called 'picaro' or arrow in spanish)to slice into the water.

The footsteps of Darwin

2010-08-19T20:25:00.006+10:00

My shipmates aboard a pangaA male frigate bird takes the easy passage between islandsThe Letty and sister ship Flamingo moored at Genovesa Island
I wish I could've stayed aboard my boat the 'Letty' for five years, like Charles Darwin did aboard his ship the 'Beagle', but eight days in paradise is better than never experiencing it at all.

Firstly, the boat was extraordinarily comfortable and the crew were so kind and efficient, from the young Robert de Niro lookalike captain Pablo (you talkin' to me?), to the panga drivers, the steward and the cooks. The boat had the capacity for 20 passengers, which also made it personal and friendly. If you were running late for a meal then there'd be a knock on the door to check that you weren't indisposed by seasickness, as several less fortunate passengers were. I had a cabin to myself on the fabulous Dolphin deck. I think I was upgraded because my ticket said the iguana deck, but a family wanted to be in cabins on the same level. I very quickly became accustomed to being rocked to sleep at night, and woken by the hilarious naturalist Harry in the morning.

The food was absolutely incredible. Buffets for breakfast, lunch and dinner, snacks and hot drinks every day when we came in from snorkelling the magnificent coves. The seafood was of course the catch of the day. I quickly fell in love with the cooks Arturo and Marcos!

Despite being rusty, I was able to test out my Spanish for the first time in 17 years and I felt lucky to be able to communicate with all the crew on some level. In fact, as the only passenger who spoke any Spanish, I was invited to the bridge one night by the first mate, where the captain let me steer the Letty into harbour at Santa Cruz Island. Wouldn't you know it, since I've returned I've gotten to know my new neighbours and one of them is Mexican! I would've begged for Spanish lessons before I went. Ah well, next time I venture to Latin America, or Spain itself, I'm going to take advantage...

Welcome to another day in paradise, the Galapagos Islands, aaaah...

2010-08-11T17:56:00.004+10:00

Tortuga grande (giant tortoise)on Santa Cruz Island - day 6Sea lion at Ochoa Beach on San Cristobal Island - day 1
This announcement, accompanied by hilarious sea lion imitations, was my wake up call for my 8 day cruise around the Galapagos Islands.

And paradise it was!

Am still a bit jetlagged, and don't have the capacity to begin describing this incredible place, but I will slowly begin posting about it over the coming days.

Hola amigos!

2010-08-05T07:40:00.002+10:00

I´m going to keep this short and sweet because I´m in an internet cafe in Otavalo, Ecuador and only have about 5 minutes left.

Oh, how I can´t wait to tell you where I´ve been and what I´ve done.

Quite simply, I have had the time of my life!

Now I´m coping with the aftermath. I´m missing the friends I made, the once-in-a-lifetime moments, the air, the water...

If I could upload a photo, I would reveal all. But I can´t, and I want you to see as well as read about the paradise I´ve just encountered.

Am back home next week. Ciao!

Feeling Good

2010-07-14T22:20:00.000+10:00

Nina Simone

Unorganised traveller

2010-07-12T18:43:00.003+10:00

I'm an unorganised traveller. I pretty much book flights and hope the rest takes care of itself.

There is a wonderful prologue in John Steinbeck's Travels with Charley where he talks about travel as an entity. Where you might as well throw out itineries, plans, even intended destinations, because travel takes on a life of its own the minute you step off the plane.

I have limited itineries, if any. After traipsing around many continents I've learnt that travel is full of tangents. That it's not the destination that matters, it's the journey itself. Where one conversation can alter your course entirely.

So this week I once again find myself madly scrambling to make sure I have current required vaccinations, changed money, and other stuff that ensures they don't turn you around at the airport and send you back home.

Thanks to the magic of internet (which wasn't available last time I was in South America), this time I've also been kind to myself and booked accommodation for a few nights in both Santiago and Quito. Chile and Ecuador are just stepping stones to the 'dream destination' though.

One week to go!

SATC

2010-07-06T19:46:00.002+10:00

Please. As if I'd blog about Sex and the City.
No, this is something far more wonderful, exotic and exciting.
I've just booked my dream holiday through the South American Travel Centre. This is a holiday I've fantasized about since 1993 - my first experience in South America.
I can't believe I finally have the time and the money to do it.
I fly out on July 19th.
So now you know the continent.
More hints to come.

Internet, where for art thou?

2010-06-23T15:28:00.003+10:00

I'm stealing a minute at work to jump on the internet and blog.
Hopefully next week my computer will be out of a box and all set up at the new home and I can start uploading photos.

Today I did a really stupid thing. I looked at photos of my old house. Then I got smacked in the head by a tonne of nostalgia. It was a great home. I'll always love it. But this new home is allowing me to make BIG changes. Positive changes.

It's giving me my life back, letting me focus on things that are dear to me. For instance, it's given me the freedom to quit this job.

The simple life

2010-06-18T16:18:00.003+10:00

Did I mention I've moved to a converted quaker barn? It's quirky, spacious and as my Dad puts it: "It's so you Renee, it's not funny."

I'm all moved in and as each day passes it feels more and more like home. I've had my "what the hell have I done?" moments, that's for sure, but we're slowly establishing new routines.

Painting still needs to be done to all the rooms (I think the previous owners were colour blind), but the heating is good, storage spaces are awesome, and the dogs have their own yard to run around in each day.

I've also inherited five red hens and am learning all about raising chooks. I love it!!

'Twas the night before...

2010-05-29T19:35:00.002+10:00

...Halle and Louie's last day in this house.

Tomorrow I'm driving up to my parents' farm, where my sister will pick the dogs up from and take them home with her for the rest of the week.

Despite being surrounded by boxes, Halle is still curled up in her favourite spot in front of the gas log fire (if I could take one thing from this house, it would be this fire!), and Louie is lounging on the arm of the couch. Occasionally they'll belt out to the deck via the dog door and warn Betty (my resident possum) and her baby to keep away from the house.

I think they know something is afoot as they've become my little shadows, not wanting me out of their sight. I keep telling them they'll have a wonderful new yard to play in, and chooks to keep in line.

I've tucked the child safety gate out of view. The same gate that will be located at the bottom of the stairs in the new house to prevent them from getting into the bedrooms.

Big changes, pooches. Big changes...

Commutes from hell

2010-05-25T21:36:00.002+10:00

I was speaking to a work colleague today and we were talking about her husband and how he worked 45 minutes away from home. She called it "an easy commute" and I was taken aback.

When did hour long commutes become the norm?

A big part of my move is to try and reduce my mortgage and then find part-time work. For me, an hour commute is only acceptable if I can do it part-time. At the moment, and for the past 18 months, I've been commuting 1 hour 15 minutes (on a good day) each way to work. And I'm exhausted! It drags out your work day to 11 - 12 hour days, and that is not sustainable in my books.

I remember when I was a student nurse living in the nurses' quarters attached to the Alfred Hospital. If I'd showered the night before, I could roll out of bed and be at work within 15 minutes (including time to put on the complicated starched apron with clips, and brush my teeth). Now that's what I call a commute!

Maybe commutes are the reasons why I long to be a reclusive writer. I can do that job from anywhere in the world, and don't have to change out of my PJs to do it. What bliss!

Once I move, my aim is to have a commute under half an hour. Let's see how I go...

Eye on the prize

2010-05-22T11:32:00.009+10:00

Er, do you need help carrying that?Act casual, step quietly, a perfect stealLook what I found!Success!Not happy, Mum!

Autumnal colour

2010-05-16T18:05:00.007+10:00

I absolutely love autumn. The warm days and cool nights. The filtered light bouncing off falling leaves. The mushroom homes and cities littered throughout the spongy debris. The colours blow me away. I want to go out exploring every day to see the colour changes in distressed and dying leaves.

The countdown - 4 weeks to move

2010-05-10T10:22:00.004+10:00

This time in four weeks I'll be moving into my new house. I won't bore you with the details, but the first house I bought fell through due to major structural damage picked up in the building inspection report. A big shock because it felt as solid as a rock. However, now I can happily say "thank God for those rotting stumps!", for we have found the PERFECT house to move into.

I'll take photos once we move, but some of the things I love about it are: a sunroom, a fernery, a greenhouse, fruit trees, a chook run, two toilets, a north-facing balcony off the main bedroom (yes, it's two storeys)... Plus, it's got all the practical stuff I could wish for including a great fenced yard for the doggies, a garage, two water tanks... It was also a cheaper than the first (defective) house!!

I can't help feeling that the new house was destined to be mine.

Downshifting - the 3 steps to happiness

2010-04-22T20:00:00.002+10:00

Step 1. Sell your house for a good price (tick)

Step 2. Buy a house for significantly less that what you sold yours for, thereby reducing the mortgage to next to nothing (tick)

Step 3. Find part-time work (to be completed)

Things seem to be falling into place for me at the moment. Found a lovely house for a bargain price and am signing the contracts on Saturday. Methinks the dogs and I will be very happy with our new home.

Two dog nights

2010-04-12T21:41:00.004+10:00

When the weather turns cold, two little dogs end up in my bed. They're like heat-seeking missiles. I don't mind because I don't need an electric blanket or hot water bottle with them snuggled up beside me.

It feels like winter already with dark evenings and steady rain. I'll be moving this winter, so good heating is going to be on my 'absolutely must have' list for the new house.

Hopefully I'll find that new home in the next few weeks.

One of the things I'll miss

2010-03-27T12:14:00.005+11:00

The tawny frogmouth has come back to visit. I'm in love with this ancient looking bird. Unlike last time, he was a bit harder to spot and a bit further away. So I thought I'd upload a photo taken by a work colleague last week at one of our properties in northwest Victoria. Awwwww, look at those eyes! What an amazing creature.

Sold!

2010-03-26T19:01:00.003+11:00

Well it's official. My house is sold. All the inspections etc have been done and the sticker went up on the For Sale board yesterday.

My six years in Belgrave is coming to a close. It's been lovely, but I'm super excited to be moving onto the next chapter in my life, and the next home, wherever that may be...

Doggone anniversary

2010-03-15T15:50:00.002+11:00

A year ago today this little poppet came into our lives.

Given his adventurous nature, I wasn't sure if he'd stick around, but he obviously knows a good thing when he sees it:)

I can't remember how we coped without him. Happy anniversary little Louie.

Storms, parades and chilling out

2010-03-08T19:42:00.007+11:00

Is this the fountain of youth?Our getaway...We went back to Daylesford for this long weekend, mostly to keep scouting out the area for a house, but also to enjoy the 'Chill Out Festival', Victoria's answer to Mardi Gras.

While I did see men in fantastic frocks, I spent most of my time walking the dogs, checking out the Makers Market run by Lark, and relaxing at our secret hideaway. So secret in fact, it wasn't booked out for the festival like every other accommodation within a 20km radius.

Best thing was, it was dry and warm during the thrilling hailstorms that whipped through on Saturday, and no television or computers is the best recipe for relaxation.

Mini breaks

2010-03-02T22:57:00.004+11:00

I spent the weekend at Daylesford having a 'mini-break' a la Bridget Jones. This being my 40th year, I decided last October to set aside a nice little fund to treat myself to random weekends away throughout the year. No, I wasn't alone, the pooches came along too:) I took them into work with me early Friday morning, and we left mid afternoon for a stress free weekend.

The idea was to relax and have a look around at potential new homes. The former I did with complete abandon. I didn't realise how much keeping my own home tidy was affecting me until I looked at our accommodation Friday night and realised I'd spread stuff around from one end of the room to the other. I needed to be messy!

We did lots of walking around Daylesford and swimming at the lake. I visited antique stores and craft shops including Lark. I couldn't believe that one tiny shop could feature so many of my favourite creative types, including Belle & Boo, Beci Orpin, Auntie Cookie, and Loobylu. They also introduced me to some fabulous new artists, and I couldn't resist buying two viking plates by Herzensart. Her blog is fantastic!

On the house front, it was a bit of a dud weekend. I looked at a couple from the outside and that was enough to accelerate away with squealing tyres. A house that caught my eye online turned out to be very much a money pit. Even my untrained eye could tell this when I could see daylight through holes in the floor.

As for my own second open for inspection, apparently the road was chaos with neighbours moving in next door and Puffing Billy was extra noisy. It's a bit hard to market the serenity of a log cabin in the hills with dust flying, horns blaring, wheels spinning and whistles blowing.

Ah well. It might all turn around next weekend, who knows?

In the meantime, we'll be heading back to Daylesford for the long weekend. I've discovered it's good to avoid being at home when you're attempting to sell.

Spit and polish

2010-02-19T14:31:00.003+11:00

After a lot of demented cleaning, polishing, painting and decluttering, my house is online. Check out how spacious the wide angle lens makes the bathroom look! You can compare it with my photo in the last post.

What the magic of the camera hides is the fact that every cupboard is full of clutter, and even the oven had a stack of books shoved into it at the last minute!

The first open for inspection is tomorrow at 11am. I hope it won't take more than a few weeks to sell, because I can't keep up this unlived, display home facade for very long!

Wish me luck.

Nostalgic house pics

2010-02-12T21:35:00.004+11:00

The living and meals area, which opens onto the huge deck and verandah.My teensy bathroom. Painting this took three coats and a lot of swearing, especially while tackling the ceiling. I will never paint a ceiling again!
As I prepare my house for it's first open for inspection, I can't help but think about how much things have changed. When I first moved in six years ago (I haven't stayed in one place for six years since leaving school!) I barely had any furniture to fill this tiny place. All I had was my bed, dressing table and a desk.
Now things are scattered everywhere and I can remember where each and everything came from. The retro table from a shearing shed at the farm adjacent to my parents' farm, the retro chairs from op shops in Yarram and Lilydale, the Queensland maple bureau from a secondhand shop closing down sale in Blackburn, the ikea shelf from ebay and picked up in Brunswick, the daybed from ebay and picked up in nearby Emerald, the Queen Anne side table from a secondhand shop in Emerald, the double Adirondack style chair made by my Dad, the milk glass lamp from Lucy's noodle shop in Mallacoota, the dog mosaic made by my SIL, the miniature wishing well from hard rubbish...
Everything is special for some reason or another, and has been selected to specifically suit the spaces and style of this house. I wonder if they'll suit the new place too.

Connected!

2010-01-31T12:56:00.005+11:00

Am back online, at last. I tell you, was feeling a bit lost without the internet, and also sans tv viewing (shit reception due to heavily forested hills and new digital tv). So I've been hanging out at the library, internet surfing at work, and generally just trying to get a fix here and there.
I finally couldn't stand it any longer and have a new provider. Still working out the details and will email people shortly with new address. The prime motivator, however, was that I'm in the midst of getting my house ready for sale and need to start looking for a new home to live. This is all extremely difficult without internet!
Anyway, while I'm figuring out the latest technology, here are some happy snaps from Christmas, before I got sick.
Hunter-gatherer Nathan catches mussels at the yabby dam. Have yet to find a good recipe for freshwater mussels.Halle and Louie cooling off.

Book wrap for 2009

2010-01-14T10:53:00.004+11:00

In no particular order:
1. Stanley and Sophie by Kate Jennings. A heartwarming story of two little border terriers sharing a New York apartment with their Australian owner. 3.5/5
2. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S Thompson. You don’t have to be tripping to enjoy this drug-fuelled car trip across the American south west. Fabulous! 4/5
3. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. A brilliant novel full of scrumptious heroes and feisty heroines. The best romance of all time! 5/5
4. Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris. This author doesn’t miss a (heart) beat with this Southern vampire series. Check out True Blood for the edgy TV series based on these novels. Brilliant! 4.5/5
5. Persuasion by Jane Austen. With a family like hers, you can’t help but hope for happy-ever-afters for Anne Elliot. And Jane Austen delivers. 4.5/5
6. The Outlaw Demon Wails by Kim Harrison. Much more upbeat and less confused than Harrison’s last two instalments in the Rachel Morgan series. I’m glad I stuck with her. 4/5
7. The Good Daughter by Amra Pajalic. Gutsy and real. This brilliant young adult book set in the Melbourne ‘burbs will have you laughing out loud, gasping in disbelief and remembering the angst of your teenage years. Highly recommend! 5/5
8. A member of the Family by Cesar Millan. Wonderful ‘how to’ book on raising a dog from puppyhood through to old age. Also touches on rescue centres and what characteristics you should look for when adopting a dog. 4/5
9. Butterfly by Sonya Hartnett. Not up to Hartnett’s usual lofty standards, but worth a read. 3.5/5
10. The Lost Recipe for Happiness by Barbara O’Neal. Dogs, food, a cook showdown and spicy passion. What’s not to love! 4.5/5
11. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. I would rate this book higher if I could. One of the best books I’ve read in a long, long time. Highly recommend. 5/5
12. Dreams from my Father by Barack Obama. A really good insight into the person who has risen to become the world’s Commander in Chief. An even better insight into what it’s like to be raised without a father. 4/5
13. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! I never thought a book written from a dog’s point of view and full of car racing analogies would become one of my all time favourite books… If you read one book in 2010, let this be it. 5/5

And that’s a wrap! Really, I was fortunate to read some outstanding books in 2009. I hope 2010 can keep up with the standard.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-08T11:40:00.003+11:00

I've been fiddling with my internet and am in between providers at the moment, so posting will be on a temporary hiatus (unless I can squeeze a few minutes in at work) until I get a new account sorted out.
The same applies to my email address, which is out of commission.
Hope you all had a lovely and safe holiday period.
I had a great Xmas Day and Boxing Day, then caught a nasty bug from the walking petri dishes otherwise known as my nephews.
I was down for the count for the whole week of my holidays. I was robbed I tell you. Robbed!

It's beginning to look a lot like...

2009-12-12T21:49:00.006+11:00

The Winter Village has come out to play again, with a couple of additions. I get such a kick out of this village.Is it a pinecone? Is it a snowman? No, it's my 2009 Christmas candle from Dusk. Cute eh?

Looking after myself

2009-11-17T10:00:00.004+11:00

I actually went to the movies last night for a bit of 'me' time. I saw Julie and Julia and loved it! Food, romance, writing, blogging - what wasn't to love?
I loved most how food brings people together and is all about sharing and community. Whether that community is online or comprises markets, fellow chefs, dinner party guests, doesn't matter. Nothing says I love you or think about you better than food and companionship.
Next movie night will be for 'Where The Wild Things Are'. Can't wait!

Before and after #2

2009-11-16T14:53:00.005+11:00

It's taken me awhile, but a sick day has given me the chance to hang some pictures I've had tucked under the desk during the spare room renovation. From left are pictures by Belle and Boo, The Nebulous Kingdom, Loobylu and Brownie Downing. Yes, that's Louie tucked up in the pillows. Seems fair, given Halle featured in Before and after #1.

Self-inflicted sickness

2009-11-16T10:22:00.006+11:00

You would think that, having suffered from hayfever for about 20 years, I'd be smart about the triggers and avoid them. But no. Stupid me decided to attend a working bee in the community garden yesterday so as not to appear slack, where grass happened to be seeding (my trigger).
Not only did it lead to a terrible night of dripping sinuses, weeping eyes, general blah-ness, it also caused a terrible asthma attack.
So I'm home today, trying to pull myself together so I can function like those lucky people who don't get allergies.
It seems I also have a little companion with the allergies. After taking a nice bath last night to try to make myself feel better, I noticed Louie had scratched the beejezus out of himself, with a red raw belly and under legs.
I then had to wrestle the little boy into the laundry trough and wash him with an anti-pruritic/anti-fungal shampoo. It did the trick. We both fell into an exhausted sleep around midnight and he didn't scratch at all overnight. The smell of wet dog didn't even bother me as I was all stuffed up anyway.
Louie's rash appears to have cleared up this morning.
Poor bugger. I know just how it feels.

A rare moment of stillness

2009-11-08T14:30:00.003+11:00

Louie is what you call high energy. Halle and I are probably medium energy. So it's very hard to catch him in a moment of stillness. Having the camera with me at all times helps. This is a picture taken from my bed. I love the expression on his face. It's been eight months since we found each other.

Fight or flight

2009-11-03T12:38:00.004+11:00

Louie is our brave little White Knight when it comes to trouble, stoically defending the pack. Halle hightails it back to me and hides behind my legs.

The nose knows

2009-11-02T22:39:00.007+11:00

While Halle searches down wishing wells and in forest gullies for the most disgusting things to roll in, Louie focuses on bones left behind by picnickers.

What have I been up to?

2009-10-31T10:15:00.001+11:00

Ramona and Sandra will tell you all about it, and even provide photos.

I should have some photos of the completed top to show you next weekend. I love the colours and fabrics I've chosen, but it's still a mystery how they'll work until every patch (over 400!) is sewn together.

Oh, and my Christmas themed table-runner has taken a backseat for the time being until I get some matching green thread. November will be a busy sewing month, and also a busy writing month. Both things have to be tackled piece (word) by piece (word).

A lovely weekend had by all

2009-10-19T14:03:00.006+11:00

I just had a really lovely weekend. Nothing pressing needed doing, but it's amazing how much you can do when you know you've got a leisurely two days ahead of you.
After sleeping in Saturday, I took the pooches for a nice ambling stroll along the fringes of the Dandenong Ranges National Park. Then I was able to leave them at home guilt free, while I went and bought some fabric for an upcoming sewing class on Thursday night. I love my local fabric/sewing shop , and could have spent another good hour browsing.
On the way home I stopped by the local butcher's for a gourmet sausage on the BBQ, and while I was eating the sausage undercover (a lovely light rain began to fall), I did some window shopping. I ended up going into an upmarket used goods store and buying a vintage tablecloth and French-style cheeseboard. There's nothing like a treasure hunt to start your weekend right!
I took both dogs to dog school and both were surprisingly well-behaved. Cesar Millan would say they must've picked up on my good energy. After concentrating so hard and filling their bellies with treats, both Halle and Louie had a long afternoon nap, and I joined them.
Sunday morning I woke up early to bake some cupcakes for a friend's birthday. Lesson to Renee, never bake first thing in the morning as mistakes will happen! After botching up the mix with too much water, I was able to salvage it with extra flour and cocoa and make even more cupcakes, so it was a win win situation! Had a lovely surprise party for Tessa down at the community garden. After lunch I took the dogs on our most favourite of all walks, at Nobelius Heritage Park in Emerald.We love this walk most because we nearly always have the park to ourselves, and it's just like bushwalking through a national park. I've been snapping off pieces of salvias at the renowned Salvia Garden at Nobelius and tried to transplant them at home in my garden. Some bits seem to have taken, others not so good. With all this rain I think I'll have a pretty good success rate.
After dropping the dogs back home, I did my weekly grocery shopping, and decided to grab a DVD on the way home. I ended up buying two cheap ex-rentals: Pride & Prejudice (the Keira Knightly version), and Very Annie Mary (an hilarious Welsh movie starring Australia's own Rachel Griffiths). More successful treasure hunting!
I have my cousins staying the next three days, so I even managed to tidy the house up a tad.
Am feeling very content and satisfied indeed with my leisurely weekend...

Reading: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows (am loving this!); Butterfly by Sonia Hartnett.
Watching: Very Annie Mary:)
Listening to: Flight of the Conchords; Eva Cassidy's Songbird

A soup favourite

2009-10-18T21:18:00.004+11:00

Lunchtime Lentil Soup (courtesy of Laptop Lunches)
1 tbs extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, minced
Handful cilantro (coriander) minced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground cumin
3 tsp mild curry powder
7-8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
2 cups dried red lentils
450g can crushed tomatoes
2 carrots, peeled and diced
2 stalks celery, diced

1. Heat olive oil in the bottom of a large pot. Add onion and saute for 2 minutes.
2. Add garlic, cilantro and spices and cook for a few more minutes
3. Add lentils, tomatoes and broth, bring to boil.
4. Reduce to a simmer and cook for about 15 minutes.
5. Finish with celery and carrot for a surprising crunch, and a squeeze of lemon.

What to do when it's cold, wet and blustery

2009-09-27T17:46:00.001+10:00

Curl up in front of the fire with your best friend.

Midnight crunchie

2009-09-16T21:03:00.003+10:00

I was desperate for a sweet fix last night and, while trawling through the recipe books for something that I had all the ingredients for, I stumbled across this old New Zealand fave from Edmonds Cookery Book.
Without benefit of kitchen weights, I threw together the ingredients for Ginger Crunch like I was competing in Masterchef and voila - a masterpiece!

Ginger Crunch
125g (4oz) butter
125g sugar
200g (7oz) flour
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon baking powder

Cream butter and sugar, add sifted dry ingredients. Knead well and press into a greased shallow tin. Bake 20 - 25 minutes at 190C (375F)

Put into a saucepan:
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup icing sugar
1 tablespoon golden syrup
2 teaspoons ground ginger

Heat until melted then pour over cake while hot. Cut into squares before it gets cold.
Enjoy with a hot cup of tea!

Awkward moments around the photocopier

2009-09-04T11:43:00.004+10:00

I usually don't like blogging about work because I'm paranoid something may come back to bite me on the butt. However...
This job has proved to be particularly tough due to some toxic personalities. For a not-for-profit organisation, what's surprised me the most is how many people have an over-developed sense of entitlement. As in 'I'll do it, but what's in it for me?'.
We get paid pretty well I feel, and in line with most organisations, however a few people here have been claiming junkets, pushing for undeserved pay increases, buying alcohol through petty cash, and shouting people to farewell dinners using money that has effectively been donated to the organisation for conservation purposes.
Fortunately, most of those people have now resigned.
My dilemma is that I genuinely dislike a couple of them (and I know the feeling is returned), and on principle I haven't been signing their card, donating to a farewell gift, or disingenously wishing them good cheer. Which means I don't feel right participating in farewell dinners or cake.
If there was only one event, I could probably avoid it, however these people feel entitled (and are being granted) a whole week of celebrations at the company's expense! Therefore I have to avoid cake for morning tea, afternoon tea, work lunches and farewell dinners, presentations of farewell gifts and more!
It has been extremely awkward to say the least.
Thank god it's nearly over. The worst offender leaves mid-September, and I'm hopeful the organisation can finally pull together and do great things for the environment.

My winter of discontent

2009-08-29T13:25:00.003+10:00

I can't say I'll be sad to bid winter farewell. It's been a hard few months, mostly because I've been so ill.
First I got a flu in June, not surprising considering my visitors from New Zealand were all extremely sick when they came to stay. Just when I thought I was on the mend, I developed bronchitis. Because I've had bronchitis before, it means I'll be more susceptible to it for the rest of my life. Especially when my immune system is down, like following a bad flu.
I battled the bronchitis for about six weeks, then when my chest seemed to be getting clearer, the infection went to my sinuses and I had trouble hearing. Everything was muffled for three weeks, and I couldn't unblock my sinuses.
Thankfully I've just had a week of R & R at my parents' farm, and I'm feeling a lot better. Good food, plenty of sleep, and no rushing around works much better than all the medication I've been scoffing.
Yesterday was the first day I felt well enough to spend in my vegie plot, and I made up for lost time planting cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage and celery. It's still a little cool to start planting the summer vegies, but in the meantime I'm starting to work the soil and get it ready for a summer harvest.
It feels good to have motivation again!