Home and hosed

Well hello hello how lovely it is to be back!  We've had a delightful and eventful (if not a tad exhausting) visit with the gorgeous sister in law coming to stay.  She's now tucked back in her corner of the world, and our life is back to everyday routine.  So to slide back in to my blog routine (did I ever have a blog routine?) here are a few pics from our girly trip to Central Coast and Hunter region.  

Overnight trip to Forster, stopping at The Entrance for some lunch and pelican watching.  Booking into a hotel that smelt faintly of wet dog and giggling at complimentary Anzac biscuits that almost broke SIL's teeth.  Rest of the day was spent browsing shops and sitting by the water - and lots of eating.......

Next morning, more of the same, and then off to discover a green cathedral. 

We found some driftwood and secret messages in the sand.

Continued on to Wingham, we find magic trees, and an entrance to a secret kingdom - and about a million flying foxes........

We decided to head home, but were then surprised and astonished by a tree covered in white underpants - oh wait - they're white cockatoos!  (oops)

Picture taken by my sister in law.

Finally after many kilometers, stories, laughs, pit stops, snack stops and a busted gear box, we were home. (and 3 weeks later I'm finally back on the road)

Photo by my sister in law.

A wee break

A quick hello and a little message just to say that I will be away for a couple of weeks while my sister in law visits.  We're planning a girly road trip so I should have some fun photos for you when I return.  I also wanted to say thank you for your patience with my lack of posts while I adjust to working full time.  I have been very neglectful but I've been trying different time management exercises to work out a regular blogging schedule.  I'm just about there I think......

My neighbourhood..............

Thought I'd show you around where I live............

Lots of lovely mysterious and romantic buildings and churches, terrace houses, little houses with lots of chimneys, beaches, a house with a pond as the front yard and the odd exposed plumbing.

Ok - it's not exactly my suburb, but rather the suburbs surrounding mine.  One in particular (can you guess where it is?).  On my daily walk from the car to work I pass a lot of these lovely buildings and scenes, and it struck me a couple of weeks ago, that I know so little about them.   After accidentally coming across some photos of pre World War I Manly, I've decided I need to know more about where I live.  Maybe take one of those walking history tours I so often see advertised in the local rag.

I'd also like to investigate the history of my own little house.  I am rather fond of it despite occasional rising damp, leaky bathrooms and mould.  Who lived here before us?  Who were the original owners?  Would they like the changes we've made?  How old is our house?  So many questions.  I feel there are many hours of Googling ahead of me...............................

Quick easter break post.

Hello hello!  My goodness how time flies!  I just wanted to quickly pop in to say Happy Easter for those who celebrate, and for those who don't Happy Long Weekend!

Here is an unrelated pic of me as I was about to head off to the Love Vintage Fair a couple of weeks ago.  However due to a Series Of Unfortunate Events I never made it and the whole day left me feeling rather flat and with a confidence level of zero.  

I was trying to capture my inner 60's flight attendant with this look I think.  I also decided that black and white made me look less umm - old.

However one must always pick oneself up and dust oneself off and I'm now in the process of taking a series of pics for my next post.  Stay tuned...........

And finally, so Melissa can now stop wondering what that knitted cutie was - it's a crab :)

Enjoy the rest of the long weekend everyone xxxxxxxx

Knitted cuties part 2

My computer and I have not been friends of late.  I've not been able to look it in the eye (or rather, monitor) for more than a few minutes for about a week.  This was due to another attack from the Migraine Monster, but my PC took it to heart and now it's sulking and not letting me upload photos from my phone.  So I'm emailing them to myself.  The things we do...............

And all I want to do is give you a Knitted Cuties update.

Here they are again with an addition of a little rainbow coloured whale.

Here he is on closer inspection.

A happy fellow - soon to be joined by his friends, the blind octopus and the one eyed tadpole.  They are patiently waiting for me to get organised and buy the buttons for their eyes.

 

And can you tell what this one is going to be?

An autumn dream

Whilst playing with the settings on  my new phone - and hence my new camera - I fell into an Autumn Dream.

A dream where apple blossoms and tiny villages of fairy like mushrooms appear.

 Flower petals float in the still water of a long forgotten bird bath, seeds get ready to fly, and where magical bells grow on trees.

Books stand to attention - ready to entertain on the long Winter's nights ahead, and the snuggly bathrobe comes out of hibernation.

I am roused from my daydream and gaze outside.  Willing the Autumn days to hurry.  But am cheered by the late Summer roses that Hubby bought me.

Zipper roses and cooler temperatures

Early last month, during hubby's birthday outing, I found another thrifting treasure.  What a novel way to use zippers..................

I've not yet had an opportunity to wear these beauties - I think I may wear them into work just for fun.

I can sense the weather slowly changing.  Soon I won't have to wear my hair up to feel comfortable. 
I spent a perfect Saturday recently just reading on the couch and listening to the rain.

Colourful window dressing

Walking to the car after French class with Glamorous Neighbour on Thursday night, we see a fun reminder that it's Mardi Gras here in Sydney.
Start of the week is here, looking forward to the weekend already.

Ukeleles, suitcases and sensible shoes

On Tuesday night (see, I'm catching up) hubby and I went with friends to The State Theatre to see the Ukelele Orchestra Of Great Britain.  While I had conjured in my mind's eye an image of a stage full of Tiny Tims in Hawaiian shirts plinking away to the strains of Tiptoe Through The Tulips, and was reluctant to go, the thought of a night at The State Theatre was too tempting.

The weather is horrible and muggy at the moment, so a cool-but-still-nice-for-the-theatre dress was called for.  Ballet flats added a casual touch.  How sad that no-body seems to dress up any more - I've seen torn jeans at the Opera House -I long for the days when going to the theatre was considered a treat and people took a bit more effort with their attire. 

Hubby took us to dinner at Gowings Bar and Grill in the new QT Hotel (click on the first picture link for a little promo video) that's just opened up right next to the theatre, in the old Gowings Building (little video shows old footage and interior of new hotel).  I fell in love with the walls of retro paraphernalia.

  (I have a new phone and am still getting used to it's camera - having lots of fun with the different effects)

The orchestra was nothing like I'd envisaged, and I was pleasantly surprised.  It was an hilarious evening.

Birthdays, flags and chocolate.

Last Sunday (yes I'm still a week behind) we went out for Hubby's birthday.
A trip into Newtown, a reminder that Mardi Gras season has started, and some shopping topped off with the best burgers we ever had and yummy hot chocolate.
He said it was the nicest birthday outing he's had in a long time.

I think I need one of these chocolate machines......