PINCUSHION, ANYONE?

BRYN

8 WEEKS OLD
3 YEARS OLD

Here is Bryn of 'herhimnbryn' fame.

He keeps us active and is my constant companion. Known as 'the shadow' as he never leaves my side.

POETRY

Poetry is often evocative in capturing the very essence of a situation or emotion.

Try http://www.poetryarchive.org and sit back and listen!

KETTLE MOSAIC

If it stands still in our house, then out come the tile clippers!

LISTENING......

1. To the alarm going off at 5.30am.
2. The bed creaking as I get up.
3. The wind in the trees.
4. The dog bounding through the kitchen as I open his biscuit bucket.
5. His collar tags tinkling against his bowl as he eats.
6. Pulling on my clothes and walking boots.
7. The dog barking as I mention a "walk".
8. The door banging as we leave the house.
9. The wind in the trees.
10. Leaves being blown along the road.
11. Magpies warbling.
12. A motorbike starting up.
13. My feet on the tarmac.
14. The dog barking at a Galah.
15. My feet on pea gravel.
16. The dog's extender lead unrolling.
17. The dog brushing through tall grass.
18. The wind in my ears.
19. Someone sneezing.
20. A "goodmorning", to a passerby.
21. The wind in the trees.
22. A Kookaburra laughing.
23. A branch falling from a tree.
24. A Wattle bird screeching.
25. Two dogs barking.
26. My dog whining as I let him off the lead.
27. Calling to him to "wait" as we turn a corner.
28. Lead going back on as we return to the tarmac.
29. The sound of feet coming towards me.
30. Greetings from another dog walker.
31. All three dogs sniffing and then barking.
32. A door slamming.
33. A car starting up.
34. Opening our front door.
35. The wind in the trees.
36. Hanging up the lead.
37. Taking off my walking boots.
38. Turning the tap on and filling the kettle.
39. Switching on my laptop.
40. The dog sighing as he curls up on his bed by the window.
41. The wind in the trees.
42. The kettle whistling.
43. The clink of a spoon in my tea glass.
44. Me sighing as I sit in my chair.

Another Sunday morning.

3am. DOG IS SICK IN GARDEN

So here I am in the small hours of the morning, sitting up because the dog needs to be throwing up in the garden!

I have spent the day with the Bear.............a good day.

Now here I am looking at some of my favourite Bloggers and Keri over at Wish Jar Journal (apologies, I still haven't worked out how to 'link') got me thinking (she usually has this effect) . Her latest post is about being able and brave enough to "Just DO".

For over thirty years, I have collected an anthology of poems/prose/articles that have, 1) inspired me, 2) reflected my feelings and 3) centred me. I have five books crammed with other people's writings and thoughts. The sort of books that will probably be thrown away when I die, as being of no interest to other people. A great deal of the collected pieces are about taking the leap, finding courage, taking time for oneself, being creative, loving others and yourself etc, etc.

And here's my point. ( Being articulate at this time of the morning is a little difficult), why don't we "just DO"? I understand and accept that we have certain responsibilities, duties and committments. However, I am constantly hearing that as we become older and wiser, our inhibitions lessen and we care little about what others think of us.

Why then, at 46 am I still searching for the former ideals and reluctantly having to admit, that other peoples views of me, are so prevalent in my thoughts and actions?

AUSTRALIA DAY

MUFFALATTA

Ingredients:-

1. A large round ( uncut ) Italian loaf.
2. Various items for the filling e.g.
Semi-sun dries tomatoes, olives (de-pitted), thinly sliced cheese, grilled egg-plant, grilled
courgette, sliced mushrooms, flat leaf parsley, basil and baked ricotta.
3. Pesto ( the best you can afford, or make it yourself, cheap Pesto is dreadful!).
4. Extra vigin olive oil.
5.Sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper.

METHOD

Slice the top off the loaf of bread and pull out the bread, leaving a 1cm (approx) crust . You should have a hollow shell. Put the 'lid' and pieces of bread to one side ( you'll need them later).

Using a pastry brussh ( or your hands) coat the inside of the shell lightly with some olive oil ( you do not want the bread to be 'wet', just lightly coated).

Now dab some Pesto here there and everywhere on the inside of the shell.

Start to layer your chosen ingredients into the bread shell. The first layer should be something fairly dry ( as you do not want a soggy bottom!). As you layer sprinkle the S and P ( to your taste) and drizzle the olive oil. You can also add more Pesto as you go.

When your layers reach the top of the loaf shell, use your hand to press the layers down. Do this with care and add more layers if nec.

Now, layer some of the bread ( you pulled out of the loaf) on top.

Taking the lid of the loaf, brush some olive oil on the under side and dab with more pesto. Finally, place the lid on top and wrap the loaf very tightly in plastic film. Refrigerate for at least an hour.

When ready to serve, unwrap and cut into wedges. Oh, and don't forget to serve it with some robust red wine.

COLOUR MY WORLD

PURPLE

I think I may have a theme building here? Anyone else seeing purple ?

THANKYOU

To all you bloggers who posted comments. It has made this all worth while. I would like you to know that I have now worked out how to ensure comments are shown!

I thought I was blogging in a vacuum and was becoming a little disheartened, but you were all there, I just hadn't found you!

Hell's teeth! There will be no stopping me now!

CONTRAST

On the left is a view of the tiny ( snowy) front garden we had in the UK. The front door was 5 steps away from the road and parking ( as you can see) was tight! The picture above is one of our local beaches now we are in Australia. We live in a semi rural setting and to me our half acre block is heavenly. By Australian standards I suppose half an acre is tiny, but to me it's enormous!

The move here has resulted in a lifestyle change too. I am fortunate in that at the moment, I no longer have to work full time. I have the opportunity to learn to be a gardener, have a dog, learn new crafts AND have much more time to be with The Bear! We are no longer desperately trying to pay off two mortgages, working from 6am to 8pm every day, tired all the time and constantly stressed by work worries and not enough sleep.

It hasn't been problem free, what life is? And, I do miss some aspects of my life in the UK. Family and friends obviously. The not so obvious have crept up on me...............green hedgerows, fog, mist and frost, Bluebell woods and truely ancient buildings.

Now I am enjoying the stunning flora and fauna that surround me. I continue to wonder at the sight of kangeroos at dusk. I look forward to seeing the three Blue Tongue lizards that patrol our garden every year after their hibernation. There are trees everywhere and the sound of the breeze in eucalyptus leaves has become part of my daily mantra.

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" You will find that deep place of silence right in your own room, your garden or even your bathtub". Elizabeth Kubler Ross

HOW TO ENJOY.....

AN EVENING UNDER THE STARS

1

Decide that morning that even if it does rain, you are going to the local outdoor cinema. Look in the fridge and think about what you are going to take for your picnic on the grass before the show.(It has become a tradition in our house that no food is bought especially for the evening, it all has to come from the pantry or fridge!).

2

So, that evening the meal taken to share with friends is........ half a loaf of walnut spelt bread, marinated garlic olives, 'mousetrap' cheese,roasted vegatable scones and cherries. Oh, and a bottle of Australian Semmillion Sauvignion Blanc ( very important that).

3

Forget about it for the rest of the day and rake leaves and fill compost bins and then collapse as the rain starts. Later that afternoon, put camp chairs in car. At 4,30pm play with dog in garden and wear him out playing with his new football. Pack picnic bag and find cash for tickets and choc tops ( icecreams).

4

Drive to cinema at 5.30, ( the rain has now stopped) to be in the queue before the crowds arrive. Set up seats to wait in comfort, wave March flies away! Chat with other arrivals and gaze at tiny birds in Gum trees. Cinema owner and staff arrive and open doors. Pay for tickets and walk into the cinema.

5

Notice once again that this little cinema is an oasis in the Hills. The Jacaranda tree is in full bloom and some of the flowers carpet the grass. The Lavender and Citronella plants ( that surround the fence) are fragrant and help to deter mozzies. Find our spot and set up chairs , 'people watch' as they come in and put various pillows and blankets on the cinema seats for when the show starts.

Everyone talking and sitting at wooden tables or on the grass, opening wine and delving into picnic baskets.

6

Our friends arrive and we set out the picnic, eat and talk, buy Choc tops and get ready for the film ( The Queen Of Shebas Pearls). Spot door prize is announced , we move chairs and blankets and settle down to watch.

The lights go down and the stars come out, the Magpies strut cleaning up any crumbs and the gum trees rustle in the breeze.

7

Half way through the film, the rain begins. A fine mist really and hardly noticeable. People get out umbrellas and scarfs, blankets and hats to keep dry ( no-one is leaving, this film, a quirky English story has us all glued to our seats).

The credits roll and the lights come up. Each person is covered in a fine net of glittering diamonds, courtesy of the rain.

8

Time to pack up and drive home. Goodbyes echoing through the dark.

RAIN

'It rains, and nothing stirs within the fence
Anywhere through the orchard's untrodden, dense
Forest of Parsley. The great diamonds
Of rain on the grassblades there is none to break,
Or the fallen petals further down to shake.'

Edward Thomas


Woke this morning to the sound of rain. Always makes me think of the UK! However, it is a restful sound as far as I am concerned and where I live in Western Australia we need the rain.
Opened all the windows and let the aromas sweep into the house..............wet Eucalyptus trees, wet earth, wet tarmac and once he had come in from the garden, wet dog. I think you have to have grown up with the smell of a wet dog to understand what I am talking about. A sort of musty, earthy smell, that makes you realise that although we think we have domesticated our dogs, they are still wild creatures in their souls.
Made some bread this morning, whole meal Spelt flour. I am not a domseticated person, but thought I'd give it a go. Not bad, a good flavour and if I may say so better than shop bought bread!
No sewing today, have been doing a lot by hand (sewing machine is unpredictable) and unfortunately the blunt end of the needle went through my finger, so having a break today. I must work out how to post photos and then I can hopefully get some advice from other 'crafty' bloggers on my current projects.

SUGGESTION
When it next rains, go outside and taste it. Never mind what the neighbours think!

FIRST BLOG....

....Well here goes!

Hallo world and Australia in particular. My first Blog is just like my first day at school..........SCARY. I have to send a huge thanks to all the bloggers I have been reading of late, they are:-
Enjoying the Journey
Loobylu
Wish Jar Journal
red current
red felt flower
Molly Chicken

Thankyou for the inspiration. Now I have to get my head round all this Blogging stuff.