THINGS I LOVE TODAY

· Kaylee's surprise visit
(but not that they had to evacuate because of the nearby fires)
· That there is anti virus software
(because a virus x 4 = a lot of trouble)
· Shannon being awesome
(she told me to say that)
· Chinese take away
(because nobody wanted pizza)
· Grapes
(because they make great wine)
· XBox 360 Lips
(because Shannon tries to beat me …does beat me)
· Sunscreen
(peeling skin is not pretty)
· Our pet fish had babies
(but not that the other fish ate them all)
· That my hubby loves me
(even when I make him grumpy)
· My kids
(because they make my heart sing)
· The price of petrol
(because it’s cheaper today)
· My home
(everything I need is there)

“Be grateful for the home you have, knowing that at this moment, all you have is all you need.” Sarah Ban Breathnach

Cheers,
Lynda

A PICTURE SAYS A THOUSAND WORDS - BEN'S HOLIDAY PICS

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

Cheers,

Lynda

MUST GET PRIORITIES RIGHT!

The last days of the holidays are spent doing the rushed little things that have to be done before the school year begins on Monday. In early January we made a special trip to the bookstore and waited in the long queues to buy the text books - thought that was a good idea so darling daughter could read the novels and familiarise herself with her new Year 11 subjects. Somehow that didn't happen but today (3 days before school starts) she did decide to take a look at the books. We also managed to get the stationery supplies today. I love that part because I love all the pretty pens and papers, folders, clips, pencil cases and art supplies but again darling daughter wasn't fussed at all. But she did enjoy a trip to the movies with her boyfriend and his family and later chilling out at his house and was uber excited about her appointment with the hairdresser. Well, afterall, it is important to look your best on the first day back at school, isn't it! Who needs to worry about the school work now, there's time enough for that later.

Too much fun was also had playing with the 3D glasses.

Cheers,
Lynda

AARGH

Can you see the mistake?

Cheers,
Lynda

FOR THE LOVE OF ANIMALS

Puppy's First Bath

Shan gave the puppy his first bath today. He actually didn't mind it. This little scallywag has crept right into our hearts. He'll be one spoilt and pampered wee pooch.

and not to be out done by a puppy Duke also had a bath and some pampering today.

...girls and their horses!!

Cheers,
Lynda

RECYCLED CRAFT

EGG CARTON FLOWERS

Today we had fun making egg carton flowers. I love to make things from recycled materials, free supplies are always good. The texture of the egg carton gives a rough finish and the torn edges add to the effect. A brad makes a great centre for the flower and holds all but the last layer of petals together.

Messy to paint but fun.

I placed the finished flowers in a round glass bowl with some shells and other sparkly things.

Cheers,
Lynda

A BIT OF CRAFTING

This is my first attempt at the spiral granny square. The pattern is 'Squaring the Spiral Dishcloth' by Deborah Ellis from neatlytangled.com. I think it came out great. With a bit of blocking and the addition of a fabric back it will make a great potholder.

I've started working on the Lacy Kerchief Scarf designed by Lisa Daehlin and reprinted in Interweave Knits, Holiday Gifts 2006. The pattern for this wrap is available for purchase from interweave store.com

Lastly a bit of paper fun - a handmade wedding card.

Cheers,

Lynda

SHANNON'S BIRTHDAY

Shan came home from camp today to find her special birthday present waiting. All she wanted was a cute puppy and that is exactly what she got for her birthday. He is a teeny tiny maltese shihtzu boy. He is jet black and soo.. cute. He is 7 weeks old tomorrow and he is adorable. He is so hard to photograph because he comes out looking like a black blob or overexposed. I need your expertise with the camera Katie.

He is unnamed at the moment so if you have any bright ideas...

Cheers,

Lynda

CALORIES

Happy Birthday to a guy who is handsome, gorgeous, funny, amazing, perfect, smart

- and I'd say that even if I wasn't your mother!

Cheers,

Lynda

COMMITMENT

Today was the wedding of our two friends Natalie and Sam. It was a beautiful ceremony and a lovely celebration of their marriage. A wonderful time was had by all who attended. I wish them and Lachie a lifetime together filled with much love and happiness.

The beautiful bridesmaid is my daughter.

"Marriage is a relationship in which one person is always right,

the other person is the husband."

Cheers,

Lynda

COCKTAILS

Cocktails - always fun, always delicious, always memorable.

"It's no time for mirth and laughter, the cold grey dawn of the morning after."

George Ade

SHOPPING

Had a delightful day shopping with my daughter today. These beauties are some of our buys. Of course there had to be something in there for Kaylee. She scored 2 pairs of demin shorts and a book. It's hard to pass the bookstore without having a look inside and even harder to leave the books there! Some found their way home with us. A dress and summer jacket for a special occasion and a few things for Shan and we had shopped enough. I can't wait to sit, read and look at the pretty pictures in the book 'In this House' byAngela Cartwright and Sarah Fishburn. From first glance there are beautiful quotes scattered throughout the pages and fantastic inspiration for wonderful altered art images. This is one of the beautiful quotes from the book.

"I would like to spend my whole life travelling,

if I could borrow another life to spend at home."

William Hazlitt

DALLIANCE

It was one of those busy days when there was not enough time to do everything that needed to be done. It will quieten down tomorrow with one child off at camp but there are two birthdays to get through before the week is over. It was absolutely necessary though to take timeout for coffee and yoghurt and seek inspiration from some magazines. I was really looking for something delicious to prepare for dinner. Well that's my story anyway! Funny, no one believed me!

Cheers,

Lynda

PETRICHOR

After a very hot heatwave with scorching temperatures over 43C it was a relief to feel the cool change move through bringing with it a brief shower of rain. In Melbourne last night we had our hottest overnight temperature for more than 100 years - 30.6C
How could I go past the word 'petrichor' for our picture/word challenge today.


Cheers,
Lynda

IT'S SO HOT TODAY

HOT

Cheers,
Lynda

THE COLOUR PINK


Love, peace, contentment, femininity, romance, friendship, nurturing, sweet, baby girls...

Cheers,
Lynda

THE COLOUR PURPLE

It's a tough choice as I love so many colours but if I had to choose just one favourite colour it would probably be purple. I think it fits well. A balance between the excitement of fiery, racey red and the calm of cool, relaxing blue.

One of my many favourite poems is this one by Jenny Joseph.

WHEN I AM OLD

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat that doesn't go and doesn't suit me,
And I shall spend my pension
on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals,
and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I am tired,
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells,
And run my stick along the public railings,
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick the flowers in other people's gardens,
And learn to spit.
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat,
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go,
Or only bread and pickle for a week,
And hoard pens and pencils and beer mats
and things in boxes.
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry,
And pay our rent and not swear in the street,
And set a good example for the children.
We will have friends to dinner and read the papers.
But maybe I ought to practise a little now?
So people who know me
are not too shocked and surprised,
When suddenly I am old
and start to wear purple!

Royal, mysterious, power, luxury, arty, creativity, ceremony, magic, passion...

Cheers,
Lynda

THE COLOUR BLUE




Refreshing, cool, calm, soothing, boys, relaxing, sky, water, ocean...

Cheers,
Lynda

THE COLOUR GREEN




Restful, calming, safe, growth, environment, nature, fresh...


Cheers,
Lynda

THE COLOUR YELLOW

Joyful, happy, cheerful, hope, optimism, sunshine, intellectual, bright...

Cheers,

Lynda

THE COLOUR ORANGE




A clean bedroom - a rare sight indeed!

Vibrant, energetic, flamboyant, happy, hot, fun, creative, zesty, informal...

Cheers,
Lynda

A WEEK OF COLOURS...
(accepting the colour challenge)

THE COLOUR RED

Sensual, passionate, fiery, energetic, intense, romantic, love, anger, warmth, expressive...

Cheers,

Lynda

HORSEY CHORES

Some of us spent time with the horses today. Their tummies were fed, hooves were oiled, coats were brushed, games were played and lots of cuddles were given. It was a mild day so perfect for outdoor activities. The girls in particular will take any opportunity to do the horse chores. If only it was the same with their bedrooms. Duke, the bay Quarter Horse x Australian Stock Horse and Rajah, the big dark brown thoroughbred are the favourites.



Cheers,
Lynda