30 days: day 10

Friday night markets

vege stall
a day off from work, so that I could be at home for the tiler to lay the sand and cement floor for the laundry. I sorted out paperwork, this took just about all day, so some fresh air and conversation was in order. Luckily it was the Epping Twilight Markets, where we had dinner followed by a visit with the favourite brother and SIL, and the nephews.

30 days: day 9

Rebecca Cool - Ginger-Cat

Last night we battled the weather to get to the opening of Rebecca Cools' art exhibition 'Hop, Skip, Jump' at the Paddington Contemporary Gallery. This is our latest acquistion. To celebrate our purchase, and because now we are broke, we had dinner at Harry's Cafe de Wheels.

30 days : days 6, 7 & 8... Laundry Renovation cont...

As you can see, we have been a little busy and as such, have not been able to complete a couple of days...

So, in an attempt to catch up here we have day 6:

Laundry Insulation Installation

Day 7:

First Waterproof Coat

AND, day 8:

What a great Bakehouse

What a 'Great Name' for a Bakehouse hey Genesis??
The tiler is coming back tomorrow to give it all a second coat, Friday to screed of a sand & cement floor so as he can lay the tiles on Saturday. It never stops here...

30 days: day 5 Snail on a Hoya

In continuing with this 30 day theme, yesterday when seeing L off to work, I saw this snail sliding down one of our Hoya carnosa. We have had a lot of rain over the last couple of days, which unfortunately, brings the snails...

Snail on Hoya

30 days : day 4... Laundry renovation cont...

Continuing on this theme of '30 days' (oh and yes, we did not do one yesterday as we were too busy with this work) I will continue with posting photos of the Laundry Renovation. Yesterday, I had the plumber here. He arrived nice and early, 7:15am, and got his tools ready. A petrol operated concrete cutter was the tool of choice for the morning!. For those who don't know what this sounds like, think of a chainsaw in a confined room! The living room was full of exhaust fumes which dissipated some 30 minutes later.

Laundry Reno PLUMBERS WORK

Now yesterday was a nice day, only 35 degrees C with very high levels of humidity. So, my task(s) for the day were to have a supply of cold water at the ready for him, and his son (with his friend as well). The 'boys' were given the task of digging the trench for the pipe to connect to the sewer, fun fun fun!!!

Laundry Reno PLUMBERS WORK OUTSIDE

30 days : day 3... Bali Bowl (WW No. 19)

Bali Bowl

We loved this bowl from the Bali Jimbaran. A simple seed husk from a Palm with Silver ends. Mind you, on the weekend, we had to make the base!
wordless-wednesday

30 days: day 2

a day in the life of Jasmine

Somebody has to be 'busy' I suppose...

30 days: day 1

Laundry Reno cupboards removal

Laundry Reno in progress

Laundry Reno tiles gone

Laundry Reno walls removed

save the whales

Mystery package (souvenir) revealled....... (Backlog & Mystery Post)

Save the Whales

The scandalous whaling program Japan is conducting in the Southern Ocean is getting quite a bit of well deserved attention in the media. I am going to take a personal stand, there will be no more Japanese fabrics purchased by me until they STOP!

Our Whale is a weather vane purchased on our last trip to New Zealand, not the easiest thing to transport I can tell you. It took a bit of creative packaging that included a singlet of dad's (true), a pair of B's jeans that ripped whilst travelling, micropore (I always carry this, something about being accident prone, and an allergy to bandaids), recycled bubblewrap care of a photographic store in Nelson, and cardboard, again recycled care of a store in Nelson, and packing tape.

backlog

blogging, craft, housework its all backing up, and will continue to be ignored as we have started on a new project; the renovation of the laundry. More on the laundry another time. In an attempt to clear the backlog the following randomness is presented.

I finally have my own copy of 'Bend the Rules Sewing' a Christmas present ordered through fishpnd.com.au, thanx B's mum.

bend the rules

We're a bit partial to orange here so of course I couldn't resist 'Tangerine' when I saw it in the February issue of BH&G, I would have also liked 'Crabapple' but they had run out of some of the fabrics. I have my name down, and of course my fingers crossed, for if they can source some more.

tangerine

More fabric lovin, I have made a little progress on my planned picnic rug. I have cut through a number of pairs of jeans (recycled denim being a key feature of this rug /quilt), and chosen the fabric, clashy pinks and reds.

picnic quilt fabrics

I am doing good on the handmade pledge, this little guy was purchased from the Hazelhurst Gallery after reading this blog. He was being unpacked and placed in the display cabinet on a recent visit, and has been delivered to his new home, that of one year old Brody.

rabbit

The awnings over the kitchen and third bedroom windows are up.

And the mystery souvenier from New Zealand, read November 2007, has finally been unwrapped and installed, however, as a photo is yet to be taken, I will keep the suspense going, but only for a day or week or two.

I am thinking of joining these guys here, here, here, here, and here. I don't know where the '30 days' originated but I am liking it.

Wordless Wednesday # 18: - Jimbaran Bay Beach Soccer

Jimbaran Bay Beach Soccer

Photo courtesy Erika Engelhaupt, from EstBali who had borrowed my lens for this shot!

I know that this 'should' be wordless, but I feel I need to explain this shot...

Each morning out on the beach, the locals go out and have a game of soccer. The game starts around 5am, and is fascinating to watch. Look out for the next Beckham here!!

wordless wednesday

Where did the weekend go??

We had so much planned for the weekend:

• Gut out the Laundry, to make way for the renovations (2nd Toilet & Shower, re-tile and new cupboards)
• Lawns & Gardening, which have been slightly neglected since going to New Zealand!
• Computer issues, as we needed to install a Wireless Network Card so is it can pick up the new modem/router... (I actually got this done!!)
• Go and visit a Gallery over at Gymea (did this as well, and L will have to blog about her purchase... It is lovely, and in keeping of her 2008 goals)!

Then we had a phone call from the MIL. She was in tears as the FIL was in Hospital. His heart was the issue, again! So, with a friend in tow, we headed from one side of Sydney to the other to get to the hospital. He was on a machine with leads from his chest and apparently, his BP had dropped dramatically and his heart rate went through the roof (190)! Whilst we were there, he seemed to be in good spirits, although I think he looked tired. We left (me in the FIL's car as it was at the hospital and L in our car) to drop the MIL at home. By the time we got home, and made dinner (Spaghetti Bolognaise) it was now 9.30pm!

Sunday was not much better. in saying that we would get over to pick up the MIL at 9am, well were had just woken up, so we were running a little late!!! FIL was insistent that she go to the Antique Markets, a regular event for them, before going into visit him. When we got to the hospital, he was looking much better, his heart had a better rhythm and everything was looking OK. After a couple of hours, we left to go for a Iced Chocolate at Indulgence, when we got the call to come back to the hospital, this time, to collect him as he was being discharged! Home again around 6pm. No gardening done, the laundry was still the same, and after a couple of hours, I finally got the desktop PC to talk to the new modem/router. PHEW!

eight things for 2008

Wordless Wednesday, is next post down...

1. Make a Picnic Rug, the store bought one we used for NYE, is ugly and uncomfortable.
2. Laundry Conversion to be complete by the end of February.
3. Bathroom Makeover to be completed by the end of June.
4. I pledge Handmade.
5. I plan to 'Pay it Forward'.
6. Phone a friend a month, some of my friends have been so neglected, we didn’t even get out Christmas cards in 2007, this will not happen in 2008. Those of you who have stayed with us, I thank you.
7. Cook more dinners, I hate to admit it, but B carries more than his weight in this area. And it makes me feel real bad.
8. Work smarter, I gotta get this sorted for a more sane 2008.
   

Continue with 2007 resolutions to Stress Less, Blog more regularly, Read more fiction, go to the movies more often (the target being at least 1 movie per quarter), and oh, the baby thing.

Wordless Wednesday # 17 Images from Bali

WW 16 Images from Bali

1. Monkey Forest Lady, 2. Roadside Fruit Stall, 3. Monkey Rude, 4. Nusa Dua Market Stalls




wordless wednesday

Bali UNFCCC 2007

Well, we are finally back, and finally getting a new post up, sorry about that, but a 'little' event got in the way that made it difficult to do any posting!

Rather than try and post a lot of photos, I discovered a great little widget thingy over at Flickr to put them into a slideshow for you to watch. We hope you enjoy it.

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Bali Botanic Gardens

I know that I have been neglecting this blog for a little bit now, but I have spent two weeks in New Zealand and a week in Bali!!!
Here is a couple of shots from the Bali Botanic Gardens!

Drops on Lilly Pad

Water Lilly

TT # 11 Merry Christmas

Thirteen Funny things about Christmas Cartoons!
1….

Santa Architecture

2….

Fruitcake

3….

Santa Milk

4….

Reindeer flat

5….

Christmas Tree Ball balls

6….

Reindeer interview

7….

Santa Shot

8….

Snow dogs

9….

Snow Woman

10….

Snowman Baby Making

11….

Snowman Ice cream

12….

Snowman smoking

13….

Reindeer Shooter

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

thursday thirteen

TT # 10: random finds and crafty goodness from our trip to new zealand

New Zealand 2007 TT Mosaic

1. The Fabric Room, 2. The Fabric Room Shopfront, 3. Dept of Doing, 4. Napier, 5. Napier, 6. Napier, 7. Arahura First Class, 8. The Store, 9. The Painted Room, 10. Seals posing, 11. Roadside Diner, 12. Roadside Diner, 13. Lobster Lunch, 14. The Dyslexia Foundation, Christchurch, 15. Mackenzie Thorpe Statue, 16. Mackenzie Thorpe, Falling Heart, 17. The Dyslexia Foundation, 18. The Cupboard, 19. The Cupboard, 20. Zebrano, Wellington

Thirteen Things about:

random finds and crafty goodness from our trip to new zealand

1…. The Fabric Room, in Parnell is fabulous. I have brought home with me a handful of swatches of velvets in an amazing range of shades of pink, and one called bourbon, that I do not have a project in mind for, but I am just taken by the colour. They also had a wool mix felt in cornflower that I think I shall just have to get, again no specific project in mind but that is a minor detail really. The velvet is for backing on a cushion, I finished a tapestry a couple of years ago of a trout (Elizabeth Bradley), and haven't got around to, or found the right coloured/priced velvet for the cushion to be made up in. I did find some velvet earlier in the year but had to buy a metre minimum, and it was something like $180 per metre and I was prepared to pay that much. The Fabric Room was about 1/6th of this and the sample 'pink lady' looks like it will fit the project perfectly. Now all I need is for someone to make the cushion up.

2…. La Cigale, Parnell, for the best cheeses, and bread sticks. I wish we had found this last year when we were staying in Parnell, we would have had cheese and bread just about every night for dinner this time round whilst in this part of town. The cheeses imported from France are amazing, at around $90 per kg they were still worth every cent. This store is worth visiting, with an interesting collection of vintage furniture and accessories, clothing, and of course the food. An organic fruit and vegetable market is held on Wednesdays, and we got some fabulously sweet tomatoes and a cucumber, as well as a chook for dinner that night.

3…. Hamburgers from Riba Fish 'n' Chips Cafe, in Devonport are a must. We accidentally stumbled on this Fish and Chips takeaway, and we all agreed that these were the best hamburgers ever.

4…. The Department of Doing! Not really sure what this was about at first, but when we saw that they were selling cans of 'Inspiration' it all sort of fell into place...

5….Napier! for art deco architecture, we unfortunately were only driving through, but a couple of days here would have been a good idea.

6…. Interisland Ferry, I could just ride the ferry all day, back and forth between the islands. The three hour trip was so enjoyable, with the most beautiful scenery. It was the perfect way to recharge the batteries mid holiday.

7….Nelson, simply a must when you reach the south island. Instead of travelling straight on to Blenheim, do yourself a favour and take the detour to Nelson. Recommended by one of mum's friends I am so glad we spent a couple of days here. It is a bit of an art and craft hub for glass, ceramics, jewellery and art in general, and is just really pretty. We visited the Hoglund glass showroom which put a dint in the bank balance, and the MacMillans Ceramics showroom. There is also a good range of antique shops.

8…. The Store, Fantastic view and really great food. This place was about 40minutes out of Blenheim (my tip about Blenheim keep driving) or Kaikoura depending on the direction you are driving. We stopped here and just took in the amazing view, dipped our feet in the water and followed some birds.

9…. Strangely Familiar! Vintage wares in Wellington near the Wellington Botanic Gardens (which are well worth a visit), I got myself some crocheted dishcloths and something for B for Christmas, naturally I can't say any more about this now. Another shop again for fun vintage finds, as well as interesting couture is The Painted Room, in Christchurch, plenty of ideas gathered here. It was a pity we were over our baggage limits by this stage.

10…. Seals! Coming into Kaikoura, along the highway, we were simply driving along and we came across this 'family' of seals along the rocky shoreline. We have never seen seals in the wild before, at least, not like this!

11….Roadside Lobster! Kaikoura has a quirky little roadside diner, sort of... You see, it looks as though the owners simply parked on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere, and set up shop! Items include, Whitebait sandwich, Garlic Mussels & Garlic Scallops! We had to go back the following day to get a lobster for lunch, YUMM!!

12…. The Dyslexia Foundation, Christchurch in particular the Mackenzie Thorpe monumental bronze, is so emotive. It is fantastic what has been achieved with the building, garden and sculptures. The talking chairs give you a real appreciation for those who suffer from dyslexia. It is truly inspirational.

13…. Clothes! T'da, an old favourite and a must stop at (either on the way from the airport or to it) in Auckland. The Cupboard, in Parnell and opposite where we were staying, simply beautiful clothes and not so beautiful prices! Zebrano, and Untouched World both in Wellington's CBD, had some stunning clothes. Even taking into account of the exchange rate, it was still quite expensive!



The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

thursday thirteen

Nice Flower

Flower close up

Flower macro

Same flower, except that the second shot is with a macro lens!

Wordless Wednesday # 16 Auckland by day & night

Auckland by day

Auckland by night

wordless wednesday

New Zealand 2007

Well, as we did not really have a solid internet connection (or the time to really hook up onto the net with the ‘in-laws’ travelling with us (oh, before you ask, we had a lovely holiday with them. It just meant packing more into the day!!!!)), here is the first of probably around 14 ‘trip reports from our trip to New Zealand.

We were travelling again to New Zealand on Emirates, the same as last year. This year however, the flight was FULL. Not a spare seat was to be had. It was also the first time for the Father in law (FIL) to go overseas, and he was looking forward to it. So much so that a little Cellulites in his leg; a hospital visit two night before and a bag or two of IV fluids was not going to stop him from boarding the plane!

The morning had arrived and the brother in law (BIL) arrived promptly very early to take us to Sydney airport. Bags checked a quick look around the shops we went through immigration and into duty free heaven. FIL got himself comfy overlooking the new Singapore A380 sitting out on the tarmac (until about 200 people decided to come and have a photo taken in front of it) whilst the girls went shopping. I had a quick look around the camera and electronic shops for any bargains, nup!

Boarding was quick enough and we were soon taxing for a (rough) departure over the western suburbs, over our house, before heading out to sea and ‘over the pond’. Breakfast was served which was very scrummy. I had an omelette and chicken sausage, and L had the other which I can’t remember. Emirates in-flight entertainment was great with plenty of choices. I quickly decided and watched Hairspray, fantastic!

Three hours later, we were on approach into Auckland, and very quickly through immigration and at the hire car company. Paperwork was ready and walked over to ‘assess’ the car, thankfully! There was nothing mentioned on the paperwork, however, there was quite a large gash down the passengers side rear panel, see the pic. We quickly got it all sorted and on the road to Parnell, to our first of many accommodation, the Parnell Village Motor Lodge. This was looking rather different since last year, new owners, and was getting a lick of paint! The new owners, Helen and I can’t remember his name, were fantastic, very accommodating and friendly indeed. We recommend that if you’re in Auckland (Parnell) stay here you will not be disappointed!

After quickly unpacking we jumped into the car and to the Parnell Rose Garden, which was just packing up after the Rose festival! Had I know this, we would have travelled a day earlier!

So here are some pics of the car, some Iris’s and Roses from the Rose Garden

1. Nth Island Car, 2. Parnell Mini Purple Rose, 3. Parnell White Iris, 4. Parnell Rose, 5. Parnell Dark Red Rose, 6. Parnell Cream Rose, 7. Parnell Iris, 8. Parnell Pink Roses, 9. Parnell Red Roses

Vale: Wally

Just before going 'across the pond' to New Zealand, I was asked to (try) and get a family photo, as the 'next sister in law down's' dog Wally was quite ill, gravely ill in fact.

This was the last photo I took of about 50 shots. On our second day (of 14) in New Zealand, the next sister in law down called to say that they had lost little Wally. Arrangements were made before we left for him to be buried with all of the other pets at the family home, but instead, he is buried at thier place, under her bedroom window...

Paddy, holding crazy baby Buttons, Camille, holing little Riley and poor old Wally on the floor.

Wally and HIS family

*The mystery item from this post, was named 'Wally ...' in his honour, and will be posted about soon...