Winterwood

Land Ahoy!

2012-02-17T16:58:00.009+11:00

When I've been flying over the ocean for many hours, I always feel a bit of relief to be back over land again. It also means that our journey is almost over. I like flying, but landing (safely and quickly) is also nice!

The first sight of land was this island in the ocean, somewhere near Esperance, in the Bay of Isles. I saw lots of tiny islands like this dotted around. Maybe if I won on the lottery I could buy myself a private island like this to hide away on!

Closer to home, was this landscape, you can see how dry our land is here. Are you wondering what those discs are? Looks like something from outer space!

Closer still - they are dry salt lakes. The white ones are dry, but the coloured dots are lakes with different mineral deposits in them and that gives them a certain colour depending on which mineral is present in the water.

Dots be gone, for I am almost home

I *heart* our sunburnt country!

Ferry me across to Nutcote

2012-02-16T12:09:00.015+11:00

One of the older ferries - it was lovely to go on this and experience a ferry ride for the first time!

On our last day in Sydney we visited the home of May Gibbs, a talented and creative writer and illustrator, well known for creating, Australian childhood icon characters, Snugglepot and Cuddle pie, among many others.

First of all we had to catch the ferry to take us to her house, which began the 'magic' of the outing. never having been on a ferry like this, I was amazed at how much I enjoyed it, it was like taking a mini cruise! We chugged past the harbour bridge( yes THAT icon) and onto Nutcote, the name of her house. Set in gorgeous gardens, and quiet surrounds, it must have been the perfect place to sit and dream and create her artistic characters and stories.
Scotty dogs were the love of May Gibbs life, and she often had as many as five of them, here's one of their kennels, bark to enter . . how cute is that?

her steep and sloping garden leads up to the water, its such a secluded and wonderful place

her house looking up . . .beautiful gardens all maintained by volunteers
We had a delicious lunch in the garden too, and I enjoyed all that peace and quiet and wondered if I could be a better artist in such a wonderful place such as this?

Looking at her house from the ferry.
I hope you enjoyed this brief visit to Mays house with me?

ps blogger is playing sillies this morning with font sizes!! and. . . . I seem to have lost the quick editor so I have to go back to edit posts each time and not able to do it from the front of the blog! How do I get it back>? (That little pencil icon that used to be there, and I've tried everything to get it back and still no luck)

Hey,Hey Dilly- Dum- Day!

2012-02-15T18:05:00.007+11:00

This is dill growing in my garden, and I've been playing around with both my (new) camera and a link I found on Sheila's blog - for Pixlr

Its worth having a go, only be warned, there are so many variations and effects there that you may find yourself playing and tweaking for most of the day. Warning for this site: you may inadvertantly have fun using this programme. Go see for yourself!

A Study in Yellow

2012-02-13T18:35:00.009+11:00

Please click on the photo to read the poem.

This sunflower grew in our garden, and lasted up until a few weeks ago, when the parrots ate the seeds and the whole head drooped and I had to pull it out of the soil. Isn't it the cheeriest plant you've ever seen!
Poem about sunflowers - home crafted by me!

bean sprouts and lemons from our garden

. . . . and crunchy sweet almost sugary, sweetcorn, also grown a few feet away from my kitchen

I LOVE this flower!

and yummy, yummy risotto made by me, with my favourite veggie - pumpkin. Pure mellow, yellow bliss.

Love is in the Air

2012-02-11T17:08:00.009+11:00

With Love in the Air - so close to Valentines Day, and my DD's wedding in a months time, I thought I'd put up this installation art display, and leave it up till after the wedding, as we are having the wedding party here at home for a small lunch in between all the other proceedings.

I give you my heart . . . .

Love is in the air
In the whisper of the trees
Love is in the air
In the thunder of the sea

Bare mannequin, I had floating around in a cupboard, dressed it with fairy lights and hung a glass red heart also found floating around in the back of a cupboard somewhere! Feeling very pleased with the results!

Love is in the air
Every sight and every sound
And I don't know if I'm being foolish
Don't know if I'm being wise

But it's something that I must believe in
And it's there when I look in your eyes

More pics of my holiday in Sydney next time.

I'm feeling quite overwhelmed after this hol . . as soon as I'd unpacked it was heads and hands straight down to wedding prep for the wedding and off course other stuff too. Please forgive me if I don't get round to visiting all your blogs in the next few weeks or so, but this mum of the bride is really getting caught up in the energy and so-much-to-do for this event! DD is having a pretty simple wedding, but even so, with only 4 weeks to go, its all hands on deck!

Have fun with your loved one on Valentines day!

OMG moments in Sydney

2012-02-10T12:10:00.005+11:00

Truly, I've never had so many OMG moments as I just did on this last trip. We came home last night, ears buzzing from the long flight, tired but oh so happy!
I think living over here we don't quite apprciate just how much local beauty we have in this magnificent land of ours!

I'll slowly post in bits and pieces from this trip, but seriously if you ever want to have a good holiday - go to Sydney!

Arrived at Circular Quays, and rushed around looking for THAT bridge . . . walked some more and it was a truly gasp moment for me. Its a magnificent sight!

Then onto the next gasp - walked around the Quays area and around the corner was this beauty waiting for me to feast my eyes on! What a day we had, so much to see and do in this one small location. My feet are sore - but a happy sore - from three solid days of walking and trying to see as much as possible.

Never having been to Sydney before I was so enamoured with the place I think fell in I love with it all, and I think the few million other visitors there would have to agree with me!
(There was a huge American cruise ship in dock - 'the Crystal Serenity' )
More Sydney another time! - I hope these photos prompt a few more visitors to our country!

beached as . . .

2012-02-02T22:10:00.006+11:00

I love my seasonal pleasures out on display.

Here is summer in full bloom, with the ocean as the main attraction during the summer months.

Lots of candles, my lighthouses collection, shells and star fish all out for everyone to admire and enjoy!

Very soon, this display will be replaced by a different seasonal one, you'll have to wait and see what I'll be putting here in its place! In the meantime with the hot hot weather I'm really enjoying being beached as!

Birds of a Feather

2012-01-31T13:18:00.005+11:00

No words today - you make up your own captions for these two feathered friends!

(Testing my new camera - only had it one day and these are some of the first pics I took with it.)

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune--without the words,
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.

- Emily Dickinson

Baskets of good ideas

2012-01-29T23:00:00.005+11:00

I saw this idea - (basket on the left) on the Apartment Therapy site, and thought to myself - 'what a good idea, and what a great way to use a basket'

Now, it just happened that I had a basket given to me by my DD and was wondering what and how to use it. Usual thing that happens around here is that its put away to be stored for a few ( hundred) years, then tossed when we run out of room! But this time, took the basket and decided that it would be just perfect holding all the tea/coffee things on the kitchen bench. Tidy idea, and Ta Daaaaa . . . just loving it! (off course my kitchen doesn't look as nice as the other piccy, but its still useful!)

Valentines?

2012-01-29T00:07:00.000+11:00

Yes, the shops and blogs are filling up fast with reminders that Valentines Day is just around the corner. I don't really like all the shop bought commercial stuff and prefer made at home, homemade with love items, for my own true love.

With the changing seasons I like to fill my house with seasonal pleasures, and whatever special day is coming up I love to make a special display of it. Valentines day requires some deep creative thought otherswise it defaults easily into tacky, or boring. I do like to bake my partner something special too, nothing nicer than to fill the kitchen with sweet scents creating and baking with love.

So, as thoughts and ideas pop up on various blogs I'll post them here, more to remind myself than anything else, and see what takes my fancy for this years V- day.

Anyone else out there brimming with good (home-made) Valentines day ideas?

Ultimate simplicity

2012-01-27T14:29:00.002+11:00

After the purge comes more(stuff). So, another purge, and a scratch of the head wondering just WHERE does that stuff come from? Repeat process annually or more often.

I've done this repetative thing for a long time now and its getting tiring. I love to live with less... much less, its neat, its tidy its easy to take of and less housework all around, so why does it slowly, ever so slowly creep back to the clutter?

Maybe this is the question I need to ask myself just before purchasing another 'must have' item.

At the same time, I am making progress with the recurring pattern of it all. There are increasing amounts of emptier spaces in the cupboards, in the rooms where we live. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to live in an empty room, or a house devoid of stuff. I think its in the strive for that balance. Now THAT"S the hard part!

I did so enjoy reading about 'Innermost House" a new link on someones blog (can't remember where exactly) certainly provoked some thoughts and discussion chez our house today. What do you think of Innermost house? Could you live that kind of lifestyle?

For more info check this link.
Enjoy looking as I did, but the foremost thought that came into my mind was that there are some things I just could NOT live without! How about you?

Australia day and its 40+C

2012-01-26T16:45:00.007+11:00

Ready for tonight!

What did we do today in the heat? That's a good question if your'e wondering and not used to such extremes of roaring heat!
We're having a heat wave at the moment, and until next Weds, they are prediciting non stop temps of 40C+.
Its been like that for a few days now, and when Mr. W and I got up this morning we felt that we couldn't stand another day of being cooped up inside. So . . . . we decided to do things outside,yes, in those temps!
But we did do fun things. . . like wash all the windows outside, hose the whole patio down and clean the patio furniture, and putting up our new stuff that we bought, new fairy lights and seats.

We also hosed each other down a bit, it was lovely to be sprayed all over with cold water!
While dh perservered outside I went inside and made this cheesecake. The rasberries have run a bit but I'm not suprised. I think once I put it in the fridge to cool it should be ok.
Tonight, we're going to sit outside and have our supper by candle light on, our new furniture and then have cheesecake for dessert.

My friend from the eastern states sent me this pic this morning, its quite naughty, but true too in some bits! lol! Made me laugh, so thought I'd share.

Thats your lot for today! off to toast Australia with a glass of something cold and fizzy, we are lucky to live in such a wonderful country such as ours, oh and while I'm at it, I'll also toast my toes in the sun again too!

Happy Australia Day everyone!

2012-01-24T15:20:00.007+11:00

For more detail and info about this drawing please go to my art blog.

Australia Day is celebrated on the 26th of January.

(watercolour and pencil drawing by me.)

Listening

2012-01-23T21:50:00.005+11:00

heavy storm clouds above

Listening to the sounds of rain. I need it desperately, as we've had so little of it. Last friday, we had a storm, thunder, lightning, the works. 5 people were hit by lightning, it was ferocious, but with very little rain were we live.

so, I'm playing this track over and over and enjoying the sound. This week and well into the next, we are going to have summer proper, temps as high as 42C for many many consecutive days. Over the next week or so, I think this track will get a proper work out!

A Garden full

2012-01-22T16:10:00.007+11:00

. . . . of herbs and birds!

Mint, fresh , green and very abundant in my garden. I love nothing better than to pick some and just hold a leaf or two and inhale its fresh pungent smell!

This year we planted rows and rows of bright cheery sunflowers in the garden, and look who stopped by for some supper.

These colorful parrots are so noisy, and have almost picked the sunflowers bare. They're a joy to watch though!

Our garden is a constant circle of life - we sow and grow the sunflowers, the birds eat and enjoy them, we in turn enjoy seeing the birds feeding on the seeds. Its a win, win for all.

Please, don't ask me why I had to post this in here again on this blog! It must be just one of those inexplicible things!! *sigh*

Please bear with me, as I think I've decided( for now) that I will keep this blog ( I think) as the main one and transfer my art to another purely art one. That way I get to post both in different forums! Also, if I do that I can still post in day to day stuff here without feeling the pressure of having to do art things, which at this moment in time is not really on the agenda. If it happens then all well and good, if not then I can still post here.

PS. These photos were taken with my new camera - me likes!

Time to say Goodbye

2012-01-07T17:24:00.004+11:00

Hello everyone, just like the song says, its time to say goodbye, well at least on this blog. I have been thinking and pondering on this for ages. And have decided to be honest about this instead of taking further extended blog breaks. I'm sure you'll all understand that my heart just doesn't seem to be in it anymore in this space.

Winterwood has served me well, it came at a time when I was at a very low point in my life, full of grief, and art and blogging here (probably) saved my sanity, and helped me heal. But for a while now, it hasn't felt the same, and to be honest with you all, I feel as I need a new space to create for the new me. I think we all change, and move on, so thats what I'm going to do. I'm going to take a while before I decide on a new home, and I'll still be reading and commenting on all your blogs, as thats something that I LOVE to do everyday! Thats definately NOT going to change.

So I say a huge thank you to all my very faithful followers over the years, and while its not totally goodbye, its at least an au revoir for now. HUGE hugs to all of you Krissie.

I'm in love!

2012-01-04T14:53:00.008+11:00

I hope your sitting down, as I'm about to reveal a huge secret of mine. Are you ready? Well . . . . I have fallen in love with an amazing woman. Are you shocked yet? I am, as nothing like this has ever happened to me before. I am completely and utterly smitten/enamoured with this person.

Let me tell you about her, as she has just taken my breath away, and that's all I can think of right now. ( this happened just before Christmas)

She is from the UK, she is 'quite' nice looking, although its not her looks I'm interested in, well spoken, and an accomplished cook and hostess. I keep wishing I was a bit more like her, but if I spend enough time in her company then hopefully some of this will rub off!

What does my husband think of this? Well he is thrilled that at last I've found someone like this - a role model in fact, to look up to and possibly copy.

He's not one teensy bit jealous of this recent love affair, and is hoping that we have an intense and long term relationship in the kitchen.

But before I go, I'd better tell you, before you need to have a stiff drink after hearing this, the person I have given all my attention to of late is the one and only Nigella Lawson! (cook). I saw her latest series - Nigella Kitchen and that was it! I was smitten! Now I'd like to get more of her books and enjoy more of her cooking style!

There, I feel better after sharing my dark and delicious secret with you all! So, off to bake one of Nigellas cheesecakes now! ( I didn't post in a pic of her as I thought that might give the game away!)

Happy New Year to you all!

2011-12-30T23:22:00.001+11:00

All the very best for 2012 to everyone that reads here!
May the New year be everything that you are hoping it will be for you!
from Krissie at Winterwood

Light and Darkness

2011-12-29T17:36:00.004+11:00

Waiting for the next few days for a New Year to begin.
Spending some of that time by the ocean, watching the last of the sunsets in 2011

With new camera in hand, unsure of how to work it, taking potluck, and hoping to capture the beauty of the light before it gets dark

Slowly, darkness surrounds us, we watch the distant lights and go home.
please click on photos to enlarge.

In Between 2011 - 2012

2011-12-28T15:28:00.004+11:00

Its that in between bit. Those few days between the hollydaze and New year. So what do you do during this time?

Have you taken down Christmas yet? My tree is still up and so are all the decorations in spite of the awful heat. The decos make the rooms feel crowded and even hotter, so I am thinking of taking them down very soon, and put up my seasonal beachy decor up instead. All blue and white it should help make us at least feel a little cooler?
The shops are bustling, crowds eager to get that last minute sale item and there are tons of bargains to be had here as the shops try and eke out our last few dollars! (and keep the economy going thats what we're told!)
I succumbed ( not hard) and bought a few things I had my eye on before Christmas. Will have to show you in my next post. Santa was very good to me and did leave me a camera under the tree, so new photos to follow when I read through the whole instruction booklet! ( may take a while) lol!

So, what are you usually do in this time leading up to New Years?

Happy Christmas

2011-12-25T12:51:00.000+11:00

. . . .EVERYONE!

Christmas Wishes

2011-12-20T17:38:00.003+11:00

I'm going to be taking a blog break over the next few days, lots going on here, and off course a Christmas to prepare.

I'd like to wish all my visitors and followers a really special Christmas time and the very best for the coming New Year.

The dancer above is my newest deco for the tree. When I saw it in the shop this afternoon, it reminded me of the Nutcracker, ballet and all things old fashioned in a girlie kind of way, she is fearlessly leaping ( I think it might be called a plie in ballet terms) and thats how I'm going into Christmas prep, with a leap and prayer!

See you all very soon then!

Blog Comments

2011-12-16T12:14:00.004+11:00

How much stock do you put into receiving comments on your blog? I'm asking because I'm totally perplexed with this. In my readers stats/readers tracker I seem to have over 85 visitors to my other blog. Now out of those 85 people reading, I am assuming that at least 1 or 2 of them would leave a comment, but this isn't happening, and so the reading habits of your average blogger are intruiging me. These bloggy questions pop into my head once in a while, so thought I'd share them with the rest of you, and see what you think.

Do people read and move on quickly, scan the page and leave? Or if they do stop and read why not add the odd comment? Not every time they visit, I do realise that not every topic on a blog is of interest.

Now with this blog here, I know I've been remiss in posting of late, and my usual band of faithful followers ( bless them) usually stop and comment, but the question still fascinates me re stopping to read and comment!

So your thoughts please - much appreciated!

Lunar eclipse

2011-12-11T21:56:00.002+11:00

Sorry folks - hardly what you might call spectacular! I ended up taking it with my phone camera. Btw - its that orange dot at the TOP of the photo!

One flew over the Christmas tree

2011-12-10T23:17:00.011+11:00

I wasn't really planning to follow a specific Christmas theme on the tree, I'm not that sort of person, but somehow the birdie theme has crept up on me, and guess what? I'm liking it! I'm now actively looking for birdie ornaments in the shops, and enjoying the hunt

Latest bird above - silver bird.

Followed by what looks like a lyre bird . . . its the tail that made me think of a lyre bird

And . . . beady bird, all red and soft feathers!

and the glass bird I bought on my very last visit in the UK

and this one so tweet - sort of midget robin meets parrot, I do like him though, as he sits and watches us from the branches

with out the fairy lights on

and the oldest bird of all - given to me by my MIL, long gone to the eternal Christmas in heaven. This old bird, has a missing eye, but he is loved and reminds us all of Christmases past.

thanks for looking in on my Christmas birds!

I'm trying to take photos of the lunar eclipse tonight, but my not so trusty old camera is giving me trouble, so not sure if I'll be successful with the pics!

Santa Baby

2011-12-10T01:23:00.002+11:00

had to take 'Santa' in to town tonight to show him which camera I'd like him to leave for me under the tree! My old one has almost packed up, its so old and the latest photos I took of my tree - which is now up by the way, were so awful, that this was the decider . . . and so hurry up Christmas Day, I want to open my presents NOW!

Stormy weather

2011-12-06T11:36:00.003+11:00

The thunder kept me awake some of the night, and after some almost unbearable, scorching days, this is how my world looks this morning!

A welcome change!

The First Day of Summer

2011-12-01T10:51:00.003+11:00

December the First can only mean one thing here in the southern hemisphere - its the first day of SUMMER! So hello sunshine!

No smiles today

2011-11-30T10:46:00.006+11:00

Went to Ikea yesterday, skipping along ( well, drove there actually) full of cheery anticipation of looking at their annual ( usually wonderful and huge) Christmas range on offer. The search began in ernest, upstairs, nah, nothing much to see, then downstairs into the market hall, aha, a few bits here, enough to tempt and tease, but still not their usual Christmas extravaganza as of previous years, so traipsed up the stairs again, found a helpful Ikea (christmas) elf and asked. Sorry she said, Ikea are only having a small range of Christmas goodies this year. I swear I heard a sigh of relief from mr. winterwood beside me, but I felt quite disappointed. After such a blow there's only one thing left to do . . .

(I bought a red candle ( yes thats all!!) and then) . . . went and stuffed my face with meatballs!

Calm and Relaxed

2011-11-26T22:13:00.008+11:00

Welcomed at the door by a quiet ambience, which said are you ready to retreat and enter a world of quiet and serenity

For a wonderful few hours of relaxation at the spa

A place to forget your troubles and enter a world of calm
to be pampered and relaxed

Soothed by the sounds of bubbling waters

Escape from reality, in a spot off the beaten track, hidden from view

In Hidden valley, for the most fabulous day of relaxation I think I've ever had. I literally had to be scraped off the bed after a foot massage, a hot stone massage - full body, head massage, and then onto a gourmet pizza lunch and home. What a treat!

First Christmas post

2011-11-25T21:28:00.004+11:00

This morning I walked up to the shops, and when I got back this envelope was waiting for me in the letter box . . . um . . . who could it be from?

My first Christmas card - or should I say art card? Thank you Lee, its up already and standing on my pine dresser, announcing that Christmas is almost here!

ps. Love the card, a lot of work has gone into this, where do you get the time to do all of this?
My cards are written now just gotta get myself going and go post them all off very soon!

Melbourne Polish festival 2011

2011-11-25T11:00:00.001+11:00

I've just returned from this wonderful event - The Polish festival in Melbourne. I was dazzled by the kaleidescope of colours, not only the crowds of people, the dancers, the costumes, but there was also lots of art displayed and off course, stalls full of my beloved Polish food! Make it a date in your next years calendar! I certainly will be!

Short Bloggy break

2011-11-16T10:49:00.000+11:00

. . . . . Back soon!

Places of the heart

2011-11-13T12:03:00.003+11:00

After Google Mapping for hours and looking up all those places I used to live in, I was inspired and came up with this collage. I still can't work out why the scanner makes the pic look so washed out!?

AND Update . . . . thanks to everyone who gave me a tip on how to make my scanned colours brighter as they are in real life. I played around with my image programme and am wowed and thrilled with the results! Hey no more wishy washy pics from now on!! Yay!

I can just hear Tony Bennet crooning - I left my heart in San Fransisco!

Have a happy Sunday!

Hydrangeas

2011-11-12T12:02:00.003+11:00

Do you ever go on Google earth maps, you know the ones with the street views?
I took a long long nostalgic (a free trip, no planes or even leaving my comfy chair by the computer) trip the other day, back to my old street in the Uk where I grew up, back to my 'old' house.
Grasmere Ave, I 'walked' up and down the street and up to the old shops where I used to buy my weekly ration of comics and sweets! It was so lovely to cruise down that road in virtual mode, looking at all the houses remembering all those who used to live there.

And then I saw my old house. Much changed, yet oh so muchly the same. But what struck me the most and brought instant tears to my eyes, was the hydrangea bush still growing in the same old spot that my grandma planted must have been in the early 1960's or so. The other shrubs and flowers had gone but the hydrangea was still there. Fancy that, all those years and still going strong! Oh, the stories that bush could tell if it could speak!

Friday Fill ins

2011-11-11T15:04:00.009+11:00

1. Turkey is yummy and not fattening (mmm yum with lashings of gravy) (its not fattening is it???)

2. apple pie. ( with lashings of custard or cream or ice cream!) (this one is definately fattening!!)

3. On and on and on we go through life

4. The last time I saw you was years ago

5. Can you believe what SHE said to me?

6. I need a holiday!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to some catch up time with DH tomorrow my plans include eating out and Sunday, I want to see my dd who's been away interstate with work.

Wanna have a bit of fun and do your Friday fill ins?

Rememberance Day

2011-11-11T15:02:00.000+11:00

Lest we forget
11/11/2011

Palm Tree Pie

2011-11-09T13:52:00.003+11:00

I have these photos in reverse order, but it doesn't really matter!
I was making an egg and bacon pie for supper last night, using ready made pastry sheets ( lazy girl pie maker here!) when some of the pastry tore. Not having any more in the freezer, I panicked and tried to rescue the pie by covering up the holes as best as I could. One of the tears was a triangle shape, so in a burst of creativity, it reminded me of a palm tree trunk, I added some quick pastry cut fronds and hey, you have a palm tree!

And the pie tasted good too!

Here's some of the yolk sneaking out of the pie funnel!

Lazy Girl Art - Its a wrap

2011-11-08T12:38:00.005+11:00

And what to do with the rest of the fabric leftovers in your fabric stash?

You wrap the fabric around a canvas frame, go crazy with the staple gun and voila!

its a wrap! No sweat, no mess, just ready to go, instant art for your wall.

Sew, Sew Sunday sew far

2011-11-07T11:21:00.005+11:00

I've never sewn with orange thread before, which made this project double exciting ( maybe I don't get out enough!) Ok, ready, steady, sew!

I dislike bits of leftover fabric languishing in my sewing basket, so when I think of how to use a piece I am thrilled to bits. Not only does it free up space (usually to buy more fabric!) but will have a better use than just lying about in my sewing stash.

Better get measuring

and voila - we have a new table runner! I must say it looks stunning in that room, and I am really pleased with it!

A lot of bloggers are doing the AEDM, and since I have 'commitment' issues where such things are concerned, I'm not going to say that I'm doing this. The minute I decide to write that I'm doing something like this, my mind just freezes up and I get a creative block.

Having just said that, my contrary brain must work in a strange way, as this frees me up ( not commiting) and instantly I want to follow and do this! Are you with me so far?

So by NOT 'doing' the AED officially I am actually powering along with creative juices!

sew far sew good, ooh ahh . . . .I think I feel some bunting coming on next!

A field of flowers

2011-11-06T00:59:00.003+11:00

all day I think of her –
her white teeth,
her wordlessness,
her perfect love.

~ Mary Oliver ~

(House of Light)

Vintage sketch of mine, circa 1972

GPP Street Team CRUSADE No. 57 ~ All the World's a Stage

2011-11-03T18:49:00.004+11:00

Being a child of the seventies, its only natural that I loved my vinyl records, and still have kept my best and most loved old ones!

Do I love music? Just give me some old favourite of mine from the old days, turn up the volume, and magic/ creative things start to happen, like some art or cooking, even housework, and it makes it all the more fun singing and dancing along!

I really loved this challenge - and it inspired me to make this piece this afternoon.
Yes, I did have an old Isaac Hayes humming along in the background.

click on the pic to see some of my old favourites that I sing along to

what are your old favourite tunes that you love to sing/dance along to?

November

2011-11-02T16:01:00.004+11:00

Remember, remember the 5th of November!

What's that you say?

Can't have November without saying that rhyme! Those were the words we used to say back in the UK days when we used to have bonfire night. It was a time of home back yard bonfires, lots of fireworks, burn the Guy - am sort of scarecrow man burnt on the bonfire to commemorate Guy Fawkes, and the Gun powder plot in 16XX ?? ( I didn't like history at school - too many dates to learn and remember) not sure of the exact date, small potatoes roasted in the fire, and burnt hands trying to eat them!

But, I digress.
November over here is so very different, but interesting!

Here we are only two days into November and so much has happened in our neck of the woods

We've had a new family member born (on Halloween evening if you please) - a boy, Logan . . . and he is D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!!!

We have a garage being built as we speak ( lots of lovely new space for all MY stuff)

The weather is hot and glorious!

The wedding photos from October came in and they are lovely

Shops full of new summer stuff . . . I feel a spend coming on!

Lots of new plants I'm putting in the garden!

November is a busy month . . . and its only the second day of it!

Halloween - strange brew

2011-10-31T14:36:00.002+11:00

have a spooky, scary and fun Halloween wherever you may be!

Boo!

2011-10-30T12:41:00.005+11:00

Just a few pages

from the round Halloween journal

I made last year. Sorry, unfortunatly slim art pickings this year, obviously wasn't an arty year for me!

Autumn in the land of pretend

2011-10-26T11:32:00.009+11:00

Every year I collect my favourite pieces and put them on the table and decide what and how I am going to arrange them this year.

Its taken me many years, and lots of time to finally collect my wonderful bits. What makes it so hard is that as you all know by now, where I live is not famous for doing Halloween, in fact we don't even really have a proper autumn, and to make things even harder . . . Halloween and the northern autumn falls here in the middle of a usually warm spring. Hardly seasonal! But I persevere, and enjoy it all the more.

Those caramel/gingerbread scents just emanate from the dresser where I keep them
Almost smells like someone in the house has been baking ( sensory trick! especially in this non bake household! well at least I can pretend!)

So while, in the garden, in the 'real' world outside spring is springing, flowers and buds are blooming, everyone has hay fever,
Inside my home its fall once more - with raggedy wooden pumpkins . . .

and all manner of autumn 'toys' for me to enjoy!

Enjoy your fall wherever you are!

Lollygagging Sunday

2011-10-23T12:10:00.005+11:00

Sounds like the perfect plan for today!

So far my weekend has been busy with cooking for a big family dinner on friday, gardening yesterday, just after the storm and the sunny bits inbetween . . . then up late watching what I think has been my favourite show of all times . . . well one I haven't been bored with after a few series has been Big Love. We've only just gotten the last series here and I am loving it!
So, after a few lollygags and some brekky I think today will be the right day to take it easy, and just hang around not doing much of anything.

Permission to lollygag!
enjoy your Sunday out there won't you?

Good Chef, Bad Chef

2011-10-21T11:58:00.004+11:00

It seems and feels as if all my ailments from over the years caught up with me this last winter. hence the urgency to change my eating habits and lifestyle in general. I won't say it was anything wildly serious that was wrong, just lots of niggly age/ gene pool things kicking in.

To name a few things just to give you an idea of how annoying its been ( and I know tht other people have things millions of time worse . . .) but when it happens to you it just feels awful. After a year of serious complications with my menapause, an operation and hormonal meds, my weight blew out. Then the hot flashes started - now I flash quicker and more than a lighthouse at night, and its very irritating! Especially at night! ladies of this age will be nodding in agreement I feel!
The weight got my feet going . . . as in trouble with joints and arthritis. My hip went and then a sprained thigh muscle! I'm not sure how that happened but it hurt like hell! Then my eyes went in sympathy with everything else, glaucoma tests, scans, new glasses, and more.

Finally on my one of my doc's visits he told me that if anymore weight was gained, then I would go into the diabetic danger zone. Red lights flashed before me, or maybe it was just my hot face, when I realised that all this could just not go on. Diet changes would have to be made, weight would have to come off, more excercise ( god I hate that word) and a general toning down of stress.
That was a few weeks ago, and while some weight has gone! YAY! there is still a long, long, way to go. I am 5ft almost nothing, so even a few pounds shows more than on a taller bigger build person. So, here I am munching on a rice cracker, drinking 'faux' coffee, eating fruit and bleh . . . walking or trying to walk more everyday. I won't blither on much more about this, but do check out these links. Janella has inspired me to try new foods, and I am a Quinioa convert for sure!
check this out and this one Good Chef, Bad Chef

Here's one I made earlier lol . . . don't they always say that on tv cooking shows? Btw . . . this was a totally yummy supper I made the other day! I cook the quinoia in stock and it has a nice flavour.

Keeping Halloween simple this year

2011-10-20T19:16:00.006+11:00

My new twiggy lights - I am totally in love with these and put them up just last night! The fire is still on in the evenings as its been quite chilly lately.

Most years, I get quite excited about dressing the place up for Halloween, but this year the moods just not there, so I'm going to keep it simple.

I've dotted things about all over the place, the main big pumpkin is on the dresser but here are the other bits and pieces scattered about - orange candle from Dusk with pumpkin ornaments on side

Metal pumpkin with a maple scented candle inside that gives off the most amazing scent!
And since Halloween is all mixed up here with Spring, bought some seeds to grow in my cut flower garden. I found these pulp recycled pots too and when the seedlings come up, you just bury the whole thing into the ground without disturbing the roots and hopefully allowing the plants to be stronger and grow better

Finally, this cheerful chappie sits by our front door and greets people with his toothy/toothless smile (I bought him at a garden centre and almost gave myself a hernia picking him up . . . . he weighs a ton!

A Ball gown made from Nasturtiums

2011-10-18T21:27:00.005+11:00

I was washing up this morning, and happened to look up and saw the nasturtiums had grown up the trellis behind them, and taken the shape of what looks like a ballgown/dress to me? can you see it too? Amazing! The fairies have been busy in this part of the garden!

Turning over a new leaf

2011-10-16T13:58:00.005+11:00

Spending the day alone here today. Dh is out working, and so I'm going to be putting my free time alone to good use here. Love those strawberries don't you?! The stawb season here is short and sweet, so making the most of it with huge punnets of red deliciousness.

Change of lifestyle means eating food that is better for my health needs. And whats more tempting than looking into the pantry and finding unhealthy snacks with 'eat me' all over them?
So, today is all about stocking a healthy fridge and pantry so that when the hungries hit, I can snack on something nice without the guilt!

Today is all about finding new recipes for summer, and tweaking old ones

There, I feel better already!

Simplify Muffins a la Elaine St. James.

2011-10-13T15:45:00.007+11:00

Ok, here's the recipe: She called them Gibb's muffins as her then husband was called Gibbs, so maybe he liked them too.

from Simplify Your Life by Elaine St. James - Healthy, filling, and delish. You can double this recipe and freeze them when they've cooled. They are as good as fresh from the oven after being microwaved for 30 seconds on high.

Gibb's Oat Bran Muffins

2 1/4 cups oat bran (not bran flakes)

1 tablespoon baking powder
2 tablespoons chopped almonds
1/4 cup shredded coconut (optional)
1/4 cup sugar or 1/4 cup real maple syrup - I used the agave nectar here - about 1/4 of cup
1 1/4 cups nonfat milk
1 large egg (or 2 egg whites if you'd rather)
2 large overripe bananas
handful raisins or blueberries( I used frozen fruit semi de frosted and cut up into small pieces)

Directions:

Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.
Puree wet ingredients.
Mix puree into dry ingredients.
Stir in raisins, if using.
Fill muffin tins.
Add blueberries by hand, if using.
Bake at 450 for about 15 minutes, or until tops are brown.

makes about 12 muffins.
I think with blogland making info much easier to share with one another, I will post in and share more healthful stuff later on, as I struggle with my new lifestyle, and hopefully you can post in advice and comments on what you've found helpful in your life.

Simplify My life

2011-10-12T14:57:00.005+11:00

The date on the books say 1998, was it really so many years ago that I bought these books and read and re read so many many times over, and it was in them I first saw the recipe for those yummy muffins.

I was absolutely awstruck by these books and thought that Elaine had it ( life) nailed!
Since then, I haven't heard much about her, she wrote a few of these books and went silent after that, which disappointed me, or maybe that was THE whole point of simplifying her life?

Whatever it was, I do wonder what she is doing nowdays? I know that she had the best recipe for those muffins I posted about a few days ago, and it was when I was baking them the other day that I thought about the author.

Don't you just love those 'what are they doing now" shows on tv where they bring out oldies/stars from tv shows and say how their life went after stardom and fame? And the same applies to writers. What DID she do after this, when she stopped writing? ( or did she?)

So, if Elaine happens to be reading here, do let us know if your life did get simpler? Did all your thoughts, advice and ideas work it all out for you?

And me? after my days of simplifying, (and still trying to from time to time) I'm still baking those wonderful muffins, and wishing that Elaine would re surface with another inspiring publication, or another yummy recipe or two!

Winterwood

2011-10-11T21:07:00.003+11:00

I've been asked many times over why my blog is called Winterwood. Well, if your'e as ancient as me, then you'll probably recognise Don Mc'lean. he was big back in the seventies, and I listened to his stuff a LOT back then, and this was my favourite song ( for personal) reasons, ok . . . a boy was involved! and to this day, the song evokes such beautiful memories! So here is the Don . . enjoy! (and now you'll also know why this blog is called Winterwood).
Over to Don . . .

Remember me?

2011-10-10T17:19:00.008+11:00

Its been so o o o o long since I posted here last, ( I've been a bad, bad blogger!) that I wasn't even sure if I was going to, or I was just taking a long and much needed break from the computer altogether! I have been reading and visiting my regular blogs, but just had little to say myself.
So, as a hello temptation, I baked these, so do please take one and enjoy as you read the post! They are healthful organic no sugar ( flavoured with natural agave syrup) oat bran muffins(yes, healthy muffin recipes DO exist). They are so healthy that they're literally jumping off the plate with goodness. After many recent doctors visits (lets NOT go into that) I am having to review my whole lifestyle (Boring)! that includes food too!These muffins could also be eaten as a quick and healthy breakfast start to the day.

So, here I am with a muffin in hand, waving hello, trying not to get crumbs all over the keyboard!
If anyone would like this recipe please let me know.
Ps. the recipe is also in the book - Simplify Your Life by Elaine St. James, on page 161.
I have all of her books and still enjoy reading through them. anyone else remember her, or have her books?

A lighbulb moment - Index card

2011-08-04T10:41:00.003+10:00

What I meant to say - was that a lightbulb went ON in her head! oops! I was really pleased with my lighbulb girl! I'm not doing these all the time but am having fun creating the odd one.
Lots of errands to do today, which started off as a very dry but cold day. I think it was about 5c when I got up and for us, its cold and we are feeling it! So off and running, plenty to do today, that should warm me up. Have a great day out there in the blogosphere everyone!

Welcome to August - Calendar

2011-08-02T13:25:00.004+10:00

I had so much fun making this calendar! (never made one of these before!!)

I found it a bit hard going cutting out and mounting all the squares just so to form the grid, but did it . . . hey it only took an hour!!
I haven't quite finished it, but really wanted to show you as soon as I had it done.
my scanner seems to be scanning things too brightly, and they look washed out. Trust me, this calendar just pops!

Purple Hardenbergia

2011-07-31T16:05:00.004+10:00

raindrops keep falling on my head . . .

Hi - just a very short post today I just managed to step out and take some photos of my new garden plants, but gale force winds are almost blowing me over . . . even the plants won't keep still for a photo!
I had to do several re shoots as the photos kept coming out blurry from the moving branches.

Here's the label - it says dam saver, but after this weekend of constant downpours, I think the dams will be just that little fuller.

its raining its pouring . . .

2011-07-30T15:52:00.003+10:00

and in between heavy showers I am out in the garden this weekend. The weeds seem to have taken over the garden, the rain is feeding their growth!

This is going to be a garden update post, as winter, although still here, will probably come to a sudden end and catch us all out, so better get gardening!

Replanting and re potting a root bound tree, bought a ginormous terracotta pot and struggling to take it out of its old home and putting it into the new one.

Wandered around the garden centre this morning, just love to do that. I always see loads of plants I want to buy and bring home. Managed to keep it down to two plants - bought 2 pots of hardenbergias - a lovely purple creeper which I'll take a photo of when it stops pouring.

Ok, off to prune the roses now and get wet . . . its so nice to be able to say that! ( in case anyone is wondering - no I'm not mad!)

see you all soon!

Fruity madness (just for a laugh)

2011-07-27T10:26:00.007+10:00

I was going through my old school folders, yellowed with age a bit now . . . to those who dont know me I left school about 48 yrs or so ago! (lol) so the folder has been in storage a long time.

Anyway I found lots of poems, and stories written in my school handwriting- looked so cute really looking back on them, and in the piles of words I found this poem, apparently I wrote about three of them, and did some drawings to go with them. The drawing here is the original, and it even has the imprint of the writing on the back of it.

Sounds like nothings changed with me really, I was doing that sort of stuff back then, and still doing it now! Anyway, thought I'd share the poem with you . . . its a bit childish, but I did write it a long time ago. It did give me a chuckle though!

So here we go
Fruity Madness

It all happened on the Tuesday

When a great row blew up in the fruit bowl.

No-one knew why, perhaps it was because

they were all squashed together.

And before anyone knew what was happening

The grapes had all turned green

And shouting out the most appalling obscenities at the pears.

“sour grapes, sour grapes”, shouted back the pears

‘all you do is whine, whine , whine!”

Well at this point, their cousins the apples intervened.

They weren’t going to stand by and watch family being intimidated by strangers.

By now, the dates took this as an insult, and the oranges who came from the hotter regions, and

whose tempers were easily aroused, too, joined in the commotion.

The pear group pressure was at its peak, when in walked

Big Dick the Banana.

He had a patch over his right eye

As he menacingly paced in among the apricots, pushed them all aside

And gazed at the fruit in deadly silence.

“you stupid prunes” he said, not realizing that they were in earshot, and their multitudes outnumbered him 1888 to one.

Dick was defeated that sad day, in the bloodiest battle the fruit bowl had ever known.

Finally, when the war was over, they all had an amnesty over

Punch and fruit cocktails, and they all got so canned

That they were all impeached in court.

LOL! I hope thats put a small smile on YOUR dial!

The Summer of Colour Challenge - Purple

2011-07-26T11:08:00.002+10:00

Purple doodles and zentangles!

Red . . . and Cactus Monday

2011-07-25T15:04:00.007+10:00

~ Red ~
I'm taking part in this weeks - A Summer of colour - RED!

~Red ~

And a Cactus for Monday! (work in progress)

Red-y, steady, Go!

2011-07-24T15:05:00.004+10:00

Hello, and its good to be back!
I've come back with a splash of red, just to brighten up the day.

The flower above was in a bouquet of flowers received by Ms. Winterwood in the week. Her 'beloved' has been away, working in Africa for weeks now and this was his way of saying - 'I miss you too'. And I cashed in, by getting a few good photos of the bouquet.

My eye got better (thank goodness!) after a few days of eye drops, and next time I'll just have to be more careful with the shampoo!

Baked these delicious apple and cinnamon muffins

baked with love . . . thats why they tasted so good!

Till next time!

Shampoo gets in your eyes

2011-07-21T21:09:00.003+10:00

You wouldn't think that some shampoo in the eye could do much harm?
Wrong.
Washing my hair this morning I accidentally got quite a bit of it into my left eye.
It burnt like crazy, stung, and I couldn't open my eye for ages.
Washed it out, but its continued to sting all day.
I now have a red eye which is sore and misty.
Can't see too well out of it.
Doctors tomorrow if its worse or doesn't improve.
Staying offline as the bright screen is irritating it.
back soon!
ps. it wasn't baby shampoo that did it, I just didn't have any other pic of a shampoo bottle!

Invisible women

2011-07-17T12:55:00.005+10:00

~ she saw women of

her age everywhere

invisible ghosts

haunting the empty malls ~

I see them in the malls shopping all the time, ( middle aged, slightly grey, wrinkled, harrowed or bored looking. . . you get the drift . . . ) hell, at MY age, I'm probably one of them too!

Be still my foolish heart

2011-07-15T15:47:00.008+10:00

Whats making this middle aged lady's heart beat just that little bit faster each night?

Is it the pace of the Tour de France?
Is it the men in their tight body hugging lycra gear? ( well now possibly, but no, that's not it either!)
or, is it the joy and enthusiasm of the spectators?
maybe its the smiles and relief of the cyclist when they finally reach the finishing line?
Or is it the crashes or the near misses?

No! its none of those things!

Oh, then what can be making me so keen to watch the Tour till late late into the night with utter devotion making my heart skip the odd beat?
Ok, I won't keep you in suspense any longer . . . . . .

its the sheer joy seeing the beauty of the french countryside!! Seeing it all on the small screen, almost reliving the times that I spent travelling around the French countryside, the small towns and villages. It brings it all back, the tiny stone walls, small cobbled streets, chateaus and vineries along the way. Last night we saw the amazing fields of yellow sunflowers. I gasped with amazement at their sheer beauty.

Tonight its my favourite part of the journey - the Pau to Lourdes section. Oh, how I know that route so very well!

Be still my foolish heart!

On a winters night

2011-07-11T23:30:00.003+10:00

There are words coming out of the chimney like smoke. . . . we are staying everso close to the fire as the rain comes down and the sun has hidden for days now. Here's a few things that I've spent the last few days doing . .

cooking heaps and heaps of food (gotta eat when its this cold)
a pea and ham (thick) soup
freezing a lot of it for later days when I can't be bothered to cook any
made an experimental dish of quinoia
just finished cooking a few minutes ago and its almost 10pm!
watching a lot of Master Chef - the team are now in the USA - New York for some challenges - I'm just loving the energy of New York!!
off to read a few of my fave blogs and then its time for bed as you in the northern hemisphere are just getting up for the day!
Nite all!

Creating fun

2011-07-09T12:06:00.000+10:00

Well, at least going to give it a good go over the weekend!

Crow away!

2011-07-08T12:01:00.005+10:00

I knew it . . . just knew it . . . the minute I took comment moderation off, the spammers would get me! They must be just waiting in the shadows, ready to pounce with their innane spam. Sorry folks, put comment mod back on! Not happy!

Other than that
~Still very cold here, and starting to think about summer again . . .
~thinking of getting curtains for the bedrooms to insulate the rooms from the cold
~dont have adequate heating here, so sitting by the 'puter like the michelin man in about four layers of warm woolies!
~Dh up in the attic playing around with TV antennas, so gotta have lots of tea for him and 'pretend' that I am on hand ready to give him a hand if he needs it . . .
~got to assemble another Ikea chest of drawers - well now how could I not buy it when it was on special for just $99??

~looking forward to another weekend - an eating out outing with friends
~and a man coming over to give us a quote about putting up a garage - I am dreaming of more spaces and places where I can spread out with all my boxes of( junk) stuff!
It's all go over here isn't it?
Have a great one wherever you are this weekend!

Wintery update

2011-07-07T11:06:00.007+10:00

My latest creation - which I manged to fit in before the hectic weekend!

I'm not sure where the last few days have gone, but the days seem to have disappeared in a blur. I have spent a few of them in jammies having 'jammy' days, as its been to damn cold to get dressed, and having a sore throat thing isn't helping things any!

The weekend was madness on a stick.
Went to a first birthday party - it was outside, ( yes a great idea in winter) pouring with rain, howling wind and freezing cold! But, the food was good, the hot tea warmed us up, and the cake was delish!

Can't believe that my great neice made this herself!

A bird that flew in for a treat! He only had one leg! aaaah. . . .

Family outing to restaurant that evening was nice, lots of stodgy heavy(comfort) food followed by yummy cake my future SIL made just for me! I think he could win Masterchef hands down!

Sticky Prune Tart - so yummy I kept having second, and third helpings!

Sunday was the Whippet club meet up - again another freezing cold day, but a nice day out!

It was another round of hot drinks and snacks to keep us warm . . . while the hounds ran around and kept warm that way!
End of mad weekend and almost of this week too! Stay warm if you live anywhere near here!

Happy birthday to me snippets

2011-07-01T10:50:00.005+10:00

Made this one for a gothic arches challenge ages ago, but it will do for today.

Thats me when I was ? ? years old! Haven't changed a bit! Lol!

had a terrible nights sleep so not feeling all that good today.

feeling a lot older today (lack of sleep does this to me) than I am, obviously an afternoon nap will be called for

Going shopping this morning . . that may fix the extreme tiredness. Buying a few things I don't need always seems to wake me up . . . for a while!

Other than that going to spend the day with Dh and not really doing anything special today.

The fun starts tomorrow at 10.30 am sharp!

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

On the eve of my birthday

2011-06-30T14:06:00.001+10:00

another index card to share with you all. I wasn't going to make any, but seeing them on other blogs really got my juices going and hey presto I began making them. I am a very impatient artist and like to get things down very quickly, otherwise I lose the momentum of the spark.
So these cards really do it for me as they are quick and easy!

Tomorrow is my birthday, another year has slipped by. Its going to be a busy weekend with other birthday parties too, three in a row actually, rather looking forward to it!
off to take a huge breath, and blow all those candles out, I am getting to the stage now where there are more candles than cake LOL! Bye for now!

Domestic Goddess Art (card)

2011-06-29T11:25:00.003+10:00

Enough talk about storms and rain, back to some art stuff! The rain did do me a favour yesterday. I stayed home all tucked away and cosy by my desk making lots of cards and other stuff.

Felt quite please with myself too. I sort of freehand drew the above sketch, its supposed to be some famous cook . . . do you recognise her? And off course around that, I did the kitchen scene, as thats where she would probably like to be most.

I even painted some background papers in MY kitchen as there's not enough room around my desk to paint, I use plastic food wrap as my palette and then spread my acrylic paint on that. Its lovely as it doesnt make much of a mess. . . I do like to be tidy when painting . . lol! Then when I've finished, I just roll the plastic up and throw it away!

Sun's come out today, so nothing will be done by the art desk, but other life stuff is waiting to be done.
Till next time!

Stormy weather and Slough

2011-06-28T12:00:00.008+10:00

It's dark and dreary, so its the perfect day for lighting lots of candles around the rooms

They warned us about the storm yesterday, to make sure everything was battened down and secure. And indeed the rain came, the wind roared, and its now very dark and wet. In one word - LOVELY! we are so rain/winter starved here, that this rain is just perfect! I can hear my garden agreeing with me!

And instead of doing something at my desk ( like art stuff) today, I am finding it hard to break old (bad) habits and am surfing around the blogs instead! Bad old me!

Last week, this wonderful book was sent to me by an old friend I went to school with. Its a book about my old home town in the UK. . . where I lived, went to school, got married, and left to start a new life here in Australia. But the old ties do bind and the photos brought back so many teary memories.

And . . . the best bit of all, is that there is a photo of ME in this book! Another memory jerker if I ever saw one. Part of the group . . . on the extreme right is li'l ole me. I don't think Ive changed a bit since then LOL!

I wrote the name of my old home town in the header of the post, hoping that one day someone will write that they too come/ or still live in this town. Anyone?

Soul Food

2011-06-27T12:10:00.001+10:00

No words required.

Reach for the stars - index card

2011-06-24T13:36:00.004+10:00

An experiment for now, using an old backing page ( using some old stash - gotta use all those papers I' ve had crammed in the cupboard for years!) and adding the words, and the drawing I did a few days ago. Simple/quick and easy peasy instant art! Me likes!

'Crowing' more creative everyday!

2011-06-23T20:27:00.005+10:00

Digitally created

I do indeed have a little bit of art to crow about! I sat down yesterday after seeing all those crows ( 14 of them) eating the fallen olives in my garden, and it inspired some/well a little of creativity, and some awful puns too!

Here are some of them having a good chat a group of them on the left in the shadows, after breakfast in the garden. Olive antipasto I think!
They'll just never know how much they inspired me lol!

ps playing around with the blog templates, having trouble finding a header blog pic that sits in the middle neatly! So using this one I had saved a while ago, it will have to do for now.

Peek through the blinds

2011-06-22T10:54:00.005+10:00

Since its so sunny this morning, I thought I'd take you outside
here, take a peek through the venetian blinds - to the back garden.
(please) Disregard the old fence.
Note, my rambling abundance of nasturtiums -love those!
On the left, is the olive tree that attracts lots of birds, mainly crows that breakfast there on fallen olives.
Oh, and take a lime with you, the tree to the right is full to bursting with them at the moment!
Click on the photo to enlarge if you wish.

Take some paper

2011-06-21T11:31:00.002+10:00

~sit down, concentrate, find the right pencil, make a cup of tea, locate my eraser just in case, sit down again and begin to draw~

So far so good, I have two drawings and the beginning of a new page. Now just need(waiting to be inspired here) some words to go with the piece!

Chocolate prize delight

2011-06-20T15:16:00.006+10:00

Can you guess what I won on Saturday night at the Quiz nite I went to?

its something I've never used before - its got four prongs and a candle

Its a - Chocolate fondue set! It also came with some chocolate buttons

And I went and bought some more just in case I ran out!
Good prize huh?
Road testing it tonight.

ps. Just in case your'e wondering, I did in fact even find a quick mo to do some drawing and the start of a collage piece over the week end! Will show that later on in the week.

Patchouli Sunday

2011-06-19T18:01:00.006+10:00

Saw the ocean today, it was almost emerald green in colour, the clouds rolled in and out and I saw rainbows between the showers of rain

lunch at the harbour, people watching, eating and watched the boats sail by

wonderful music, live and alive. It made me feel like dancing!

Emerald green of this soap in my favourite perfume.

today has made me feel like dancing!

Weekend mish mash

2011-06-18T12:08:00.003+10:00

Some rain at last to wash down and green up the garden a bit before we have another sunny spell of it! Water drops on the geraldton wax, normally by this time of the year its covered in tiny white flowers that resemble snow, not so this year. I guess its still to warm for it.

The showers are way too brief. I'm sure we will have massive water restrictions again this summer.

In spite of the showers I do have a few plans for the weekend.
Quiz nite tonight, hopefully lots of fun, and even if I don't know all the answers to the trivia, then I'll have a good catch up with all my friends.
Some sort of vintage/antiques fair happening on sunday, if its not bucketing too hard we will go and take a look there. its by the ocean somewhere, so thats always a nice outing.
Popping into see furry grandies on the way home who live in that neck of the woods.
I won't be cooking much (yay) as we'll be out so much, but I have bought some quinioa and agave syrup to play and experiment with, hopefully next week sometime.
what are you up to this weekend?

Daddy Longlegs of the Evening

2011-06-17T20:22:00.002+10:00

Framed at last!

What a title!
What a painting!
What an artist!

Sandalwood

2011-06-16T10:49:00.002+10:00

It amazes me that I buy things sometimes, put them away and then forget all about them, well, more like where I put them. This was the case with my new joss sticks that I bought last summer.
I've always loved joss sticks, ever since I started going to all those concerts in the seventies - saw most of them through a thick haze of smoky delight, and then there was that summer in Cornwall ( its still one of those wonderful memories that I keep locked in my heart)

but . . . lets get back to the joss sticks . . .I found some in one of those cheap dollar stores last year and as I said found them yesterday. As soon as I lit the stick, that smoke took me back to all those memories and places that only a perfume or a certain scent can take you.
Made my day I can tell you!
and . . sandalwood almost sounds like winterwood . . . must be a sign! (lol)

Manyana - the art of procrastination Plus NEWS!

2011-06-15T11:27:00.009+10:00

Just lately, and I'm sure its just me, I am finding that by the time I've done my (ever increasing list of) blog reading for the day I don't really have enough mojo or time left to really do my own stuff. I seem to spend way to much time looking and seeing but NOT doing!

There is SO much info out there, so many hobbies and things to pursue and interests that sometimes it leaves me reeling as to what I'd like to do next.

Being on the lookout for good ideas around the home, in art, creative writing, gardening, cooking, and more, I love reading blogs that explore those areas, and as the hours tick away, usually by the time I've done that, it leaves little time for anything else in real life. I guess its information overload, or I'm just spending way too much time here in front of the little screen?

Sometimes I feel like a child in a sweet shop, seeing all those lovely bloggers gardens, art work, sewing projects and thinking . . . oh, I want to do that, and that and that, or maybe try that . . but in reality I end up saying - manyana and tomorrow is always good enough for me!

Off to make some breakfast and not waste any more time doing web based research!
Real life beckons!

just got an alert that I've had one of my small stones published online
here
Thrilled to bits!

Once in a blue moon

2011-06-14T00:50:00.002+10:00

Mr. Winterwood and I hardly ever go out of an evening. so it must have been a blue moon, as tonight we decided to go and have dinner at the casino, and play awhile. We get a lot of info mail coming from the casino, about whats on, food specials etc, so tonight, we decided to go and see whats there for ourselves.

Being a monday night, it was nice and quiet, so we had the 'special' dinner - lobster and chips and salad for $12 each, but it was a disappointing dish. But, then again, it was just nice to be out to people watch, chat, and eat instead of being home in front of the TV.

I did play a few pokie machines, just for fun, I ended up playing $5 and winning $1. last of the big spenders me - not, lol!

I always thought I'd like to go to Las Vegas and see the BIG casinos, but after tonight, I'm not so sure it would be that good. anyone been to LV for real?

Discovering me

2011-06-12T12:52:00.001+10:00

I hate mess, but when my desk is messy, that's when I create best!

Leaf your troubles outside

2011-06-11T13:29:00.003+10:00

I was raking up some leaves in the garden this morning, and delighting in their colours, brown, golden, mottled and spotty, when all of a sudden I was swept up with a desire to paint them. So took some inside and sat down to the task. In a matter of half an hour or so, I had them painted with water colours (gotta practice those) I am liking this!

With Winter comes . . .

2011-06-10T15:40:00.007+10:00

A much loved winter recipe (written on old index cards my DH used to use at work- great way of recycling them)

With three enormous butternut pumpkins - my favourite pumpkin.

Fill an enormous stock pot full of diced pumpkin, potato and onion and simmer for close to an hour

Take a stick blender and run it through till soup is pureed

Aah . . . winter golden goodness in a bowl!
( I thought that the art ladies who are doing things with index cards may appreciate this use of them as recipe cards) See. . . . I AM trying to be creative even if it is with soup! Lol!

Rhubarb Part 2

2011-06-07T17:24:00.004+10:00

I made the most amazing crumble on the weekend!
Amazing, because I didn't know that rhubarb can be frozen. I read all that info on a blog I read - shows what good info you can find in blogland! And when Dh went to the farmers market and bought a whole bunch of it, I washed, cut and froze it to use at a later date, which happened to be on Saturday night, when the family came over for dinner.

I made roast duck, which was ok, but there wasnt that much meat to eat on it, and then the crumble for dessert. I added apples and sultanas and off course the rhubarb. Served with icecream/custard- most opted for the custard, was just a delight to eat!

I can't take the credit for this photo of the crumble as we ate ours before I had a chance to take a snap to show you. But then they more or less all look the same so for effect, I added the one above.

Seems like blogger is now behaving, so thought I'd post in while the going is good.

Rhubarb

2011-06-07T11:25:00.003+10:00

This was going to be a post about rhubarb but blogger won't allow images to be uploaded today so I'll post in again tomorrow! Hope its not just me having these bloggy problems?

Inside my home

2011-06-04T10:58:00.005+10:00

I really wanted to show you the pics of my new 'baby' - the one I got at Ikea last week. I've got some more ideas on what else to put on it, but for now this is whats there. The lights a bit bright!

An embriodery I did a few years ago is now safely behind glass. I found this old frame and decided it was perfect to show off the embroidery.

Beautiful roses given to me this week by a new friend I've made and hope to have in my life for years to come!

Minus the bright light! Thats better!
Hope you've enjoyedthis peek into my home?

A taste of freedom

2011-06-01T20:39:00.009+10:00

Last night we attended a celebration dinner for Amnesty International, celebrating 50 years of fighting for Human Rights all around the globe. I belong to a small local group, but at the dinner we had a few other groups come along and the event had about 60 people attend.

It was my first time ever eating in a Nepalese restaurant, a wonderful taste experience to say the least. The food was spicy, flavourful and delightfully presented on silver platters. I was suprised with each mouthful and course selection. Starting with a falafel dish for starters and finishing with a sweet delicious rice pudding studded with sultanas and fruit.

Here is the restaurant - the Himali Gurka

We had good food, great company, a raffle (sadly I didn't win anything!) and live music - with a small group from Ecuador, and a solo guitarist, something I don't get to listen to much recently. It was fab and had us all tapping our feet under the table.

Happy Birthday Amnesty, and a toast to a Taste of Freedom!

Postcard Art

2011-05-31T11:29:00.004+10:00

This is the original take on 'postcard art' - whereby you buy or get a postcard that you really love and then copy it to enjoy even more! ( that's my excuse for the above)!

I can't believe I:

(a) am showing you this painting I painted - acrylics on canvas eons ago
(b) copied this pic from a postcard I had (bought at some London gallery way back when ) and just upscaled the drawing to fit the canvas
(c) I liked this postcard so much/enough to actually go to the trouble of wanting to reproduce it on canvas!
(d) I have never shown anyone this pic before and I am suprised that I am being brave/foolish enough to show it on my blog today!
(e) may just remove comments (just for today) so that I don't dread seeing what people think of this post!
(f) can't even remember the name of the artist or title of the original of this pic.
(g) that I threw away the original postcard otherwise I'd find it and know who the painting was by!

Have you ever done any art that your'e too embarrassed to show on your blog?

Small Stone Blogsplash

2011-05-30T11:34:00.004+10:00

Hello Fiona and Kaspa - I am doing this a few days early to get a head start and also not wanting to forget on the very day off course due to the time differences!

Kaspa & Fiona have taken over my blog for today, because they
need our help.

They are both on a mission to help the world connect with the world
through writing. They are also getting married on Saturday the 18th of
June.

For their fantasy wedding present, they are asking people across the
world to write them a ‘small stone’ and post it on their blogs or on
Facebook or Twitter.

A small stone is a short piece of observational writing – simply pay
attention to something properly and then write it down. Find out more
about small stones here.

If you’re willing to help, we’d love you to do things:

1) Re-post this blog on your own blog any time before June the 18th and
give your readers a chance to hear about what we’re doing. You can
simply copy and paste the text, or you can find the html
here.

2) Write us a small stone on our wedding day whilst we’re saying our
vows and eating cake, post it on your blog, and send
it to us.

You can find out more about our project at our website, Wedding Small
Stones, and you can also read our blog at A River of Stones.

We also have a July challenge coming soon, when we’ll be challenging
you to notice one thing every day during July and write it down.

Thank you for listening, and we hope we’ll be returning from our
honeymoon to an inbox crammed with small stones, including yours.

Kaspa & Fiona

Sunday Munchies

2011-05-29T14:56:00.004+10:00

Aren't Galleries the best place to be on a sunday morning?
Taken to an exhibition by one of my daughters, who also loves all things creative, and best of all a lunch to follow! Lazy chat with nowhere to rush to, just soak up the atmosphere and delicious lunchy aromas.

They must have had me in mind when they came up with the title of this exhibition!
Only I don't think I would show all my 'bits' like that in public!

And finally a cooking quote on a piece of wrapping I saved from my last holiday, I thought this paper was quite nice. Not only useful to wrap things up in but also a thought of the day and eventually a piece of art when it finds its way into one of my art journals!
Have a good one!

Now you see me, now you don't!

2011-05-28T11:17:00.004+10:00

Took a photo of a beautiful tree when we went away and altered it with watercolours and pencils, then coloured in a stamped bird, cut him out and voila! I think he fits the spot perfectly!

Where's he gone your'e asking? He flew away off course! lol!

I had a wonderful play day yesterday arranging all my bits and pieces on the new furniture, but also lots of chores like getting all the washing done before the storms which are supposed to come in on Monday.
I am off to do some shopping later - I have to buy a prize for a raffle. Our local chapter of Amnetsty International is having a huge dinner to celebrate the 50 yrs anniversary. On tuesday we are having this dinner at a Nepalese Restaurant which will be interesting as I've never eaten in one before (Nepalese cuisine that is) We're having a raffle too to raise funds, so its prize search time for me!

We're still having unseasonal very warm weather, good for laundry, bad for the bone dry gardens. You can't win can you? (well perhaps a prize in the raffle?)
See you all next week!

Monster update

2011-05-27T11:35:00.007+10:00

Knock, Knock, who's there? Its the post, with a parcel for me?

What's all this? A wonderful medley of ceramic buttons, key rings, and ceramic acorns spill out of the post bag! have you ever seen anything as cute as this before? Thanks to Cathy aka Potter Jotter for having the fab comp and showcasing her talents on her blog. Go visit her blog and be amazed at the things she makes with clay! Cathy - those acorns are just amazing!!

And the delightful ceramic birdie who has decided to make the winterwood tree his home!
Thanks Cathy!

And I can't leave here without telling you about my revisit to Ikea to exchange those frames. Not only that, but my now old poster which I've had in the cupboard for the last 18 months has now been successfully framed and is happily hanging on the wall, for all to admire.
Not only that, but another meatball lunch was consumed ( strange how we always arrive at Ikea around lunchtimes)!
Not only that, but I also bought the above beauty!(called Svalbo) It will fit a very tired empty spot in the dining room and once I've put all the stuff on it I'll take a photo to show you all.
Not only that, I am one happy bunny ( with the leftovers of a rotten migraine) but that wont stop me today fiddling around and re arranging with all my Ikea loot today!
See you all soon!

Are you Curious?

2011-05-21T11:56:00.003+10:00

Are you curious as to what I ended up buying at my rainy shopping spree yesterday?

Well apart from a marathon lap around the store upstairs and downstairs, many things were looked at, um-ed over, almost put into the trolley and then put back again, in that Ikea 'I can't control my impulse buying' state that I usually end up feeling in that store! They MUST pump something into the air there! lol!

I knew I really 'needed' this laundry basket when I saw it, please don't ask why I need another basket but I DO! I did buy the above bedside table, which is something I have been on the lookout for for a while now and very happy I am with it too! At last a table with a small rack on the bottom for mags to read in bed. Very practical!

Along with these I also bought two dip dishes, a tray, a dusting mop, a photo pic frame that is too small, two plates, a Daim cake and some potato Rosti to try out.

Now I have to go back for a return trip (isn't that a shame? lol) to take the frame back to exchange for a larger one, and to purchase a much umm-ed over item of furniture which I think will be just great in the dining room. Now I just have to be very nice to Dh so that he comes with me to do all the heavy lifting and car packing.
I can see that I will just have to be at his beck and call till that next Ikea trip!
have a great weekend everyone!

Its raining meatballs!

2011-05-20T11:21:00.003+10:00

Woke up in the night to the sounds of lashing rain. This morning it was coming down in sheets, you just have no idea how lovely it is to see rain at last, on the windows, and even the garden looks greener for it.

With more of it on the way today, what better way to stay inside and have fun at the same time than to go for a long shop at Ikea.

There's even a meatball with my name on it for lunch! yum!

Ps. . . . Seems like half our city had the same rainy day idea to visit Ikea, and we spent nearly 4 hours in that place, and its was PACKED! We could hardly find a free table at lunch, and yes the meatballs tasted extra good in the cooler weather! Double Yum!