BUSY DOING NOTHING

 

Sometimes I don't know how to start a blog post... 

Writer's block, perhaps?

I know I am not as sharp as I used to be...

We have had a bit of rain, now and then..

The gorgeous red King Parrots came to shelter on our deck..

I have been busy writing tours for QAGOMA, at the rate of one per fortnight - and then going in to take a small group of visitors on tour around our beautiful galleries.  It is a rewarding volunteer position, which keeps me alert and thinking...

I like this large, bright, Contemporary Indigenous work by Qld. artist Naomi Hobson.  'When the Tide Goes Out' (2018), is a seascape inspired by her father's sea country.  Hobson lives in North Queensland, near the Great Barrier Reef, and here we look into the colourful underwater world of the reef.  A variety of crabs, coral, and Beche de Mer (Sea Cucumbers) cover the canvas, a riot of exotic life and colour. 

Jacaranda season arrived about two weeks early this year, covering the city in purple glory.

I finally finished the snippet roll I began stitching back in January.  It is two metres long, and is a random, hand made and embroidered creation made from bits of old fabric, lace, trims, embroideries, crotchet, buttons and odds and ends lurking in my sewing room.  Plus a few little watercolours I did on calico.

It is not easy to photograph but here are a few glimpses:

It is entitled 'Down the Garden Path'..

I found a little packet of red cardinal buttons when we visited a quilt shop in Almonte, Ontario, last May.  A couple of them made their way into my work..

We are off to a Symphony concert on Friday night - a violin concerto and a symphony: Bliss!

I am probably the last person on earth to join a book club, but I finally found one I could fit into my regular routine, and I am loving it.

Thank goodness for my trusty Kindle, so much quicker and easier to obtain the set books each month.

I loved English Lit at university, and am looking forward to similar discussions at our meetings.  I bought a notebook and am dutifully making notes as I go.  This month I am reading 'A Terrible Kindness' by Jo Browning Wroe.  Not sure where this plot is going, but don't tell me!

I hope all is well in your world.

We are all shocked by the events in the Middle East.  I pray for Peace, and a quick resolution of this and other Wars.

Take care

XXXXX

HEAT IN THE HOLIDAYS

Happy Unexpected Early Summer to all Australians!

It has been 35-38c here this week, a record for September in the Springtime.

And not a record we are thrilled to achieve...

I keep gazing at my new blue porcelain shell -

inspired by the new curtains...

A pair of rare King Parrots visited.

They are so shy, I had to take my pictures through the screen door, then the sound of the shutter frightened them away. 

Peace

Little Aussie has been here, enjoying the school holidays...

Gladiator Exhibition, Queensland Museum

Little Aussie Gladiator...

Dug the broken sundial out of the plaster block faster than I could take a 'before' picture...

Checking it out in the sunshine to see if it works.
So far, so good.

Lego gladiators in a Lego Colosseum ... 
 disappointed we did not have enough white Lego!

Grow your own Coral kit...

Aussie loves the finished effect -
and painted his own little picture of it.
I think the boy tends towards the abstract....

These Crucifix orchids have gone mad in the heat - 
three weeks ago they were dismal...

'Under the Jacaranda' Godfrey Rivers, QAG

Jacaranda season has arrived, early, and purple is bursting out all over Brisbane.

The new hang of the Australian Collection opens this weekend at QAG.
You will love it..

Have a good weekend
XXXXX

COOL CHRISTMAS

On a dewy, soft Christmas morn, we awoke to find a pair of King Parrots visiting our deck. Shy, brilliantly coloured birds, they come rarely....

and chose the perfect occasion.  They flew around, had breakfast from our bird feeder, and generally looked like part of the Christmas decorations.

 There were a few showers -

at 25c maximum, it was Brisbane's coolest Christmas in 40 years.
And I loved it...

We had a wonderful day, filled with the joy of children's excitement..

Santa had found the Canadian visitors here in Australia!

Most of my photos came out blurred, such was the action and excitement in our living room...

Little Aussie looks pleased..

Our new grand-puppy joined in the festivities..

More visitors arrived... 

 we had a big family lunch around the extended dining table.

Prawns, glazed ham, chicken and lots of beautiful salads, followed by our Christmas plum pudding and wonderful individual pavlovas made by lovely G.

Lego Ice Lady - with little silver cape. 'Frozen' influence knows no bounds.

OPI from dear V, 
and Mr C spoiled and surprised me with the latest book about Frida Kahlo.

A perfect new handbag...
well played Mr C.

Love my Canadian songbirds 2017 calendar, and gorgeous dish towel -
too perfect for washing up, probably should become a cushion methinks...

The Festival of Pink Bags continued with a delicate pale pink bag from W&G -
Love it!

Took it along on a family excursion to Southbank:

The males in our family seem impressed by 1 William Street, the recently opened  Government building in Brisbane. 
But to me it is completely out of proportion to our city buildings, architecturally ugly and unimaginative.  Will I be sent to the Tower?
Thoughts?

Enjoy the post-Christmas lull, time for board games, leftovers, family and friends.

XXXX