“There's a sunrise and a sunset every single day, and they're absolutely free. Don't miss so many of them.” ― Jo Walton

The one thing I love about the phone is that we ALWAYS have a camera with us these days. Pausing to really take in the sunset is my daily past time, and the beauty I've seen just walking down the street or looking out the window is an uplifting start to the evening, regardless of what is happening.

The clouds added a crazy layer the other night, with the moon already up (that dot) and pink light reflecting off the clouds.

“Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.” 
― Rabindranath Tagore, Stray Birds

 Do you stop to take in the sunset?

Linking with  #Allseasons #SkyWatch

It's December - 25 days to go!

If you've stepped out the front door, or onto the internet, you would know that Christmas is coming.
You now have 24 days to get all the gifts purchased and wrapped, all the visits to Santa and photographs done. Post the cards, make the pudding and all the other Christmas craziness that ensues in the festive season.



I'll admit I've lost my mojo so I might kick start it with the making of the gingerbread village....








What's your go to festive season activity? What makes it suddenly feel like Christmas for you?

Linking with #OpenSlather and #MummyMondays

An InLinkz Link-up

Future Park - Sydney Powerhouse

Last Thursday night I headed off with a friend to Digital Worlds, the 18+ event at the Powerhouse. There's a bar and food, and best of all, you get to play in Future Park without a swarm of children.

Future Park is fun, and will be one of the top kids activities this Summer. An interactive digital playground (think art space). It will get busy and you will need to book your tickets here - free entry to members.

We easily spent an hour pottering about in there, without queues, so make sure you allow plenty of time. Kids of all ages will love it.

While there, why not consider booking a High Tea at the Powerhouse if going with older kids, to make a day of it. Discounted for members so well worth taking out a family membership.

With so much fun to be had, how can you not love life? Full details on what to see and do at the Sydney Powerhouse Museum here.

Linking with #CityTripping #FarAwayFiles #PointShoot #ThruMyLens #WednesdayAroundtheWorld   & #MySundayBest

My drawing is in the green and purple dress. She's dancing not fighting. My smile looks angry for some reason!

This is a sneaky reflection for #WeekendReflection.

First of the Month Fiction - December

I'm not feeling particularly festive so this is a short not with a Xmas theme like usual. It is, however, a happy one (which regular readers will know is not my usual schtik).

So link will stay open until mid December when I shut the blog.

Add a 100 word story exactly or one less than 30 words in the comment - then link your blog. Note mine was a longer story I edited down to 100 words, so it's a little clunky in a few parts....

Day after day.

A furtive glance.
A smile.
Recognition or more?
Frequently he missed his chance.
Pausing too long in embarrassment and fear.
Today. 
He would do it today.
Arriving, she scanned the room, smiling when she registered him.
He grinned then looked away, blushing slightly.
He looked back but she was ordering at the counter.
He would say something to her today.
She played idly on her phone.
"Nice dress" he said, vaguely in her direction, not breaking stride. 
Once past her, collecting his coffee, he broke into a smile. Relieved.
It was up to her. He turned in anticipation....

Until next time....

An InLinkz Link-up

Merci a #SFSC

As I mentioned before I'm away in January, so was devastated to discover Fefe was making a return to SFSC. It's a fabulous summer concert day celebrating all things French, and kids under 12 are free so quite affordable if you want to bring the family.

I was delighted to get the tix to the small aperitif party on Thursday, and more delighted at the intimate venue. In true Fefe form we weren't allowed to sit, and had to join him on the dance floor. I think everyone who attended was besotted, and left the venue elevated as only Fefe can do.

This is just a post to say thank you to the organisers and to tell the rest of you, if you can get to Adelaide, Melbourne or Sydney for So Frenchy So Chic, you do not want to miss it. He is so fabulous in concert, you have to get caught up in his energy. Check the dates and buy tickets here.

Not sponsored, just one of my favourite performers and I don't want you to miss the experience. And really bad photos courtesy of my crap iphone - even not on zoom and that close it still couldn't focus. Ugh. I hate it.

Linking with #TheFun #MySundayPhoto #RubyTuesdayToo #OurWorldTuesday #FotoTunes

Share the Dignity - It's in the Bag #ChristmasLinkUp

It wouldn't be Christmas without charity, and it wouldn't be Christmas without people all over Australia collecting feminine hygiene products and toiletries and gifting them in a handbag to homeless women.

One of my favourite charity ideas, as it's easy to buy an extra item every few weeks over the course of the year and by Christmas have a bag of goodies ready to go. A few weeks ago I got a handbag on sale at Kmart as mine are used until they break, and so no good to anyone.

Just a reminder, collection closes 2nd December this year. Collection points found here.

Make it special for someone.

(More details on what goes in the bag here)
Linking with #MummyMondays and #OpenSlather

An InLinkz Link-up

Memory in B&W

I know I've posted this photo before but it flashed up in my FB memories and I just had to share. I really love this picture. It's festive and I like the messy lines...

Linking with #Weekendin B&W

Yes men

I have noticed there are two types of people. The Yes men and the No men.  The Yes men are those friends that upon receiving an invite, respond quickly and enthusiastically. They may say No because they're busy, but they don't leave you hanging on the reply.

The No people may say yes but they take their time to tell you, and usually you have to chase their RSVP.

I for one, am very tired chasing RSVPs. I don't care if you come or not, but usually your NO means I can invite someone else, so an early response is appreciated. We had a party last year and I knew there was another party on the same night. As I had invited people I wasn't really close to, I presumed they would pick the other party, which I didn't really mind at all, as I'd only invited most of them to be social. What I did mind was that I had to chase about 20 of them for the RSVP. If you know you aren't going to come, why wouldn't you tell the host? The next party we had, I didn't bother inviting them because I couldn't be bothered chasing their RSVPs.

A friend was complaining how she had invited a number of people to a ticketed event, and by the time they had all decided, the tickets were sold out. She and I had gone alone because we booked immediately.

I understand life is complicated and it can be difficult to extricate yourself from obligations of family life but spare a thought for your friends trying to organise something. If you're invited, don't make them chase you. It's extra work for them and trust me, it moves you to the bottom of the list when they organise the next event. It's okay to say NO, just say it quickly...

Anyone who regularly does all the inviting will notice this pattern...and no doubt be infuriated by it.

Are you a YES or NO peep?

Linking with #StayClassyMama #TwinklyTuesday & #Dreamteam

Around the World...in 2 hours

The other night I went to the Bombay Sapphire Project Botanicals. It's  finished in Sydney but hitting Melbourne this weekend and tickets available here. It was hard not to love life having such a fun and magical adventure!

I didn't know what to expect but it's a fun sensory evening, with different tastes enhanced by visual ambiance, in a wonderland style bar.

If you can get yourself there, it's well worth the $40 fee.

  
Bombay - Project Botanicals from Hugh Fletcher on Vimeo.




Linking with #PictorialTuesday #WordlessWednesday #WednesdayAroundtheWorld #TheFun #ThruMyLens #LovingLifeLinky

In the shadows

I just liked the fuzzy shadow of the gate on the rough textured pavement.

Super quick for #ShadowShotSunday #WeekendinB&W

Christmas, Who Gives a Crap? #ChristmasLinkUp

In December, I am often giving presents to groups, bookclubs, mah jong and other circles of acquaintances - it's more a little gesture than a proper gift. The last few years, I've given a gift bag with a festively wrapped toilet paper or box of tissues from Who Gives A Crap? along with a small soap or decoration. I easily give 24 or these, so this year I went with the 48 roll box...

What I like about these is (1) you are doing good for the environment and the global community (their profits build toilets for poverty stricken areas)  (2) if you just buy it for personal use, you can use the paper they're wrapped in as wrapping paper (a double win for the environment and your wallet) and (3) you aren't buying things that will just go into a drawer or the bin.

Now my question, what does it mean if I like the Naughty rolls more than the Nice ones?

Linking with #MummyMondays and #OpenSlather

An InLinkz Link-up

Taking Stock - November

This month has flown - exams, our first HSC assessments, and a myriad of doctors appointments and other mundane things not worth mentioning.

However, I saw a great play, Give me your love by Ridiculusmus on MDMA therapy for PTSD at the Seymour. Funny, sad and left me thinking for days.

I read The Scandal, that lead to much discussion in bookclub, especially about how we use words to manipulate and take sides and I am currently learning about the Finnish Education revolution.

I went to the fabulously fun Sip My Ocean at the MCA. If in Sydney over the holidays, definitely make time to check it out.

I have tickets to the superb Fefe's gig next week. I am SO excited as I thought I was missing him because I am away for SFSC in January. However, the Gods were smiling on me! You do not want to miss him if you are in Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide in January. Tickets are here. He's so much FUN!! It's a fab day out and kids under 12 are free.

 

Lastly, today the nation voted YES. I am very happy that this fiasco is over. I will admit I am disappointed at the high percentage of NO's; even in the top YES electorates, it was still 20% No.  I am saddened at the damage this futile process has done, as we all know the actual marriages won't happen any time soon. Please think of the LBGTQI children in a NO household, who might now be too terrified to ever come out. Think of how they must feel, knowing what their parents think of them? Think of the sense of shame a scared child would feel, being bombarded with the rhetoric of the last six weeks. For that, this process was not worth it. Nor was it ever worth the extra money spent on something that we actually already pay the government to do. My only silver lining in the YES result is those LBGTQI people living in NO households and areas know that overall, the country respects them. Even if we had to be marched to the ballot rather than just treat them with the dignity every human deserves.

Linking with #ForthelvoeofBLOG and #LovinLifeLinky because after yesterday's YES vote and World Cup win, how can you not love where we live?!


Linking this last photo with #WeekendRelections, as it's taken through glass and you can see the heart reflected in the glass, and the shadow reflected on the wall.