Journey to the edge of Jane

Where did May go?

2012-06-01T06:41:00.000+10:00

Good heavens! Today is the 1st of June. I cannot believe I didn't blog at all in May. I seem to have misplaced my blogging hat and am struggling to write. Oh well, I know it happens to the best of us. Note to self... be patient with yourself Jane.

The Pass at Byron Bay on the 6th of May, stunning as always.
Notice the heart shape in foliage?

It was a busy month with work, my wedding anniversary, four family birthdays including mine which fell on Mothers Day this year. One of my highlights for the month was seeing the 'super' moon on the evening of the 6th, also our wedding anniversary. We were at the Gold Coast for a little celebration and watched in total awe as the moon rose over Rainbow Bay, from where we were sitting on our balcony. What a gift.

Check that out. This pic is a bit hazy because I zoomed
my little camera in as far as it could zoom!

Do you want to know what the May affirmation was, or is that living in the past? It was.... "I reward myself with thoughts of praise". Well I did a few times, I had some good sessions at the gym, put on a lovely family lunch for Mothers Day and all our birthdays, put smiles on the faces of my elderly clients at work. Because I look for the positive in everything, I can always see reasons for self praise. It's a good way to be. Even if things don't turn out how you were hoping, it's happened for a reason, and we can learn from it.

I have a new work in progress....
I found this great poster at Typo, one of my favourite little shops to have a poke around in. It spoke to me, so I bought it.

I've mounted it on a big canvas and now I just need to add the special touches. Don't know how it will finish up, but I will share it with you, soon!

So now it's June, the half way marker for another year. The affirmation for this month is brilliant.

"I release, I relax and I let go"

I have practiced this so many times over the years. Are you able to 'let go' of thoughts, issues, hangups? I think this will be a great month!

Happy thoughts are flying your way.

Jane x

I'm back!!

2012-04-29T08:24:00.000+10:00

Hello friends

Remember me? I know, it's been ages again. Have you missed me?
It's tricky when you haven't blogged for so long. How far back do I go in news and events?
I think I'll just summarise the things that come to mind. Here we go...

Health issues....
Well, for a long time, probably about two years, I've been feeling pretty lousy. No energy, foggy brain, breathless, emotional and the list goes on. It got to the point that I decided I had better go to my doctor and have a check up. It is pretty typical of me to leave things about two years before going to the doctor. Do you do that? Family first, Jane last. Long story short... had bloodtest, which revealed I'm actually quite healthy, all bar my iron levels which Dr told me were so low that I as almost anemic. I was thrilled to finally be able to pinpoint what was wrong. I honestly do not know how I kept functioning in the day to day way for as long as I had, feeling so low. As a result of this health revelation, I stopped doing some things, just to give myself some time to 'heal'. Anyway, I'm on the mend now and my thoughts are clearer, my energy levels are up and I'm getting things done that had been neglected for way too long.

The reading pile...
I read a great novel which I picked up at a secondhand bookshop up the coast. "The proper care and maintenance of friendship" by Lisa Verge Higgins. If you are interested, let me know and I'll post it to you. I like passing on a 'good read' of which this is one. Currently reading "Love in complete sentences" by Mary E Mitchell.

Anzac Day
I have attended dawn ceremonies over the years, but this year was different for me. We spent a few great nights at the coast before getting up early and making our way down the beach to the dawn service at Currumbin Surf Club. I have a few close connections with people and family who have served and one who is currently serving. I just had to go there to that place this year and feel the emotion which at times was overwhelming. I could not believe the number of people walking the footpaths to the beach. Here's Jane walking along in the dark among strangers, tears rolling down her cheeks and the service was still half an hour from beginning! The fact that so many people had made the same effort as us. I wondered what some of their stories were. Had they lost a loved one, were they carrying their grandfathers medals, was their best friend currently serving? I'll never know, but I'll tell you what, that morning, last Wednesday, was one of the proudest of my life. So proud to be Australian. We all walked down onto the beach, safely and in peace, we were on a mission of our own that morning.

On the home front...
Well the lettuce are just delicious, I've got the crysanthemums blooming, the marigolds are starting to burst open. The chooks are good, although Sofia is still trying to be beautiful again after her annual moult, poor girl, she was about 1/3 naked for a few weeks, but now the magnificent new jet black feathers are emerging. Needless to say, a chook cannot moult and keep laying at the same time, so we're down on eggs at the moment. Louise has kept on keeping on though, good little chook. She doesn't go through an annual moult at all really. I'm busy in my little business and happy that I took that small 'leap of faith' at the beginning of the year.

Affirmation for the month of April...
"I share my resources and knowledge with those on my path". As April is nearly over, it's been good to re-read this months affirmation to see if I happened to be actually practicing what the affirmation said. I think my experience with my youngens last Wednesday proves to be that I have. So I'm happy.

Enjoy what's left of the weekend!

Jane x

Hello March

2012-03-14T13:44:00.000+10:00

Hello friends

I've been meaning to post an update for weeks and weeks! I happen to be home today, so I couldn't let the day pass with sending you this happy little hello, and also to share my positive affirmation.....
"By expanding my horizons, I easily dissolve limitations." Yes, it's true!

It's been a busy time for me since taking on some extra work, and trying to maintain normality at home. I think I am the only one who has suffered, but as I trust the process of life, I have had two sick people to take care of this week, so my five day working week has been reduced to three! Aaah, I love a bit of breathing space.

I've also been trying to keep up the regular visits to the gym. I did three RPM classes last week which I'm proud of. Any crafting Jane, I hear you ask?? No, but to make the most of being home today, I've rearranged the 'love' room (our multipurpose room) and am freshly inspired. It's amazing what a shift of energy can do.

Well that's all for now. I hope you are well and happy.

Jane x

Wordless Wednesday, well, one word

2012-02-08T07:34:00.000+10:00

Growth!

Jane x

Repeat after me.....

2012-02-01T07:24:00.000+10:00

I behave in a loving way to all people.

Happy February friends! A bright happy morning to welcome the first day of February. I'm so awake I even remembered to turn the page on my calendar to see what this months positive affirmation is..... I behave in a loving way to all people. Well, I like to think that I already do. Perhaps I still have more lives to touch with my buzzing positive and loving energy.

Today is the day I will rejoin the gym. It's been about 18 months since I stopped going, just really needed a break from it, and boy oh boy, don't you notice a change when you stop doing weights and spin classes, not good! When the keen young hip dude asks me what I want to achieve, I'm going to tell him straight, fitness, strength and a body like Sam Stosur. Although I don't need my arms to be quite that muscley!!!! Cheer me on friends. The more encouragement I get, the faster I will ride and the stronger I will lift. Ha, my 'word' for this year is 'lift'. Little did I realise when that word announced itself to me that it could mean lift weights!

I took my cuppa to the back stairs this morning and this is what I saw.

Don't you love my cup
it's a Rob Ryan cup, thank you very much!

Happy rainbow streamers at chook headquarters!

blue skies again, after so so much rain.

I had a pretty great January, so look out February. Sending you happy smily face day.
Jane x

creatingJane

2012-01-28T16:35:00.000+10:00

Hi friends

Forgive me, as it has been 20 days since my last post! Where did that time go? Oh, that's right, work, family, return to school, you know how it is. It has been even longer since I've done anything creative of my own and I've been missing it so much. Today is the day! I've nearly finished my little series of Barking Mad cards that I've mounted onto canvas and added my own little creative touches. Here's the one I've done today. It's titled "holding onto each other while the gust of love blows through". It will go on the wall beside the last one I did, "listening to the quiet".

I have been searching high and low for a spectacle case just like this. Finally I found one! Where did I find it you ask? Etsy vintage of course. All the way from France. I love it and I love Etsy.

A big thanks goes out to Catherine at A Time to Create for her wonderful giveaway, of which I was the lucky winner. It arrived safely, thanks so much Catherine.

I'll try and not leave it so long until my next post! Stay as happy as you possibly can. There is so much to be grateful for. Referring back to my precious new calendar for 2012, here's a tip.... "Enlightenment is a 24 hour a day job."

Jane x

Happy anniversary!

2012-01-08T09:13:00.000+10:00

Imagine that. I've been a blogger for a year now, my first post was 1 January 2011. I didn't know if I would keep up with it, or more importantly for me when I started, would anyone want to keep up with me. Well the statistics speak for themselves. Journey to the Edge of Jane has not been an overnight success, but as I write, I have 52 followers, after 51 posts. It's not so much the number of followers a blogger has (although I see some bloggers are driven by the big number) but the quality of the followers. I love that each time I welcome a new follower (you help validate me!), and I jump over and check out their blog, it's nearly always a person whose spirit, humour or interests align with my own in some way. It's just like magic! I think my January affirmation has been working behind the scenes for me.

So, thanks to you, one of my lovely friends, for keeping me smiling and willing me to follow dreams to create and be happy. In a world where there is so much negative, it's so nice to know there are just as many positives.

I am finally getting around to trying Ironmum Karla Quinoa salad.

The onlookers comments...
'mum, what did you just take a photo of?'
I said: 'my packet of quinoa'
Onlooker said: 'do you really think anyone will care?"
I said: 'Karla will'

When the quinoa was ready...
Onlooker said: 'are you actually going to eat that?'
I said: 'um, yes'

Precious aren't they!

Have to go now and add the extra bits. Have a great day today whatever you are doing. I'm having some girl time with some special friends. Oh, and last night I made these. I'm loving making paper garlands at the moment and giving them to people I love.

Today, let your heart do the talking.
Jane x

PS. If you have any great Quinoa recipes, please share. Just wait till I serve it up to 'the onlookers' for dinner one night!

My January affirmation

2012-01-05T16:43:00.000+10:00

Hello dear friends

I've been trying to relax a bit, lie around a read a book or two, get a bit organised for the new year, spend quality time with family. It's all working! Today I actually put up my 2012 calendar. I treated myself to a Louise Hay calendar which features beautiful drawings and positive affirmations. I'm a huge fan of Louise. Her gentle guidance has supported me and helped me to 'grow' so much in the last decade or so.

The affirmation for January is... I am open and receptive to all the good in the Universe.

Are you feeling open and receptive to what lies ahead for you in 2012?

Happy thoughts to you today.

Jane x

what's next?

2011-12-30T08:18:00.000+10:00

Hello friends

Just a short note today to say hi and hope you have enjoyed some days off over the Christmas period. I have finished reading one whole book, amazing, and have started another. I have resisted going to the post-christmas sales....... so far.

I took this photo recently because i liked the angle. Here's to you today, hope it's a happy one. Jane x

Joy Merry Be

2011-12-25T08:13:00.000+10:00

It's Christmas morning and I've jumped on to say Merry Christmas to you. A day of mixed emotions as my cherished ones, who have to be shared, are not with me today. The joy that came when they called me a little while ago and I heard their voices, so simple, so much for me.

Always at Christmas I go into deep thought about who is missing this year, who will be alone, who will be lonely. My heart leaps out to them. The elderly people I care for, the families whose loved ones are in a war zone today, the separated families.

Then I think of the utter joy that comes too. The babies having their first christmas, families re-united from all over the place. The love of this husband of mine who only has to look sideways at me for me to know how loved I am. My amazing family most of whom I will spend today with.

A very special feeling of joy for our family in the Lockyer Valley, who miraculously survived the horrific torrent of water in January of this year. As they remember those friends and neighbours lost that day, we are so grateful that we still have each and every one of them, including the Pug dog!

Call me a crazy woman (as my sister-in-law actually did!), but I baubled the front garden. More joy, as I look out the windows and see these little rays of Christmas bobbing around in the trees!

I'm sending love to you and as far and wide as it will reach today. Merry Christmas!

Jane x

Saturday night at home...

2011-12-10T20:14:00.000+10:00

Hello lovely friends
It's been a busy week here with school finishing, already, was that a whole year that we've just had? I managed to fit in a little Ikea fix yesterday. It was the first time in my life that I have gone by myself, that is, without anyone asking 'when are we leaving?' Is that all too familiar? I saw so much good 'stuff' and found a 'task' lamp which now allows me to keep on creating into the night!

I hope you are soaking up the weekend for all it's worth. I've got some time to myself this weekend, so what's a girl with creative urges to do? Create of course. Here's what i've been up to.

I've dug out another of the ever beautiful cards from Barking Mad, artist Crispin Korschen. This one is titled 'listening to the quiet'. I had to have this card when I saw it because we have two red chairs in our sitting room, where I like to go for some 'quiet'. It's also where my husband and I like to drink tea. This finished little masterpiece will grace one of the walls in our sitting room.

Did you see the video I managed to upload a few months ago by Katherine Center? I love it to pieces and have been meaning to read one of Katherine's novels. I'll try and be tricky and include the video again in case you haven't seen it. Get a tissue!

Finally got her first one 'The Bright Side of Disaster' at the library the other night.

Nothing beats a beautiful leaf for a bookmark!

I'm catching up with some 'old' school friends tomorrow, most of whom I haven't seen since I was 15! Do you think they will still like me? I'm not the skinny sporty one anymore! So much life has been experienced in the 27 years inbetween.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Jx

wordless Wednesday

2011-12-07T20:55:00.000+10:00

Thankful Thursday

2011-12-01T14:42:00.000+10:00

I had intended to do a Wordless Wednesday, but that was yesterday and it didn't happen. So now I'm thankful that it's Thursday, I've finished work for the week and I can focus on some other exciting creative things!!

Today we've had some much needed rain, for which I'm thankful. So is my garden. As I looked out the window before I noticed there is a lot of pink flowers in bloom. How delightful! You deserve to share in this.

This stunning pic of my Buddha holding the pink rose quartz
is to get you to take a deep breath and relax.

My Fragrant Plum rose, smiling through the raindrops

Minature roses bustling to be in the front

A self-seeded Zinnia putting it out there with help
from the little yellow flowers in its centre!

The Butterfly bush looking a bit wild and free.

species unknown, possibly from the sage family.
nevertheless, very sweet.

Thanks for all of the lovely comments about my last post. In case you are wondering, i didn't have the baby! Been there and done that, twice in fact! I'm definitely done.

I hope your day has been a happy one.
Jane x

jane creative

2011-11-29T07:36:00.000+10:00

There is a precious new bundle of love in our family. To celebrate her, I made her something pretty for her room. What do you think?

Hope your week is off to a great start!

Jane x

As Australian as vegemite toast...

2011-11-25T08:16:00.000+10:00

The girls at 'chook headquarters' are often on the receiving end of our leftovers. Here's Louise enjoying some leftoever vegemite toast for her breakfast this morning. Does is get any more Australian than that?

Add caption

Happy thoughts to you for a great day!

Jane x

was she dreaming...

2011-11-24T22:38:00.002+10:00

or could she really hear the hooves of the wild horse approaching...

Yes, I have been playing in the garden with the fairies again! It's good for the soul.

Jane x

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-23T17:38:00.000+10:00

Dreaming Under the Kale

My first Wordless Wednesday post! That wasn't difficult at all.
Warm wishes to you.
Jane x

Simply beauty

2011-11-17T19:39:00.001+10:00

A random eucalypt leaf and my cute new crochet brochet!

Hello dear friends. I've been a bit slack haven't I? Lots of goings on at our house (including the passing of the hermit crab (RIP Trixie), which have left my blogging energy somewhat depleted. But, I'm feeling much better now. This was helped along by a lovely (Jane on her own) visit to the cottage garden nursery, come cafe, come antique/secondhand shop at East Brisbane. What a delightful way to spend some time. I even went so far as to sit in the cafe with my journal and do some writing while I enjoyed a cuppa and a piece of orange and almond cake. There was the most precious canary whistling his little heart out which added to the lovely atmosphere.

A batch of pikelets were in order this afternoon. These leftovers will be toasted for breakfast tomorrow.

I even made the most of an opportunity for a quiet sit down and a little pot of my 'flavour of the month' tea, French Earl Grey. MMmmmm, soothing and nurturing. I began a liver detox yesterday, so today my tastebuds had new ideas about what to eat, and I had that detox headache. Craving protein, so a steak on the BBQ for dinner tonight and back to eggs for breaky again. I just hope my chookies (sofia and louise) can keep me in good supply of eggs. It's times like now I wish I had six chooks for lots of eggs, but for our little 'city farm', two is enough.

On the creative side of things, I've been making these sweet garlands.

I hope you've discovered some simple beauty this week and had some 'you' time. It's nearly the weekend, have a good one!

Jane x

Happy Weekend

2011-10-21T14:58:00.000+10:00

Do you have any special plans for the weekend? Have you even had a chance to think about what you might LIKE to do on the weekend? I hope you can factor in some time just for you. This weekend I'm planning on doing another canvas extraordinaire! I think it will be a really good one too, since I am going to gather lots of great and inspiring ideas the Quilt and Craft Show tomorrow.

I recently finished reading My Heart Wanders, by Pia Jane Bijkerk. Have you read it? 10/10 for me.

I borrowed a few movies from the library the other day too. Not sure what to expect. Have you heard of... Another Year. The reviews on the cover say "Brilliant, heart-breaking, life-affirming and ceaselessly engrossing". and.. "intelligently uplifting". Sounds a bit like a review of me!
What about Big Fish with Ewan McGreor and Jessica Lange. Or, Silk, with Keira Knightly. If you've seen any of these movies, let me know if they are worth putting my feet up for!

Here's a few happy snaps of things around the house. The heartshapes I spotted in the carport. The orangey one is red dirt from my husbands recent trip to Birdsville and beyond. The other one is bits of squashed up lichen, dirt, leaves and a pigeon-pea seed.

A meaningful quote from someone very smart....
In a world where you can be anything, be yourself.

Hope your weekend turns out just how you want it to.

Jane x

From my window...

2011-10-18T17:23:00.000+10:00

Hello!

I've been sitting here for the last half an hour checking out some of my favourite blogs, admiring their creativity, having a laugh at the funny things, their commitment or ability to post so regularly. Then, all of a sudden, I thought... "Right, stop looking at what everyone else is doing, and do something for yourself Jane!"

I turned my eye to the window for inspiration. There is a fabulous blue sky, clouds blowing by and I can see the beginning of the magnificent bloom of the Jacaranda tree next door. For my friends in far away places, when the Jacarandas bloom about this time each year, it's a traditional reminder to students to start studying for end of year exams.

Can you see the little purple angel at the top of the tree? Magical isn't it. Not sure if it is my guardian angel or some amazing reflection of the lavender coloured flowers on the tree. I think I like the idea of guardian angel. Don't you love having the ability to imagine.

I had a great weekend decorating and moving things around the house. With help from my biggest fan (my husband) I've actually put some of my canvases on the walls around the house. I think it is that, combined with more clutter clearing, that has given the house a fresh new feeling of peace and calm.

I treated myself to a few new things on the weekend too. I got to spend time with one of my 'besties' and we did a little spot of shopping. Loving my purchases....

Angus & Julia Stone, Down the Way.
Fav track is number 3, called For You. how's this for lyrics...
'if you love me with all of your heart, i'll make you a star in my universe'

I feel so lucky to have found blogging and to have met the nicest of people. You are all 'stars in my universe'. Thank you. On that beautiful note, have a lovely rest of the week.

Jane x

PS. Note to self... 'Well Jane, your blogging friends and family love your creative side, so it's time you did too!'
PPS. A quote to back me up, from "When I loved myself enough" by Kim McMillen.

When I loved myself enough, I stopped trying to banish the critical voices from my head. Now I say, 'thank you for your views' and they feel heard. End of discussion.

Jane creative...

2011-10-10T06:14:00.000+10:00

Hello friends. Thanks for all the lovely emails and commets you have left me recently, and welcome to my new following friends. A few busy weeks have passed since my last blog. There have been a few lovely highlights which I though I'd share with you.

I've been creating again, Here is my latest little piece of art. Another fabulous Barking Mad card (titled Love Nest) in the centre of the canvas which I have added to with mixed media. What do you think?

With a little help from the LOML we've done some tidying in the room we call 'the love room'. It's a very multi-purpose room which contains the desk where we google and blog from, our library, ironing room, my craft cupboard (whose name is Joy), my sewing cabinet, dumping ground for lost and bewildered items. You get the general idea. While I was sorting and chucking, I came across this very old looking little crochet booklet. I would dearly love to learn how to crochet, some of my dear blogging friends do such amazing work. Maybe if I can find a crochet hook and some cotton, I could try this little guide to get me started!

A few weeks ago marked one year since the passing of my beautiful Gran. After her passing, we planted a rose (Peace) in our garden. I don't think it was any co-incidence that on this first anniversary of her passing, the rose gave us this...

On that special note, I wish you a wonderful week ahead.
Jane x

My Russian Twin

2011-10-02T08:07:00.000+10:00

Hello dear friends

In my little part of the world today, we have magnificent blue skies, a slight breeze (a great improvement to last nights gale force winds) and the birds are singing.

I guess you might be thinking, 'is Jane Russian', 'is she a twin'? I'm none of the above. This is my Russian Twin, my most magnificent Hippiastrum in bloom. Stunning isn't it. A gift to our garden from a special Aunt, in rememberance of a special Uncle.

One bloom inside the other, isn't that so clever!

Lots of lovely things have happened since I last blogged which seems like ages ago.

We've enjoyed a little refresher at the Gold Coast. Whales! I have never seen so many whales in my entire life. We could look out to sea at any daylight hour and in less than a minute (i kid you not), we would spot at least one, either a huge splash out to sea or the fine spray, or the slow rise and fall of them through the sea. What a treat. We felt so lucky, and my favourite word... grateful.

The first morning when I awoke for the sunrise, this is what I saw... At first I thought there must have been some kind of eclipse happening, but due to all the smoke haze around the previous day or two, this is the sun rise. Have you ever seen anything like it?

It's a bit blury because I zoomed my little camera in as far as I could!

On the way home from the coast, I took a short detour, via Ikea. I've been looking forward to a visit there since their 2012 catalogue landed in our letterbox recently. I had spotted a side table which we just had to have, the identical side table to one we found at the Woolloongabba Antique Centre sometime last year. $10 cheaper than we paid at the WAC too! Not to worry.

Whenever I go to Ikea, I always stock up on tealight candles. This time I found some jumbo tealights which are perfect for our outdoor lanterns. So, with a flatpack sidetable and a bundle of candles we make our way to the checkout. ahh, but wait there's more.... Very strategically placed, not far from the checkout I spot the forever useful, have always wanted one, stepladder. For $14.95, I stop and pick one up. I'm excited, I got to go to Ikea, got my candles and two flatpacks! The day ended on such a good note, as my wonderful husband happily constructed by purchases for me.

Hairy and Whiskas are the
guardians of the new table!

You know this Ikea stool. I'm thinking,
I might do some crazy collage on it.

Mega tealight, standard tealight

I have included a video which I saw on another beautiful Janes' blog, Life on Planet Baby, and asked her if she would mind if I could 'pay it forward'. Of course she agreed, I think we all need to see this, it will offer you something, whether you are a mother, daughter, wife, sister, friend or all of these. Full credit and applause to Kelly Corrigan for finding the words.

On the reading pile...

Dropped into the library and got these.
I had been waiting for My Heart Wanders
to come in. Do you have this, or have you read it?
Pia Jane has a beautiful blog.

I have just finished reading "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein. There were tears (i'm deeply emotional) in the final chapters. A wonderful read, the story told by Enzo the dog.

And I've just started reading "Hearts on a String" by Kris Radish. The prologue got me in immediately, where the Great-Grandmother teaches her grandaughter of "the precious, beautiful, sweet string that connects all women". "The string is a powerful force, my sweet girl. It allows women to lean into one another and find a sister when they need one. The string can never be broken. You can use it to pull yourself up, to pull yourself forward, or to steady the place where you must remain." I'm feeling it, are you? And just by co-incidence it ties in really well with Kelly's video above too.

oh, oh! In the time since I started writing this post, that 'breeze' I spoke of at the start, has decided to get windy agian. Hold onto your hats! I hope you find beauty in your surrounds today.
Jane x

Being a family

2011-09-12T21:27:00.000+10:00

Just a little bit of 'Jane creative' to share with you today....
I did this canvas yesterday afternoon and am happy with the outcome. what do you think?

I've seen this quote in a few places recently, unsure of it's origins but i love it and this will now grace one of the walls in our home.

Hope your week is off to a great start.

Jane x

Good Luck Sam!

2011-09-11T16:14:00.000+10:00

I've just read online that Sam Stosur has made it through to the US Open tennis final. What a wonderful achievement. Everyone in this house is cheering you on Sam.

Well, the wind has picked up again here this afternoon, but I have managed to get everything planted, watered in and nourished. Just the mulching left to go, later. I feel so enriched from being outside today, the warm sun beating down on me, the smell of the freshly dug earth, the huge native bees buzzing around my pigeon-pea bushes. It really is good for the soul. My neighbour gave me some bamboo to make stakes and tripods for the sweet peas and beans to latch onto. They look great if i do say so myself.

My best ever bee photo. Look at those little wings going.!

I hope the week ahead is happy for you.
Jane x

It's a beautiful day!

2011-09-10T17:15:00.001+10:00

"We are all travellers in life, and the best we can find on our journey is an honest friend."
by Robert Louis Stevenson

We have extreme westerly winds blowing crazily all over the place today, which I am using as my excuse not to be out in the garden planting my new seedlings and pots of herbs. Yes, I know I could put some cotton wool in my ears to protect me from an earache or borrow someones beanie. I would love to have a special groovy beanie.

However, it is still a beautiful day. The sun is shining at its best and I am so grateful for the strong metal roof over our heads. I hope your day is being filled with sunshine in some form.

My best thing I've done today is... go out to the airport and welcome home a very close friend (and her husband) who have been on the most amazing travel and work adventures for what seems like yonks, but it's not quite that long! While she was away, we chatted on the phone, emailed, followed each others blogs, and facebooked to keep in touch. So I am also very grateful for the wonderful advancements in technology to allow two special friends to not feel so far away from each other for all that time. But today at the airport, when the magic customs doors opened and there she was, it was the best moment! To see her real face and give her the biggest hug, to see with my own eyes that she is 'safely home' meant the world to me. This is the friend (among others) who was there for me in my most difficult days of my life. This is the friend who I have laughed and cried with, all in the same minute at times. This is also the friend who will transform into a 'rock chick' with me in December when we go to see Cold Chisel! I love you dear friend. Welcome home.

Other wonderful things have been happening too... I have some favourite websites, and I think it's only fair that I share them with you. Etsy! Say no more. I think you would have heard of them, bought from them, been inspired by them, perhaps you even sell with them. I love their daily email of fresh ideas and brilliance. The world is so blessed with amazing and talented people. I sometimes feel that as a member of blogland, through the new 'friends' I have made in different parts of the world, that the good people in the world, really, must surely, outweigh the bad (misguided). The give love, get love concept!

If you've ever been to Bangalow in Nthn NSW you might have walked around the corner from the main street and come across Lazybones. They have beautiful dresses, PJs, cushions, bedlinen and other yummy stuff. I love to shop in their online store where I often find little treasures (usually in the shape of PJs) in their sale section. So comfortable and easy to wear, and the service from placing my order to quick delivery is really great. They deserve this little bit of free advertising! So, check out http://www.lazybones.com.au/

Books, I love them and my current favourite place to buy books is from http://www.fishpond.com.au/ Have you tried them? I have found their prices and free delivery really really good. I spotted a book I "just had to have" recently when I was out shopping with a girlfriend. It was $22.50. On that day, I had already spent some "just for me" money and didn't want to stretch to buying the book. Long story short... I checked on Fishpond when I got home, same book, $13.30, free postage. Is it any wonder that we are losing some lovely bookshops around the place. That is pretty strong competition.

Do you read books? Novels? What kind do you like? I enjoy a bit of a mix up of mystery, personal discovery, friendship. A few authors I've enjoyed... Jodi Picoult (i read My Sisters Keeper before it was ever a movie and couldn't put it down), Liz Byrski (especially Belly Dancing for Beginners), Jane Green (Dune Road, The Beach House), Monica McInerney, Rachel Treasure (aussie author), Elizabeth Berg (especially The Pull of the Moon). I've just started The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. So far so good, I love a good story told through the eyes and ears of a dog!

I have come across some lovely quotes recently, which is stirring me to paint some more canvases. I'll show you soon. Enjoy the rest of your weekend friends.

Jane x