HAPPY NEW YEAR

Trusting everyone had a lovely Christmas!

All best wishes for a Happy and Healthy NEW YEAR!

Pic fireworks on Sydney Harbour. 

We are off to visit relatives and friends in QLD. 

Blessings, Jan

Christmas Concerts and 12/12/12

Christmas concerts underway, two tomorrow, 10am and 5pm

And our 12.12.12.@12.12. pic

Hugs and Blessings.

Christmas Kitten

My daughter's kitten, captured from Facebook...LOL

Hugs and Blessings

Surprise Old Times

I was checking around my internet sites this morning and there was a knock on the door.
I didn't exactly recognise the woman standing there!! It was Vivienne that I went to High School with in 1958 and 1959 and I had only seen her at a funeral in 1983 since then.  They were in town for the same party that my brother and wife were attending last night.
Well we had a good yarn... what happened to this one and that.... I was amazed that I remembered so many names from that era.
I can only say our brains or memory banks are astounding, the information we can pull up when called upon is unending.
They are getting on now, aren't we all, and have their property which was cleared by Bruce's father, on the market, as they would like to move into town.  However nothing is selling these days.  The History section of their website shows just how tough it was on the land in the late 1920s and 30s.
Wongalea

Last of November

Friday Evening and we have had a hot couple of days, 34C and about the same tomorrow.

### Lot of preparation for the Christmas carols in December.  I won't bore you with the details..LOL
I've  usually started writing our Christmas cards by now.  Well I've bought them and the stamps.

### A serious side of the week: I was invited by my friend whose sister died in Ireland to gather with her and friends to pray on the day of the funeral.

### We have still worked in the vege patch morning and evening, and I planted dwarf marigolds along the front  of it this morning. Some good old fashioned cardboard kept the sun off them on this blistering day, and the rocket I planted out yesterday is OK too.  Barry has been making protection from the sparrows and white cabbage moths for those that don't need the help of the bees.... the strawberries, lettuce, spinach, silver beet, kohl rabi, and kale and setting up a little irrigation scheme.

### I'm taking down "My Sunday Quote".  I was enjoying joining in some blog parties and thought it was a good idea, and that others might join me.   Never mind, it didn't work out.

This is another Christmas song that we liked at the thank you lunch we attended this week

Volunteer's Lunch

Today we attended the volunteer's thankyou lunch at one of the homes. During the welcome speech it was mentioned they have 87 people who come in as volunteers on a regular basis.

Being a country town, we knew quite a few there, including three other couples that put on concerts like we do. We were sitting in the midst of the Pastoral Care team as it was a hot day and Barry chose our seats under an air conditioning outlet, I don't know if it made any difference...LOL   Anyway it was quite pleasant in their new Activities Room. ..... oh yes I forgot to menion they have had a lot of  building cnstruction over the last couple of years, and it is all  so new they haven't had the official opening yet.

The staff who were looking after us sang us a few carols after the meal, and I was very interested in the Christmas Auld Lang Syne which I had not heard before.  Does anyone else know it?

When mistletoe and tinsel glow

Paint a yuletide valentine

Back home I go to those I know

For a Christmas auld lang syne

And as we gather 'round the tree

Our voices all combine

In sweet accord to thank our Lord

For a Christmas auld lang syne

 

When Sleigh bells ring and choirs sing

And the children's faces shine

With each new toy we share their joy

With a Christmas auld lang syne

We sing his praise this day of days

And pray next year this time

We'll all be near to share the cheer

Of a Christmas auld lang syne.

 

"Merry Christmas everybody and a Happy New Year"

 

In sweet accord to thank our Lord

For a Christmas auld lang syne.

 

Only found a couple of youtubes including this one by Marc Anthony.  To the tune of Auld Lang Syne, which we do a bit faster.

Flyer

My friend Lynn asked me to make a flyer for the end-of-year Christmas Party for the Monday Night Music Group Lynn runs and we help out with.

The group is held on two Monday nights a month and is an Outreach.  Everyone is welcome and regulars are  those who would not usually have a chance to perform, including three or four high school students, bolstered by several people who play for Seniors and Aged Care.

I do not expect we will be swamped with party-goers, though participants might persuade family or friends to attend, though they are always welcome, and some Seniors from the church will come.

Blessings, Jan

Sunday Quote #2

                               Joining in at My Sunday Quote,  

                                 Love to see your Quote post.

 

And Smiling Sally at Blue Monday



 

 

Hugs and Blessings, Jan

"GETTING IN THE MOOD FOR CHRISTMAS"

 

 

 I do feel the Christmas Season creeping up on me. Many of you may still have visitors for Thanksgiving, or are putting your feet up after the Black Friday Sales, but we don't have those here, and end of year functions are underway.

 

Whilst it would be ideal to have a quiet, reflective Christmas on a nice tropical island, it is not going to happen, and, living in a community, we do get swept along to a certain extent.  However, we don't do Santa and reindeers and all that culture, at home or in our concerts.

 

Many of the numbers in the One Voice Choir concert I attended this week were Christmas Carols, and I left the venue feeling the Chistmas season is upon us.  "Carols and Fireworks" is on along the road tonight and  the Christmas party for one of the organisations we belong to, tomorrow. 

 

Christmas Blues

I first became aware of Christmas Blues when I was in a church with quite a few 30+ single people who got quite depressed that life hadn't panned out how they had hoped and they suffered for a few weeks around their birthday, and felt the same around Christmas: no-one liked them, no-one had invited them.  That is the time for them to be proactive and make some arrangements with others in the same boat, go into the Christmas season confidently with plans.

 

As my son always works (on the Gold Coast) over Christmas, and we are not travelling to Sydney to see all the relatives there, we are having Christmas with close friends, and I've decided how I'm doing the ham and a few other things. 

 

Hoping that the Christmas season will be a happy and holy time for you and your loved ones.

Hugs and Blessings,

Jan

Six Words

Thanks to Cate for hosting Six Words Saturday. To join in click the image.

 

"Meeting friends and trip to Emergency"

 

Met up with friends for  our Saturday morning coffee and a good laugh as usual.

 

But there was an unexpected twist to the day. Barry had been stung by a bee this morning, first time ever, as the trees in the backyard have lots of blossoms and bees just now.  On the advice of the Pharmacist we ended up at Emergency this afternoon (that is how we see a doctor if it isn't 9-5 Mon to Fri).  No drama, the doctor said it was localised and the swollen area could go half way up his arm, not to worry unless it got to his armpit.

 

Love you to join in My Sunday Quote and help get it going.

 

Blessings for a pleasant weekend.

Hugs, Jan







 

 

Friday

Time to think back over the week and jot down our Friday Fragments.

 

### We were expecting friends to stay in their motorhome Sunday night to Tuesday morning on their way back to their homebase from Brisbane, as friend Peter was keen for Barry to take him out to Frank's farm for the day to try out his new bow and arrow.  However with all the rain we had, Frank said they wouldn't be able get past the front gate at the farm. Then there was a good chance they might get bogged if they came into our yard, so it was called off.  However Peter said "we still might call in"...... well I cut him off at the pass on that one.  We would have been home if they were definately calling in, but we were cancelling one of our favourite times of the week, our Monday morning music session with Glennys.
 
Do you think it is rude for people to expect you to stay home in case they 'might call in'?





Pics of the farm



### Wednesday was our last concert for November and it was for a Seniors Club, rather than in a nursing home, and I don't know why, but I get a bit stressed about these, the choice of songs etc, and yet they always go wonderfully well, watching the people's faces and their obvious enjoyment, and being complimented that they knew all the songs this time.... I wonder what other artists present to them......  LOL.

Pic of Barry leaving the venue.

 

### My dear friend Lynn phoned with the news that her sister who had cancer has died in Ireland. Their prayers were answered that it would not happen right on Christmas, for the family's sake.

 

### Attended the One Voice Choir concert last night with Glennys. Beautiful singing, including some very old numbers that we don't usually hear.

 

### Do hope you will join me with a "My Sunday Quote" this week.

Joining in with Mrs4444 at Friday Fragments

Have a great weekend!
Hugs and Blessings,
Jan

Hometown

 

I see the tip of this spire and cross from my kitchen window, so snapped it as I walked home from "Voices of Praise" yesterday.

 

Joining in with Smiling Sally at Blue Monday

                           Gemma at Ruby Tuesday2

                               and Outdoor Wednesday.

 

Hugs and Blessings.





My Sunday Quote

 

"There is nothing impossible to him who will try"  

Alexander  The Great of Macedon, 356 BC-323 BC

I saw an interview about the exhibition Alexander the Great: 2000 years of treasures, opening this month in Sydney. It features the largest collection of treasures ever to come to Australia from the world famous State Hermitage in St Petersburg, Russia. Sculptures as large as Hercules and the Lion and Aphrodite are included. So I just had to find a quote so that I could post about the exhibition

 

(from Daily Telegraph)

Do these exhibitions fascinate you?  Have you seen this one or any other famous ones? 

I can recall seeing the Lost City of Pompeii and China's Terracotta Warriers exhibitions in Sydney and some famous museums on my travels.

Now I invite you to link up your quote post. Any Questions check here
Hugs and Blessings,
Jan

Six Words

NEW OUTFIT DECEMBER CONCERTS ..... HA HA

For the December Christmas concerts I wear a red shirt and white bottom half...  I went shopping today for a new outfit at our regional city, but I came back empty- handed!

All the white 3/4 pants I tried were very fitted, and tight right down the legs, not suitable for someone like me a bit wide in the beam!  And I did not see one suitable red shirt, a few clingy unsuitable ones, yes.

So I kept my money in my pocket and will make do with last year's model. 

Thanks to Cate for hosting Six Words Saturday.
 

Hugs and Blessings, Jan

Friday Again

 

Friday Fragments is a great idea to journal the bits and pieces from the week.

### On Saturday we  picked our first two cobs of sweet corn and ate them raw right there, absolutely delicious.

### Sunday was Remembrance Day and I walked down town for the wreath-laying ceremony. It was awesome to see so many showing respect in suits with their medals, and especially the school children smart in their uniforms as they also went through the formalities and laid their wreaths.

### Monday we went to Glynnis' place to play a few songs with her as usual. Glynnis has two mandolins, which she plays by ear, Barry sings, so we don't lose our place, and plays guitar and mandolin, and I play ukulele.  Glynnis has sent for a Medieval song book and CD by Allan Alexander, so I daresay we will be playing those soon.

### Tuesday, concert at Coraki, and as usual I had forgotten my camera and I took a photo of their dog with my camera, my first photo with the camera,  story in previous post, along with my struggle to access the photo.  Eventually I had another look at the instructions and downloaded PC Suite..... and got the photo onto the laptop, but not before all the photos on the laptop started to upload to a file for the camera, which I hastily stopped, and eventually opened a field to just download from the camera to the laptop.

### Wednesday the last bible study for the year and we went to the Golf Club for lunch to round off the year.

### Thursday another concert and we had some good chats with a few people including the Activities Officer.

### Today Friday was so hot, the hottest in the state at 37C, though not the hottest on record here which was 42.2C in 1995.

Also been having a bit of trouble with the computer very slow and sometimes no service, haven't been on as much as I would have liked.

See you at Mrs4444

Take care and have a lovely weekend!
Hugs and Blessings.

Eclipse

This morning there is something pleasant on TV..... the countdown to the total eclipse at Cairns, Northern QLD.  Thousands of people have travelled from all over the world, and you may even be watching it, as the audience is mentioned as 20 million. Pic above from FB.

I've had  a frustrating time though.  Yesterday I took  a photo with my camera for the first time.... that was exciting enough, whether I was going to press the wrong button and delete it.... and I have spent more than half an hour this morning trying to get the use of it.... without success.  I got the instruction book out and turned on the email, went through all that, and the email failed. And I can't see how to send it to my Facebook to save it from there.   I am going to meet friends this morning, someone might be able to help me!!!!

We were giving our concert at one of the nursing homes and their delightful little dog was sleeping in one of the armchairs, so sweet..... I was so sorry I didn't have my camera, so I took a photo with my phone.

After about a hour she got up... went to a door that didn't open automtically, and I could see her remembering that it wouldn't open, and she turned and went to the other end of the room to the automatic  doors.   Later she came back in and waited to be let through to the dementia wing when residents were being taken back there for lunchtime.  Did I say she is such a delightful dog!!!!

Hugs and Blessings
Jan

MONDAY QUIZ

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me hosted by Acting Balanced and Touristic Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer and then you have the option to add a fifth question of your own for those who are visiting your blog to answer in the comment section, along with commenting on your post! :
And now for this weeks Questions:
1. What is your favourite kind of soup?
Any homemade vegetable soup 

2. When was the last time you saw snow?
A very light dusting at my daughter's in the Blue Mountains a couple of years ago.

3. What is a must have trait if someone is going to live with you?
Respect comes to mind.

4. Who was your favourite James Bond?
I have never seen a Bond movie, but of course we see them discused now and again, and I'll go for Roger Moore.

My 5th Question:5.
Do you like cooking, or is it a necessary chore?
We eat simply, and it is very rare that I prefer something bought to my own.

 See you on your post.

Hugs and BlessingsJan

SUNDAYS IN MY CITY–BIG BAND DANCE

2012-11-10T20:21:00-05:00

retired not tired

SIX WORD SATURDAY

Joining in with Cate

OUR INTERESTING DAY AT COMMUNITY GARDEN.

We knew that our town has a community garden and had walked by now and again to see how it was going. Then we saw in the paper there was to be an open day today, so decided to attend.

As you know we have our own vege garden, but I thought we might get some tips, and the local Garden Guru, Phil Dudman, who broadcasts nationally on ABC Radio was to be in attendance.

  

I can report it was a very interesting day, with guest speakers, and demonstrations of making a compost heap, and Phil's idea for an experimental garden plot.  Lunch was provided and I was particularly interested in the lightly steamed sweet potato stems and leaves in one of the salads.

The final session was on biodynamics and planting by the moon, illustrated with charts.

They were asking people to join, and we did, though we are not interested in having a plot. They would like members to help on Tuesdays, but that is not a good day for us. 

The next open day they will be making a cob pizza oven. I am looking forward to seeing that.

Love and Blessings

FRIDAY NEWS

Joining in at Mrs4444 Friday Fragments

Much needed heavy rain at the moment, without the forecast storm.

Had some exciting news last night, my daughter let me know she had puchased tickets to take me to see Andre Rieu in Sydney next year. 

I collected the book by Billy Graham, Nearing Home, yesterday.  I am reading straight through it first, and will go back and study it later.  It is a brilliant book for people of all ages, for compassionate family members who wish to understand the feelings of older people, a reminder for those nearing retirement to prepare for it, and consolation for the aged who are losing their strength.

Concerts yesterday and today.  Barry was very touched by one gentleman that we have known for a while who is now bedridden.  He clasped Barry's  hands and cried when Barry was saying hello.   I think Barry is questioning if he can carry on, seeing people growing weaker and passing on.  We have commitments until the end of the year  (and already some bookings for 2013), but Barry has asked me to turn down any new requests that might come in for this year.

 For new readers we entertain at nursing homes and for seniors groups averaging about six times a month, under the banner Crumbs of Comfort.  Here is link to our Facebook page.  (I don't know if it works if you don't have FB).  Basically Crumbs of Comfort  means passing on some of the Comfort that we receive from Him, though one Activities Officer challenged me saying we pass on a lot more than 'Crumbs'.

Still raining...... many months since such good heavy rain..  Grateful that there is no wind, or storm.

Hugs and Blessings,
Jan

Pondering on Thursday

The topic for Pondering with a Purpose this week at Brenda's Hop is Independent

 

My first thought is of the Independents in our federal government who have a lot of power as neither  of the main parties obtained the numbers to form government and secret deals were done by the Labour party to secure the votes of the Independents and thus govenment.

 

And do I think of myself as an independent person? Yes, but I am wise enough to know when to draw on my husband for assistance, a good example today.  I collected my bicycle wheel from the repair shop, and when I returned to the car, Barry noticed immediately that the quick release lever was missing.  As I don't know much about it, I took him along when I went back to the shop. First of all they said it wasn't on the wheel when we took it in, and I would not have known, but Barry was able to convince them it was, and we left with one, even though it may not have been our original.

 

Looking back over the years, I am happy with my level of independence, travelling to UK and Europe on my own, working in the city, even doing long boat deliveries, the most memorable from Yeppoon QLD down coast of NSW, across Bass  Strait to St Helens in Tasmania, in a 10 meter crab boat, that one just with the master mariner.

 

Another source of independence is of course money, and in early years decisions were made for me, but since about 1980 anyway I have not had to ask for money and whilst we share the bills and large items are discussed, we have always kept our money separate, and each make up our own minds on our expenditure.

 

Love and Blessings.

Garden Update

Yes I have a vege garden!

I often say how I love hearing the birds we have in our small yard.

Yesterday I was quite taken aback to find that all my new lettuce seedlings had been stripped, just the  ribs left.  They had been struggling in the heat and I had completely lost three or four of them already so they are a sad sight.  I knew it was the sparrows as the plant nurseries have a problem keeping them at bay.    Then as I looked out the kitchen window this morning, a sparrow helped itself to a strawberry.

Barry is building arches covered with a very low % shade cloth over some of the beds to keep the white moths off and help against the heat, but he hadn't put the ends on.  They will be mainly on the leaf plants that need shade and not bees. He is also getting together a timed irrigation system which will gently water the vege garden.

It is a compromise as we love the trees, the birds, and we have plenty of bees, and we have to work something out to keep the birds as well as the white moths and the heat off the vegetables.

The veges that have germinated this week are sweetcorn, lebanese cucumber, radish,and  kohl rabi. I thought I would take a shortcut with the lettuce, as my previous crop did not survive a few recent hot days.  I also have 8 corn plants with immature cobs on them, and I am getting  one or two each of apple cucumbers,  yellow squashes, and zucchini each day. We also have limited rhubarb, beetroot, silver beet, kale, spinach, rocket,  several herbs and the last of the tomato crop.

No pics yet....

 

Now joining in with Cate at Six Word Saturday with Yes  I have a vege garden.

 

 

Hugs and Blessings, Jan

 

Four Fill-In

Joining in with Hilary for the Four Fill-in Fun Blog Hop!

   

This week’s statements:

1. Growing up, I was the oldest of five children.
2. Wouldn’t peace on earth be wonderful?
3. If I hadn’t gone sailing that time, then I never would have met my hubby.
4. When I go out locally, I like to walk as often as possible.

 Hugs and Blessings,
Jan

I'm walking here

I'm joining in with a pic taken earlier in the year when my oldest grandaughter was out from the UK, visiting her Mum, my daughter, who lives in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney  and family.

At Katoomba, one of the well-known spots, with many walks in the area.

Also linked with Touristic... some lovely pics there!!!!

Chat at the Farmhouse

I'm going over to meet up with Patrice on the Farmhouse Porch., though the weather is a problem today.

Our thoughts and prayers with all those affected by the horrendous Sandie.  I got up this morning to a lovely fresh day after a very welcome heavy shower of rain during the night. 

This Week's Questions

1. How are you when there is a storm? My first memories of storms are watching them with grandparents from their front verandah... a good memory and storms don't bother me.
2. Are you doing anything special in November? No, just all the usual.
3. Do you wear glasses or contacts? Glasses, have never considered contacts.
4. Salty snacks or sweets? I still buy a packet of potato chips occasionally, against my better judgment.
5. Who would you bring to the farm with you for a chat, a tour, or perhaps a visit with Wendell? My husband would love a trip to a farm....  would be lovely to meet Wendell.  I occasionally rode bareback on the farm as a child, and the last time we went riding was at a  forest trail, many years ago.

Blessings.

Strings Attached

 

Lovely concert here yesterday afternoon.  Being a small town one always knows quite a few people when anything is on, and I attended with a close friend.  The director/pianist is in one of my exercise classes, and one of the singers is the nurse at the medical practice, all the vocal quartet work locally. Their harmony was beautiful.  All the Strings players teach at the Conservatorium in our regional city and I daresay such talent has not been heard in our town before.

Still noticing all the beautiful jacaranda trees blossoming round town.

Hugs and Blessings.



Dawn on the Clarence

 

Psalm 118:24   This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

 

Joining in at Weekend Reflections

 

Hugs and Blessings.

Follow Friday #85

Each week, Hilary lists four statements with a blank for us to fill in on our own blogs. 

This week’s statements:

1. My love of public speaking is my favorite feature.

2. Thinking about Tilda getting old makes me sad.

3. It’s been a long time since I travelled overseas.

4. I just don’t understand people who have to "keep up with the Joneses"

To join the 85th weekly Follow Friday Four Fill-in Fun Blog Hop click here

Hugs and Blessings.

Another lesson learnt

Today was a lovely day for a bike ride, so we set off to visit friends, do a couple of messages and take a few photos on the way. It is lovely and flat here, and we often walk or cycle and only take the car when we have to get the grocery order.

The pic shows a native flora, Kangaroo Paw in one of the garden plots in the main street of our country town.

We only rode on for two blocks and I was well ahead. As I passed a motel entrance I was knocked down by a car coming out of the driveway. There was a high hedge and the vehicle was not visible, but it was my fault as I was riding on the footpath which stretched empty for blocks before me.

Fortunately the driver, an elderly gent, was able to stop immediately and apart from a ruined blouse, and a few bruises I am fine. The front wheel is very slightly buckled. God was watching over me. Barry was a bit annoyed as I had told him about having to stop suddenly as a car came out of a driveway a few weeks ago, and he felt I had not learned from that.

I don't know if I mentioned it, but I had a much worse spill a couple of months ago, when my front wheel ran into the groove between the concrete path and the grass, and I fell very heavily on the side of my chest and head that time and was very thankful for my helmet.

Children under 12 are allowed to ride on the footpath, but after my experience, any street there are concealed driveways should be off limits for cyclists.

I always wear my helmet and I will stay on the road in future!

I respect Guy Penrod and share this song:

Joining in with Rory at Coffee Chat. This is a long post, and the Linky is at the foot.

Hugs and Blessings

Hodge Podge

1. So, do you like beer?
*I have never tasted beer, and it got to the stage that I was quite pleased to be able to say that.

2. What's your least favorite repetitive task?
*Cleaning windows and the bistro blinds on the deck.... they all are in dire need of attention now.

3. When was the last time you rode a bus? Where was it headed?
*To Brisbane in QLD for the Craft and Quilt Fair.... a local group hires the bus, and it is a good day out with ladies I know, and I meet my sister there for the day.

4. What song from your childhood or from your own children's childhood could make a parent's nerves stand on end?
*My son played the Rolling Stones number "Roll Over lay Down etc"loudly every morning when he was at that obstreperous teen age. He still loves The Stones.

5. The US Presidential election cycle is drawing to a close (can I get an AMEN??), and the third and final debate was held last night...what was the last thing you 'debated about'?
*We have discussions these days, can't remember a debate, and it is often better to retire gracefully from the conversation..... change the subject, if the other person is getting upset that you aren't agreeing with their opinion.

6. Can a person make too much money? How much is too much?
* I thought of the use of money... it is good to see those who have done well in life giving back and giving a helping hand to those in need, in contrast to those who see the need to outdo each other in the lavish lifestyle.

7. Pop-soda-coke-something else...what's it called where you live?
* We drink as much water as we can.  I do see people buying coke, which I have never tasted, and soft drinks by the carton at the supermarket.

8. Insert your own random thought here.   Here's one from my file.... my mind is a blank at the moment....LOL

You to can join in Hodge Podge, just head on over to Joyce's for the questions and to link your post.

 

Hugs and Blessings

Learn to Swim

A topic in the news this week is one of the nation's leading swimming bodies calling for compulsory learn-to-swim programs at schools,  to halve the number of drowning deaths by 2020.

That reminded me of the spot where I learnt to swim. It was compulsory that students at Coffs Harbour High School swim  50 metres, in the gloomy creek upstream from here, before participating in any other summer sport.  I went by there last year and took these photos.   I can't imagine a learn-to-swim program taking place in a creek only about 200 yards from the ocean these days.

 

Joining Susan at Outdoor Wednesday

 

Hugs and Blessings,

Jan

My Simple Woman's Daybook

It is a while since I put my thoughts to a Daybook. 

Outside my window... Dark now. It was hot the last few days, very windy last night and cooler today.   Coming into Summer and over 100F last Saturday.

I am thinking... back to when I first heard about blogging, and followed a link to the Daybook from a contact on Multiply.

I am thankful...  Yes I am always thankful, for family, friends, our home and way of life.

In the kitchen... Barry is checking out our latest fermented vetetables. In our hot climate we only make up about 5-6 litres at a time. We are pleased how delicious they are.

I am wearing... just changed into nightwear

I am creating... working out a new banner for my friend Lynn.  I see I have already posted a pic of the last one I made for her. Here it is anyway.

I am reading... I'm beween fiction at the moment, but have a delightful little book 'The Celtic Heart - Reflections for Life's Journey' by Liz Babbs with a CD that I am dipping into again.  Wow Amazon has it for $167+ post, surely that is an error, and at a UK store GBP7.99

I am looking forward to... a couple of weeks away after Christmas, just phoned for details today.

Around the house... trying to keep tidy as usual.

A favorite quote for today...  from The Celtic Heart: "There are many ways of taking 'time out' to become still: silence, music, visual imagery, reading the Bible... or sitting in the garden or going for a walk. Your spiritual journey is precious and unique, so there is no 'right' or 'wrong' way to be with God."

One of my favorite things... the obvious is my laptop, keeps me in touch with my family and allows me to entertain myself on here, or look up anything I require, such as when we hear in  a phone call that a relative has a particular condition.  My daughter was holidaying in UK and France the last few weeks and she put masses of pics on Facebook... and I have a Grand living in UK, and the others in Sydney area.... I would be out of it all without my laptop.  Here's my daughter posing as a statue at Avignon.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Just normal routine, concert in Lismore tomorrow, exercise class on Thursday. We were expecting visitors, and they were halfway here, had a call that Julie took ill and they have returned home to Sydney area.

A peek into my day... I stayed home all day... doesn't happn very often, cleaning and gardening this morning, cooked our main meal at lunchtime and relaxed this afternoon.  Actually Barry was out and I ate a packet of biscuits, which doesn't help my aspirations to weigh less by Christmas! 

This is pic of Jacarandas that I promised, that I saved from my son's Facebook.

Thanks to Peggy for her inspiration for the Simple Woman's Daybook.  Click here to join in.

Hugs and Blessings,
Jan