tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55728718269920564072024-03-14T04:09:22.854+11:00this cup in my handameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15946793987954050976noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572871826992056407.post-23185627053290845872016-11-09T11:15:00.001+11:002016-11-09T11:16:03.604+11:00dipping my toes, back into the inky deepAs i slide across the kings of the sea<br />
their power rolls beneath me.<br />
The smooth silken touch of their inky skin<br />
beckons me to slide on in.<br />
<br />
The clouds begin to steal their metal hue<br />
these royals turn pearled-copper.<br />
<br />
a.<br />
<br />
a long time between drinks, to be continued...ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15946793987954050976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572871826992056407.post-3433856031304194722013-11-18T16:14:00.000+11:002013-11-18T16:14:43.289+11:00goodness in the gardening
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<br />
<div class="Body1">
<span lang="EN-US">my
small suburban slice of paradise, has been flourishing in the most unlikely
circumstances of late. one small previously forgotten patch in particular. </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span lang="EN-US">through
pains and frustrations of recent times, I've been tilling the soil of that
little patch and letting my angry sweat drip into the ground and pushing my
body to ache over the repetitive actions to move said ground. my mind is
cleared while I press into the dirt and mix it with tools and bare hands, and
when I pluck the weeds right down at that thick, ground-level stump to see the
dirty roots flick about with sudden velocity. everything is gone. dissipated, I
believe, into the air about my face and limbs, the ground I'm working below and
even way up into the sky above me. up, that's where I think everything that at
one point was fogging up the tiny little windows in my mind goes, to breathe a
bit. those thoughts need breath too. and they require wisdom. i think my body
holds to them too tightly sometimes, with too much anger and grief. </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span lang="EN-US">I'm
satisfied that as I commit myself to life and thought in the practice, in
doing, I am able to work through and till the soil of my most muddy times. I've
never thought I've been very good at growing and most importantly cultivating
vegetables. it seems more so that all I needed was the <i>need</i> to dig and move that soil around, to watch for pesky pretty
butterflies from the kitchen window. to wave and ward them off my broccoli and
pumpkin. the things in my mind are real and heavy and will stay for a while to
come, but I think I need to use what God has given me to develop them and till
them still, to see them flourish like my tomato plants and zucchini <i>towers.</i></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span lang="EN-US">i
am thankful for some of my anger and most of my strength, as without it i would
not have fresh garden vegetables on my table this coming summer. I am finding
myself quite capable in the patch, quite able. </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<i><span lang="EN-US">who knew, and did not tell me
that zucchini plants really need space, a lot of it...my poor carrots</span></i><span lang="EN-US">.</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: #0400; mso-bidi-language: X-NONE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: #0400;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8l2PMffD_chaQAuyPf1MtoCr4_HLHr35BJDpR_KPEsneQlE3KhMJaLV_mcl6I9CfbHo-7ez02T-j1feJLPsWQ7E5DFYflCo-1f084xy_GFNxp3E2H6oeDZjQs3liZy4IpqHm6WvBrlVP4/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8l2PMffD_chaQAuyPf1MtoCr4_HLHr35BJDpR_KPEsneQlE3KhMJaLV_mcl6I9CfbHo-7ez02T-j1feJLPsWQ7E5DFYflCo-1f084xy_GFNxp3E2H6oeDZjQs3liZy4IpqHm6WvBrlVP4/s320/photo.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15946793987954050976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572871826992056407.post-7310345581220915412013-01-15T15:40:00.001+11:002013-01-15T15:40:47.554+11:00my Grandmas linen
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<br />
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Her thick Polish slur still rings in my
ears, despite not having lived near her some 20 years. Being away from her, my
family would sit at the dinner table issuing funny slogans of hers in our best
Polish-imbued Aussie twang, <i>“Argh, my swveety-line!”.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">My Babunia left Poland as the war drew to a
close, around 1944-45. Due to her families wealth they had not lived the worst
of the war in Poland but moved to Vienna, Austria to seek refuge. Yet they lost
everything they had, which was quite a bit considering my great-grandfather
owned a factory and ran a healthy sized business. This lead to the family’s
relocation to Perth, with three grown children in tow, Victor, Richard and
Halina along with a large faction of other Eastern Europeans displaced from
their shattered homes and fractured cultures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Halina was reunited with her old beau from
Poland, Jurek (George). They married and settled in a migrant camp in the
middle of the dry Australian bush of south Western Australia. A place so far
from home, so unfamiliar. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Speaking no English and knowing no-one,
this married couple kept living as they had in their homeland, where food and
hospitality was a mainstay, nah, a requirement of living. So, Babunia cooked,
baked and kept her house clean, not only in the 1950’s housewife tradition but
also in her Polish tradition. She made cakes, hosted parties and slow cooked
Goulash while Dziadzia worked hard, the kind of hard we don’t know today, as a
fitter and turner. He would come home and listen to records or get together
with his German friends and play old ballads of their homelands. Whether he was
playing violin, accordion or piano – he had great joy making music, beautiful
music.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">So, I sit at this table now, that once was
theirs, and with a wistful heart reminisce what this tablecloth beneath my arms
has seen. The meals it has carried and the spills it has drawn to its core. I
can still smell the starch and washing powder she washed it in for some thirty
years, and see some of the remnants of food that she, (to her great shame)
could not completely remove. I don’t mind the stains, or the broken lace on the
fringe, because my Babunia and Dziadzia sat here, ate here and lived with this
same linen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Heirlooms can be weighty and can be trivial,
but heirlooms can also be memory and sound and vision. It is the best when all
of these come together in a full image of the people we know and knew. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>a.</b></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15946793987954050976noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572871826992056407.post-47180438102764405242012-06-13T19:18:00.000+10:002012-06-13T19:18:40.831+10:00one of those nights.i inhale the rich smokey essence of my 12 year aged scotch whiskey as it draws ever closer to my mouth, in the cool glass. its a quiet night here, and i am making the most of it. i'm fighting the patriotic urge to switch on the tv set and watch the football game between warring states, knowing full well that that would ruin the solitude and silence here felt. so instead, i'm going to bake something, maybe a few things. i have some girlfriends coming over tomorrow night for some crafting and making, and i want to serve sweet treats and goodness so we can fumble away the night with happy hearts <i>and</i> bellies. I think i'll craft some of <a href="http://graingirls.blogspot.com.au/2011/04/popcorn-for-sweet-tooth.html" target="_blank">that</a> chewy caramel corn, and some pretty strawberry iced cupcakes (with special Hershey's strawberry syrup).<br />
<br />
it will be a nice evening - one with jazz playing on the long player, whiskey in hand (still) and quiet service to friends.<br />
<br />
<b>a.</b>ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15946793987954050976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572871826992056407.post-39113324795641139602012-06-03T13:20:00.000+10:002012-06-03T13:21:36.312+10:00rainy weekend at homethis weekend has been one of indoor quietude. not quite like that quietude that Wendell Berry encourages, of stillness, sans technology and open ears to the birds and the trees. (we live in suburbia, up the street from the coal train line and just over the hill from the steel works - there isn't much of <i>that</i> quietude 'round here.)<br />
<br />
but, instead, we've stayed in bed longer than usual, drank more cups of tea than usual and explored new areas of this, our 'new town'. as the rain fell yesterday we took the northern distributor to visit some of the nicer northern suburbs that lay between the towering escarpment and the rocky coastline. we huddled under the leaky umbrella and our hoods, watching some mediocre waves roll over the famous Sandon Point. it was my first visit to the famed break. it was pretty beautiful, with the deep inky seas, rolling white horses and voluptuous clouds above.<br />
<br />
today, i laid in bed again, keeping safe from the chill and read some of my <a href="http://www.arthouseamerica.com/blog" target="_blank">favourite blogs</a>. after a trip to the corner store i starting baking; some of the tastiest ginger cookies that suit this melancholy weather perfectly.<br />
<br />
<b>a.</b>ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15946793987954050976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572871826992056407.post-39170548727782477882012-06-02T19:32:00.003+10:002012-06-03T13:20:42.895+10:00some words from another timei found this <i>funny old thing</i> while pulling out a heavy book (on Contemporary Painting in Poland, no less), from the book case. i wrote it back in 2008 - many moons ago, while drowning the friday afternoon sorrows, alone, in a pub, in a town i didn't belong. its a pretty sad story.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
THE PUB </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(the title is questionable i know - at least i can say it reflects...well something.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
at the pub, people speak,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of footy clubs and winning horses,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
games they've won </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and tales of losses.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
amoung the chatter and the bellows,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
others wait for tucker;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
throwing down schooners,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of all things light, dark and bubbly.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
finally on arrival, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the food can silence the crowd.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
munching and swallowing </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
until all stomachs are full.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the crowd is loud again, at the pub.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the food is over and</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
schooners almost dry.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a long hard day, is waving goodbye.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
me. 2008. nelsons bay.</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
raise a glass, if you would, to all things aussie...and bogan. this ones for you <a href="http://thebeetleshack.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">em</a>, to go with my <a href="http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/ford-f100-1977-12653731?base=1216&vertical=Car&cr=6&eapi=2&__N=1246%201247%201252%201282%204294966463%204294965923%201216&silo=Stock&Range=Price:Min,10000~0.5&sort=default" target="_blank">effy</a>.</div>
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<b>a.</b></div>ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15946793987954050976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572871826992056407.post-34009567711130795312012-04-27T09:35:00.000+10:002012-04-27T09:35:17.897+10:00that ol' man, Romancei've been enjoying myself of late, having recently concluded 2 weeks of holidays, i feel like i've been rested and had time to reflect on beautiful things (instead of programs, reports and professional development).<br />
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things like romance - in the true 19th century literary sense of the notion; the enlightened vision to the truth of beauty and essence of human emotion. i must interject and tell y'all where this strange romantic impulse and conviction came from - one quiet afternoon in my holidays i visited a friend, and we sat in her living room as the day's light fell and watched Jane Eyre (the newest, most beautiful version of this painfully beautiful story, with Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender). i was earnestly transfixed, quite. and it wasn't just Fassbender i was transfixed by...maybe not, anyway.<br />
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its not the first time i've been consumed and entranced by the beauty of the 'old romantics'. remember my thing for <a href="http://thiscupinmyhand.blogspot.com/2010/07/bright-star.html" target="_blank">John Keats</a> and Bright Star? something captures me in this writing. i had a serious long think about it over the holidays, and enjoyed myself in the process.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/iTi_FMS1spE" width="560"></iframe><br />
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so, i beseech you, enjoy this marvelous moment in film.<br />
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<b>a.</b>ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15946793987954050976noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572871826992056407.post-80371510355560694612012-03-24T21:22:00.005+11:002012-03-24T21:45:11.951+11:00. : the eve : .<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpn9w5Rx0FkS8SFyjhETMuNzT5tuEYdY15bwTM8j6Rgl4dxpsmd8DqfvrZ_nu1BEG0BYm0e11oiOQd6d_33SEDap1q6RbmZ-k55_tDUBF5S1b985kC2KrZZHj-jbcATJ-RyuOtMarasJS/s1600/IMG_6053.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpn9w5Rx0FkS8SFyjhETMuNzT5tuEYdY15bwTM8j6Rgl4dxpsmd8DqfvrZ_nu1BEG0BYm0e11oiOQd6d_33SEDap1q6RbmZ-k55_tDUBF5S1b985kC2KrZZHj-jbcATJ-RyuOtMarasJS/s400/IMG_6053.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723412444091683410" /></a>...of my first south coast market adventure.<div><br /></div><div>i'm excited and a little nervous. but thoroughly prepared, enough so that my mother would be suitably proud. i might even fill a thermos of hot tea in the morning, as to have plentiful cups of tea on hand throughout the day, in the Berlach tradition. at some stage though, i will visit <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Devonshire-Sea-at-Coledale-markets/156908391093676">these guys</a> and enjoy some real, fresh brewed 'lavender grey' goodness.</div><div><br /></div><div>its an amazing locale for a market. the school where its held, Coledale Public School, is wedged between the escarpment and the rocky sea cliffs. if you had a good kick on 'ya, you'd lose your ball to the sea every day at recess. (they must kick north to south, then.)</div><div><br /></div><div>so i'll get a good nights rest, ready for a big day ahead.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>a.</b></div>ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15946793987954050976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572871826992056407.post-82579135516849242582012-02-07T18:21:00.004+11:002012-02-07T18:40:47.771+11:00. : new : .<div style="text-align: left;">like i said i would do, i have adapted my mantle display with the coming of new art acquisitions and differing floral offerings.</div><div><br /></div><div>its one of the things i love about this new place, and hopefully something that i won't tire of or cease to enjoy, as the time slips on through this year. over the weekend we were able to pick up an amazing photographic work by <i><a href="http://thespanishbowline.blogspot.com.au/">this guy</a></i>. we had bought the piece in an exhibition a month ago...and were patiently waiting for it over the extent of the exhibition showing. (delayed gratification often proves to be the most fulfilling kind, as much as we fight against that crazy 'antiquated' notion.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div>first place i thought to put it, was on the mantle - and thats exactly where it is. with some beautiful burnished orange fleurs.</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRb_oxr-0UvVC1uB4pEa51ZYSZOlDVJhVPIgQVAqz_D05DCoiqBKMmpkzF_TAnqqR0YYofUvI7Zj6_FkBrxXkLSjgvlH_1rOpcauuio7t4Wah20kYmc5i1RMTs8RazsIjIsj78MxNF9em/s400/IMG_5740.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706292894186541794" /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">along with said photograph, titled <i>Drawing a Line</i>, shine two tall table candles in crazy metal holders i found at an op shop for a really great price. some of the 'regulars' reappear (antique calibers, rulers and gold N) to carry some continuity.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>a.</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">p.s. i told you i would enjoy this mantlepiece, and maybe over do it. meh</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9mf5VIlDiZu3Ao9B_wyHRacyGX_gepogZnzty2-VLeS21RWjznWwHXay7BauRCzkykwQ6TzesIcHqfIUXuCfpRZYJwBZ9hy9rKWKI8wYiY5Kw51gTTzx8pQB48yNzlvBiLxoFOCvzTwg/s400/IMG_5716.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706294692853420146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></div>ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15946793987954050976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572871826992056407.post-38724700096979376592012-02-03T11:12:00.003+11:002012-02-03T11:19:17.139+11:00moleskin momentsfrom last night...<div><br /></div><div>listening to Willie croon some old jazz ballads, sipping on some cool beer. this evenings meal bubbles gently in the oven - slowly cooking lamb chops in a rich tomato and garlic sauce.</div><div><br /></div><div>with the strong smell of garlic on my fingertips i write this - relishing this feeling. this feeling of rest. enjoyment. creativity bubbling in my soul, like the tomato sauce in my delicious awaiting meal. a night spent with no tv; no static noise of distraction but just beautiful scents, relaxing tunes and sweet beer buzzing to my head.</div><div><br /></div><div>after a few very busy days in my new job, i sit and revel in this feeling - following the lead of Willie, and his next melodic instrumental.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>a.</b></div>ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15946793987954050976noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572871826992056407.post-62629763110471772782012-01-24T09:01:00.004+11:002012-01-24T09:20:46.309+11:00a gift that teaches.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAm9CyKJAf7Erz2s58-fDYrevYVOVwrdqLhcFWQSMTVHgGQ4ugZwVrUEMCh2rrGByI2gNq1ZLEXO6yfw3KoAmibf5yeGnqdhL7aJc7qfnJHTbutBIFtbR28O8ItQ8U4alwu99ema6GzUMB/s1600/IMG_5408.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAm9CyKJAf7Erz2s58-fDYrevYVOVwrdqLhcFWQSMTVHgGQ4ugZwVrUEMCh2rrGByI2gNq1ZLEXO6yfw3KoAmibf5yeGnqdhL7aJc7qfnJHTbutBIFtbR28O8ItQ8U4alwu99ema6GzUMB/s400/IMG_5408.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700955356535078402" /></a>for my birthday, i was given a cross stitching starter kit, by my lovely brother and sister. it was a surprise gift, and very thoughtful, because i love it. i love that i can now learn and practice a new craft. <div><br /></div><div>i remember when i was young, my mum used to cross stitch - i even have faint memories of me as a young lass having a go myself. thinking it was quite simple in theory, but really a little too time consuming for an itchy foot people person, who's frequent utterings included 'I'm bored' and 'wanna play a game with me'. i was surely such an unbearable kid. (i think my brothers felt this more than anyone, still.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>so, off i go on a new cross stitch journey. but this time its 'cool'. my sister who gave the gift (i know it wasn't really your idea Dave, sorry), has a good eye for design, fashion, art and creativity. and she has demonstrated this many a time, when she has mastered and used an old time craft for brilliant home beautifying. <a href="http://thebeetleshack.blogspot.com/search/label/Crafting">see</a>...</div><div><br /></div><div>along with the supplies i was given i raided my mother in laws sewing room, which opened up a whole new realm of possibilities. she has, like, hundreds of cross stitch, patchwork and sewing magazines. i swiftly scoured the stash for different cross stitch texts - that will be my first task. learning to 'type'.</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYcRM6NX4HGSa7iiMnc_VVXgrJ6mkHWbutFhFI8CigcX6_QFvKe5dRWdV-s3Hqg3puugxOaN3mdaMMvdfzpSViXJV0DKLzlHVwuFkSpX8UCwZWiUU2lkMkfB-2ztP6yhz_unVdn36FO1I/s400/IMG_5108.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700955352824525794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></div><div><b>a.</b></div>ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15946793987954050976noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572871826992056407.post-61192542330331853942012-01-22T19:45:00.002+11:002012-01-22T20:13:32.146+11:00in the trees<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvx_cpqy6_mhXvPD7CmynJ-M8MgwMJRVBga1y8FX1PNc9Dup3IFrIvdVqxtb3WLIGGwpI2MPg8AS-gwtDosq0xuMMKxv8IkqoUFdYnrobwF8LexOkLhejuPYMnlbcDDcgjfCSrd3eHE8tg/s1600/1000191081_54ddb1a79b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 347px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvx_cpqy6_mhXvPD7CmynJ-M8MgwMJRVBga1y8FX1PNc9Dup3IFrIvdVqxtb3WLIGGwpI2MPg8AS-gwtDosq0xuMMKxv8IkqoUFdYnrobwF8LexOkLhejuPYMnlbcDDcgjfCSrd3eHE8tg/s400/1000191081_54ddb1a79b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700381680877177922" /></a>the ice in my Bulliet bourbon quietly crackles, wooing in the evening on this, a still sunday.<div><br /></div><div>i smile to myself as i consider the chance to draw those winding lanky limbs of the australian eucalypts, like i did as a teenager, from the windows of our home that looked into the far-reachers of the national park.</div><div><br /></div><div>i can sit on the back porch, with the great sky above me, yet still undercover, and gaze at the soft swaying bushels of those tall trees i <a href="http://thiscupinmyhand.blogspot.com/2012/01/little-slice-of-perfection.html">told you about</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>its starting to sprinkle here and the onions in the saucepan are probably a tad past 'golden'. evening ladies and gents.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>a.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>p.s. hydrangea update - to my sadness, a yard man came yesterday and started de-foliaging my driveway. the beautifully hydrangea lined one i was telling you about! sadness. well at least i enjoyed the last buds while i could.</div>ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15946793987954050976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572871826992056407.post-10968490594135459772012-01-19T20:08:00.003+11:002012-01-19T20:49:55.825+11:00a little slice of perfectionin this new place.<div><br /><div>we moved last week, away from our families, away from our friends and away from 'God's Country'...a place we loved to live and a place we were very comfortable in. but, we know its all good. we trust its all good. we want to give our lives to our Creator, doing what we can in this life to please him. so, we moved south - a whole 2 1/2 hours south! (i am quite aware that this distance is really not that far. we are still within reach)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>blabbering onward, i want to tell you about our new little house that i'm determined to create into a warm and memorable home. to be honest, its everything i've dreamed of in a suburban oasis. cute. small but accommodating. warm in the morning sunlight. cool in the fresh breeze. creative. it has some of my most desired elements in a house; mantle (my first), high ceilings, detailed plaster work and a large flat grassy yard. here is a picture to prove its irresistible cuteness.</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiiv8-tyJLMkhK25YGsFCjPBaWuIpdwTQIPUwAFmYcZG5rrS6dmtcJXpv_h52DwShY1r4JZvU4kfEM7EITM7D-w94QQick3KrH5hGthgqOy8A351XWTj3Zsp8LKYQ2t1F8unpCfG2-Jb3K/s400/IMG_5267.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699271674036509378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " />sulphur crested 'cockies' screech their way into the large gums that stretch into the twilight sky in the adjacent vacant lot behind our place. it is a slight reprieve from the suburban spread surrounding us in every other direction (not the mention the steel works just over the hill). i shall hope that there will be tomatoes climbing those trestles up the back in the future.</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtCFX7iZpvWZ_TJVtnsiRPNSqAlk8A3vsBvHFcWrazzHlvfmEup9mvpBlq25M43NFqoPNSx0yu3m7KDxnxKxP46aGiUkaS3v8-OAy3sfuQALBtxaNf5nHAZstj7nCUqbW-MOI1rTkSe1C/s400/IMG_5237.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699271683520699874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIq0ZnGDiVRXEWu8iwhb5IEpA0tWq87cjdp6awMn0yeaOsJzq2ylTa7FpPxC5Jgt-oYlMSIPQl4OQfIohyphenhyphen11qt1SkiTZdjOhGCjes8lCmBRKYkBnVJt8Hr2T96Lprim29kHDC9AAD6qvf/s400/IMG_5429.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699271692706853074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " />soft morning light streams in my reading nook windows, only interrupted by the vertical lines of the blinds. it makes the perfect warm spot to have a morning cup of tea and a read. i haven't yet mentioned the hydrangeas, have i? these line the drive way. fresh cut flowers from the day we moved in. score.</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTo8rLNUQxN30oio3wve-HRONopY6FZVnz1ByX6nAvf0J35NP3g3n-xDHnDETJbJsAjZ0j6La7nj6PG5Wrgr3CFMETeampJ3cXdITycWYbysbLniNC89GB9vrwkEkR3fICwtKlOhSizKT/s400/IMG_5388.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699271697008013090" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /><div style="text-align: left;">and this; the pride of the lounge room and the thing that made me want to fight other renters for the chance to have this baby, the mantle (with fireplace out of order! gasp! i know, who would do that?) i've wanted a mantle for a long time. something to set the tone of the house, change with the seasons or special occasions. sitting atop it for now rests my birthday candlestick holders from ikea, and some antique calipers and rulers from a garage sale and a beautiful gold N from <a href="http://thebeetleshack.blogspot.com/">my family</a>.</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">as i sit writing this, Mr Whippy rings his melodious tune down our street, journeying to find many a delighted child, young or old, waiting for a smooth ice-creamy dessert treat. this is our new house, thanks for visiting. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>a.</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">i won't completely romanticize this place, but will inform you of the flees found on arrival and the man eating cockroaches that have woken us at night! eeek. all looking clear now though.</div>ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15946793987954050976noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572871826992056407.post-8234603308733859942012-01-02T10:37:00.003+11:002012-01-03T09:16:50.708+11:00oh yeah, and christmas happened.<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWRaeVJtQ3nUhgmDENxKhncCNsNS0Gq4HK6-8J85qkV2APQqkxgD2UAH3GHTwRZFAkOktUgzh1UnwnKpL68wdlTg9-84lqMGvqa8vC0_4TWoGcz4x5a-6D6gJYz6q9YqiWBN2eedSkObf/s400/IMG_4713.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692813312718083042" />g and i woke bleary eyed early. i made a cup of tea, we sat in bed and exchanged gifts, giggles and cuddles. its special - that time with each other, just us giving our gifts. (p.s. he gave me a <a href="http://www.geminisaw.com/taurus3.html">Taurus 3</a> diamond ring saw! more than epic!)<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3eGOnQxAFfBRZpGj1FZjsT_HAUzNFrFERfJf9ScYrnzsD_JYZYNVJ-NKp-jXkHtavyJtac5bd6hipdCh8kslBf2YO86nmFilJCm5IykdaGIXo4cJxodn4GuQZIK9lXCsTHb55k7VM6Lc6/s1600/IMG_4859.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3eGOnQxAFfBRZpGj1FZjsT_HAUzNFrFERfJf9ScYrnzsD_JYZYNVJ-NKp-jXkHtavyJtac5bd6hipdCh8kslBf2YO86nmFilJCm5IykdaGIXo4cJxodn4GuQZIK9lXCsTHb55k7VM6Lc6/s400/IMG_4859.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692813315415557346" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">the endless food, sweet treats and summer beverages were all enjoyed with ease and gratitude. what a wonderful time of year! that there in the bottom left is a white chocolate & mango layered pavlova. it was unbelievable. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSJ-V3Zjwb2O9jgIW3hB0DkM-sBtu0qNDw2DnYflK2y9SnpKPednkRbT4uGzwpLX4eZE8kEKhuYgwqv_4agBRX2wlrI6tx3xwtkwrObQpdmkRdA1sk_dbKgpzB5isKM84Q89rq3-spf0V/s1600/IMG_4787.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSJ-V3Zjwb2O9jgIW3hB0DkM-sBtu0qNDw2DnYflK2y9SnpKPednkRbT4uGzwpLX4eZE8kEKhuYgwqv_4agBRX2wlrI6tx3xwtkwrObQpdmkRdA1sk_dbKgpzB5isKM84Q89rq3-spf0V/s400/IMG_4787.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692813309240999570" /></a>new christmas lips, and the obligatory christmas hats.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4huI_WGZQJ3zEjkXkyk5QU1BrHvfVJhhUjlWFxj9OYxlDmMOOaF-RedWyl-kGstaVi6jFM9lz59Dmt3M_6qFddebl315hgKyofpAxHiGtipabSXrosN_HXTXckCySNmd-BPfaYpxBD4c/s1600/IMG_4799.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4huI_WGZQJ3zEjkXkyk5QU1BrHvfVJhhUjlWFxj9OYxlDmMOOaF-RedWyl-kGstaVi6jFM9lz59Dmt3M_6qFddebl315hgKyofpAxHiGtipabSXrosN_HXTXckCySNmd-BPfaYpxBD4c/s400/IMG_4799.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692813292330537986" /></a>our christmas nights were filled with fun and frivolity. first was christmas eve, with my wonderful family over at <a href="http://thebeetleshack.blogspot.com/">the beetleshack</a> for a dinner of soft cheese and tapas, then onto an old school friends place for cocktails on christmas night. (above cocktail: Army Special - vodka, gin, lime juice cordial & ice...divine)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPTj5LRzwhcbxtNXNQ5sbRYscmZyddSdRFAZKf8CW5hiJj9tBaBRR7EB8NL1ilqglnvNhSsAIJMyGC5jjrpr8O_m05VCocadOfInW-EUiW0RScw3TmjDjxP79UjdI7LP0yAZu7VPejwNM/s1600/IMG_4684.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPTj5LRzwhcbxtNXNQ5sbRYscmZyddSdRFAZKf8CW5hiJj9tBaBRR7EB8NL1ilqglnvNhSsAIJMyGC5jjrpr8O_m05VCocadOfInW-EUiW0RScw3TmjDjxP79UjdI7LP0yAZu7VPejwNM/s400/IMG_4684.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692813289976130530" /></a>(yep, these two lovely ladies are my family. seriously - its lots of fun) check these girls out: the <a href="http://thebeetleshack.blogspot.com/">beetleshack</a> and <a href="http://berryandfin.wordpress.com/about/">berry&fin</a><div><br /></div><div><b>a.</b></div></div>ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15946793987954050976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572871826992056407.post-33191384829057288572012-01-02T10:11:00.002+11:002012-01-02T10:35:27.097+11:00so much has happened...<div>in these last couple'months.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiql7DD3POzGDOorq4L2NGZkNGiOsuta1XJ0cS8kt4OOGW0OntE_jDuuN_gYgbs78wYoInnkWOoZdaC3kzGR8v3cia-G64FLoV4BzHh5lO2VsMg59hJMjvKlpnDjLqXgLd32RAGTHw7YFta/s1600/IMG_4306.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiql7DD3POzGDOorq4L2NGZkNGiOsuta1XJ0cS8kt4OOGW0OntE_jDuuN_gYgbs78wYoInnkWOoZdaC3kzGR8v3cia-G64FLoV4BzHh5lO2VsMg59hJMjvKlpnDjLqXgLd32RAGTHw7YFta/s400/IMG_4306.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692807167540904882" /></a>it was my birthday - ages ago now - old news. but some dear friends threw me my first ever surprise party. it was so wonderful. this glorious chocolate mud cake magic was made by hand, (that is my name written in white chocolate letters!) just for me. and these gifts, graciously given.<br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1r0gUd2Qd2nUCcrtJnN5srTgAFNoxo6cOU_R8ijQl5SUzUdFYSWqLvBLuUbnN7JqyE1aRvvTv3ao38tPpIo_K2CkpaBF0oX3lce_oJpCrNUFeTr_oY5BrUiWmvpM6-tP9yd3LoxAGF6T/s400/IMG_4424.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692807156739735506" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRHcqIgEALK7U1mIE-jO1M10fDoK0J7x8Pr6VjtwgMWLJKbiPYU_Foc4Xyo5NBoF_QXVZuh586Uoiktq-LakyoHYsIeOhVRc28vALa4xq0AXzEvt8LJkk3_WoSChLr6DR_RtVcRQjqOqZ/s1600/IMG_4504.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRHcqIgEALK7U1mIE-jO1M10fDoK0J7x8Pr6VjtwgMWLJKbiPYU_Foc4Xyo5NBoF_QXVZuh586Uoiktq-LakyoHYsIeOhVRc28vALa4xq0AXzEvt8LJkk3_WoSChLr6DR_RtVcRQjqOqZ/s400/IMG_4504.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692807160562016882" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">my brave friends started THE coolest coffee bar/boutique - <a href="http://www.facebook.com/TheGlassOnionSociety">The Glass Onion Society</a>, so i made them a glass onion (obviously), and have since drank many a cup of fine tea and latte there.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKE1dCSqssctkgdqY2zrAtsHsamdEmV4ll4pJOAFP1qD2cIB8t5wWJLV-NCwjC6B6pTLVz7KYY8hir6tzURoGn5GgL7rNJKs0L1doAnDG9xG8FOJk6XqcTp9kJ6S0CISadIJqOujvVNa3/s1600/IMG_4158.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKE1dCSqssctkgdqY2zrAtsHsamdEmV4ll4pJOAFP1qD2cIB8t5wWJLV-NCwjC6B6pTLVz7KYY8hir6tzURoGn5GgL7rNJKs0L1doAnDG9xG8FOJk6XqcTp9kJ6S0CISadIJqOujvVNa3/s400/IMG_4158.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692807144849710050" /></a>i prepared for the festive season with a night making this little ginger cottage. a warm and calm evening with mum, just spent having fun.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP30V_hJNLR1MojKq2wCI9-xMdBhd58yQknDS3qyyBIcowZ_ft-OaCavg_ikOzlZ8Ng1PlRjB3yCCuUxlUNasPZ-ekiE7SE0oMsTrNV2k6LmTsRhSxkQjrLtsuJrPm70epE738MpZj8auN/s1600/IMG_4207.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP30V_hJNLR1MojKq2wCI9-xMdBhd58yQknDS3qyyBIcowZ_ft-OaCavg_ikOzlZ8Ng1PlRjB3yCCuUxlUNasPZ-ekiE7SE0oMsTrNV2k6LmTsRhSxkQjrLtsuJrPm70epE738MpZj8auN/s400/IMG_4207.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692807137037136530" /></a><div>my post christmas time has been spent fairly similarly to this. except, sometimes my feet were up in a hammock at our favourite holiday place, or swishing under my longboard at perfect <a href="http://thiscupinmyhand.blogspot.com/2011/10/to-point.html">pointbreaks</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>all in all, its been a pretty darn good few weeks just gone. i hope you've had a meaningful christmas, a happy and celebratory new year and relaxing break - from whatever it is you do.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>a.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>p.s. big love to my sister over at <a href="http://thebeetleshack.blogspot.com/2011/12/places-i-love-to-visit.html">The Beetleshack</a> for being so kind.</div>ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15946793987954050976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572871826992056407.post-36819593586895906702011-12-13T16:34:00.004+11:002011-12-13T16:43:44.496+11:00peculiar questions from peculiar people.boy: "Do you like dolphin pie, miss?"<div>me: "I can't say i've ever had dolphin pie Sam."</div><div>boy: "'Cos you can really taste the plankton in it."</div><div><br /></div><div>a delightfully innocent, not-yet-tainted Year 7 boy, with a wonderful sense o'humour (and no idea about the diet of a Dolphin).</div><div><br /></div><div>girl: "How long does it take to get to Paris, Miss?"</div><div>me: "Around about 20 hours i think."</div><div>girl: "Wow, i was way off!"</div><div>me: "What did you write?"</div><div>girl: "About 2 1/2 hours."</div><div><br /></div><div>a geographically impaired Year 7'er.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Do you do facebook?"</div><div><br /></div><div>a 55+ year old teacher at school, in regard to whether i am on facebook...</div><div><br /></div><div>i am sure glad i had pen and paper handy today.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>a.</b></div>ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15946793987954050976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572871826992056407.post-54114414696773859302011-12-01T17:23:00.004+11:002011-12-01T18:01:52.548+11:00Of late.things i've been up to:<br /><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7z2oCmJTe80S1Ymz0FGVJKENBIfr6oTxfY0iHPAC8FMJ7XsaNPTy57aPV0K5XiFL1ha1Xqom_5Ca35sdtPpLAVjzf09Aow_W3jPWZ60KzAaqw2qMIdT3kByFY1dw_t3-FFGU0MlUp-n1D/s400/IMG_2743.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681048613413808146" />watching these cute little piglets grow into bigger little piglets. aren't their hairy rumps so cute?! i've been in an ag teaching role for the last couple of weeks. its interesting; learning what bees do when building a hive, how to show cattle and how the dairy industry works.</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHsdTghu0Tt1Lw6fnq3dgZTJ-qPrJPY-eCeOsBXN-16a30Qf5QOIWB1Yj7FjeywbRs1zdBqNKzPD8P5BBwxeY4GQ_kkDWQ74lbndRbWR4DmywD9CkJMZ2eX6v-o7X2BVmJm-oZyDHN6ON/s400/IMG_3609.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681048599239893410" />reading my new favourite modern poet; Wendell Berry. if you love life, beauty, the land, the Lord, family etc...you'll love Wendell Berry. this page is from <i>Sonata at Payne Hollow</i>, which flabbergasted me with its simple beauty and raw love. </div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzdwQIQraeiQKEWLOl01pWUuA5sOPXO08Kr7aFOo9KRFHQ0OqePPyhbGrprp2scCEOR1LRlYI16cmao6FgRXRNVvNuwTcuy_oV4O8mnhvMmd5ycLd_x5c4GqEcySKxykHkAeDPP-rnA5I/s400/IMG_3540.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681048591593548786" />taking photographs of majestic old beasts of cars. and roaring up bushy escarpments in said beasts (with a big grin).</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgEhLyJJkDbUTHUTqVlwwXGQYlvMk_wSB5I3lD9hC2ZkaWIwVsWlAujU92JK70JqkfF_E9Y9i3Vunn6sqFx5B5q_UMMsYO4ClBIJRZwqKTp7vPip3BInmSwWAZ9fKNDmod85dEJk06uoH/s400/IMG_3496.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681048622256274514" /><div>and of course, waiting patiently and excitedly for the season of christmas. (a vignette of my folks fireplace and mantle.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">until we do this again,</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>a.</b></div>ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15946793987954050976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572871826992056407.post-46344657067004815032011-11-23T16:05:00.004+11:002011-11-23T16:18:13.020+11:00wednesday - today<div><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/E6MSkG5txAA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>Jose Gonzalez drove me home from school this afternoon, with the splishing and sploshing of rainwater hitting the undercarriage of the car as i bumped over cracks and potholes. my school day quickly faded from memory as i dreamt of the <a href="http://eviecoates.blogspot.com/2011/11/ginger-spice-crisps.html">chewy, salty ginger bickies</a> i was going to make when i got home (they're baking themselves in the oven as i write...).</div><div><div><br /></div><div>i had to stop at the shops to pick up the necessary raw sugar, ground cloves and ginger - it was a minor inconvenience - having to slosh through rushing gutters, in completely silly, inappropriate shoes. my feet now still a little damp, i sit, waiting for my afternoon tea and preparing myself for a night of <a href="http://thiscupinmyhand.blogspot.com/2011/03/weary-wednesday-eve.html">peaceful creativity</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>a.</b></div></div>ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15946793987954050976noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572871826992056407.post-88301895754009595622011-11-14T16:00:00.007+11:002011-11-14T16:30:45.209+11:00. : heat energy : .<div style="text-align: left;">driving home from school this afternoon, with the windows down and the hot, hot air blowing past my face, i considered the power of this heat. the way that it has really dramatic affects on things; it's not <i>just</i> a temperature, but an energy source that has real time and place effects.</div><div><br /></div><div>i was thinking about how timber and other materials expand and warp in the heat. the heat has the muscles to physically change such a solid material - but it can do it <i>without</i> the muscles. and how the heat casts its spell on our bodies; that with the same amount of sleep, food and drink we can feel so much more weary on a scorcher' than on a tepid day. you can see such fast effects on plants in hot weather too. mature leaf plants shrivel and crumble inward as if to writhe from the encasing heat.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div>its oppressive, i've decided. not in a completely negative way. but the way the heat pushes down on your shoulders like a heavy weight when you step out into it, really isn't that positive either. don't get me wrong, i love the heat. i am a summer girl. born and bred (literally). i guess it always happens, this time of year. we welcome, even if begrudgingly, the heat that is the Australian summer. </div><div><br /></div><div>welcome, heat. i will escape you, momentarily - off to the water i go...<br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15P-NX38MVOmoVOSECDGsFgsyrIxLTxAHs-ngYtgNEFdk4EmC2m2U54aECzWuyjfyJUMCFv8ENnsqI78PfUoWIp77blMfVEOZAEku9qYmk-ttDKQ2lPQMAG4PrgkX86ttDsqWFiqm-oNM/s400/IMG_2995.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674718977239172274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>a.</b></div>ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15946793987954050976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572871826992056407.post-55009247086933695882011-11-11T12:12:00.002+11:002011-11-11T12:15:41.931+11:00call me a winner!i'm blogging about <a href="http://thebeetleshack.blogspot.com/2011/11/after-apple-giveaway.html">this</a>...because i want to win - there's no simple way to say it.<br /><br />i mean - who wouldn't want a gloriously soft leather purse from <a href="http://www.aftertheapple.com/">After the Apple </a>to call their own. hmm, didn't think so.<br /><br /><strong>a.</strong>ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15946793987954050976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572871826992056407.post-89919399156037816652011-11-11T11:53:00.005+11:002011-11-13T17:02:41.623+11:00picture books<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieC1YWTJE9jPjt7n2beUQj-1-V6OIin7nGUkDuZliI8rygfnumnsKm38YFh_eWoaTTsVkxjEtNy8ypPQzbSVnSrh8GCSAz5sfOQ9skDSxPZtjc3F1tRqYZgckGBzWZftZ2unZGAcJHLGLq/s1600/8_91_Window1S.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 246px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 173px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673538428481018386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieC1YWTJE9jPjt7n2beUQj-1-V6OIin7nGUkDuZliI8rygfnumnsKm38YFh_eWoaTTsVkxjEtNy8ypPQzbSVnSrh8GCSAz5sfOQ9skDSxPZtjc3F1tRqYZgckGBzWZftZ2unZGAcJHLGLq/s400/8_91_Window1S.jpg" /></a>while in the library at school, supervising (babysitting) students, i had the pleasure of encountering some of my favourite stories from when i was young - but probably too old to be reading picture books. the colourful, contemplative and deceptively 3 dimensional like picture books of Jeannie Baker.<br /><br /></div><div>i saw the book <em>Window</em> lying on a desk and immediately had memories of pouring over each page, finding new things in every image - little creatures, things in trees, old coke cans in the grass. strong memories of the books theme came flooding back; the way we drastically change our environment, the way we don't notice over time. but i always liked the way the book watched this little red-headed boy grow, from his first trip home with mum to the day he started his own family. i followed this family, and i knew them. Baker builds such a joyous and real family story, and opens our minds to the way we affect our environment.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">"...by opening a window in our minds, by understanding how change takes place and by changing the way we personally affect the environment, we can make a difference." Jeannie Baker</div><br />she was onto something back then.<br /><strong><br /></strong></div><div>a.</div>ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15946793987954050976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572871826992056407.post-38719852980547776482011-11-11T08:46:00.005+11:002011-11-11T11:52:08.766+11:00heat - waveso the weather is hot. has been, for about a week now.<br /><br /><br /><div>the sun is punishing, the westerly air is warm and the flies are out. Days have reached 34^ at their peak, sapping what little energy and motivation i have - especially at school. Who want to argue with teens when there is sweat rolling down your back. (gee, sorry about that)<br /></div><br /><div>so ive sought refuge in any place i can - most often an early trip to the beach, or an afternoon dip in the in-laws pool. the cool aqua blue soothes so nicely. i dip, i bask, i dip, i swim and i dip. such awakening refreshment.<br /></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673487952777874530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4-PKIM99bccWLSYafbeuZhnRvGMmHqsrqUGEVVk32q_HU2FWf7Lkpo5jTGWMZ4D56m7ieWfUERsUT7T8cN6lH18Z7h9hj6S4iTLAFm3-lHZ8cC4IxaUrwGEGTjCF14Dp-HPCsZx1YPIQ/s400/feetwater.jpg" /></div><br /><br /><p>stay cool.</p><br /><p><strong>a.</strong></p>ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15946793987954050976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572871826992056407.post-12822282764875522442011-10-24T15:29:00.006+11:002011-10-24T17:09:17.511+11:00. : chrome : .<div style="text-align: left;">over the weekend i indulged myself for a few hours, drooling over old cars; cars with style, cars with flair and cars with a whole lotta' chrome. the annual Chromefest was held nearby home and i made it a priority to visit over two months ago, when i first heard it was on. to top it off, i had the major privilege of riding in an exhibited car that a friend owns. it was all too much, my grin was unbearable (and completely embarrassing).</div><div><br /></div><div>i frenzied around on sunday morning trying to find an outfit to suit the 50's rockabilly style festival, but more importantly to compliment the red '63 F150 i would be riding in. i went for a 50's/60's style red plaid shirt with rolled sleeves and tight black skinnies rolled mid-calf. i felt suitably attired, teaming my outfit with my canvas <a href="http://www.toms.com/womens/classics/natural-canvas-classics-shoes">TOMS</a>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div>with the air in our hair, we roared up to the festival - (my embarrassing grin still beaming) - turning heads with every acceleration and grunt that this beast exclaims. check it out</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdnrbDGd5dJM6k5Lq6bh1Ngo38NWIdNn89sLXgbznbI0u-aDekVY2iaR_CGf4F9SD3ByQq9GCvyq1s0DPoLRIqqBjX419ktcBtRjSyr1zPBtAaXnICesvPa4DznksgJeOhrW9LUH_d3E3/s400/PA230222.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666934042727407858" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzH5Rp6a2aQO6b640laONbGPk9VPqPi-v0DqwEu9I6hmW8ylra_4esu2XDghN5yliz07ql1LijfplUAY9mRELrVVS9_D77I2N8HaQpacvXqYcAVTCqyYQ6ld7_SlqWcPzfpOcYHpmZmpkP/s400/IMG_2836.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666934031605448946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGKx2Dfc0rG2bDteYBBgiapaxrPhrBAo3ld7AxOGo62-siD04jw35JnWlSJgAQ8QA3wl-65xGT88mXvVwVPuVQdDWkCberR2O7zlCN1znf0zN8hYXAL2KtGFx-8JcUqdNm13N_sX02MAv/s400/IMG_2844.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666934027405045026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;">as you can see, there were some mighty fine automobile specimens on show. i thoroughly enjoyed myself.</div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>a.</b></div>ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15946793987954050976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572871826992056407.post-30138178632615450382011-10-17T15:04:00.004+11:002011-10-17T15:17:23.437+11:00the search is on...<div style="text-align: left;">after a fabulous day at the event that was <i><a href="http://www.facebook.com/sangriaandlace">Sangria and Lace</a></i>, hearing what people think of my glass wares and being humbled and amazed at peoples enjoyment of it, i believe it is time in my glass career to purchase my own kiln. it will be a considerable step - and will make quite a dent on our bank account - but will hopefully see me making glass wares for many years to come.</div><div><br /></div><div>there were a few times throughout <i>Sangria and Lace </i>where i would be talking to market goers about my work and i would have a really vivid realisation that i am doing something that i have dreamed of for quite a long time. this is a dream come true. a real dream - to work with warm glass - coming true. it is something i need to actively remember, as i sometimes winge about so many dreams never being fulfilled (see <i><a href="http://thiscupinmyhand.blogspot.com/2011/02/im-dreamer.html">this</a></i> post), but i need to be aware and grateful that this one is!</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpH1DiMvsQhvt0cV-req0yqr7uUNhDHTvVAGknD0h2K-QRbrzCvz-jlco_VO8WpG1Zo7N5HP0VKUiZDZOkBJjpLchljDGpC_T8HMQH_eM7l__4kivSiGgAcHNLVnl9zEGJEizL8doZ5y_A/s400/IMG_2281.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664309594818798770" /><div><br /></div><div>so, i'm in the market for a small glass work kiln...wish me luck</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>a.</b></div>ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15946793987954050976noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572871826992056407.post-49856229661815495362011-10-14T12:24:00.004+11:002011-10-14T12:33:53.195+11:00the ants are out...<div style="text-align: left;">wouldn't you be bummed...</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_sFe1yVKWqTkB6kAb8MwYsrXPNSW8ERthosvdMCQu8YlNrzCevGuNQwz3gpJXTaKxvZxtTFfdkyGobKpLJx_lDV3hcHb02agL9ATCYfHtdDp-GyPqgZMwO-5BDYEnZEfPHvzjNsJ2k4P/s400/IMG_2027.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663154111366777506" /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">the ants aren't <i>that </i>bad at my house, but they are pretty pesky. out come the pet-safe ant baits. they shall sit on every windowsill and near every door for the next 4 months at least.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>a.</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">p.s. an amazing sculpture featured in a sculpture park just outside Wollombi.</div></div>ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15946793987954050976noreply@blogger.com0