...it's been so long

It's been quite a while since my last entry...just so much on my mind.  Since my last entry I have thought long and hard about everything there is to, resigned from my job, and purchased a one way ticket home to Australia.   Currently my head is full of all the 'what needs to be done' before I go, and 'what needs to be done' when I get home.  It's a crazy time, but an exciting time and I cannot wait until my feet are firmly on the ground...so close to my sweet family.

It has been six years since I left Australia. Even though I am returning to my hometown, the adventures will be new as the tint in my eyes has been changed by so many travels.   I won't be posting much over the next month, instead will spend some time re-jigging my blog in time for the many homeland adventures that await.

So until then, enjoy your summer, I shall see you in the spring (Australian spring that is)....September, home, here we come.

xxx

friends in favourite places

a few weeks ago I asked my sweet friends if any of them would like to contribute their very own 'top five faves'.  here are two lovelies who have sent through their musts right now.

 

Contributed by Miss Tirra Tara

...wears berets with style, and grey coats like a crazy lady

ONE...My favourite thing right now is the sound of the rain kerplumping on the roof, and the swish of the car tyres on the street outside as they drive through it - while I am tucked up inside with a milo. Sydney in Autumn - stunning.

TWO...Our nieces and nephews! In Sydney we have five rugrats aged 3 and under, and there are three more due this year! They are delightful in so many ways, plus you get to hand them back!

THREE...Haighs chocolate frogs. They'll make this list again and again :)
FOUR...the Bondi to Bronte walk when the ocean is furious and crashing crazily on the rocks. Did that walk two weeks ago. Fabulous.
FIVE...Renovation shows! Love 'em. They have inspired me to upholster my dining room chairs... how hard can it be??

Contributed by Miss Casey C

...saves kittens in her spare time, and makes a mean magarita

ONE...TGI...T?  I think 5:30 on a Thursday in Dubai is sometimes more exciting than the last day at school before summer.

TWO...Cheeseburgers.  They are the perfect food - nuff said.
THREE...A job well done.  I think the personal satisfaction that comes from completing a really difficult task/project/chore/painting/mission, is one of the most rewarding things in the world.  We should all spend a bit more time congratulating ourselves for the good things and less time dwelling on the bad.
FOUR...Moms.  Last Sunday was mother's day in the states and I totally missed it.  The good news is I call my mom all the time to tell her I love her for no reason at all so she let me off the hook for forgetting mother's day - how rad is that.
FIVE...Deodorant.  Seriously, how much would life suck without it.  It's the unsung hero so I am going to represent for deodorant here.  Word!

things to love this week...

Here are a few things that are making me happy this week.

smell...

chloe eau de fleurs, lavende.  this is sooo beautiful.  I normally wear the original, but will be moving to this one.

see...

if you have not heard already, lady gaga is now the creative director of polaroid.   I cannot wait to see whats in store, especially with the re-launch of instant cameras.

link to polaroid

hear...

new album for xavier rudd and izintabab - koonyum sun.   aussie music at its best.  impossible not to move your feet to this one.

link to xavier rudd

taste...

homemade guacamole.  so easy to make, so tasty. what's not to love.

touch...

hugs.  living away from home, it's the one thing you miss from your family.  never enough hugs in the world xxx

music = happy

top three albums getting full play this week.  all lovely, all worth a listen.

first aid kit, the big black and the blue, link to song - ghost town

before too long, triple Js tribute to paul kelly, link to song - from little things big things grow

juliette lewis, terra incognita, link to song - noche sin fin

guilty reading pleasure part two...

For those that have not come across frankie magazine yet, it's time to give it a go.  Full of lovely creative Aussie goodness. 
Frankie

swimming pool? elephant? no wait, the train!

A few nights ago I was at a friends house for dinner. After an hour or so of banter (Oyster Bay, Chardonnay banter to be exact), we started talking about Women's Weekly cookbooks and just how darn good they are.  We agreed on the best cookbook ever - THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S WEEKLY CHILDRENS BIRTHDAY CAKE BOOK. And to my amazement, she pulled out an original copy from her bookcase. SO MUCH EXCITEMENT! For a moment I was frozen back in time…early 80s, as I turned each page another amazing cake awaited. I can still remember the cakes my Mum made, and the cakes I only dreamed about!  My favourite? Barbie doll with a skirt made of chocolate, strawberry and vanilla ice cream. Yum!

music = happy

favourites from the last few years...
Another cracker.  Released in 2007, it's still on my playlist.  go Sia

Sia - Lady Croissant

amusing reads for the week...

this week is all about adelaide festivities! tomorrow I fly out of Dubai to spend a fantastic two weeks in Adelaide...so what's in store?....festival city baby...if you happen to be in Adelaide over the next few weeks you are a very lucky vegemite.

Adelaide Fringe

Adelaide Festival of the Arts 

WOMADelaide

Garden of unearthly delights

I'm on my way...

In just over 24 hours I will be on a plane heading back to Australia for my yearly visit to see the family. There are always things you look forward to when you venture back to the comforts of a place called home...here are some of the things I just can't wait to taste again in no particular order...

• fresh crisp air in the morning
• dim sims
• my mums tuna mornay
• hugs from everyone especially my parents
• family noise
• friends
• farmers union iced coffee
• oysters
• pub food especially the good old chicken parmy
• coopers beer ice cold, on tap at all the pubs
• sound of kookaburras
• smell of eucalyptus trees
• good red wine
• being able to sit outside on the street at your fav pub
• beach sunsets
• good live music
• maggie beers pate
• good coffee
• bacon, bacon, bacon
• chips with chicken salt
• music festivals - fringe and WOMADelaide

aaahhh, can't wait.

love music, music love

loving the art for the new john butler trio album...can't wait for this one!