Away Time - Activities that are nourishing to my soul.

Fabulous Brunswick St Fitzroy feeds me, not just my belly but my soul. It is so joyous to take in all the things that make this street such a special one to me. Cool folks galore, trams, bike riders, unique shops, stunning street art and great coffee. M and I meandered along and soaked up the familiar feel, almost like slipping into tracksuit pants after work. Totally refreshing. What feeds your soul?

The funny glasses

During our recent trips around the op shops we have found quite a few pairs of glasses that have given us lots of giggles.  Our idea was to collect a few and take some family pics for fun.  It seems that my girls got a head start on the photos as I found these on the camera!

Pierre looks so impressed!

Good look girls!!!!

Book, Books, Books

I love books. There are many titles in my home, I ask for books for my Birthday and I sift through shelves upon shelves at op shops ever hopeful I will happen upon something that strikes me. Borders is Mecca for the book lover. I want to open the pages of the books on the shelves and smell the delicious scent of pristine unread page. An urge I often experience whilst in Borders is to put a pile of books on the carpet in a thick layer and lay down and flap my arms and legs to create a "Book Angel" on the floor. However I do want to be able to shop there, so I refrain from doing this.
Council libraries prove to be a heavenly escape from my busy days. Libraries are quiet places where one can nourish ones soul in text, pages, spines and cataloge number stickers. Blissful.

I have always fancied joining a book group but had not until recently. I am now a very proud member of a Book Club....(lets out a little squeal of delight).  My lovely librarian had told me of the first meeting date, which unfortunately fell on an extremely busy day for me. Number 3's school held their Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program Community Meeting earlier that day and as a consequence I made a late entrance to the first meeting. Alas I was not arriving late empty handed, I had some food to share! We decided on reading this for our first book. Insipring end to a very busy day. Sigh..

Birthday week

M and I share our Birthdays in the same week. This is a special time of year for both of us I feel so lucky to be treated to all that birthday goodness brings, coffee in bed with presents, beautiful breakfast and a purely indulgent day of op shopping and tip scouring. Oh what could one possibly want for?


This year I received a voucher to have a fab new hair- do with my favourite hair-do girl Antoinetta.
I was also given a great keep cup from clove organics wrapped in gorgeous Owl paper, a Donna Hay Seasons cook book and of course organic chocolate to devour .
J & M gave me lovely necklace by ELK designs which I wore that night to this boys 18th Birthday party.  My nephew and I share the same birthday and it is hard to believe it was so long ago he was the best present I ever recieved as a teen! He has grown into the most beautiful young man I am always greeted with a kiss and a big hug x

Bats have made Roslind park their new home, after exploring the sweet little BOB and chatting with Sonja we made a visit to BAT PARK as it has been re-named by Number 3.

 What a fun day ....Phew

Eight Answers

R's Eight Answers


Playing along with Kate of Fox's Lane and her 8 questions, 8 is my favourite number so I thought why not.

Favourite Meal to Eat: Anything made by M, who knows exactly what makes my tastebuds sing, love cheese, mushrooms and a good NZ white.

Do you have a quirky eccentricity?: There is too many to list!

My middle name is: Eliza I feel fortunate that I quite like my middle name. I know loads of people that are not so pleased with theirs.

I am passionate about:  All things vintage.

Thongs or Birkenstocks?: Thongs but certainly not in winter. I have pink Birks for gardening in and will live in my new Keds with cute cats on them or black boots that are so comfy.

Who was I before I had kids?:  I have evolved as a person and grown with my kids.  I had number 1 when I was 18, number 2 at 19 and number 3 at 20. I have been a mother for my whole adult life. So before I had kids I was a year 12 student, who had several part time jobs. I have blossomed into who I currently am with my children.

Have I ever been arrested?: No. My police check needs to be pristine in my line of work.

This weekend I will:  Take my girls to see a theatre to see a puppet show with dark themes, work at my second job (my mental health saviour).  Read more of Salmon fishing on the Yemen, a novel I am reading after joining a local book group. Eat good food with M. Watch my boy play footy and honk the horn at the appropriate time!

The End

More on the recent adventures of Miss R

Signs along the way..

Spotting little signs like this make my heart sing........Fa La laaaaaaa

2 super grey wool blankets, some beautiful but tarnished silver spoons, red knitting needles and a lovely grey coat.

Thank you volunteers for making this possible xxx

Miss R's roadtrip adventures continued

Hayven

Nat had told me all about this gorgeous homewares store in Hay NSW that I just had to visit. So once I got my head around parking backwards because some, I stress only some towns park tail to curb which is quite ok. It takes a bit to get used to traffic stopping dead in front of you and then reversing back. It really pays not to tailgate people. I went to Hayven and it is Devine!!! The gorgous lady who owns in the store Elle? I am not certain of her name was an angel. We chatted and she and I shared one of those rare moments, the ones which connect you because you shared a story. I informed her I have a friend Nat who told me about her store and had purchased sweet ceramic butterflies from her. I told her how sadly she lost them and all her other precious belongings in a devastating house fire last year.

This beautiful woman selected 3 replacement butterflies and wrapped them for me to give to Nat. 

Thank you Elle/Al for your generosity and display of empathy. 

Hay will forever be a special place because of you.

The recent adventures of Miss R

I have been too busy with life to keep up with writing my blog so here's an overview of recent goings on...  1800km road trip, no not a terribly enthusiastic op shopping adventure but an adventure none the less.

I had not seen my Father for a very long time, I succumbed to an overwhelming desire to go to him. So, Rosie the Rav and I set off on a chilly May morning. My adventure began with a quick visit to a great little community op shop that was filled with the chatting and giggling of islander ladies. I understood none of the dialouge but could not help chuckling along with them while I shopped.

It was a lovely beginning to what turned out to be a gorgeous trip.

  

This boy has made a comeback playing for his old team after 4 year break to play basket ball.

Footy is inclusive of but not limited to sore knees, hot pies, canteen duty, over zealous parents, takeaway coffees, lessons in horn honking etiquette and training twice a week. Oh and cheering and clapping for "STENCH"

This was a lovely Chiropractic clinic in the town of Orange I couldn't resist photographing for my friend Nat on my way back to Victoria. I almost wanted to feign a neck problem just to get a glimpse inside this beautiful building.  Fortunately for them they were not open that day! I aim to post more photos and ramblings of my journey of  discovery to NSW and a lesson in self reliance very soon.

Miss red legs, Rosie and the Roadie

This week number 3 and I went on a field trip to South Australia. The morning began with a pleasant car drive, unfortunately dotted with millions of locusts that are currently plaguing the region. Rosie the Rav looked very dirty and covered in locust guts! Sweet things came our way once we started our procuring expedition. The first of many op shops yielded some sweet fabrics and an adorable unfinished long forgotten long stitch of a frog. I was impressed with the 50c racks at a church run op shop (often my most favourite as they are non-corporate and offer the best prices) This one had a sizeable magazine collection also which proved good pickings. I am searching for articles to develop my garden to grow winter vegetables in no dig garden beds, so naturally a pile of home magazines came home with us. Lunch was at an alfresco bakery and we were on the road home shortly after. To break the monotony of the return trip we stopped on the roadside and took some photos, purely for the purpose of amusing ourselves. I managed to capture the most beautiful photo of number 3 and we had a gorgeous day together. Thank you Matilda Violet

The only way is up

This girl has been masquerading as my former self at present. Sadly, I haven't been myself  for quite a while. I have been avoiding the world, crippled by my low moods and fears. When I look at this photo I feel for my family and friends because I know that I have been totally unavailable to them. The sparkle in my eyes has been missing and numerous physical complaints have been plaguing me for sometime. I had no idea that how I felt was due to depression. Now that I have accepted treatment, I have a degree of insight and have been able to answer my friends honestly when they ask "How have you been?" One friend chastised me for not calling and letting her know I needed her, but it's difficult to reach out to others when you can't even look in the mirror. It's so important not to ignore the symptoms of depression which can be easily overlooked. Read about it here http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/

My new mantra is the only way is up and it helps when you have those who love you around for support especially cats who love you unconditionally.

Buried Treasure

During a recent hunt through my own possessions, I unearthed these little bunch of beauties. These were inside a sewing basket purchased some time ago which had a paper bag of random buttons inside. I sifted through the paper bag for possibilities and viola!

The largest buttons were stitched onto a round cushion that I had put in the linen press as it needed embellishing before it was deemed fit to be on display. The lovely little white cushion is now sitting pretty on my bed. Honestly I need to shop in my own stashes more often!

New Camera

Christmas day 2009 was one that I was a little reluctant about, to say the least. This was the first Christmas day that I would not have the kids around, which made me want to avoid the world for fear of falling to bits. I booked myself in to work Christmas eve with my shift finishing at 7am. I simply wanted to sleep through the majority of the day to make it easier.

I had not made any firm plans for lunch or dinner despite offers aplenty. Sorted!

Then disaster! My shift was cancelled last minute ruining my master plan.

M and I went to our Christmas drinks and then spent a relaxing evening at home... just the two of us. I was secretly wondering how the following day would pan out now. 

When we woke on Christmas morning we had a leisurely breakfast and slowly opened presents. I have to admit I love looking at un-opened presents, it apeals to my inner child so much so that I don't want to open them as the surprise will be gone. I savoured each parcel taking my time. When I opened this particular gift I was stunned.... a fantastic Nikon Digital SLR  that I had been coveting for an eternity. My sweetheart is a great present buyer but truly excelled this time, it was the exact camera I had been wishing for. So instead of looking pouty all morning I was stalking the cats, setting up the tripod and losing myself in my new toy. This is one of the shots I captured that morning, Pierre looking adorable. Merry Christmas indeed!