9 patches update

Here they are up to and including this month.

June

JulyAugust

September

Signal Box

Signal boxes all over Brisbane have interesting art on them. Here is a box near where I live.

Eagle Street Markets

Had a great morning out at the markets on Sunday. Great weather and lots of people around. Bought a metal plate that you submerge in water to clean your silver and gold. It sounded too good to be true, but I've tried it - and it works!!
Here is there view from the market across to the Story Bridge.

Bronte's 18th party

Bronte had some friends over for nibbles, vodka punch and cake - and then they headed out for a night on the town.

Family Italian Dinner

We had a fun outing to Grande Piatto in honour of Bronte's birthday. I had reef and beef - steak with garlic prawns and a half Balmain bug in a cream sauce - yummy!

Plus I still had room for a Tiramisu.

In case you are wondering - the birthday girl is below right. It has taken James 18 months to get his hair this long.

The waiter, coming from behind James, greeted us with "Good Evening Ladies" and then did a double take when he realised James was definitely NOT a lady!!

Mum and me.

Interesting corkboard.

Mum

Mum is visiting from Canberra.

Filming at Cleveland Point

The whole of the Point is fenced off while filming of "The Chonicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader" is underway. What an amazing ship!

Circus Oz

We went to Circus Oz Barely Contained today.

Mad, funny, clever and pure entertainment. The strength, flexibility, stamina and control of the performers was amazing. I couldn't take photos during the performance, so here is the stage before the show started...

New Grevilleas

I bought two new grevilleas at the market this morning - one is Moonlight

the other is Caloundra Gem.

8am Sunday - and it's already a good morning!

I have just listed my first item for sale on ebay - a bit of to-ing and fro-ing getting my banking details verified, but ta-da! I've done it!! Happy dance....

Being Alive

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures."
Thornton Wilder

Ugh!

I am not squeamish about cleaning out the filter basket - bugs and spiders don't worry me. Today though - ugh!!! - I felt it before I saw it - a cane toad.

I may be more cautious in future....

Writer's Festival

Yesterday was a picture perfect day in Brisbane - unbelievable blue, cloudless skies and wonderful weather.
First off - a stick-to-your ribs breakfast of hash browns, baked beans, bacon, mushrooms, egg...mmmmmmm
Then it was time for a day at the Writer's Festival. There are heaps of sessions to choose from - too many in fact, and lots of overlaps, so one person can't really do it all.

The sessions I went to covered surveys (how to get to the truth of what people are really thinking, why are we so hung up on surveys and quizzes); the female libido and whether there are differences between "mating in captivity" and "mating in the wild"; cooking; and "Creativity - Art or Science".

More than 28,000 will attend this long weekend of thought provoking, challenging, and funny events. Highly recommended!

I had a break at lunch time and strolled across the bridge to town where I sat and enjoyed free entertainment.
A perfect day.

September Postcard

I received this lovely card in the mail yesterday - Robyn is WAAY too organised!
The theme this month is circles. On the back she stitched - "Sew many buttons Sew little time".
A sweet little flower button takes the places of the "o" in "buttons"!!
Thanks so much Robyn!

Judging

For the third year, I was asked to judge the quilts entered in the Redlands Quilt Extravaganza.
Barbara and Christine were fellow judges.
As usual, there was a wide variety of quilts - different colours and styles, and lots of inspiring creativity.
The Show is on from Friday through to Sunday.
As a thank you I received this lovely package of fabrics!

Bamboo Blossoms

Today was Bamboo Blossoms day. Dao made a wonderful Thai lunch.

She is a talented quilter/bag maker!

Dancing Shoes

For my second night of Scottish country dancing I decided to invest in some equipment...

Not traditional - but they did remind me of a jabot...

PLUS they were easy to dance in - woohoo!!

Coolangatta

I decided I needed to be beside the sea - so I drove south and found myself at Coolangatta.
I had to drive through suburbs to get a good shot of the balloon - it reminded me of Canberra.
Quilt designs are everywhere.
The beach was virtually empty, the sky was overcast, the surf was strong and loud - perfect for lots of walking and thinking.

New book review posted

See my other blog - Our Miss Books - for a review of

If You Really Loved Me... by Toby Green

Blossom

This is exciting! The first flower on any of the murrayas which I planted more than a year ago. The plant is also called mock orange, and the scent of the flowers is just amazing...sweet and heady...so I am looking forward to many more blossoms!!