You Never Know What Waits Around The Corner....

Many of you will be waiting to read and see photos of my trip to New York.
Unfortunately this post is not the pre travel musings I envisaged before we took to the skies this weekend.
Our trip has been cancelled for now, my darling mum is seriously ill. How do I feel? I fluctuate between torrents of tears to happiness she may finally be released to join my Dad in heaven.
Already my body has switched to coping mode, I have travelled this path before...of watching and waiting and praying for a beloved parent.

Take care...

Annie xx

Celebrations and Blue Skies

Last weekend saw us skipping down to the New South Wales south coast for a family celebration.
We enjoyed ourselves immensely and it is always great to catch up with far flung family members. The weather was perfect if just a little bit windy and chilly.
Just look at our brilliant blue Australian sky...glorious.

In the blink of an eye the weekend was over and it was time to fly home with our memories.

Hope your weekend was lovely too

Annie xx

Fathers Day

Father's Day was celebrated today in Australia. This year it was just Mr red roses, our son and myself, our daughter is overseas. The emphasis was on super casual for lunch so I threw a cloth on the outside table, threw smoked salmon, chicken, Brie cheese and fresh bread on a platter and we then proceeded to wash it all down with cold beer and chilled white wine.
The beloved grandfathers are now in heaven so we raised a glass to them then sat on our deck and listened to birdsong and gazed up into the treetops.

Chocolate dipped strawberries and coffee finished off our fare and now I am dashing off this post before I collapse on the sofa from overindulging in good food and maybe one too many glasses of good wine.

And here is a thought for a wee giggle...hmm yes haven't most women encountered this!

Annie xx

Happy 1st Birthday Red Roses and Crystal Hip Hip Hooray!

Well my dear lovely readers I made it!
Today is exactly one year since my foray into this blogging biz and can I just say..I have learnt stuff I never ever realized I could learn!
Blogging has taught me very valuable skills and brought insight into human nature. The blog love swirling around me is amazing (now if I allowed anon/unmoderated comments it may be different but I don't have the inclination to deal with nasty folk). This is my Happy space.

Blog Love...the friends I've made are exceptional women, both in real life and online and for this I'm truly grateful. Another thing I've learnt is that fellow bloggers/readers 'get it'. They understand the appeal and what keeps us churning out our thoughts in this crazy world of technology. Now I've experienced many thoughts of 'why why why am I writing a blog'? To this day I'm not totally sure and have no idea if this foray is going to be a permanent part of the rest of my life but for now it's a hell of a ride and when I look at my little blog I see something I've created and feel just a tad proud.
On the whole this caper has been a thoroughly enjoyable hoot but I have witnessed the vicious side of blogging when a dear real life blog friend endured cyber bullying over many months. Nasty vile vicious stuff. A valuable life lesson...be mindful of wolves in sheeps clothing.



Now for something especially wonderful, as well as my bloggy birthday this weekend my family celebrated my dear Mum's 84th Birthday. Love my Mum to bits because she is a real trooper and she taught me the meaning of stoicism. My little family spent the morning visiting at her care facility with cake (only one candle, thought 84 might be overdoing it and set off the smoke alarms) and presents.
Family is very precious.

So once again thank you one and all for tuning in to my ramblings.
To my family and blog pals who give me encouragement.. you Rock!
Reaching this milestone has made me Happy.

Hugs
Annie xx

A Creative Moment

Hello all, winter here and it's cold. The dog and I are chasing the sun around the house to warm our bones.

Thought I would share this little assignment I gave myself recently. My daughter has a huge collection of fashion magazines so I commandeered one issue of Harpers Bazaar to make a simple layout of cards for my mother's care home. Many stylish ladies of advanced years still appreciate gazing at pictures of pretty clothes and I felt some flash cards would be nice for the residents to peruse.

I enjoyed myself immensely and may do a series for the residents if I can gather more visuals of shoots which are appropriate for the mature lady. Luckily this edition contained pics which were not risque.

The effort reinvigorated a creative side of my personality I should nurture.

Unfortunately this photo would not load correctly so the models are standing on their heads which is kind of funny. Why do some iPhone photos do this I wonder? For love nor money I couldn't get those gals standing on their feet.
Anyway I hope you get the idea...

Cutting (I use a mini guillotine contraption), spacing, layout and laminating is therapeutic and not to be underestimated.
If the opportunity to be creative comes your way embrace it, for it matters not how big or small the task... just Enjoy.

Annie xx

A Birthday Celebration

My darling son has celebrated his 25th birthday.
Birthdays are a big deal in my family and cake plays an important role in the celebrations.
Cake is Mandatory.
Complete with candles until one reaches the age when the amount of candles run the risk of burning down the house.

I rehearsed in my mind the post I would dedicate to my boy but truly no words can convey my love for my son. And my daughter.

Why is the number 25 a big deal to me. I can't answer this, it just is.

I love them both more than I could ever convey here.

More than life itself.

Mum xx

A Bouquet

Beautiful palest pink roses used in a bouquet for a bridal fashion shoot which was styled by my talented daughter.

This photo is on the sidebar temporarily so I couldn't resist including it on my blog to share their sheer beauty and keep the memory forever.

Perfection.

Which leads me to ask...'which is Your favourite coloured Rose'?

Annie xx

Snowy Mountains ~ Memories

The previous Wednesday Wanderings post featured a teaser photo of Mt Kosciuszko and I promised to share more snaps from our trip last month to this spectacular area. Back in our younger years Mr red roses and I spent many a happy time staying in Jindabyne and travelling up to the snow fields to hit the slopes

We'd load up the car with our ski gear after work on Friday evening and hit the road for the six hour journey from Sydney, our home town before relocating to Brisbane.

The routine was to ski two full-on days with quick breaks for lunch to refuel, then hit the road late Sunday afternoon for the long journey home. 

Fronting up to work on Monday was a killer but we were young and determined. Actually we're still a determined pair... just not so young these days!

Visiting Jindabyne and surrounds was a chance to indulge fantastic memories and it was truly wonderful to catch up with family who reside in this magical setting. The autumn weather was brilliant, clear and crisp with a taste of winter around the corner and with winter of course comes snow and the hills are transformed into an Australian winter wonderland. 

So here we are...a selection of scenic shots (except for the apples) of the Snowy Mountain region of 

New South Wales.

Perisher Valley Ski field

Charlottes Pass village

 Apple trees dot the roadside and produce the best apple pie

Snowy River

 Kangaroos and Wallabies dot the landscape and it's not unusual to find a mob grazing in one's home yard

The lookout I climbed to snap last weeks featured Mt Kosciuszko photo

Snow gums which are still recovering from a devastating bushfire which ripped through the area almost one decade ago

Thredbo river

 Lake Jindabyne

High country. Brings back fond memories of the classic Australian film The Man from Snowy River.
I get goosebumps watching this film

 Thredbo ski fields. During winter the transformation is breathtaking

Am I looking forward to returning...you bet and I'm determined to make our next visit happen sooner rather than later.
The mountains will be calling me.


Annie xx

Wednesday Wanderings

Hello all.

Today I'm posting a teaser photo of my recent visit to Australia's Snowy Mountain region. During my stay I managed to snap some lovely photos and I'd like to share them with you very soon.

I am delighted to say I have a few spiritual 'homes' and without doubt this locale is one of those special places which is dear to my heart.

Mt. Kosciuszko 2012


So, I shall tune in later when I post some visions of this beautiful area (after I deal with this kind of crazy week I'm experiencing).
Take care!

Annie xx

Easter and Change

The other day I popped into a home wares store and these little bunnies jumped into my handbag. The perfect spot was waiting for them on the entry table. I smile every time I pass by these three cuties.

Easter holds different meaning for many folk these days. Throughout my childhood Easter involved a Good Friday breakfast of hot cross buns (never consumed before Good Friday, in fact the shops only baked them the week of Easter) salmon rissoles or baked fish for lunch then a quite afternoon viewing a biblical film on television with extended family.  Easter Sunday involved waking to chocolate eggs then a roast chicken lunch after attending Mass. Nothing has changed menu wise on Good Friday (being raised a Catholic I dare not consume meat...a lightening bolt will strike me down) but other traditions have changed. 

My children are grown and are enjoying spending the long weekend with their respective friends out of town instead of being glued to home and my dear mother lives in a care facility. Why is this different?

My Mum is no longer well enough to leave her residence to visit my home for celebrations and as previously mentioned, the kids are out living their lives. So in effect my determination to hold onto my idea of Easter with every family member around me has hit a wall this year. What to do? 

Absolutely nothing, except rejoice in the fact Mr red roses is rostered off from work for the whole Easter break which is the first time in living memory, I'll visit Mum tomorrow bearing chocolate and I am thankful my children have the nicest bunch of friends any parent could wish for. 

Sometimes one needs to let go of traditions, be it through choice or circumstances beyond our control.

 The sun is shining through the windows in my favourite room and I rejoice that I am here to enjoy it. So while my lifelong version of Easter is now different I still regard this blessed time of year as one to take stock and give thanks for just...Being.

Our plan today was to partake of a movie but I can't bare to drag myself away from home with it's view of majestic tall trees and bird song to sit in a dark theatre so instead we shall go for a leisurely stroll by the river later this afternoon and maybe a yummy Vietnamese dinner to finish off the day.

Wishing everyone a beautiful and restful Easter be it full of tradition or not.

Annie xx

Wednesday Wanderings

Today we wander over to Japan, one of my favourite countries in the whole world.

While in Nagoya we travelled to Kyoto on the Shinkansen or more commonly called the 'Bullet Train' which travels at speeds up to 300km/h. 

Amazing speed and the most comfortable train ride imaginable. On par with Maglev in Shanghai. 

These trains are simply amazing!

This perfectly wonderful scene is 'Sando' a traditional shopping street located in Narita. This main road leads to the Nartiasan Shinshoji Temple.
A leisurely stroll stopping to admire the shops on the way to the temple is a must while visiting Narita. The shopkeepers are friendly and welcoming.
The temple itself is magnificent and a beautiful place of calm and serenity.

We have not returned to Japan since the 2011 tsunami and my heart aches.


I have included a second photo in today's post because next week I shall be interstate visiting relatives and having a computer free week so will miss posting a Wednesday travel pic.
I'm really looking forward to catching up with beloved family especially my two little nephews aged 5 and 1. There is going to be lots of cuddles, Lego building and books read by their auntie. It's been far too long between visits and I miss them like crazy.
Mind you I won't get on the plane unless I get cracking and pack. Did you know I loathe packing? Even after all the travelling I've done I still put myself through agony trying to decide what clothes to take!

So enjoy a fabulous week everyone, be good and I'll catch you when I return and answer
 '7 Random Things about Me', bestowed by my friend Lotus from Red Phoenix Style. I can use the week wisely to conjure up interesting random tidbits about moi.

Annie xx