Lavender Cottage

A B C...

2011-05-31T18:12:00.000-07:00

... According to me.

A. Age: my fingers don't want to type this... surely that's not my age.. its my mothers age.. or even my grandmothers... can't be mine.. surely not!

B. Bed size: Queen. but I sleep on the very edge of the right hand side - close enough to the edge to dangle one foot out of bed... its sort of a thermometer..do you know what I mean?

C. Chore that you hate: Making beds.. running from one side to the other... but then they look so lovely all made up... I love that look of cosiness.

D. Dogs: I had a Maltese named Daisy :) sooo beautiful.. but now I have a c-a-t.

E. Essential start to your day" My shower... the day just doesn't flow if this doesn't happen...

F. Favorite colour: Well, it was lavender, however, I am turning to pink ..and of course white... and I love the pale blue and red combination..ohhhhh do I really have to choose...??? I can't help but wonder how bloggers pick a color and stick to a theme... I am sure I have it worked out.. then I see mint green..or pale blue... sigh.....

G. Gold or silver: Gold

H. Height: 5'8and a half"... I love being tall :)

I. Instruments you play: Piano... and I sing... this is a huge family interest.

J. Job title: Counsellor. I love my job!

K. Kids: 3 daughters... then the next layer... one granddaughter and two grandsons.

L. Live: Australia! Between the ocean and the mountains. On the beautiful eastern coastline. Golden beaches...the Pacific ocean... lush green mountains... the Australian bush... rustic old farm houses.. modern beach mansions... shopping plazas... its all here!

M. Mother's name: Dorothy Lillian. Beautiful name. Beautiful lady.

N. Nicknames: Never had a nickname till later years... (if you don't count the family pet name). One sister couldn't pronounce Marilyn so called me Mayma..or Mame (still does)... but nicknames... came later... Maz... Mazza.... Mazzabindi :)

O. Overnight hospital stays: In November for one week. At Port Macquarie.

P. Pet peeve: People that use the term 'whatever' grrrrrrrr!

Q. Quote from a movie: You had me at 'hello

R. Right or left handed: Right

S. Siblings. 6 sisters.

T. Time you wake up: Between 5 or 6 am.

U. Underwear: Not ready to change from pink and frilly to Hestia yet :)

V. Vegetable you hate: Unwillingness to try legumes.

W. What makes you run late: Daughters applying layer after layer of makeup :)

X. X-Rays you have had: Knee (when I slipped) Kidney stone...ughh!

Y. Yummy food that you make: A lovely Dianne sauce... or my Beef Strog served with macaroni cheese!

Z. Zoo animal. Giraffe.

Simple Womans Daybook.

2011-05-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

For Today...Outside my window... I can see the evening drawing in! The air is crisp with winter settling in. The trees and foliage still green, but the leaves are sparse.. and they look cold.

I am thinking... of new found friends! Of like-minded people that come into your life for a reason or a season. They will play a role.. leave an imprint.

I am thankful for.. The warmth of my bed. The hot water in my shower. The throw rugs that I use constantly, winter foods. My fire place.
From the kitchen.. I want to get back into cooking.. I love to cook.. I love the aromas that fill my kitchen, the warmth of creating foods to share.. I have been an empty nester for too long.

I am wearing... Black pants, black jumper, black and white shirt... dreary!... but I am warm.

I am creating... ideas... plans for winter... plans to knit, cook, create a potted garden, read, my hibernation can be a simple, but fun time.

I am going... to go back to where I have just holidayed, a spot at a beach, a cabin, with beach views.. set high on a hill.

I am reading... some Jodi Picoult books loaned to me by my daughter. Just finished one on the trials of Aspergers (House Rules) and could not put it down. As a counsellor, interested in mental health, I have a profound interest in Aspergers and read as much as I can find about it. I found this book more informative than many resource books on the subject

.I am hearing.. Silence! I love it.

Around the house.. I am content that I am up to date with my housework and in a comfortable place with it. I will start to rearrange soon as I tend to tire of things staying the same for too long.

That's all for my first attempt!

Have a wonderful Wednesday

Thanks to the Simple Woman's Daybook for inviting us to join in

Pay- it- forward giveaway!

2011-04-13T18:56:00.000-07:00

I am still getting used to this blogging world after all this time :) I predid my last post... and posted it 2 weeks later... but didn't realise it was still dated as an older post... so I think some might have missed it. Will give this another go. One more week and then the giveaway finishes.

Pay it forward giveaway!

2011-03-19T00:20:00.000-07:00

Recently I won a giveaway! A beautiful bounty of gifts! I could not have been more excited! One of the first blogs I signed up to follow when I became a blogger was with the lovely Kathryn from Our Shabby Cottage. I have always been in awe of her talents. She has an etsy shop which she stocks with her beautfully shabby decor, which is of a really high standard. If you love Cath Kidston you will just love the fabrics she uses. Her handmade throws are just so beautiful, I just drool looking at them. Kathryn has a busy family life, I have followed with interest as her new house was being built and felt excited along with her when she moved into it. How she fits into one day all that she does leaves me gobsmacked.

Anyhow...... Kathryn had a pay it forward giveaway. Pay it forward has a special interest for me also. I just knew I had to enter. A while back, my number 1 daughter and I became very interested in the pay it forward concept. So much so that we were once invited to speak at a large gathering to explain and promote the concept. My daughter and I had so much fun paying it forward to people that never knew we did. Secret gifts, small favors, and the thing was I think the pleasure was mostly ours :) My daughter and I sharing these moments made it all so special. So you see why I just had to join in with Kathryn, don't you?

Sooooo... in my next post I will show you the gorgeous gifts that Kathryn sent (trying to get my camera to co operate). I will be having my little giveaway, and I am having so much fun getting it together. I love to do cardmaking. I am making 4 sets of cards to give as my giveaway. I hope you like them as much as I like making them.

Here we go, I will randomly select 4 bloggers to recieve a pay-it-forward gift from me. All you need do is leave a comment on this post for me. The conditions are, that you must have a blog, and you must be prepared to share the love and pay-it-forward on your blog and then link back here when you post about your pay-it-forward. Pretty simple :)

Variety Club Youth Choir Flash Mob 'I am Australian'

2011-02-13T18:09:00.000-08:00

Proud Mum

2011-01-26T19:36:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share with you a videoclip of my daughter in her band. I am so proud of her talents and of the wonderfull daughter that she is.

This is the utube address I hope that you enjoy this. http://www.ebetalent.com/dreamtime-dance-band

To make it easier to pick her out I am adding a current picture of her too. She is on the left, she and her friend from Australia were shopping in NY, I think it is, when her friend visited her recently.

Add-on: Mariette (from Marriette's Back to Basics) tells me this s the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. If you havn't visited Mariette please do... I love her blogs, I am a constant visitor. Thank you Mariette. http://mariettesbacktobasics.blogspot.com/

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T17:15:00.000-08:00

A very Merry Christmas to all of my blogging friends. I hope you have a happy and Holy day and that Santa is good to you all.
Marilyn

2010-04-05T02:46:00.000-07:00

A visit to my sister to see how she was feeling after a fall. I could not help but take a few shots of the cute pink things in her home. The "get well" boquet was lovely don't you think.

The teddies look so cute cuddled up on the chair.

I just love her pretty mint green and pink kitchen.

She is a keen collector of all things Betty Boop. I love this darling little bed cover in one of the rooms.

l

I just love pink, don't you?

2010-04-04T02:25:00.000-07:00

This little Easter bunny and I would like to wish you all a Happy and Blessed Easter.

2010-04-04T01:36:00.000-07:00

Here comes the bride! Isn't she beautiful.

The lighthouse made a beautiful setting! This lighthouse is at South West Rocks which is on the mid north coast of NSW.

This darling little family have settled in their hometown and I wish them all the best for their future (Note the kangaroos grazing in the background).

My Goddaughters Wedding.

2010-03-20T18:57:00.000-07:00

My beautiful Goddaughter Angela recently married the man of her dreams. I thought I might show you a few pics of the reception.

The wedding was held at the Lighthouse at South West Rocks. The reception held at The Tavern on the beautiful Maclear River... do you see the river in the back ground.. and ohhhhhh that cake! Was a chocoate mud cake with strips of white chocoale surrounding the milk chocolate. Delicous!

The centrepieces for the table were long crystal vases with goldfish in them. Alas it was such a hot day that some of the fish were distressed and had to be refreshed and moved to a cooler spot. But all was well!

Tomorrow I will show you some pics of the wedding at the lighthouse.

Marilyn

Back Again

2010-03-19T19:07:00.000-07:00

Hi to my blogland friends. Its been ages since I blogged! My health was my main issue but I am going ok again now - much better than I was.
I have so much catching up to do. Although I didn't blog I did keep up with all your blogs and they were a great comfort when I wasn't well. I even entered some giveaways and won some, and I want to thank the lovely people for the beautiful gifts I recieved.

This is just the most beautiful piece of art and I love it. I adore the little faux cupcakes too...arn't they just adorable. I took lots more pics of the unwrapping,however, I took them on the wrong setting so can't show them here. I just love my gifts and I want to thank Kerryanne from Shabby Art Boutique. If you have not visited her blog please do so... you won't be disapointed. Kerryanne and I both laughed when I won as she opened her giveaway to all... including blog friends in various counries and I won and I live just half an hours drive from her. We have not met yet but thats somthing I am looking forward to :) .

Take care all and I will be back soon :)

Marilyn

Computer problems!

2009-07-25T22:30:00.000-07:00

Hello dear friends. Just wanted to let you know I am still following all my favourite blogs, have just had some problems with my computer..they are not sorted yet but I am trying. Have had some health issues and am sorting those out too. But the good news is, I have had my family all home. All problems went out the door for those two weeks. Had my daughter and her husband fly in from the US, my daughter, her partner and my granddaughter up from Newcastle and my other daughter, husband and grandson visit from Tamworth. As well as that had heaps of friends staying. My house has been a hive of activity but now its all stopped. Have to get used to my quiet house again.
I will be back to post as soon as I can.
Marilyn

Yikes! Its flooding again.

2009-05-24T19:29:00.000-07:00

Our town is in flood, for the second time this year.
I took a heap of pics to show you but on the wrong setting :( however, my friend Anne gave me these first few pics to use, then my friend Suzy the last few. Thanks girls!
This river in flood time is the second fastest flowing river in the world. The first is the Mississippi.
A field opposite my Goddaughters house, this is photographed from her front door.
Coles car park.
The gardens outside the RSL club.
Under the bridge from a different angle

This gorgeous old factory has been turned into a furniture store. My friend Suzy Baines gave me these pics below to show the water going inside the shop. They worked for hours to raise all their goods out of flood reach and they were succesful..they didn't lose any of their stock.

Can you imagine the cleaning up that will have to happen?

This picture Suzy took just up the road from the factory.

The Kempsey Show

2009-05-24T18:30:00.000-07:00

First of all let me tell you that I am sorry I have not blogged for a while. I have been too sick, but looking at your blogs has been a great comfort for me and I have tried to keep up with my comments. If I have missed you I am sorry, but I have a date for my operation now, which is June 4 and so then I will be back as soon as I can and back into blogging, which I love to do.

The Kempsey Show was a great event and though I was sick I took my grandchildren and was able to get some pics. Enjoy!

Savannah won first place for her arrangement, by the time I took the pics it had wilted a little. This is her work, and she was so proud.

See Liams little potato animal taking a peep around!

They both just loved the baby animals

Gift

2009-04-19T21:37:00.000-07:00

What a delightfull treat. I went to my postbox and found a lovely parcel from Pip at Rest Is Not Idleness Pip had made some lovely Quince Paste (which she gives the recipe for on her blog) and wanted to share some with me when I said that I loved it too. The paste arrived all sealed up and in a lovely little box

as well as that Pip included a little red organza bag that held a grogeous red beaded rose pin that she had made, and the cutest little bounding bunny (check these out on her blog also).

My lovely cheese and fruit plate I made last night that featured that yummy Quince Paste.

Thank you so much Pip, the real treasure in that box is friendship.. how wonderful to think that technology enables two people that might not have met under ordinary circumstances to 'meet' and share bounty. Do look at Pips blog, its so nice to see people living a sustainable life in these times when our economy is battling. I think most of us will benefit from becoming more selfsufficient and thats not an imposition.. its rather nice to produce homemade/grown goodies for our families.

Memories

2009-04-18T23:23:00.000-07:00

I was just reading a blog by Lyn at MyPinkandCreamCottage. She well describes and shows pics of the recent floods in her area. How devastating for the people of Coffs Harbour (a one hour drive from me). Victoria had their bushfires while other areas were in flood. Reading her article was like a trip down memory lane for me. I live in an area that has massive flooding and I could tell lots of stories, but, the most recent fright for my family was a couple of years ago when Newcastle was in flood and my two youngest daughters and my little granddaughter were stuck in it. They didnt realise that the water was rising outside... here is a newspaper clip.....

Sisters caught in floods
ANGUS GREEN
12/06/2007 3:06:51 PM
THE floodwaters that have indunated Newcastle and the Hunter Valley in recent days forced Kempsey sisters Lauren and Candice Figgett from their home and out into the torrents on Saturday night in a terrifying ordeal.
The Macleay Argus managed to get hold of Lauren yesterday as she sat in a cafe near her home, reflecting on the weekend's events.

Lauren, her sister Candice and seven-year-old daughter Savannah, were with two friends and their four-year-old son.

"We obviously knew it was raining, but it wasn't until I told my sister I was going to call for a pizza for the two kids that I looked outside and saw a river running past the front of our house," Lauren, 24, said.

"My friend said it was too wet for the pizza guys to get here ... man that was an understatement.

"We rushed outside in our undies to see how the shed was faring, but the house was surrounded by water.

"There was literally a river running past our house!

"At first it was quite funny, we were laughing at the novelty of the whole situation, and my friend even went outside to tie a ribbon on a signpost so we could see how fast the water was rising."

Lauren, a well-known singer around Newcastle, said everyone started putting items of value up high within the house, and laughed at her contribution to the possible rescue effort.

"I wrote our names and ages on the back of a Centrelink form so rescuers would know how many of us were up on the roof if it came to that," she giggled.

"After we got that all sorted we just sat at the window and watched these cars float past – lucky for us our house is up on stilts.

"We had been texting and trying to ring friends with trucks or utes to come and get us, and eventually a mate pulled up out the front, and we got the kids ready to move.

"The water kept rising and rising, and the rain was so heavy, so my sister put Savannah on her shoulders and ventured out into the current to get to the ute at the front gate.

"The water was moving so fast, Candice nearly fell a couple of times, and it was at that point the seriousness of our situation dawned on me and I got really scared.

"Savannah was screaming and we were trying to calm the kids down by telling them it was fun and an adventure, but I bet they could see the fear in our eyes.

"We literally swam out the front once we got the kids into the ute and went to a safer house, and every time the wind picked up or a car floated past we would be hit by a wave.

"The water was really disgusting, it was full of garbage and sewage, and on our way to our friend's house we nearly ran out of petrol, the roads were blocked and we had to navigate through deep water not knowing what was below."

Lauren's way of thinking continued to save her future grief, as she always keeps a "fire bag" with her passport and essential documents in it.

"I managed to grab that, but it turns out there was not much need because our house was relatively safe, and I don't have a car so that wasn't a drama.

"One of my friends lost her car and the water went right through her house.

"When we got back to our house on Sunday we found we had lost our fridge and my room was the only room to really get damaged.

"Everyone who I have spoken to since has a story, either they were really lucky, or unlucky as the case was most of the time.

"Looking back, it was really terrifying to think of how things could have gone, and just how lucky we were compared to so many others.

"I work in a cafe in Newcastle, and yesterday (Sunday) we were so busy because there were something like 200,000 homes with no power," she said.

"Not surprisingly the general topic of conversation was the storm and the flooding, and some of the horror stories were really frightening.

"A woman who lives just up the road from us was home alone with her two babies, and she was stranded until the firefighters and rescue crews helped her get out.

"The firies drove past us and yelled out, asking us if we were all right, and when we gave them the thumbs up they sped off.

"They must have had a hell of a night.

"The damage in my room was pretty bad, but I will go home today and try and sort it out to see if anything, I really should be thanking my stars that the flood waters didn't actually reach the house.

"The water damage in my room was from the rain coming through the roof, not the flood waters.

"Walking around Newcastle, the waters have receded a bit, but there are still car parks full of cars that floated in and smashed against each other.

"I reckon Newcastle will be mopping up for a long time before they are back to normal, and that's if the rain holds off."

What wasn't told was that there was a blackout and it was late at night... when they tried to leave the house... my granddaughter was on her mums head and in the dark..they could not follow a path and didn't know it they were on even ground or about to sink. How frightening would that have been....?

We have had minor flooding in my town twice in the last 2 months... and the rain is still hanging around.. but the sun is out too and our Autumn is looking really good... While our US friends are looking to their beautiful Spring weather.. I am watching our leaves turn to gold. Autumn is such a beautiful season!

Go Aussie Go!

2009-04-13T21:31:00.000-07:00

This award I got from my lovely friend Monica over at Monicas English Version (see my side bar).

And this one comes with a little job!

I’ll have to list 10 honest things about ME…

We know the usual...so I will try to think of some unusual things that are true for me.

1. I always had an ambition to finish school...so at 44 I went back to education! I finished school then went on to graduate from University just weeks after my 50th birthday.

2. I have a daughter who is a singer. She trained at the Conservatorium here in Australia, she trained classically but sings any genre. She is billed in the USA as an international performer.

3. I work in a hospital. I am a Social Scientist. I work in an Opioid Dependency Unit. I also do general counselling or psychology work privately.

4. I am interested in brain function, phobias and addictions. (weird huh?) I love to study people and how and why they function as they do.

5. I collect cook books. The ones from churches or schools etc. I especially love the ones that have contrubutors names or anything personal from some other cook.

6. I don't like to travel (its an agoraphobic thing-not the type that I cant leave the house... just don't travel too far from home).

7. I live very simply. A lot of the work I do is for the love of it. The people that I want to reach can't afford me or the services that I represent... so.... a lot of my work is free.. which means I live frugally.

8. I get excited about the small things. Often when I look back..they were the BIG things.

9. I love children.

10. I am motherly, and I like what that creates. I 'mother' most people that I meet and that is like a trademark with me. I dont want any of my wrinkles removed.. I dye my hair but leave some gray showing... I like being a Nanna to my grandkids..and any other kids that need a Nanna, and one of the nicest things ever said to me was from my youngest daughter... "You have one of those faces that if you were lost in a big city you would go up to you for help because that would feel safe"..lol.

That’s it..

Now I am passing this on to 6 friends

Pip at Rest Is Not Idleness

Julie at Whimsical Notions

Tania at Out Back

Lucinda at Hume Cottage

Jen from Jens Chronicles

Anne at Annies Cottage

These are all Australian girls and I chose them to give some of our international friends a chance to look up some Australian blogs that they just might not stumble across so easily. They can all be found on my sidebar.

Lavender

2009-04-08T18:11:00.000-07:00

My wonderful friend Robyn called round with a beautiful gift to pack in my hospital bag. I just love Lavender (would you have guessed?).

My Tree

2009-04-08T18:09:00.001-07:00

When I look out my back door..this is what I see...isn't it beautiful!

Today is Good Friday, in Australia that means we are celbrating it ahead of our friends in the US. For me it means that I will spend the day simply, with family. We will enjoy a lunch of seafood and salad, then off to an afternoon Mass. Home for a hot cross bun, but basically a quiet day of reflection.
My beautiful tree that I see from my back door as I sit here at the computer shows a stillness and peace that reflects the promise of this day.

Happy Easter

2009-04-08T15:52:00.000-07:00

I want to wish you all a happy and Holy Easter! I am waiting for my family to arrive home and the anticipation is wonderful.

I had a lovely surprise a few days ago when a blogger asked for my address to send me a card for Easter that she had made, well it arrived yesterday and I was just so blown away by the kindness and the friendliness shown to me. What an absolutely beautiful card.

It arrived with little butterflies on the envelope and boy, was I excited.

Inside, a lovely little tissue wrapped parcel with an easter egg sticker.

As I opened it lots of little cutouts fell out, they were so cute.. all sorts of easter cutouts.. fish, bunnies, eggs etc.

A beautiful standup card that had a very meaningfull message inside, (bought a tear to my eye) and another little card lovingly made that I can hang. Thank you so much Jules, from Whimsical Notions. You certainly bought great joy by that kind act.

2009-04-03T13:07:00.001-07:00

I recieved this lovely award from my friend Sandi at http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/. Sandi is a lovely lady and has a great blog. It is called the Uber Blog Award.

HISTORY OF THE UBER AWARD

Uber {synonym of super} Amazing Blog Award is a blog award given to sites that inspire you, make you smile and laugh, gives amazing information, a great read, have an amazing design, and any other reasons you can think of that makes them Uber amazing!

Like Sandi, I am flattered to think that anyone would want to pass me this particular award because I still consider myself fairly new to blogging and I really didn't think my blog was anything special!

I used to look at all the lovely blogs on here and want to be part of the blogging community, but was not sure that I would have enough to contribute. I often struggle to think of things to blog about that would be of interest to anyone but me..lol. But I'm so glad I took the plunge! I have made so many wonderful blogging friends. So thank you Sandi for this award!

There are rules to go along with receiving this award.

1. Copy the badge and put the logo on your blog sidebar or post.

2. Nominate at least 5 blogs {or more} that for you are amazing.

3. Share the love and link to this post and to the person you received your award from.

4. Come back here and comment so that your link could be added to the master list of awardees.

The Uber Blog Award goes to: All my good friends on here! Too hard to narrow it down, so I would like to offer this to anyone that would like it.

Marilyn

2009-03-29T17:52:00.000-07:00

I have not posted for a while, but I wanted you all to know that I have put my home invasion behind me and have moved on from it. I have been able to resurect my car though it was damaged, and its driving well.

My daughter that lives on the other side of town, Heidi (kookaburracottage) is moving. Its been so nice having her and Matt and my grandson Liam living close by, but, with the recession, Matt has lost his job and they are forced to move so that Matt can take up a new position in a town around 4 hours (each way) drive from me. While I will miss them dreadfully, I feel that the move will be good for them. They will get to see more of the world then just our country town, and Matt will get to finish his apprenticeship as an aircraft engineer. Heidi is a primary school teacher so we are hoping that she will find work in her new surroundings too. Liam will begin school there next term and he will be challenged with the move, plus he has never been this far away from his Nanna before :).

My other news is that my daughter Lauren and her husband Brendan will be visiting us from there home in Pensylvania. They will arrive here on July 1st and stay for 6 weeks.... its been over a year since I have seen my daughter and I am really looking forward to this. They were married in June last year and are not supposed to leave the country (conditions for bringing in a spouse from another country) for 3 years but she requested they be allowed as I will be having an operation before that and have been unwell, so they have been granted approval for the visit. I have been having problems with kidney stones and all that will be sorted with the op :) )

I am looking forward to having my granddaughter come stay with me for the school holidays and during that time we will have our local show (or fair, for my US friends). The children love to exhibit flower arrangements and produce for this and they have already started to plan their harvest :) . Last year they did well with some first and second places. One year Liam got grandchampion for a pumpkin that he and I grew together. He was so proud.

Well thats my news for the moment...sorry its so long between posts but for the moment thats how it has to be. Thank you all so much for the well wishes that I have recieved, I can't begin to tell you all how much they have meant to me.
Marilyn

Giveaway

2009-03-21T13:23:00.000-07:00

Just found this supercute giveaway from Retro Cafe Art Gallery. Go there and take a peek..bye..I am off to work. Be back soon.

I Won! I Won!

2009-03-15T23:19:00.000-07:00

Well this super exciting blog was to be a highlight before the unfortunate turn of events that my last two posts covered. I can't tell you how excited I was to hear that I had won this beautiful collection of gifts from Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage and Inspirations. Sandi is a beautiful lady with a wonderful blog showcasing her heart and home from a Christian perspective. Do pay her a visit, if you havn't already, you will be pleasantly rewarded.

Thank You

2009-03-14T20:29:00.000-07:00

I would like to say thank you for the comforting messages I recieved yesterday. I just love the warmth of the friends I have made on here. I cannot explain how I felt yesterday when I wrote that post, but I was shocked, disapointed, angry, sad.. a mixture of a lot of emotions. I could not ring out to ask a friend for comfort or to drop over, because all my numbers were in my mobile phone somewhere in a strangers pocket. I was able to ring my daughter and she came to my rescue by ringing the police and her dad, who came by and offered support. Its weird how vulnerable we are when we feel so exposed and its easy to 'freeze' and not be able to do small things like find the number for, and ring, the police (combining the fact that I am unwell at the moment, and that definately didn't help).

My car (I only had if for 5 days) has been located. Police tell me it will be driveable but its not 'my pretty little car' anymore. It was used to smash through a huge set of iron gates so there is extensive damage. It was not a new car when I bought it..but I chose it very carefully and picked one I loved.

My cash I will never see again. The money my children gave me to renovate my kitchen. I have money... but that particular money was a gift.. it was special.. my childrens way of 'contributing' to their mums reno's. Their input into making my home comfortable and a pretty place for me. :(

I did find a set of keys (they were from my workplace, and I work in a tight security section, keeping those keys would have meant huge consiquences for anyone stealing them and they were smart enough to foresee that and throw them down before they left). My personal keys and my huge keyboard were all taken..why the heck would they want my chalkboard???? My two handbags I found emptied and thrown up under my house.. and my purse was found on the backseat of my car... and thankfully my cards were intact so there is a huge job that I dont have to do renewing them all. My phone I will miss. It will take me ages to gather my numbers again..some of them from friends that I contact only occasionally and unless they ring me, I may not be able to get their numbers for ages. Its just all so disconcerting!

Anyway, we are having a beautiful day here today... two lovely friends took me out to a beautiful restaurant for a delicous meal last night, and one of them had a gift for me... a new mobile phone! I came home to find two beautiful bunches of flowers waiting for me... sent by some great friends. Talk about feeling loved and cared about. I have tears in my eyes just writing this.

Have a beautiful day all! Hugs to you all from me. Marilyn xoxo

Home Invasion

2009-03-13T15:33:00.000-07:00

Well, I just woke up..got dressed for work..looked for my bag and keys.. gone! Then I realised..I had been burgled...so much stuff gone... plus my car... ! This is devastating... my purse..my phone.. no numbers to ring and tell anyone. I cant describe what I am feeling. I am waiting for the police... Marilyn

Another Award

2009-03-05T16:13:00.000-08:00

This award was given to me by Monica over at Monicas English Version (see my sidebar). Such a beautiful lady that I have made friends with on here.

Here are the rules for this award:

These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.” Also put a link to their blogs and then let them know they have been selected!

Well… piece of cake.. isn’t it??

Here are my eight:

Heidi at http://kookaburracottage.blogspot.com/

Sarah at http://shabbyrosesandprettythings.blogspot.com/

Kim at http://kimscottage.blogspot.com/

Shannon at Paint Mine Pink http://shannonthompson.blogspot.com/

Jen at http://jenschronicles.blogspot.com/

Lucinda at http://humecottage.blogspot.com/

Kelly at http://rosevinecottagetwo.blogspot.com/

Mashelly at http://joyfulhomemaker.blogspot.com/

Those were my eight :-) Love you all!

Award

2009-03-04T18:54:00.000-08:00

My Dear Friend (and namesake) over at Victorian Cottage victoriancottage.blogspot.com/ has given me this Fabulous Award!! What a great way to brighten the day!!

*Here are the award rules:
List 7 things that you love and then pass the award on to 7 bloggers you love!
Be sure to tag them and let them know they have won!
You can copy the picture of the award and put it on your sideboard letting the whole world know.....you are KREATIV!

I Love:

1. Blogging, blogging, blogging and did I mention blogging!
2. Shopping with my daughter Heidi
3. Sour Green Apple Straps
4. High tea
5. Rainy weather and being snug just a few feet from where it is falling
6. Everything Pink
7. Lavender

http://kookaburracottage.blogspot.com/
http://sweet.as.a.candy.blogspot.com/
http://mylittlecottageinthemaking.blogspot.com/
http://monicasenglishversion.blogspot.com/
http://outbacktania.blogspot.com/
http://shabbydreaming.blogspot.com/
http://sorcha-sidhe.blogspot.com

Until Later!
Marilyn

...More on family and another giveaway

2009-03-03T16:51:00.000-08:00

Pop on over and see Sandi for yet another giveaway! She is a wonderful lady and you will enjoy her blog.

Well, we are to start having more of the flooding rain that has been here for so long now. Apparently it will rain for a month here..yikes... we only had mild flooding in our area the last time..but a month...whew.. we might be in trouble.

I love reading that my American friends are so looking forward to Spring. We are just starting into Autumn, but very little sign of it yet. One of the things I have never mentioned too much about on here is that I have a third daughter. I respect her wishes for privacy, but without overstepping the mark, I will just mention that she lives with her new husband not far from Philadephia in the USA. She was married over there last June, and is making her home in a very beautiful setting in Pensylvania. The winters are very unusual for her, and included her first sightings of snow. A lot of Australians have never actually seen snow. She missess our beaches and hot weather, she is such a little beach girl. But I know she is enjoying her stay in her lovely little cottage that she takes great care in decorating. She has her mothers love for decorating as so have all my daughters, although, they all have very different styles.

This is my daughters first home. Just gorgeous! They love this dear little house.

This is in their yard! How lucky are they

My daughter just loves mismatched chairs.. aren't they just the cutest?

I just love this. Her own private little corner.

A little decorative bedside table. How cute.

And of course her house would not be complete without............

her touch of home.

Another Giveaway

2009-03-02T20:29:00.000-08:00

Cynthia from Cynthia's Cottage is having a giveaway. Go there to look at the beautiful signs she is giving away. Plus, you get to choose which one you want. She has a wonderful selection. You can go to her logo on my sidebar to go straight there.

I went to a card making craft day today. The second one in the series. I have a new respect for people that make cards..lol.. its not that easy but oh such fun. I would not dare show off my new card but I will keep practising and have some to show on here soon I am sure. If you find a group, go along.. I can't begin to tell you how much fun it is, and such a great use of the creative juices. The different styles and tastes of other people are amazing too. I hope I can expand and use colours and styles that are new for me. So far its all pink!

Has anyone got any nice ideas on decorating for St Patricks Day? I would love to see them. Some of the Easter ideas are looking good. I love the banners that I have seen on some blogs. I bought the cutest little coloured eggs yesterday (no photo sorry) to hang on a little potted tree. I think they are foam..and coloured in the brightest colours then covered in sparkles...so cute! When I do my tree I will post a pic. Have a great day everyone.. Marilyn

2009-03-01T01:27:00.000-08:00

The Farm Chicks are having a giveaway. Pop over and see their blog.
http://thefarmchicks.typepad.com/farmchicks/

Health update and my girls on holiday

2009-02-27T20:21:00.000-08:00

I have been unwell and not been blogging myself lately, but have been keeping up each day with all the lovely blogs I follow. Its such a nice part of my day and I thank you all for sharing with me. I will be seeing the Professor on monday and may well be operated on during next week.

I wondered what I could blog about since I have been doing very little over the last while and I thought I might show you some pics of my daughter and granddaughter on their holiday in Queensland recently. They stayed on the Gold Coast and had a lovely time, they visited a theme park and I thought maybe some of my friends on here from other parts of the world might enjoy seeing a touristy place in Australia. (Yes I know.. I made that word up :) )

Savannah enjoying a play at the waters edge. We are known for our beautful 'white sand beaches', this pic also shows the highrise of this area, which is very popular with tourists.

The resort they stayed at had wonderful facilities. One of them this huge pool.

Then there was the day at the theme park.

The day just would not be complete without some playground fun!

I am not sure who was the tiredest at the end of it. What do you think?

So, then it was back home to Newcastle and back to school for Savannah. I included these next two pics to show the uniform that Savannah wears to school. In Australia all the children wear uniforms to school. Each school has a different uniform, signifying what school they attend. She sure looks cute, dont you think?

Pram

2009-02-14T16:03:00.000-08:00

Well I hope all my friends in the US are having a great Valentines Day. I tried to call my daughter in PA to tell her I love her but I guess her wonderful new husband has taken her someplace nice to celebrate their first St Vals day as a married couple.
Well its raining cats and dogs here! Some minor flooding, and the rain is just not letting up. I must admit I love rainy weather, I feel so cosy in my little house, all snuggled and warm.
I wanted to show you all something I won at Christmas time. I am not the best photographer in the world but I think you will agree with me that this is just beautiful. Unfortunately these pictures just do not do it justice. My granddaughter could not understand that Nanna did not give her this and wanted to keep it for herself..lol.

I am looking forward to the many ways I can use this pram to decorate, I have had it with a china doll baby in it... but I can see a million uses for it.

Well I am off out to have lunch with a few of my friends. Have a great day everyone.

2009-02-14T02:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines Day to all my friends. The day is almost over for we Australians. Its been a nice day... the rain here is lovely. Our hearts are still saddened by the state of the devastation caused by the bushfires and the floods here.

I wanted to show you what my beautiful daughter Heidi (Kookaburra Cottage) made me for St. Valentines Day. I think they are gorgeous...

The lovely little pink velvet bag, my favourite peppermint tea bags with the tiny little hearts on them with sweet messages..and, did you guess what they are...why...lovebugs of course...lol.

2009-02-03T17:34:00.000-08:00

I am so gratefull for all the lovely comments I have received wishing me good health. Yesterday was a challenging day for me, (anyone with kidney stones knows what I mean by that) but today is a lot better. I will be having an operation to remove the main culprit as soon as the Professor has time to get to me..untill then.. I will have some days that are better than others :)

I thought it was appropriate that I pass this award along today as a thank you to all my blogging friends. I saw it first on Charlottes Web blog then posted by Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage. They were each offering it for anyone that might enjoy it to take it and I wish to do the same.

2009-02-02T16:03:00.000-08:00

Hi all! Sorry I have not posted for awhile. I am not very well. Have kidney stones and they are making me a bit sick. But I will be around soon and have some exciting things to show.

I came across this one word questionaire on someone's blog.

It's not as easy as you might think! Consider yourself

tagged upon reading this and post it on your blog if you so

desire. It's difficult to use only one word answers.

Where is your cell phone? Table

Your significant other? None

Your hair? short

Your mother? Heaven

Your father? Heaven

Your favourite thing? Show

Your dream last night? Threatening

Your favourite drink? Peppermint

Your dream/goal? Travel

What room are you in? Office

Your hobby? Shabby

Your fear? Fear

Where do you want to be in six years? Vacation

Where were you last night? Home

Something that you aren't? Slim

Muffins? Yum

Wish list item? Floors

Last thing you did? Work

What are you wearing? Slacks

TV? Disinterested

Your pets? None

Friends? Loved

Your life? Happy

Your mood? Sick

Missing someone? Lauren

Drinking? Water

Smoking? Never

Your car? Broken

Something you aren't wearing? Shoes

Your favourite store? H&G

Your favourite Colour? Lavender

When is the last time you cried? Awhile

Where do you go over and over? Memories

My favourite place to eat? Chinese

Favourite place I'd like to be? Here

Fresh New Look

2009-01-07T02:25:00.001-08:00

I have had a revamp and a tidy up of my blog. I hope you all like the new look. I will invite you all to take a look at my older posts. Only one page away..but I finally fixed it up so that the tea house pictures are now able to be viewed closer up. I think its worth a look.

I want so show you all something nice that I won in a Xmas raffle, I will try to get pictures soon and also....da daah... the big kitchen redo! My daughter came home for a few days and said "ok, mum..whats a project you want done". I mentioned I needed my kitchen cupboards painted...soooo the next morning..I came home from work to find my kitchen had been literally torn apart. Layers off my walls.. paint pots..ladders... mess everywhere. She is being assisted by her dad, who... a few hours into the operation, hit his head on an arch, whilst climbing a ladder and almost brained himself!

Have a nice day all! Be back soon!

My very first award!

2009-01-06T21:34:00.000-08:00

Wonderful Friendly Award !

I have received an award from My Sweet Friend (and namesake) Marilyn at Our Victorian Cottage Thank you so very much for thinking of me. You are so kind and thoughtful.

Here are the guidelines for this award:'This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers' aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes for self-aggrandizement! Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers!'These are some very wonderful gals to visit. They are thoughtful, friendly and have so many wonderful ideas.

I am supposed to pass this along. So here goes:

1. The lovely Kathryn at Our Shabby Cottage.
2. My dear friend Judy at Prim2Pink
3. Sweet Sue at Oodlekadoodle Primitives
4. Sarah at Shabby Roses and Pretty Things

Christmas

2008-12-25T21:53:00.000-08:00

Look at the wonderful gift I recieved from my dear friend Jane. She is an artist and painted this just for me... what could be more perfect... my PINK rose!

While we are here..let me show you the gingerbread house that my little Savannah made. Savannah is 8 years old, and she is here to spend her summer holiday with me. Its so cute!

The flower arrangement with lots of Australian native flowers in it. I was lucky enough to have flowers all over my house for Christmas.. thanx to my family and friends.

Angel

2008-12-24T22:04:00.000-08:00

How exciting is this? Debi at The Journey Ahead contacted me to say that I won her yaya giveaway. Does this mean now I am a real blogger...lol. Thank you so much Debi.. I am so excited about this. Its Christmas Day already here in Australia. Its been a real fun day and to open my blog and get this lovely surprise is just the icing on the cake.

This is the cute little angel that Debi is sending me... isn't she just adorable.

Party

2008-12-15T22:33:00.000-08:00

Wow.. my birthday hasnt even arrived yet..and I have already had two parties. A friend gave a small dinner party last night, in a beautiful restaurant for a dozen close friends. We celebrated a 30th, a 60th, and a 90th. Guess what the major surprise was... ta da.... He organised to have the worlds number one guitarist.. of whom I am a huge fan.. Smokin Joe Robinson, join us for dinner and he bought his Mom Dad and two brothers and sister. Joe lives in my home town. He bought his guitar.. and WOW. He just blows me away!

Here he is with his little brother Adam.. another talented family member. Joe goes back to Nashville in February... he will spend time in New York as well. He is hoping to catch up and spend time with my daughter who is a singer and living in the US. In July he will tour Germany.

Me with Smokin Joe

Birthday.

2008-12-11T17:51:00.000-08:00

Well, this weekend I am having a birthday party. My birthday is really on december 18but thats too close to Christmas to celebrate birthdays ..soooo.... my daughters are throwing me a bash. I have friends coming from all over... girls I went to school with oh so long ago.. some I have maybe seen once or twice in the past 40 years. How exciting is that!

Look at the beautiful flowers Heidi gave me to brighten up my little house for my visitors. Thank you Heidi!

This beautiful little snowman..and the blue teacup were sent to me by my youngest daughter last year from the USA. She and her wonderful husband will be unable to attend my party but we will have them there in our hearts.

So now I am waiting for family and friends to arrive. This is SO exciting! Expect pics from my party. I am sure there will be plenty!

2008-12-09T11:38:00.000-08:00

Isn't this wheelbarrow full of petunias just delightfull. I went to a party for my beautifull God-daughter Angela, and could not resist taking this pic of the barrow in full bloom. Her future Mom-in-law had the most delightfull garden and I just wanted to photograph everything. Have a nice day all... hopefully will catch you all tomorrow.

2008-12-08T22:59:00.001-08:00

Hi all.. Christmas in Australia is very different to the way most of you reading my blog will enjoy your Christmas. Here, its hot, green, we wear the minimum of clothing and footwear.. and the kids just play outside and soak up the good ol summer days. I cannot imagine a cold Christmas! No swimming. No stone fruits. No bbq's in the evenings.
We sit in the cool of the evenings with our candles for what we call Carols by Candlelight. Each little town holds them and the community get together with lots of little acts... much praise... and lots and lots of music. Of course in the cities.. these evenings are much bigger.... with huge choirs and well knows entertainers..but for me... I just like to sit with my family and enjoy our country sing-a-long. There is something about watching the faces of the children with their parents and grandparents.. faces shining... waiting for the moment when Santa arrives with a huge sack and passes out cold drinks, ice-creams and lollies (sweets). Then to hear the sweet voices of the people singing the time worn carols that we all know and love. There is always a feeling of love and joy in the air.. of peace and hope. The feeling of Christmas!

2008-12-08T22:33:00.000-08:00

A work in progres.. my grandchildren working on the tree that will be out front on my porch. They did all the decorations themselves and are so proud of their efforts.
This was followed by a 'tim tam slam', another tradition. Tim tams are choclate coated biscuits or cookies and the children (and big children) nip off the adjacent corners and dip them into their hot chocolate, they suck one of the corners so that the hot chocoate fills the cookie and turns it into a hot messy mouthfull that has to be eaten really quickly before the cookie falls apart.

2008-12-08T22:12:00.000-08:00

Some new little treasures.

2008-11-11T21:17:00.000-08:00

Sorry this has been a bit slow in coming but I guess I was a little bit worried at having another go at it. However, with the positive feedback from some wonderful new friends on here.. here I go again.

These are some little treasures I have found recently. Some from opshopping as we call it here in Australia..or thrift shoping to my US friends. The Little burner and white vase, along with the white lace were opshop finds. That gorgeous little chicken was bought for me by Heidi from the Bellingen Markets. Anyone travelling this way should put those markets on their list of must do's..they are just soooo much fun. The lovely tin jug was from my daughter Candice and the lavender from my garden.

After looking at the blogs on here...I feel inspired to do some things that are new for me. Like painitng. Rather than start at the top as one usually wants to... I thought I would maybe start off small and recreate some things I already have lying around here.. so I chose some baskets and a little metal candle handle. Sooooo by my next post I should be able to show you the after shots.

I am also really excited about a new project Candice is doing. She is in the fashion design industry and has created a new line of t-shirts with...da daaaa... pics of me as a teenager on the front of them. How exciting. When she was here last she took home some little black and whites taken when I was about 17 and she has put her label to these t-shirts. Hopefully somewhere in the near future I will be able to see them and post one on here.

a> My daughter Candice and our beautiful Savannah. Isn't she like her mom?

2008-10-17T03:36:00.000-07:00

Little Blue Tea House.

My daughter Heidi, grandson Liam and myself had a day in Port Macquarie. We stopped over at the Little Blue Tea House to say hi and to partake of the wonderful little goodies on offer there. This is one of our favourite spots! The decor is delightful and the cuisine is fresh and delicous. The management and staff are always super friendly and you feel like you are having a visit with a favourite aunt rather than 'eating out'. With their permission I was able to photograph and add to my blog for all to enjoy.

Anyone visiting Port Macquarie must make this a priority stop.

The Tea House

The Fare

The Decor

The Family

2008-10-17T02:34:00.001-07:00

Hi, I am a shabby chic addict! Although,I do find it difficult to keep my thoughts into one order. My home has hints of country, contemporary, etc, and I even have a small corner with a Japanese theme! I intend to encourage my creative side by 'redoing' my house and teaching myself to renovate small pieces and create my own treasures from trash. I thought it might be fun to record my progress on here, so,to start with I have to decide on my first project!