Sunday Blog Spot

 

 

It has become a Sunday tradition for me to sit and browse blogs. However, last weekend, in amongst the travels, the birthday and the long weekend, it didn't happen, so it's nice to be able to return to my routine again this week.

It's a quiet time for me, to just sit and relax, and read about what's happening in the lives of other people - some similar, some not. It's a great way to unwind before a busy week of work kicks off again.

This week I'm globetrotting, flying far, far away to:

 

 

Ngo Family Farm

 

Our Wee Farm

 

Two Happy Hearts

 

 

What blogs are you reading? Perhaps you have a recommendation for me?

 

Sunday Blog Spot

Every Sunday afternoon, I browse blogs.

I catch up on those I follow, and go in search of new ones. It's a quiet time for me, to just sit and relax, and read about what's happening in the lives of other people - some similar, some not. It's a great way to unwind before a busy week of work kicks off again.

This week I'm admiring the cozy and pretty blogs belonging to:

Grass Stained Me

 

Country Living by the Sea

 

Posie Gets Cozy

What blogs are you reading? Perhaps you have a recommendation for me?

Sunday Blog Spot

Every Sunday afternoon, I browse blogs.

I catch up on those I follow, and go in search of new ones. It's a quiet time for me, to just sit and relax, and read about what's happening in the lives of other people - some similar, some not. It's a great way to unwind before a busy week of work kicks off again.

 

I don't mean to be bossy, but you simply must visit the following blogs if you've not done so before. They are all kinds of beautiful, amazing, and wow!

 

 

Manger

 

Madelief

 

Seaweed Kisses

 

 

What blogs are you reading? Perhaps you have a recommendation for me?

Sunday Blog Spot

Every Sunday afternoon, I browse blogs.

 

I catch up on those I follow, and go in search of new ones. It's a quiet time for me, to just sit and relax, and read about what's happening in the lives of other people - some similar, some not. It's a great way to unwind before a busy week of work kicks off again.

 

This week I am discovering and rediscovering the beautiful blogs belonging to:

 

 

Sincerely, Kinsey

 

Ann-Marie Loves

 

The Sentimental Bloke

 

 

What blogs are you reading? Perhaps you have a recommendation for me?

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Blog Spot

 

 

Every Sunday afternoon, I browse blogs.

 

I catch up on those I follow, and go in search of new ones. It's a quiet time for me, to just sit and relax, and read about what's happening in the lives of other people - some similar, some not. It's a great way to unwind before a busy week of work kicks off again.

 

This Sunday, I am getting immersed in the lovely blogs of:

Little Green Village

Bunny Mummy

Love Lee

 

What blogs are you reading? Perhaps you have a recommendation for me?

Sunday Blog Spot

 

 

Every Sunday, just after 3pm, I sit down with iPhone in hand and browse blogs.

 

I catch up on those I follow, and go in search of new ones. It's a quiet time for me, to just sit and relax, and read about what's happening in the lives of other people - some similar, some not. It's a great way to unwind on a Sunday before a busy week of work kicks off again.

I thought it'd be nice to share some of my favourite blogs with you each week, so that the next time you take a moment to catch up on your blog reading, I might have found the perfect, new favourite blog for you. 

On this very sunny Sunday afternoon, I am getting immersed in the pretty blog worlds of:

Sunny Corner Farm

Practising Simplicity

Little Red Moose

 

What blogs are you reading? Perhaps you have a recommendation for me?

 

The Week in Pictures...

* Vegetarian Delights: Salad with boccocini and quorn, drizzled with my favourite salad dressing. It's my new favourite thing to eat. I've been having it every day for lunch when at work as it helps me to pretend that it is, in fact, already spring.

* I made lemon cordial for the first time ever this week using my Nanna's recipe. It made enough for 3 bottles but barely made a dent in the mountain of lemons I have. I might make another batch this week coming and have a go at lemon butter, if I find the time...

* You see, all my spare time may well be gobbled up by Neil Oliver's The History of Scotland, which arrived in the post this week. Loving it.

* Bailey-dog finally went for his post-winter haircut.

* We had SJ's builder Uncle come around to take a look at a bit of cracking along the cornice in a couple rooms, which we'd put up less than 12 months ago. We were concerned it was a major issue, but builder Uncle could not find anything seriously wrong aside from the cornice cement coming away from the wall. Apparently a common problem with stone buildings due to the clash of old and new materials. Easy to fix, though, just a pain in the...

* I can feel the days longer now. When I finish work at the end of the day the sun is still visible over the buildings in town, as opposed to having half disappeared below the horizon already.

Monday Mail Out: Keeping it Real.

One of my favourite things about blogging is that it is a great way to meet a whole bunch of really fun, friendly, fantastic people who share similar interests, but sometimes it doesn't seem very real when so often we hide behind our internet masks.

Today, rather than write about mail I thought I'd just write it.

I'd like to write you, dear blog reader, if you will let me.

I won't keep you long, I promise; just a little note on a card that you can read over your morning or afternoon tea.

If you'd be so kind as to let me I would love to send you something real and tangible from my real and tangible world.

All you have to do is leave a comment with the means in which to contact you (an email address would be perfect) and I shall do the rest.

I require nothing in return.

Written correspondence has been a hobby of mine for a long time, & Monday Mail Out is a weekly feature whereby I can share my love for the lost art of letter writing. I hope my experiences will encourage others to send out letters on Monday too, and have them rediscover the joy of sending and receiving mail. If you have a blog, feel free to join in.

Words.

Today I keep losing them.

For me words are everything. From the moment of our birth until the time of our death words describe and define us. We have names and titles. We have job descriptions and an address. Tax records. Insurance policies. Bank statements.

We live our lives through words. We are entertained by words and we communicate with words. We speak, send birthday cards and letters. In today's world we also Facebook, Twitter and Blog. We use words to record our entire existence and after death it is the words that remain. Words tell our history and become our legacy.

But today I am frustrated by the absence of words.

Perhaps tomorrow I shall find them again?

Embarking on an Escape.

I just wanted to write a brief post to inform you all that I am about to embark (escape?) on a week-long holiday to Sydney and the Blue Mountains, where I'll spend some time with my "middle" sister and a friend.

It's my first time to this part of the country and I'm terribly excited. And somewhat overwhelmed since there seems to be so much to see and do! 

SJ and the Bailey-dog will be minding the house (and all its chores) whilst I'm away, but unfortunately SJ doesn't blog. In fact, he doesn't even know how to turn on the computer, which is somewhat unusual for someone of his generation. Yes, he is a rare find indeed!

So, there will most likely be no further blog posts until I return in a little over a week's time.

Just so you know.

Have a wonderful week!

New in Blogland: Out Back Trains.

I wanted to share with you a new blog that my stepdad (Phil) has put together called Out Back Trains. As a locomotive driver in outback South Australia, he travels to locations that most people outside of his profession will never get to see and experience for themselves. It is predominantly a blog for sharing his photos and stories collected over the years whilst working as a driver on freight and passenger trains. It's well worth the look!

If you knew what your meat went through, would you still be able to eat it?

Perhaps you saw the 4-Corners expose on Australian live export to Indonesia on Monday night, perhaps you did not, and although I wouldn't normally make politically-orientated posts on my blog, when it comes to animal welfare I will make an exception. 

Animal welfare is a topic that I have felt very strongly about for a long time. In 2002 I made the decision to become vegetarian, and two years ago I wrote a post here on my blog about why I feel so strongly about vegetarianism. Having seen first-hand how some so-called "farmers" treat their livestock, I find the whole idea of animal trade cruel.

  

If you want to know more about Australia's live exports, and in turn the 4-Corners expose, you can do so here. There is also the option of sending your local Member of Parliament a letter demanding the immediate ban of all live exports. If you are outside Australia, perhaps it is time to consider your own country's policy on live exports? You could always send your local politican a letter requesting the same if you're not happy with the standards.

I believe the way that we, as humans, treat animals is a reflection of our true selves. It's about time that we took action against the manner in which animals are bred, modified, force-fed, cage-kept, poorly treated and killed in mass-slaughter in order to meet our excessive, consumerist demands. No more excuses: It's just plain wrong and it makes us all bad people.

"If anyone wants to save the planet, all they have to do is just stop eating meat. That's the single most important thing you could do. It's staggering when you think about it. Vegetarianism takes care of so many things in one shot: ecology, famine, cruelty." - Sir Paul McCartney

On My Mind: The Light of Letters.

"And none will hear the postman's knock without a quickening of the heart. For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?" - W. H. Auden

This somewhat intimidating pile of letters is on my mind this Friday.

Now they are sorted I can start writing my replies, which can be quite a slow process considering I write all my mail by hand - Computers are for blogging, pens are for corresponding!

**~**~**~**~**

 

This is a Friday photo feature from Down to Earth that anyone with a blog can join. It opens the door to us sharing our lives through these photos and gives us all a new way to discover each other, and maybe form new friendships. Your photo should show something at home that you're thinking about TODAY.

To take part, all you have to do is post a photo, write a short caption explaining it, and link it back to Down to Earth. Please write a new post, don't link to an older one. When your photo is published, go to Down to Earth and add a comment , with a link to your blog photo.

On My Mind: A Change in the Seasons...

Today I spent some time wandering Blogland, visiting and experiencing new blogs. Many blogs from the Northern Hemisphere are currenlty bursting with pictures and stories of spring, whilst here in the Flinders Ranges the first month of autumn is drawing to a close. Already summer feels like the distant past, even though our last warm day was felt barely a week ago. So quick have the seasons changed! This past week has seen cool days sprinkled with rain showers, followed by chilly, damp nights.

 

It was on my mind all day: Having spent last night in an uncomfortable chill, I was loathed to repeat it, so when we arrived home this evening SJ stoked the fire in the dining room for the first time in over six months. The result: A cold night spent inside a cozy warm home, with each of us taking our turn to stand in front of the fireplace to soak up its comforting warmth.

 

**~**~**~**~**

 

This is a Friday photo feature from Down to Earth that anyone with a blog can join. It opens the door to us sharing our lives through these photos and gives us all a new way to discover each other, and maybe form new friendships. Your photo should show something at home that you're thinking about TODAY.

 

To take part, all you have to do is post a photo, write a short caption explaining it, and link it back to Down to Earth. Please write a new post, don't link to an older one. When your photo is published, go to Down to Earth and add a comment , with a link to your blog photo.



Taking Leave...

...and looking forward to a week of relaxing in the sun and admiring the ocean with a good book in hand!

I will not be able to blog whilst away, but posts will recommence once I return.

Hoping everyone has a wonderful week ahead!

Am back!

Took a weeks' hiatus and a short holiday on the coast: Feeling much better for it!

Real posts will return very soon: Have photos, recipes, and a book review to share, so watch this space!

xo

I'm afraid it has come to this...

I didnt want to do it. I believe in free speech and freedom of expression and all that jazz, but I really feel I had to get on top of it before it gets completely out of hand.

I have become a "censor": I have had to change my settings so that I can moderate all comments left by people here at my blog.

I hate it.

I hate it because I love to blog and it makes me so happy to receive all the wonderful comments I get on my entries.

I hate it because I didnt want to make it difficult or confusing for those people visiting my blog and leaving legitimate comments for me.

I hate it because I didnt want to create extra work for myself.

I hate that I have had to take this action to prevent one little weasel with far too much time on their hands from leaving their inappropriate comments with their inappropriate links on my blog.

I hate to think that the actions of one person might offend the few wonderful souls who take an honest interest in what I write and take time out in their busy lives to visit my blog, and that it might prevent them from coming back.

So, yes. I have had to go down the path of comment censorship. But I assure everyone who leaves a legitimate comment will see it appear on my blog as soon as I've approved it, which I will endeavour to do first thing each morning. I can only apologise for the delay this will cause and thank you for your understanding.

And thanks to everyone for stopping by, as well. I really do appreciate it.

A Jane Austen Giveaway!

"Silly things do cease to be silly if they are done by sensible people in an impudent way." - Emma

You may well be aware of this already, but I love Jane Austen. It probably comes as no surprise then that when I discovered Shelly over at Tea Time was hosting a giveaway for a brand-new copy of the novel Emma, I just had to tell everyone about it!

I quite enjoy spoiling friends and complete strangers with books, so I think it is wonderfully generous of Shelly to share with one lucky person this great story.

If you would like a chance to win yourself a copy of this book, all you have to do is visit Shelly's blog and leave a comment. She will announce the winner in due course, but hurry: It could be soon!
EDIT: Giveaway ends 28 February 2010, with the winner announced 1 March 2010. Good luck!
From the blurb:
Beautiful, clever, rich - and single - Emma Woodhouse is perfectly content with her life and see no need for either love or marriage. Nothing, however, delights her more than interfering in the romantic lives of others. But when she ignores the warnings of her good friend Mr Knightley and attempts to arrange a suitable match for her protegee Harriet Smith, her carefully laid plans soon unravel and have consequences that she never expected. With its imperfect but charming heroine and its witty and subtle exploration of relationships, Emma is often seen as Jane Austen's most flawless work.

Promoting Blog Action Day 2009

Blog Action Day this year will be taking place on 15 October, on the issue of Climate Change.

If you would like to register to take part, simply go to the Blog Action Day website and add your details, just like I did. It's quick, easy and completely free!

If you'd like to know more about Blog Action Day, go here.

You can access the list of those bloggers registered to participate here.

"One Day. One Issue. Thousands of Voices."

Favourite Blogs (Swap-Bot)

I decided to take part in a swap at Swap-Bot that requires I share my favourite blogs with my allocated partners, being Elmi in South Africa, Rasa in Lithuania, and Amber in USA (such a worldly selection!).

There are a lot of blogs that I read. Some are located in the Favourite Blogs list to the right, and others are stored over at my livejournal as an f-list.

However, for this particular swap I thought I would select my Top 5 Favourite Blogs to share with my Swap-Bot partners, and anyone else who happens to stop by.

The Top 5 is as follows:

Tea Time ~ the inspiration for my Vegetarian Recipe Monday posts! It's a challenge I am determined to succeed in!

SouleMama ~ whose world is so different from my own that I cannot help but be transfixed by it (I love, love, love her photos).

Out Back ~ my ma! Need I say more?

Our Red House ~ I lived in the same city for nearly ten years, and I enjoy reading about her experiences there.

Cupcakes at Home ~ I am in love with her Scotland and her dogs (seriously cute)!

I can only hope you will enjoy these blogs as much as I do!


The picture at the start of this post has absolutely nothing to do with anything. I just happen to like it and wanted to share (Co. Kerry in Ireland).