Life's Been Like This

Life's been pretty much like this lately, 

and I haven't had a chance to post for ages! I've been sick for about ten weeks with a cough and laryngitis, and I've had a sore rib for two weeks - so it's probably cracked or I have a pulled muscle!

Now it's school holidays, so I'm hoping to get better, and resume my normal blogging schedule soon! 

xx

It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

Hello, my dear friends of books!

Hope you have had a wonderful reading week!

I only managed to read one book this week as I have been VERY busy!! 

I have had a ridiculous amount of things going on at work lately; it is just crazy!

Anyways, The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey is a sad story about a couple living in a small cabin in Alaska, in the early 1900s, who have always wanted a child. One day they make a figure out of snow that they fashion to look like a girl. After it melts, they keep having glimpses of a child near their home who has the coat and scarf they put on the snow child.  Throughout the book the question is whether the creation of the snow child and the appearance of the real child were a coincidence, or was there magic at work, and did the snow child actually came to life? 

The novel takes us to the snowy woods, hunting for moose and wolves, farming potatoes, and skating on frozen lakes, while the girl child visits the couple sporadically, bringing them gifts, sharing their food and slowly becoming part of their family, but then vanishing at times with no explanation, leaving the couple feeling deprived of her love again and again.

This is a beautifully written book with a poetic tone, that explores the importance of family and friendships, however, always with a bittersweet undertone.  The mood felt quite depressing at times, as the feelings of loss and disappointment endured by the characters were prevalent throughout. 

I was in love with the setting though, the snow, the wild animals, the mysterious girl and her red fox running through the forest, and the thought of their warm strawberry pies! 

Unforgettable!

This week I am reading Foxmask, and delving into another setting I adore, the medieval age, aboard a ship!

I intend to read all of Marillier's books one day!

I'm off to Book Journey now, to see what else is happening in the cyber world of books!

See you there!

xx 

A Snap A Set and A Song - The Royal Show

For today's A Snap A Set and A Song link up the theme is 

Show.

The annual Perth Royal Show is not until  the next school holidays, however, we have been to it every year for the past 10 years and love it! 

My Snap:

My Set:
It is usually a sunny, spring day when we go to the Show, and I always need a hat,
and a back-pack for holding a cardi, to wear when it gets cool at the fireworks.
The back-pack ends up holding lots of showbags too!
It is a must for us to buy fairy floss and hot cinnamon doughnuts at the show!

The Royal Show by wendysice featuring zipper bags

Teal dress
shopruche.com

Ballerina shoes
barneys.com

Agent Ninetynine zipper bag
$62 - generalpants.com.au

Glass jewelry
etsy.com

Lola rose
$42 - johnlewis.com

Gucci
net-a-porter.com

Nursery art, carnival photography, art for baby's room home decor...
etsy.com

Fair Ride in Pastels
etsy.com

My Song:

I love this video, because it is set in the showgrounds, and also because I think it is Pink's best song!

So good!

Now it's your turn - play along with A Snap, A Set and A Song, or pop over to see the other 

link-ups at Thea's blog!

Wordless Wednesday - Art Deco Goodies in the Mail

I adore the art deco era, 

and was so lucky to receive all these lovely things in the mail from my hubby's Aunty. 

Thanks Aunty Anne! xxx

It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

Hello, world!

I had a win with two awesome books this week, both recommended from friends found at a Book Journey. Thanks Sheila for this awesome meme!

I read both these books on my iphone, swapping between the two all week. They went well together!

After reading the brilliant A Place Called Here by Cecelia Ahern last week, Thanks for the Memories, was not quite as amazing, but still had an intriguing story line. A woman who falls down the stairs, losing her unborn baby, has a blood transfusion, and, magically begins to take on some of the knowledge, thoughts, characteristics and memories of the man whose blood was given to her.  A cat and mouse game throughout London and Ireland ensues, in which they try to find each other, amidst much confusion. The relationship between the main female character and her dad is highlighted, along with the devastation of her baby's death and subsequent marriage break-up. There is quite a clash between the heavy content and the humour, which was a little too much I thought, making the characters less believable. 

But, made for a fun, rather than dark read.

The Homecoming of Samuel Lake was a darker story, with child, domestic and animal abuse playing a large part in the story. However the delightful children, especially Swan (yes, Swan Lake!), made this an endearing book. The writing is beautifully poetic and the characters were quirky yet realistically portrayed. Brilliant writing, reminding me somewhat of Little Women, due to the lessons taught through the story,
and To Kill a Mockingbird, given the creepy neighbour, and the strong willed young girl.

A must-read!

This week I'm going to begin 

about a little girl made of snow in Alaska, and 

 the follow-up to the brilliant Wolfskin which I read last year some time. 

Looking forward to really getting into this!

Dropping in to see my bookish friends at Book Journey:

Have a great reading week everyone!

xx

Spring cleaning!

What beautiful weather for spring cleaning! 

I cleared out Jack's room today, and gave everything a good clean. So satisfying!

I need to get him some new pics for his room, so will think about that during the week.

I have been inspired by watching episodes of The Block 2011. We didn't watch this series the first time round, so it's all new to us. I'm loving how they spend a week TOTALLY transforming rooms. It got me thinking, if they can take rooms from wipeout to amazing, then I can give our house a do-over without anywhere near as much effort and money!! Surely??

We need to do our kitchen, bathrooms, laundry and master bedroom!

So I'm going to watch these programmes very carefully to see how it's done -  especially the laundries  because they have done exactly what we want to do!

But first, the master bedroom! I've been planning to do this for awhile and just never seem to get to it. 

Well the time is here!

Stay tuned...

A Snap, A Set and A Song - Lavender Dreams

This week at A Snap, A Set and A Song, the theme is 

Lavender.

We don't have lavender in our garden this year, but we do have some flowers that are purplish.

My Snap:

 I am loving Katy Perry's purple do, and thought I would surround her 

with some lavender goodies.

My Set:

Lavender Dreams by wendysice featuring retro jewelry

Wallis flared dress
wallisfashion.com

Bottega Veneta cut out heels
$1,120 - farfetch.com

Rebecca Minkoff crossbody clutch
footcandyshoes.com

Purple ring
$35 - avalaya.com

Liz Palacios retro jewelry
endless.com

Minuet Petite feather flower hair accessory
$48 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Rimmel eyeshadow
asos.com

Guerlain perfume
$40 - johnlewis.com

Uslu Airlines nail polish
$19 - youheshe.com

I hadn't heard of this band before, and there didn't appear to be a video, 

but I thought this song had a pretty melody.

My Song:

Find more lavender goodness over at Thea's blog and join in too!

xx

Wordless Wednesday - Yummy Moments in Melbourne

Sharing memorable moments at My Little Drummer Boys:

Sweet Little Things About Me - Bread Spreads!

Over at Sweet Little Pretties, Lisa is asking Which is your Favourite: Vegemite or Peanut Butter?

I have to say Vegemite wins! Especially Vegemite scrolls!

But to take this even further,

honey is better on toast than both of them!

And, when it comes to scones, you can't go past jam (any kind) and cream! Mmm..mmm!

Which do you prefer?

Check out other people's answers at Sweet Little Things About Me and play along!

xx

Sovereign Hill

I haven't had a chance to tell you about our trip to Sovereign Hill, Ballarat, when we were in Victoria. What a great place! Soverign Hill is a small village that is a replica of the goldfields in Victoria in the 1850s. In effect, it is a living museum. People work there in pioneer costume, as shop owners, tour guides or as actors playing the parts of soldiers,miners, town criers and settlers. School children can visit and take part in an 1850s classroom. It is so interesting to watch!

Gold panning

How the miners lived:

Asian settlers

Homes of the wealthy:

School

The town

 Bowling Alley!

Making a gold bar worth $100,000!!

                                      

Theatre

I so loved the old buildings, and the whole atmosphere of the town.
A truly memorable experience!

I'm linking up with Our World Tuesday, because there are such wonderful sights to see there!

xx