Sunday, March 13, 2016

A Friday night experience

On Friday night I was invited to a 'baby blessing'. This is the Indian version of a baby shower for the Mother to be.

EXCEPT it is much more civilized. A lovely blessing and no silly games.

I was invited to participate in the blessing and just followed instructions.
Items for the blessing
The Mother to be wore the rose petal lei. Each lady dips 2 fingers first in the tumeric, and makes a mark down the back of each hand, then on each cheek, then into the paprika and makes a mark on the middle of the forehead. Then one glass bangle is placed on each arm. Each lady does this in turn.
Grandmother to be is the first to do a blessing
 When everyone has had a turn the Grandmother to be does a blessing on each pregnant woman, we have 2 more at Dahrl Court, then those who want to become pregnant have a blessing. There was lots of laughing and giggling amongst those who do not want to fall pregnant.

Offerings to Gods
For participating we were all given 2 glass bracelets and a rose.
Of course my hands are too big for such delicate bracelets
We were then treated to the usual Indian feast (vegetarian) and as usual I had 2 serves - we are spoilt here for good Indian food. It just doesn't taste the same when we eat Indian out.
Hindu God gift 
This little twin pack is especially for Hindu festivals. It was part of the 'gift' all of the women received at the end of the dinner. It was in an Ikea tupperware type container along with 2 ferrero rocher chocolates. I have no idea of the significance of the last 2 items.

The mother to be wears the bracelets until the baby is born. The idea is that the baby can hear the gentle jangle of the bracelets in the womb and is soothed. Eastern version of playing Mozart - and hoping your child will develop a taste for good music.
About 20 on each arm
It is usually hard to photograph the children at events here as they are so hyped on cake they don't stay still. There was no cake so I had the chance to get a couple of shots. I did hear one treasure ask her mother very loudly where the cup cakes were.
Not so sure about the blue crocs

Monday, March 7, 2016

A week at Dicky Beach

This is the second year that friend C and I (plus Val the dog), have spent a week at Dicky Beach in February. I am really hoping that this will be a yearly sojourn.

The apartment is functional and dog friendly - so low maintenance. Polished concrete floors, no rugs, but a lovely view, balcony large enough to eat on, and air-conditioning. The kitchen is very good, all stainless steel benches, and a coffee machine.

The view from the balcony
This is a local residents beach, not a tourist destination. The locals come to the park pictured above at first light to check the surf. Not long after, the surfers are out on the waves before going to work. After work they return to ride their boards, surf kites and walk their dogs. It is rare to find this picnic table unoccupied. Right until last light there are people having drinks or evening picnics.
A view to the horizon is so good for the soul
Always someone to watch in the surf
We walked and swam 3 times a day, and didn't leave the area from Sunday afternoon until Thursday when we ventured into Caloundra to look at swim suits (the best shop) plus the charity shops for bargains.
Lunch

On Friday we had the 'holiday' fish and chips for lunch.
It is not a holiday with out fish and chips
You have to love a rented apartment with 'Granny's China'.
There is no other explanation for this
I am sure there were vegetable dishes last year. It must have been a setting for 12. Wedding china?

Walking the dog is the height of social activity in the afternoons after 4pm when a very large section of the beach becomes an off leash area. This part of the beach is really not suitable for swimming. Too many rocks and rips.
Doggy heaven
There are so many animals on the beach including a pet goat called Bob. Bob is very well behaved and comes when he is called. He doesn't chase balls but just enjoys interaction with 'nice dogs'.
Bob meets an impolite dog

Bob head buts impolite dog

Val meets Bob
No problems
In the afternoons we often 'wallowed' in Tooway Creek that runs into the ocean.
Late afternoon 
There is always so much to watch out in the ocean. I particularly like watching the huge ships loaded with containers that appear on the horizion. They look like they are headed straight into the shore until they make a sharp turn into the channel.
They seem to make such sharp turns
Up past the patrolled surf beach is another off leash area. This one is further from the apartment but very popular as it also has a creek that comes to the beach. this one has not broken through so is much deeper to swim in - great for large dogs. It has a coffee van in the mornings so is very social.
View whilst drinking a morning coffee
Last drinks

Sunday, February 21, 2016

It's too damn hot

I am really suffering from the heat this summer. I seem to be spending way too much time indoors with air conditioning on.

I have tidied draws, thrown things out or taken them to the RSPCA Op shop. Anything to keep me busy inside. I have had 2 years of photo's printed and updated my non digital photo albums.

Yesterday and today I did some more editing of my photo's 'in the cloud'. I have over 9,000 images saved. I am slowly deleting anything that is doubled up or not 'good'.

Over the years I have photographed a lot of the vignettes that I arrange in my surroundings. These are some that I love and make me smile.
Autumn
Summer

Winter
Candles for a dinner party
With foliage
Shells I have collected and smuggled home from every beach I have visited
Dad's old shoe last makes a great book end
The violets loved this window sill
Lavender harvest
Autumn leaves
Easter
Perfect spot for a G&T
Candle holders
Summer
Bought this fringe in London 1996 - took me 15 years to find the right leopard print
My favourite flowers

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Return to Lamb Island

Son M and daughter in law C have moved to the Lamb Island house owned by sister J.

The Sunday post Christmas lunch was massive. The 3 chefs worked all morning. Luckily the new kitchen survived the onslaught.
The usual Robbins over catering
Luckily they had plenty of overnight house guests to polish off the left overs.

The following day we went to Sister D's house for a healthy lunch. She really outdid herself with the innovative salads.
Crisp and clean
When dessert came it all fell to pieces..... The Adriano Zumbo chocolate brownie was to die for. Served with ice-cream and raspberry coulis from the Margaret River Chocolate Company. I started eating mine and forgot to photograph it. No body makes a brownie like Sister D ( loved her beet chocolate ones) but this was a special one. Lucky for us she had a box of the mix for each of us to take home.

Saturday, December 26, 2015

The festival of food continues

We had a family get together on Christmas morning at the Sofitel Hotel. Thankfully this year we managed to do some really lovely shots. Surprise surprise we even manage one that is worth framing.
Maybe it is the dressed up thing in a 5 star hotel and a random stranger volunteering to take photographs that made everyone behave for a whole 2 minutes.
It could have also been my threatening voice to all to co-operate.

I went to lunch at favourite friends house R and S. 2 ancient fathers and a fun friend D from Sydney, we had a wonderful time.

I went over on Christmas eve early to stuff the turkey 'Bernard King' style. Mushrooms, bacon cream and breadcrumbs up under the breast skin and fill the cavity with stone fruit.

Came home to prepare Christmas Eve dinner for friend C before she sang in the choir at St Andrews for midnight mass.
Duck and mango salad
This dish was first made by sister J. It is delicious, and perfect as a light meal.
Also made 1960's fried rice
Christmas lunch
Wonderful salads
And vegtables
I made a mangomisu with raspberry coulis.
Delicious
Johnny the beagle resting after lunch
Too tired to move
Clever grand daughter G made various sweet treats including Ferrero Rocher
Amazing
The lovely L made biscotti, rum balls, and rocky road. Neighbour P came for coffee and road tested the biscotti - Yum! The rum balls are excellent. Not game to open the rocky road yet, have to pace myself
Clever packaging
The cheese cake has been made for the family lunch on Lamb Island tomorrow - another feast