While on my bloggie break (part one)

Cherri asked me what I did while on my recent bloggie break ... so, here goes, guess you could call it a lot of this n that  :D)










First of all, I wanted to take a couple of nice pictures to frame and show off put in the guest room. That meant a lot of experimenting and learning to drive the new camera and its two lenses.  
That took ages, delightful ages I might add! So, after a lot of sorting and deciding, I settled on these two.
I'm quite thrilled to be able to slowly increase my photo skills.  MD quite literally dragged me into a Photographics shop on one of our trips to Lakes Entrance, and asked the fellow to show me what he's got (cameras, that is).  I froze... anything that had SLR written on just made me do that, however, now, I'm so glad he did!

Then, something I'd been putting off for ages .... cleaning the venetians  - ugh, what a job... hate it. I'd tried doing them just a couple of slats every few days ... nah, didn't work. Thought for a few mad months that if I ignored them they might kind of clean themselves - no such luck. Think I'd only done the first 5 slats when the novelty wore off and I decided to take a picture instead.

Got back into it and soon they were nice enough to hang our cards on (we keep our cards hanging for ages, I love to see them). 
That only left the venetians in the bathroom and laundry - see... while ever I had blogging to do, it was much preferable to cleaning the venetians ! LOL


Onto sewing now.  We'd finished the bean bags, but I'd been wanting to design some simple bags with handles that would be easy on my shoulders and neck... ta dah !

First, is my shopping bag - these colours look nice with jeans. The way I've attached the handles stops the top gaping open.  Also, if I start to feel a strain on my shoulders, I've made the length of the bag such that my hand can  can ease the weight off a bit by holding the underside.  Real pleased with the result too.
I've made a good start on some others as well.

Next is my gardening bag... to be honest, it didn't start out as that, but kind of evolved.  The super wide strap is so comfy to carry around the various pruning tools as I work my way through the garden. 


Hmmm, am sure I've seen that material somewhere before ;-)

It was also time for repairs to the shoulder heat pack I'd made for MD (as modelled by Panda below) - it was leaking wheat all over his chair.
Rebel jumped at the chance of modelling the other style of wheat packs.  
All ready for Winter.  A couple of these and a fleecy rug each... no need for the heater to be used quite as much.

Another long awaited job was a thorough cleaning of the fish tank - that meant everything, stones, plants, filter, the lot. 
For a few days I'd been noticing one fish in particular floating on its back - righting itself - then on its back again.  I was sure it was a goner and felt guilty for putting off that job. Amazingly, it came good again... they almost never do. Not that it's happened before..um 

Thought I'd break this post into two.  The next part will follow soon.
(I guess this will show up twice in the Reader now, but I'd left a gap at the end of the post a mile long... just had to fix it up :O  )

My Virtual Bookshelf ~ Vicki Tyley

Thin Blood  (Vicki Tyley) A stockbroker's wife disappears. Blood on his hands and an adulterous affair with the missing woman's younger sister sees him charged with murder. 

A thoroughly enjoyable read. Believable characters who each contributed to the storyline. A descriptive style that gets straight to the point without superfluous words. The description of Melbourne is spot on! An exciting build to a surprising end. Can't wait to get my teeth into another of Vicki's Books. My Rating: Get the housework done first next time, because I couldn't put this down until finished! 

(Now released as an audio book)

Brittle Shadows (Vicki Tyley) When Tanya Clark is confronted with her fiance's naked corpse hanging from a wardrobe rail, her life is torn apart.

I was enthralled. An absolutely great read. Vicki's characters are so real, with human failings that we can all relate to. In addition to her delicious and exciting mystery writing, is the added element of a nice touch of romance. Another triumph! My Rating: Knocked my socks off - it's soooo readable. 

Sleight Malice  (Vicki Tyley) One cold Melbourne winter's night a suburban bungalow goes up in flames. A badly charred body is discovered in the flames. 

Vicki’s story telling skills are such that I instantly feel I know her main characters very well. No turning back to the first few chapters to check on details. In this story, Desley is a loyal, trusting soul who is confronted with confounding deceptions, and reacts in a very human way. She has a quirky side too … who would’ve thought of preparing a Vegemite snack the way she does! Desley is surrounded by a gamut of strong characters all with their own agenda and seemingly plausible reasons for their actions. A well thought out, entertaining story. I also appreciate the research Vicki's stories contain, in addition to the excellent editing. After reading this story, Thin Blood and Brittle Shadows, I will have no need to check out a preview of your future books... I know I’m assured of a quality read, thank you Vicki for that luxury. My Rating: Couldn't press 'next page' button quick enough!! 

My Virtual Bookshelf ~ Cherri Galbiati

Tracking Perception (Cherri Galbiati) - A Becky McAllen Mystery Novel. A bloody murder at the Piper Mansion. The only witness - Tasha a German Shepherd dog. 

This is such a fun read. A darkly murderous and exciting novel!  Becky is a full-on, very likeable character - someone who, in real life, I'd love as a friend. She speaks her mind, at any cost. Just can't help sticking her nose where it's told not to go and gets herself into terribly embarrassing situations - totally of her own making! As always, with Cherri's stories, the extra element of her love of dogs is woven throughout. This adds a rich layer of interest and I'm astounded at the skills and intuition of Search and Rescue dogs coupled with the patience and dedication of their owners. Downright enjoyable. My Rating: Hunker down with a block of chocolate and prepare to be entertained. 

Impact for Murder (Cherri Galbiati) A murderer commits his deed under the cloak of deafening hurricane winds. He thought no one would hear a thing.

Oh boy, this story just reached out and pulled me right in to the town of Hollow and its collection of colourful, entertaining and evil characters, who make up its community. 

Cherri carries her readers in a sensitive and respectful way through the devastation of a hurricane, and wove a story with many layers of emotions.

Wow! The things that happen when you least expect them.... the humour, the mystery, the seething. Ah! right through to the very end, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read.

I'm thrilled to have found another Author with a distinctive style. My Rating: Had to lock the doors - this is a killer! 

Quick... where's the tweezers!

MD came in a while ago with his hand over his eye.  Yow... a bee stinger was still attached to just under his lower lid.  Definitely needed to get some tweezer-action happening.  It was like pulling a tiny syringe out - strange sensation.  Within seconds of the stinger being removed,  the whole of his under eye area started to turn purple and swell.  A few cold compresses later the swelling is down and now he's tucked up having a snooze.
I couldn't resist the photo opportunity......

Bee stinger on tweezers

Bee stinger - at least there's plenty to grip when pulling it out

A circle of bloggers

Thank you all for dropping by over the past couple of weeks. It was lovely spending time with our loved ones;  also having a catch-up on things I'd put aside for 'later on'.  
Your comments are always valued and delightful to read.  Now, I shall have the fun of  visiting everyone and reading what you've been up to.  See you over at your blog.  Cheers, Susan :D)

I love the Circle of Bloggers to which I belong

Time for a Bloggie Break

Lots to do, so it's time for an online break.  

Wishing everyone a very Happy Easter and thanks for the fun and interest that our mutual blogging brings.  

Cheerio, will be back in a few weeks, Susan  :D) 

Twilight in the Backyard

Bean Bag Froggie

No one in the house wanted to model the newly finished monster bean bags. However, Froggie stepped up to the mark and saved the day....

Just have to get this off my chest

I admire buildings with style

and character

It's a beautiful church, but just look
what's been done to it.......

A dreadful tacked-on monstrosity that used to
sell seafo(od)

I just loathe this site which is on a main highway.
It's been in this derelict condition for years.

There, I feel a lot better now.  

Blackbirds ... love em

I'm in a bird-appreciation mood today, in all 3 of my blogs.  The Blackbirds in our garden are delightful. They work so hard finding food. A side benefit is that their efforts aerate the soil and mulch. 

The best thing about Blackbirds though, in my opinion, is that in the dead of night (just like in Paul and John's song) .... when sleep sometimes won't come, there's that purest of pure, trilling, beautiful song - never fails to put a smile on my face!

Madonna... eat your heart out

Randomness

Thought I'd have a random post today.... bits of this n that.

Pheow !!

Here, over here ..... I'm pretty too.

Painting on wall in our Dentists' Waiting Room -
true!

Here's another spot where plastic bags end their days!

Bored.... waiting for the Chiropractor.

Stickybeak from next door.