Sunday Stuff: gnomes, a plug and some beetling around...

A Home for some Gnomes amongst the hardy Succulents:
It is such a lovely day here - the sun is shining and the gnomes are smiling:

I'm starting up a new collection of succulents using anything to hand.  They're such adaptable and reliable plants.  For instance, the two plants in the black pots sat for 3 months without light and water over the Summer period, waiting patiently for us to get back to them.  They were a bit thinner of course, but are "in the pink" once again. How resilient is that!  They deserve recognition :D)

Reading about the prolonged cold and snowy conditions in blogger friends' posts from 'over the pond' and how they adapt, is quite awe inspiring too. Spring is on its way for you and, over here, the signs of Autumn will soon be showing, I'm particularly looking forward to the beautiful changes of colours in the trees before they shed their leaves.

A Plug!
Many of you would have noticed that, over the years, I've been an avid fan of Aussie author Vicki Tyley.  She writes mystery and suspense stories which I've enjoyed reading, and always have no hesitation in recommending.
We've become good blogfriends and, in turn, Vicki was one of the people who initially encouraged my fledgling attempts at art, and so it goes.

So, I want to give her a plug... one of her books:

has been nominated for "Big Al's Books and Pals 2014 Readers' Choice Awards" in the Mystery category.  Anyway, Vicki explains it better than I on her blogspot which is http://vickityley.blogspot.com.au/

If you have a moment, pop over and check it out. There's a giveaway raffle for entries, not only in the Mystery category but others as well.  It all ends in 4 days' time, and thanks for taking the time to read my 'plug'.  I love to share good stuff :D)

Now for a close encounter:
Found this cute little beetle on my Peace Lily flower the other day.  Goodness knows how he got there but I found him a new home outdoors.

 

Thanks for your visit. 

 Enjoy your Sunday and the rest of the week.  

I wish you lots of happiness and peace :D)

This week: Macros, Painting, Murder and Being a Papparazzi

Hi there, 

I hope the past week has been good to everyone.  

Took another bunch of macros the other day.
I pestered the life (not literally) out of a couple of bugs....

and the next photo is of a dash of sunlight on a bowl of mixed fruit which MD has soaking in his special brew in readiness for the Christmas cake and puddings he whips up.  Mmmmmm, all nice and sparkly and full of good cheer!

Here's a picture of the easel MD has made for me, and it's a beauty too.  Easily adjustable for whatever size painting I am doing.  Oh, it's so lovely to kick back and be free with the paints.  

The murder part of my title comes in the form of my friend Vicki Tyley's newest release.  

Those of you who have known me for some time, know that I just love a good mystery thriller... and that I like to share them.

Well, at the moment, if you have .99cents and an eBook (or it can even be downloaded in PDF or text format)... pop over to Vicki's blogspot and get yourself a good deal.  I'll revise that... get yourself a fantastic deal.  It's just the sort of thing, if you're a fan of mysteries, to tuck into your "must read" list for over the Christmas holidays!!

Oh yes, I know this is blatant advertising but, put it this way, I'd be glad of the heads up - if I didn't already know about it. (More about it on my Page "My Virtual Bookshelf")

[Just click on this image and it will take you to Vicki's spot}

Now these next photos are a bit naughty but, oh dear, I just could not resist. 

We were at one of our favourite spots, Metung, and lo and behold I look over and right beside us I see that brave young lass, Jessica Watson ... who  was the youngest girl to sail solo non-stop around the world 3 years ago.           

I so admired her and, at the time, faithfully followed her blog during her extraordinary feat.  

There she was, in the flesh, and without a please or thankyou I grabbed my camera and took the liberty of snapping off quite a few shots. How rude was I !!

To her credit, she couldn't help but know I was photographing her but she didn't mind.

I really regret not going over to meet her, but felt I'd kind of intruded enough.  

Here's a couple..

Thank you everyone who kindly takes the time to browse through this post.  

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and I'll be popping over for a visit soon.

Cheers now :D)

Wren... a little bit of blue

I'm linking up with Tassie blogger,  Evi, at her 'Sister Sun' blog.

Now, I'm a pretty unreliable linker-upper as I kind of forget ... or get my nose stuck in a good book (thanks Vicki!!),  however, today I've remembered and - yay - the theme is BLUE and I happen to have just the thing.

The blue tail of this gorgeously gorgeous little Wren.  Enjoy the tiny, delicate, cuteness:

"I'm so pretty"

"Pretty from this side too"

"Here, have a look at the back of me ... still pretty"

"Bet you haven't got those smart white flecks on the back of your tail ! "

"Ok time's up .... I'm outta here"

Have a look at the rest of the BLUES over at Sister Sun blogspot

... and if you're in the mood for reading stories that will knock your socks off (in a mysteriously, thrilling kind of way), hop over to Vicki Tyley's blogspot ... she writes them as well as reviews them.

Cheers and, as always, thanks for your visit :D)

A few more bits of this n thats.... Vicki's new book, Renovations, Cows, Turnips, My Liquid Brekkies and other such things.

Author Vicki Tyley is a long-time blogfriend and, as you've seen on my sidebar, I'm a great fan of her gripping mystery and suspense stories. She's just released another book Fatal Liaison which is an absolute ripper.

Even though I'm not a writer, I can still imagine the sometimes long, hair-pulling hours that authors must put in to create a story. I appreciate that, and get a kick out of sharing the news of when I've had a good read.  I love to add my 2 cents' worth in my own particular style of review,  so here goes:

The lives of two strangers, Greg Jenkins and Megan Brighton, become inextricably entangled when they each sign up for a dinner dating agency. Greg's reason for joining has nothing to do with looking for love.  His recently divorced sister Sam has disappeared and Greg is convinced that Dinner for Twelve, or at least one of its clients, may be responsible.  Neither is Megan looking for love....

Vicki has unleashed another compelling story, chock-a-block full of just the right mix of ingredients that we've come to expect from her stylish hand. 

A simmering mystery that erupts into highly charged emotions combining with dramatic and sometimes confronting encounters, all cleverly  woven with an intriguing psychological twist. 

Vicki's editing is seamless. Her words flow with an ease that is pure delight to read.  

Her main characters, Greg and Megan,  have heart and warmth.  I was nail-bitingly, lip-chewingly, carried along not wanting to leave their sides all throughout their harrowing journey. 

My Rating:  Forget the "X" Factor... There's now the "Tyley" Factor

*****

Our Renovations

We've decided to finish the renovations that we started some
5 years' ago.  Had a few years' break in between.
Here's MD making a start on getting the wallpaper off.
We gave ourselves a weekend break... oh, and Monday as well.
We're off shopping today and tomorrow.... um ;-)

We're taking a tea break from the renovations here.
It's a tough job all right .... but someones got to do it!!

Here is our regular King Parrot visitor to our verandah.
He's so friendly and gentle.

He sometimes allows a female to join him on the rail, but really prefers to have us to himself.
We had to stop feeding him there because he would jump on to the cane chair and
look into the lounge at us, requesting food.  If we didn't come out straight away, he'd
start chewing on the chair!
He's quite used to the fact now, that he doesn't get food from us at the verandah
anymore, but still likes to drop in to say hello.

*****

Cows and turnips

Snapped this on our way through to check on Mumma Swan at Lakes Entrance.
The cows were happily chomping on the turnips but ran like scaredy cats when I
walked over to photograph them.

*****

My liquid brekkies

I mentioned my liquid brekkies last year in a post.  I still occasionally have them.
I vary the ingredients quite a bit.  This one has a raw egg, sesame seeds, crushed linseeds,  soy milk,
banana, honey and a good few shakes of cinnamon. 

Oh Yum.... truly!

*****

We loved this one ... it must be such a hard day at 'The Office'

*****

A beautiful sight

Finally, I shall end with the rainbow we saw on our way back from Lakes.
Just lovely!  I have always admired Linda's (Life on a Colorado Farm) rainbows and now I've been able to capture my own!

*****

Thank you for rolling down the page with me (ha ha, that sounds a bit weird.... but you know what I mean). 

I think I'll have a little break from posting  (EXCEPT of course, for a Mumma Swan Update)  while I catch up on my visits to everyones' blogs and read the posts I've missed. There are so many delightful blogspots to visit, I don't seem to get around to as many,  as much as I'd like to.   So that's what I shall be doing for the next little while. 

Froggie has been making a few noises, so perhaps he may hop in a bit later on ;-)  

Cheerio for now and keep well and safe everyone!

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!!