Farewell my beautiful princess

Pepper
March 1996 - 26 June 2010
Words cannot express how much I will miss my beutiful princess.

Paris in July - winners (round 1)

As I promised last week, I have an early bird prize for 1 lucky (maybe 2) Paris in July participants who posted about the experience or put up the button. Of the, now over 30, participants registered, I found 19 have posted or put up a Paris in July button. Thanks to all of you who have done this.

All the posts were just so exciting to read, as you've talked about what you want to read, what movies you want to see, and even what exhibitions you'll go to... It's going to be a very diverse range of posts we'll be seeing during July - now only days away!!

Before I announce a winner, I'd like to mention a few of the posts that have some good recommendations for the experience.

• Non Such Books asked her readers for some suggestions - it's worth having a look at this great list
• The Literary Stew is already on her way to Europe - so watch this space - she's going to visit Shakespeare & Company
• Wishing I knew how to blog is likely to do something very creative with her post/s - I just cant wait to see it.
• Thinking About Loud! has mentioned some books and movies she will be fitting into July
• A Bookgirls Night Stand has listed books & movies, but also a Matisse Exhibition - I look forward to hearing about that...

So the winner (drawn from a hat) is Amy at Timeless Romance! and because I have another prize to give away - our second winner is Chasing Bawa.

Karen and I will be reviewing the blogs of all who have registered and anyone else who wants to join, each week. So we have more prizes to give away.... Bon Voyage!!

Friday Fill-ins

1. On vacation, I like walks by the seaside, tea and biscuits, and dining out.
2. I believe in the power in the ocean.
3. One of my favorite vacation spots has lots of dining out options.
4. Planting seeds can be done by full moon.
5. Up, up and away with TAA, the friendly, friendly way (was the promotion for an Australian Airline in the 70's).
6. Bananas are delicious when cooked on the BBQ or on the open campfire with chocolate inserted under the skin!!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to some time with my dog's watching TV with a glass of wine, tomorrow my plans include nothing eventful, and Sunday, I want to go for a walk with my dog, and have a drink with friends.

Visit Friday Fill-ins if you want to join in. See you next Friday :)

The Pilgrimage

After reading one of Coelho's more recent novels, Brida, last year - I decided I would like to read one of his earlier works. I wanted to understand more about his spiritual journey and beliefs. The Pilgrimage is the story of Coelho's journey along the legendary road of San Tiago across the mountains in Spain in search for meaning. The purpose of the journey was to search out his sword, which for him was the ultimate in his search for purpose. He was so close to getting his sword prior to the trip, when his Master removed it from him and made him take the road to San Tiago to find it, again.

Maverick posted his review in 2005, and I liked this summary:

Paulo's spiritual quest was linked to the idea that there were secrets, mysterious ways, and people who are capable of understanding and controlling things, which would be unavailable to mortals. His journey gave him great insights and experience, to which Paulo was transformed as he learns to understand the nature of truth through the simplicity of life.

For me, The Pilgrimage was like a reminder of the essence of God and People. We seek to control everything we are involved in, everything we want, yet there is a divine plan for which we don't know about, therefore can not control effectively how we want. However, if we learn to live humbly, respectfully and learn to listen - we can hear, see and touch aspects of life that others fail to grasp. I believe there is another dimension, perhaps a supernatural experience, that is not beyond our reach - if we put our faith in that unknown, and listen.

I find Coelho's writing style quite comfortable, and I think I'd be happy to pick up other books he's written. I like to open my eyes to spiritual teachings, and to be prepared to listen to what I can learn from them. Any recommendations on other spiritually challenging novels?

Paris in July - updates

Bonjour mes amis! C'est Fantastique!

It's now less than two weeks away - Paris in July. We now have over 20 participants preparing to blog about something that celebrates Paris in July. So here's a thought - while Karen's on holidays, I thought I would throw out a new challenge.

Here's the challenge - have you posted one of the Paris in July buttons yet?
As of today, I've counted 9 out 21 participants who've make a post about Paris in July, or posted a button on their blog. So, post about our Paris in July experience, or post one of our buttons by Friday 25 June and I will put you in the draw for an early bird prize!!
If you're already registered then I'll find you, if you're not yet registered, post your interest here. Merci!!

Friday Fill-ins

Temple in Japan
a happy memory of a holiday with my beautiful niece.

1. Oh my......I've slept in and missed my train if it's already 6:58.
2. It was the reason, of course, that I fell in love with him in the first place (but my reasons have changed since then...)
3. Keeping up appearances is something I no longer feel the need to do.
4. I have another errand to run, then I'm off to psychotherapy!(why can't I say no?)
5. Please don't act all grumpy and expect me to understand why, if you cant use words to say you've lost your wallet again, don't wait for me to guess...just go find it
6. What were once vices are now my very best friends!.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to nothing, tomorrow my plans include a bush walk with friends, and a party in Sydney, and Sunday, I want to get stuck into some Japanese literature and the garden.

For more Friday Fill-ins visit here

Finding Paris Here

Parisian Lamp

When Karen and I planned our Paris in July blogging experience, I dont think I had thought about just how much fun it could be. This weekend I have had a ball looking around the place I live and seeing bits of Paris. You might like to try this too, for one of your Paris in July posts. I'm a little sad, some of my photo's didn't turn out well - so Im going to do this again in July. :)

Alleyways

Archways

Cafes

Remember, if you want to join us let us know and we'll add you to the participant list and keep in touch.

Blog Reno's

Hi All,
This is just a quick note of apology - I will be playing with my design template over the next week or so. This means things will be changing around while I find out what pleases me. It also means you're invited to comment as often as you like. I would appreciate your thoughts too.

Japanese Literature Challenge 4

Well, it's here again - and I'm signed up. This is the Japanese Literature Challenge being hosted by Dolce Belezza. I think this is the third time I've joined in - and its my favourite challenge of all time (barring of course, Paris in July).

Dolce Bellezza says 'Won't you join in the experience? Simply read one or more works of Japanese literature between June 1, 2010 and January 30, 2011'. How simple is that?

So this year, my list will grow and change as the reviews start coming in, but here are some currently on my list:

• Japanland: A year in search of Wa by Karin Muller (don't know if this counts cos she's an American Author, but it's very funny so far)
• Geisha, by Lesley Downer
• Forbidden Colours by Yukio Mishima (I started last year, but hope to finish this time round)
• A Wild Sheep Chase by Murikami
• Dance Dance Dance by Murikami

Japanese literature has really been a eye opener for me in the reading world, so I'm looking forward to a few new challenges this year. So I'm also hoping to read something from Banana Yoshimoto or some other female authors. This is going to be a pleasure! Hope you're in this too.

Friday Fill-ins

1. To stand on top of a tall rock feels great. ( I love this photo!)
2. The solution is often the first thing that comes to mind, but we wont believe it can be that simple!
3. There's not alot that tops the feeling you feel when someone else is driving and you fall asleep.
4. How about doing something nice for the earth this weekend?
5. Paris in July is something I highly recommend!
6. Imagine a walk through MontMatre on a sunny day, and having coffee by the Seine!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to my massage and Billabong foot spa at Endota, tomorrow my plans include reading and renovating my blog and going to see 'The Concert', and Sunday, I want to play in the garden and make a photo album.

join us at Friday Fill-ins

The World Beneath

I have finally enjoyed a good book this year. Many thanks to Karen at Bookbath for recommending this one (see her review here). You can also see reviews at Readings and the ABC Book Show. According to Scribe Publications, this books was also

• Winner of the People's Choice Award for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards 2010
• Shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards 2010 Christina Stead Prize for Fiction
• Shortlisted for the Barbara Jefferis Award 2010
• Shortlisted for the ALS Gold Medal for outstanding literary work
• Shortlisted for the 2010 Australian Book Industry Awards Literary Fiction Book of the Year
  

I have a lot of personal connections with this story. when I was younger, we lived on 150 acres of natural bush. My parents made a choice to live without electricity (this is in the 1980's). They made some strong lifestyle decisions, creating an environment for us kids that was very different to the lives of the other kids around us. I remember weekends when 50 - 100 people came to camp on our property, because we lived between Adelaide and Roxby Downs. In the 1980's there were ongoing protests at Roxby Downs against uranium mining on Aboriginal lands. These groups of protesters were inspirational women and men (mostly women) who left an imprint on my mind. Check out this story for an idea of one particular protest.

Needless to say, I related to some of the experiences of the character, Sophie. I also loved the Australian history and geography represented in this novel. If you've never visited Australia, or Tasmania, this is a great book to read for the visual descriptions of the bush. I got sucked right in to this storyline - although I just couldn't stand Sandy - self centred and self absorbed. I did, however like Sandy's friends, and the way to author depicted the bohemian life Sandy had created for herself.

A good read, historically and geographically, and a interesting analysis of family life affected by the choices individuals make along the way.

Paris in July

BookBath and Thyme For Tea have decided to come together to host a blogging experience to celebrate our love of all things French and Parisian – “Paris In July”. We are two friends with a deep interest and love of the French culture and way of life – although we experience and demonstrate this love in very different ways. Karen has only recently discovered the magic of Paris – the city, the architecture and the fashion whereas the French experience has been a part of Tamara’s life for a long time, leading her to learn the language and experience the culture in a deeper way. But for both of us as Australian’s, the reality of traveling to France is a costly and timely experience – so we need to bring France to us!

So, in order to help us to do that BookBath and Thyme For Tea will be jointly hosting a French themed blogging experience running from the 1^st – 31^st July this year called “Paris In July”.

The aim of the month is to celebrate our French experiences through reading, watching, listening, observing, cooking and eating all things French!

There will be no rules or targets in terms of how much you need to do or complete in order to be a part of this experience – just blog about anything French and you can join in! Some ideas might include;

• reading a French themed book – fiction or non-fiction,
  
• watching a French movie,
  
• listening to French music,
  
• cooking French food,
  
• experiencing French, art, architecture and travel

If you are interested in being a part of this experience leave a comment on this post and we will put together a side bar showing all of the participants. There will be weekly French themed prizes during the month which we will randomly draw from all the French themed posts of that week that link back to BookBath and Thyme For Tea. Tamara from Thyme For Tea will be writing weekly wrap up posts on the 10^th and the 24^th July and Karen from BookBath on the 17^th and 31^st July.

We have found a couple of images to represent our Paris In July experience so feel free to add any of these to your blog, with a link back to one of us, if you are joining us.

Friday Fill-ins

1. I cant name one place that is my favorite place to travel to - but France, San Fransisco and the Blue Mountains (near Sydney) are amongst my tops spots.
2. When I think about my childhood, I often remember Chocolate Cake, Wood Fires, singalongs and Woofa.
3. A cup of tea and a home made blanket in winter makes for a good friend.
4. The wind in the trees, the rain on my skin, probably means I'm doing one of my volunteer jobs as a volunteer rescue worker in storms and tempest (we go out to help local residents whose homes have been damaged by wind or rain).
5. Planning a trip is so exciting!
6. My best friend knows some of my deepest secrets and loves me still the same.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to James Morrison (Jazz) Concert Friday Night, tomorrow my plans include brunch with friends at the Moroccan Cafe then the local markets for a few treats, and Sunday, I want to plant veggies, walk and catch up on reading.