Off to a Royal Wedding

Tomorrow I am going to a Royal Wedding!

The weather forecast is looking good,

I've planned my outfit and organised the gift,

and I've made a card for the bride & groom.

* * *

What's that?

You haven't heard of any Royal Wedding?

Well you'll just have to stay tuned ...

Birthday Love

It was my birthday on Monday,

and I was totally spoilt! 

Firstly a few weeks ago I was given

a gorgeous retro apron

by my aunt.

With a ruffle and all.

My parents took me out for morning tea

on the day, where I indulged in some

foods I normally wouldn't eat.

Yum!

They gave me some kitchen tools

I've been eyeing for a while.

A Vegie twist 

(for making curly carrots)

And a cookie press.

Plus some other goodies.

Then my friends Tanya and Fiona

took me out for lunch,

a delicious lunch 

(gluten-free burger & chips!!)

and good company.

I finally got to taste my first macaron, 

since I was splurging a bit, diet-wise!

Tanya gave me another retro apron!

With a pom-pom trim!

I'll try and model both my gorgeous aprons soon,

when I've ironed them and am wearing a dress!

Tanya also gave me a birthday book

which will no doubt help me 

spread more birthday love around.

Fiona gave me some very pretty tea towels 

- too pretty for the dishes??

My friend Catherine gave me this sign,

which I think will be perfect somewhere in our kitchen.

Steve was home (Laura had a migraine)

and he baked me the yummiest 

Caramel Pear Upside-Down Cake

which we enjoyed for afternoon tea.

He gave me some lovely CDs

and some cashew and nougat treats,

a booklight, 

and something is still to come in the mail.

Loving having another 

Cary Lewincamp CD to enjoy ...

 Emily gave me two eggcups,

something I was wanting

(Laura and I often have boiled eggs 

for breakfast these days).

Steve cooked dinner while I taught piano,

it was delicious, 

and we had a game of Blockus afterwards,

a good evening together.

Jacqui dropped in this morning with this lovely book

full of lovely antiques and country scenes

just gorgeous and ever so restful ...

plus these sweet hairpins she bought in Canberra.

This lovely jewellery box and earrings came 

in the mail from Steve's sister.

 

And if all that wasn't enough,

other family members have given me

cash and an iTunes voucher to spend.

I'm very thankful 

for such loving family and friends.

My birthday was a perfect break

in the middle of what I am 

finding to be a very trying time.

I guess one of my love languages 

must be "gifts" after all,

because I sure am feeling the love!

Oh, it's a jolly holiday ...

A lovely find at the op shop this morning

Sheet music AND a story.

They don't make them like this anymore.

It takes you back, doesn't it?

The arrangements are perfect,

lovely to play,

and I'm always interested to see 

how other piano teachers

make notes on students' pieces.

(My markings tend to be more minimalist than these)

* * *

Also, two saxophone books for Emily;

a book on Good King Wenceslas

which I will show my recorder class,

(we just started to play Good King Wenceslas 

last week, a bit early for Christmas carols 

but they are so advanced this year);

and a wedding ideas book 

with great craft and party ideas,

which I'm looking forward to reading.

And all for $5.00.

* * *

Today has been a warm day.

The car thermometer has hit 30degC

a few times while I've been out.

Can it really still be winter?

* * *

I've thoroughly enjoyed the serenity

of the last few days

and am looking forward to seeing my girl again

very soon.

Reprieve

In which I succumb to metaphor

A swallow flew into our ballet class just now,

and couldn't find the way out.

He (she?) flew from one end of the studio to the other,

back and forth, frantically looking for an escape.

Sometimes resting on the curtain rod,

so close to the open window a few inches below ...

We kept on with our glissades, pirouettes and waltzes,

and in the end didn't see the bird actually fly out the window,

but I heard happy chirping as it flew off.

While struggling to keep up with the steps

I couldn't help but liken the bird to myself at the moment.

Frantically looking for an exit,

a solution,

a cure.

But at least now I have a reprieve,

Laura has gone on a school camp

and for three days

her migraines, anxiety, 

other symptoms and mood swings

are the school's problem.

Don't get me wrong, I love Laura dearly,

but I just need a break,

a rest on the curtain rod 

before more frantic circling, 

and hopefully one day 

flying into the sunshine and fresh air.

Ballet credit: Microsoft.  I don't dance that well!

Sunny Afternoon

Such a beautiful sunny afternoon here.

I've been out teaching cardmaking at a local church.

The girls have been working on school assignments

(I hope)

and now Emily has gone to a high tea

for a friend's birthday.

 

Looking gorgeous.

The recent winds have blown away many of the magnolia blooms

but a few remain on the tree.

I love this time of year when the garden is full of magnolias,

freesias, camellias and daisies,

especially in the late afternoons.

* * *

What have you been doing today?

Saturday Baking

Today I baked 

bread rolls in the thermomix

declared to be very good by the wheat-eaters of the family;

and gluten-free 

Caramel Pear Upside-Down Cake.

which, as it turns out,

 is still delicious even when you forget the butter.

Busy

I taught an extra music lesson today,

and when I finished, 

came upon this rare domestic scene.

Laura sewing ribbons

on her new pointe shoes

and Emily sketching her current project

for her textiles portfolio.

Glenn Miller's Big Band playing in the background.

Yep, that's my girls.