Change: As Good as a Holiday

 

In case you were worried.

I am back.

And, thank you for asking.

I have been up to all sorts.
Sorry to go awol.
Not quite visiting the Queen in London, but
I had to take life by its horns and make a few changes.

I have re-booted my chalkface life.

Risen up against the tyranny of workload intensification

and found myself a lovely little alternative to my usual

schedule of relentless marking and maximum teaching load.

Life is good.

 I have time to notice the small things again.

That old adage is true; a change can be as good as a holiday.

There's a work-life balance now going on.
But, it did take some determination.
And careful planning.

I am still gainfully employed.
And loving what I do.

But have a bit more time for the important things.

Like cake-making.

Chocolate Mud.

Pear and Almond Tart.

Lime and syrup cake.



Time for pondering.

Blogging.

 Flower arranging.
The odd soiree.



Appreciating the little things.



Some feather flower-making.

Slowly fashioned.

 I've picked up a few more millinery techniques thanks to the Milliners' Convention

which was held in Brisbane this year.

I will show you more on that later.
I promise.

On a sad note.

 I am missing my little poodle companion terribly.

I can still imagine him walking around the House of Flora.
I keep googling unwanted poodles in my region.

This lovely portrait of Coco Chanel with hers by artist Marie Laurencin is one

of my favourites despite the melancholia.

 How's everything?

Making any changes?

Missing anyone?

 

 

 

 

 

Rainbow Bridge

I"ll try to stick to my mission statement but I will admit there's

been way too much else to stand in the way of frippery.

Lots of sadness in and around the traps.

Massive earthquake in Nepal.

Two Australians executed alongside six others in Indonesia.

Lots of rigour at the chalkface.

 And, finally the house-muse is no more.

Here he is in better days, just sleeping.
After a bedtime story.

Last week the house-muse retired to the biggest poodle parlour in heaven.

Over the Rainbow Bridge.

That lovely soft euphemism that includes all pets

returning to their healthy state, trotting around with butterflies and birds.

Thank you for your kind thoughts.

I have been sad for days.

He was my constant for sixteen years and never disagreed with

a thing I said.

I liked him.
Nature permitted him nearly 18 years in total.

I went against good advice and gave my heart to a dog to tear.

It'll mend slowly.
I'll let it take its sweet time.

 Meanwhile, I finished off an orchid inspired and feather leaf headpiece.
Keeping occupied.
Thanks to the stunning blooms at the Orchid Society's Species Show.

 

 

 

 

The Power of the Dog

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie--
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart to a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find--it's your own affair--
But ... you've given your heart to a dog to tear.
When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone--wherever it goes--for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.
We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-term loan is as bad as a long--
So why in--Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

Rudyard Kipling



 

 This has always been one of my favourite portraits, Coco Chanel

with a cream coloured poodle, by Impressionist Marie Laurencin.

 



 



Thermal Blanket and Food and Craft Fair

 It's always a good day when Vogue comes to town.

But, frankly, this month's edition has rattled me.

A see-through mesh number (as above) around $1200 AUS.

Please, people.
Our Kylie on the front. Always good to see, though.

 And, four words: thermal blanket fashion trends.

 I'm flummoxed and I am Vogue enough to say so.

 Rattled.

 Look below: here's a thermal blanket cape.

Don't wear it out in Queensland's summer.

You'll bake.

 

The two week term break's been lovely.

We've been relaxing.

Probably a bit too much of the latter, and now I've had to combine two posts into one

because Mr Fascinata came up the stairs today and queried, 'What's

going on, aren't you blogging anymore?'

There's a sign.

 Eating and Sleeping.
Panna Cotta.

 

 Set up a few Easter vignettes.
Eaten them.

 A Restaurant or two in our own backyard.

 Scallops + Lemon + Garlic

 Roast Pork.

 Morning Tea with T.

 Prepared this polka dotted tulle to fashion a few floras for the Guild's Mothers Day Fair today.

 Easter cake making with T2.

 It's a chocolate flavoured Simmnel cake.

 

 

 Here's T2's Easter bunnies.

Tiny and adorable.

 We had a very Happy Easter.
Thank you.

 And today, was the Embroiderers' Guild Mothers Day Craft Fair.

Lovely.

Stay busy.

And away from thermal coats if you can help it.