the diary of a mother hen

Taking a break from here...

2012-09-10T05:03:00.000+10:00

whilst I am over here.

Colleen and Stephen

2012-06-18T10:44:00.003+10:00

Andrew's brother, Stephen, married Colleen yesterday.
It was just beautiful.
After a week of heavy rain the sun came out. The church was beautiful, and the reception was everything a reception should be - gorgeous setting, great music, beautifully decorated, yummy food and lots of joy.

The wedding was held at St John's Anglican Church in Camden,

and then the reception was held at Belgenny Farm.

The Granary function room.

Oliver signing the guest book.

Colleen and her friends had made metres and metres of bunting from old lace curtains, and her dad had made table centerpieces from old fence palings.

There was lots of energetic dancing after the meal.

Congratulations Stephen and Colleen xxx

Prometheus

2012-06-12T18:10:00.001+10:00

I haven't written about a movie I have seen for ages!
Well, last week I saw Prometheus. I was really looking forward to it, and the pre-clips released on YouTube really created that sense of anticipation.

So, what can I say?
I loved it. Visually spectacular.
However, it was not as scary/'hide behind my scarf' as thought it was going to be.
By far my favourite character was David, the android on board.

And then secondly, a geologist on board named Fifield, who you knew was going to be one of the first to die.

Noomi Rapace was great as Elizabeth Shaw (and big points for being able to run around after what was essentially a cesarean - I could hardly get to the bathroom after mine!), one of the scientists leading the expedition. But I couldn't raise much emotion for Charlie, her partner. Maybe we weren't really supposed to care about him.

There were those moments when I thought seriously... Meredith Vickers (Charlize Theron) didn't dodge left or right when the large spaceship was rolling towards her...

And I really wanted a bit more about the discovery of the ancient paintings & meaning of life type stuff. I thought that could have gone a bit deeper. Loved the reference/lead into Aliens at the end however.

My recommendation is to see it. I enjoyed it.

Cousins

2012-06-09T20:42:00.000+10:00

We spent today in Corrimal with my family.
Philly sent me these photos tonight that she took of the kids whilst Mum, Andrew and I walked the dogs up the beach.

It was a beautifully clear day on the South Coast, but very cold. Luckily children and animals don't seem to mind the chill.

Our New Church Opens

2012-06-06T10:49:00.001+10:00

Last weekend saw the official opening of our church's new building.
We were privileged to have Ps Phil Pringle paint during the service. It was fascinating to watch.

The new building is a beautiful space. It has such a sense of joy embodied in it.

Oliver was particularly pleased with the kindy farm that was there for the kids as part of the opening celebrations.

A Weekend Away

2012-05-08T22:08:00.000+10:00

Recently some friends took us away as a farewell gift.
We spent the weekend in Port Stephens, just hanging out, not really doing anything much... except maybe eating and watching the Mad Max trilogy.

visiting Dan Murphys & the car trip

stocking the fridge on arrival

gelato at the marina

yummy morning teas

buying seafood for dinner

walking around the Nelson Bay marina

pies for lunch

at the lighthouse

looking over Port Stephens

Thanks for the lovely weekend away dear friends.

The Farm 2012

2012-04-23T23:07:00.000+10:00

This year at the farm Matt was the main photographer, using my camera to capture our week away.

Unfortunately Chris could only join us for one night, but we had two new guests - Steve, Jo's new husband; and Sunny, our new Bulgarian friend.

We are going to miss our annual farm holiday over the next two years.

Easter Saturday

2012-04-08T21:41:00.000+10:00

We spent Easter Saturday at my Mum and Dad's place.
Mum had organised lots of activities for the kids - an egg hunt, decorating biscuits and a 'showbag' of Easter gifts.

We took the dogs to East Corrimal beach for a run. Holly was able to fly her kite, and Lauren and Oliver swam (the water was lovely and warm).

LEGO Photo

2012-04-06T16:21:00.000+10:00

And now for another time waster... but lots of fun.

Lindt bunny using LEGO photo.

Snapseed App

2012-04-06T16:15:00.000+10:00

I was catching up on reading the Photojojo newsletter that I subscribe to. There was a recent post: Phoneography Tips with Dirk Dallas.

I love reading these sorts of things - I love to find new apps to play around with.

He recommended Snapseed.

Here is what I did to my Lindt bunny using:

center focus

drama

vintage

and grunge.

Here is my Lindt bunny now:

Happy Easter

2012-04-06T09:05:00.002+10:00

I hope everyone has a wonderfully blessed holiday.

I certainly looking forward to sleep-ins and reading.

A Recent Find

2012-03-25T14:34:00.001+11:00

I recently discovered Geninne's Art Blog.

It is beautiful.

She posts something lovely almost every day.

Photographs of her own artwork, and places she has visited.

And she has an Etsy store.

It is full of gorgeous watercolour bird prints.

I am having trouble deciding which one I like the best.

Art by Lauren

2012-03-18T12:15:00.002+11:00

Lauren has been working on some canvases for my sister.
We gave them to her this week - here they hanging on their landing wall.

Bon Iver vs Sufjan

2012-03-13T20:32:00.000+11:00

"Bon Iver, you just qualified to be on equal first with Sufjan Stevens. Big call, I know..."
A quote from a ~~deluded~~ dear friend Stephanie - a quote that assaulted me at my waking this morning.
What!!
Treachery!!
As I peered, bleary eyed from my recent slumber, it appeared from her facebook page she was still in the throes of post concert pleasure.
This must have been the explanation for such a BIG call.

I decided it did need some investigation however, and never having actually taken the time to listen to a Bon Iver track (unless it was incidentally played on Triple Js rotation) I thought I would take them (him??) for a test drive - ie. I listened to the self titled album to and from work.

From the very first track (Perth) I was hooked. And I must say, it is very reminiscent of Sufjan's music. I think that it has every chance of becoming a favourite album.

I'll have to listen some more... and take a look at the lyrics... but I don't know Steph - I think Sufjan will remain my very best favourite.

Peter Elfes

2012-03-08T18:15:00.000+11:00

Peter Elfes has taken some truly beautiful photographs of Lake Ayre and the people who live in the area. He has an exhibition show in Customs House at Circular Quay at the moment. I would love to see it.

The Green Desert exhibition is a journey through time into the ancient world of Australia's deserts and the ever changing landscape of Lake Eyre in S.A. and northwest New South Wales.

It documents this ancient land with its infinite horizons and spectacular colours, as it transforms from an arid desert into the tropical oasis that it was millions of years ago.

It features low level aerial images with astonishing detail that express the beauty and vastness of this remote, environmentally and culturally significant part of Australia.

February Photo a Day

2012-02-29T09:38:00.002+11:00

What I am listening to.

February Photo a Day

2012-02-27T19:25:00.002+11:00

Something I Ate

I love these. I remember buying them at the school canteen when I was young - I bought a huge tub of them at Costco recently.

February Photo a Day

2012-02-26T23:35:00.002+11:00

Night

One of my favourite lamps - it used to be a old brass one that I sprayed black.

Note the nodding figures who also enjoy its brilliance.

February Photo a Day

2012-02-25T19:20:00.000+11:00

Bathroom Cupboard

February Photo a Day

2012-02-24T19:21:00.002+11:00

Green

February Photo a Day

2012-02-23T16:53:00.002+11:00

Shoes

Work shoes off. Now relaxing.

February Photo a Day

2012-02-22T18:53:00.002+11:00

Where I work.

The historic sandstone building that makes up part of the school.

February Photo a Day

2012-02-21T18:48:00.000+11:00

Favourite Photo of Me

Mum passed this on to me recently :)

February Photo a Day

2012-02-20T18:11:00.002+11:00

Handwriting

February Photo a Day

2012-02-19T14:34:00.002+11:00

Something I hate to do.

Having to use a public toilet.