crisp days of winter are here

*ignore the december date above here on the left – it’s the date i created this sticky.

scroll down to see the latest postings

winter -I am in Australia – header:all digital papers & elements by Linda – listed in groovy buton links down in the sidebar – Thisis her Grisole collection 

like me, this blog is a work in progress.   

  

  

♥ ♥ ♥

Master Chef JULIE

Julie, on the right, is my favourite, and Justine is a close 2nd

Master Chef Finals all next week.

Master Chef Australia recipes and info

Margaret Fulton on Master Chef

whoa who does Margaret Fulton (3rd from left) remind you of?

if you know me, or my mother you might have been surprised.

what a gorgeous lady – both of them.

A few years back I had the opportunity to have a one on one discussion with Margaret (regardless of the other 500 people in the audiuence) about the value of families eating meals together, at the table.

She signed her book for me which I gave to my then apprentice chef daughter.

Master Chef Episode 63

master chef’s Justine

More MASTER CHEF information

final master class tonight.

my favoruite is Julie.

Master Chef Australia website

michael jackson:father

Paris, & the Princes Michael today.

NaBloPoMo

National Blog Posting Month

surely they mean INTERnational…

Monthly Theme: June – Heroes

waiting to see what July is.

see button under Blog Challenges in the sidebar.

1st you laugh

then

you will be glad someone was crazy enough to do this

and yes now its an app on iphone

so you can get a remeinder that dash time is approaching

read more here and here

and to quote the late Karl Maldon

‘don’t leave home without it’

Photohunter #168

Pink

tears

15 months after her death, all the bottled up grief for my mother, broke forth today.

Master Chef Australia:Justine

I am sure Millie’s MOTH is in 7th heaven

♥

Justine, Tom & Poh returned for a 2nd chance last night.

A touch of the mark-twains

‘…reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.’

Mark Twain

well before twitter –

Karl Malden

“Don’t leave home without it.”

at 97 perhaps not gone to soon, but what a great life.

Canada

In the great Nation of Canada there are some people that are Very Very Special to me.

142 years and looking good.

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!

From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

Learn more about Canada

someone to love

if I had a dog he’d be like this.

reminds me of ‘rusty’ from my childhood. someone took him.

for hrh consideration

my friend hrh will have yet more choices for her day’s attire. 

buy them here

check out Heather’s Blog

social vibe widget

a great idea – pity it does’t (1) show up all the time & (2) work

Cat Portrait: a new series

you asked for it (A-M) 

weekly cat portrait

 

$300 later – Le Chat Noir is NOW an indoor cat.  

The collar & drainage tube have been removed.

take-out photo: look at me

 

marc – 3 attempts

i am a rockstar

 

 

take-out photo: June 09

contact sheet

(gotta get me photoshop asap.) 

Photohunter: #168

flag(s)

I have seen the ’swim between the flags’ flags often, this was the 1st time I’d seen them installed. 

 

 

 

The Cat

…as long as he is comfortable. Pity about the humans. 

Catch up: Locks

laptop locked onto new stand. a groovy thing. 4 USBs in the rear, 2 fans and makes one sit up straight. 

Yes that’s my toast plate, water bottle etc. 

new supermarket lock – it requires a $1 or $2 coin – which it gives back to you. 

IN Memory of my mother: water – basic human right

my mother and water. 

my mother (Valerie) had a very strong and active sense of social justice. 

It first activated in Rome in the very late 1960’s: she shocked my father by leaving their hotel to walk in a protest march for the rights of unwed mothers. 

She continued on from there, remained well informed, and an active supporter of many causes – political, social, financial etc,  indeed the very clothes she wore – until the end of her life.

I do not see why her desire for good, her desire to help ought to end just because she is not here anymore. 

Therefore, will you please scroll down the right sidebar of this Blog you will come to a panel re Charitywater.

Please click on it:  think of mum, and click on it. If you didn’t know her, click on it for me, if you don’t know me click on it for those in need. If you don’t know them, then click on it for you, if not for you?

Then just click on it anyway. 

In 1948, the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights were ratified by all the nations of the world.

read more and sign here

read more and sign here

Michael Jackson dies.

aged 50. 

Farrah Fawcett – One Less Angel

(yes i wore my hair like hers) 

 

ACTRESS Farrah Fawcett (I would say iconic)  has died after a long battle with cancer. She was 62.

Fawcett died in hospital surrounded by friends and family shortly before 9.30am on Thursday (LA time, 2.30am AEST today), reports said. 

“After a long and brave battle with cancer, our beloved Farrah has passed away,” O’Neal said in a statement released by Fawcett’s publicist Arnold Robinson.

more 

Green for Iran. ‘Jane Eyre’ for me.

The colour of today’s post is green because I want to express solidarity with those who yearn for freedom in Iran. The people of Iran deserved a free, open & transparent election process recently, many of us suspect that it did not occur. Lisa over at Coastal Nest has asked fellow bloggers to consider temporarily changing the background or font of their blog to green to show support for our Iranian friends. If you have a blog or website of your own, will you consider doing the same? (This message came to me via The Laurel Hedge, thanks Millie. And Lisa. 

I have these last 2 weeks – or thereabouts – been rereading ‘Jane Eyre’ by Charlotte Bronte. When I say re reading, I mean reading as an adult. Also not reading as a romance, but rather looking deeper to understand the struggles and tenacity of Jane Eyre, to grieve with her in her ill treatments, and rejoice in her personal victories- mostly in terms of character and conviction. 

In her on way Jane Eyre is also seeking freedom. The space, grace and dignity to be self governing. Tis a noble thing to aspire to: wether by an individual, or a nation.  Iran, I admire you, th0ugh I fear for you. 

I am astounded at the depth there is to plumb – in the book ‘Jane Eyre’, as an adult. To be sure there are many echoes of Charlotte Bronte’s life throughout it. Very many, but she has turned the experience of them well. and writes majestic prose even in her simplest forms. 

 

favicons, video uploads, and other things I learned today.

I have managed to make and install the favicon. see previous post. 

I l♥ve learning new computer skills.

Today I also spent time figuring out how to upload many video clips from my cousins video camera. The hard drive of the computer was almost full. It took some serious thinking to get the system to allow me to load the files direct on the new external hard drive; but I finally managed. I had been about to give up but talked it through to myself, yes out loud. This helped me sort out the problem and voila it worked. 

Now I find the video is an extention I am not familiar with – and so far I cannot find a way to play it on her computer. 

I cannot access the internet (on her computer) – so a home visit might be required. 

I have allocated some time tomorrow to try and resolve this problem. 

Then comes the teaching how to edit, add sound, titles etc. Finally to burn to a DVD. 

Watching her achieve her goal will be wonderful. 

Favicon: trying to make one

the old one keeps apearing. Let’s try again….

All done, apparently just now takes the time for all systmes to sync 

and then ta darr it ought to appear…

looking for this – please leave a comment if you see it up above. 

ooo it looks very facebook doesn’t it. hmmm these just happen to be my fav colours

what do you think? Once this one appears I will know I can change it, having done that already. 

Alice in Wonderland: 2010

guess who plays the mad hatter? 

roll over images for actor names. 

oscar material? 

 

 

 

a Tim Burton film. Can’t wait. 

images news.com.au

Photohunter: #167

creamy

 

taken with my phone camera

dreamy donuts 

friendly staff – yummy donuts 

here

fabulous friday

I’m sure it is still friday somewhere

max

I didn’t eat it I just took a photo – with my phone. 

Remember I am a self declared choc-free zone. 

Tiny Taylor

IN a world first, tiny Taylor Gardner has been fitted with a pacemaker bigger than her fragile body.

 

Born after just 26 weeks and weighing a minuscule 541g, Taylor’s heart began to fail in the hours after her birth, forcing Melbourne’s Monash Medical Centre surgeons to try the untried. 

The cardiac team wired an external pacemaker to her tiny heart, allowing her to stay alive so she can be fitted with a more conventional pacemaker in coming months…

Scans at 19 weeks revealed Taylor had a complete heart block found in 1 in 200,000 babies, but only ever in a handful to the same extent. 

Her mother Rebecca  left her country home so her pregnancy could be monitored around the clock. 

“It was heart-wrenching, but I wanted her to survive because she is my 11th pregnancy and I only had one child,” Ms Gardner said. 

“She is a total miracle. “She’s a fighter and she is feisty. Even though she has such tiny hands, I reckon all the nurses are wrapped around her little finger.” 

Aussie dies from swine flu

First Australian swine flu patient dies

SWINE flu remains mild in Australia and most people infected make a rapid and full recovery, the Federal Government has said after a man confirmed with the virus died. 

Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon tonight issued a statement after the death of a 26-year-old West Australian man in an Adelaide hospital.

The man had tested positive to the influenza A(H1N1) virus yesterday while suffering from a long-term serious medical condition, Ms Roxon said. 

more here

Mid Week Escape: Singapore

majestic style & detail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Majestic Hotel Singapore 

 

The soup I told you about

I found this recipe in The Australian Magazine a few weeks back. 

Included in the Eating in section by David Herbert. 

It is so easy to make, delicious to eat and easy to modify. (eg to add protein) photo comimg

TOMATO AND BARLEY SOUP 

150g pearly barley (I accidentally found non soak barley)

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 onion chopped (I diced mine – I don’t like onion chunks) 

1 carrot chopped (I also diced this) 

1 stick celery (ditto) 

2 cloves garlic (I didn’t have fresh so I used teaspoon crushed from jar) 

2x 400 cans crushed tomatoed (I used pre diced, plain) 

1 litre chicken or vegetable stock. 

1 tablesppon fresh fresh Basil chpped – to garnish. 

Soak Barley, or use the non soaking kind. in cold water over night 

Heat olive oil in large soup pot (I have mum’s) 

Saute onion, carrot, celery & garlic for about 5 minutes. 

Add canned tomatoes, stock (I heated mine) and cup of water. 

Strain pre soaked barley and add (or just add the non soak barley) 

Bring to the boil, reduce heat and simmer about 40 mins. or until the barley has softened. 

Season to taste with fresh gorund black pepper. Serve hot. 

I wanted more protein in this so:

*The 1st time I made it,  I diced and dry fried some bacon, drained well  and then added it to the simmering stage. 

2nd time I dry fried diced chicken breast to golden, and added at the simmer stage.

Enjoy. 

 

 

Natasha over at Maw Books Blog  announced the 1st ever ‘Bloggiesta’

I have some running repairs, alterations, and improvements to make on my various Blog Worlds so I will be joining in. 

How about you? 

Check the groovy button in the sidebar. Under Blog Challenges. Yes it is a link. 

Democracy: Iran & China

democracy – the desire for freedom, the right to choose

looks the same, no matter where it is desired, and no matter what attempts are made to smash it

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

all images: The Big Picture

 

200 CEOs agree to sleep rough in Sydney

MORE than 200 CEOs have agreed to sleep out in the cold next week to experience what it is like to be homeless in Sydney.

An initiative of the St Vincent de Paul Society, organisers initially hoped to raise $250,000 from the event.

This has since risen to at least $500,000, with those expressing interest in taking part in the night being double what was originally anticipated.

“Many CEOs have said they are walking past homeless people huddling in doorways, and they have felt great sadness,” St Vincent de Paul Society CEO John Picot said.

“They feel that if they share that experience for even just one night, they are expressing their commitment to making real change.”

“And there’s no getting around it. It is going to be cold and miserable on the night. We are urging all participants to really rug up. The experience will be a real one.”

sign up – donate here 

Archway…what archway?

 

THE pounding sea along the Great Ocean Rd has claimed another landmark with the collapse of the Island Archway near Loch Ard Gorge.

All that remains of the tourist lure are two rock pillars protruding about 25m from the ocean and a pile of rubble beneath the surface, Melbourne News reports.

Helicopter pilot Brad Camrie did a double-take when he flew past the site at 9am yesterday.

“We first noticed that the water looked a little different,” Mr Camrie said.

“Then I saw the bridge – that must have been at least 10m across – had disappeared. Looking at it now, you wouldn’t know there had been an archway.

“They will have to come up with a new name because they won’t be able to call it Island Archwayany more.”

Several of the area’s rock formations have toppled over. The last significant loss was in 2005 when one of the Twelve Apostles collapsed

Iran Elections: what now?

HARDLINE President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad resoundingly won Iran’s election, preliminary official results showed today, but his moderate challenger alleged irregularities and claimed victory for himself.

The level of the incumbent’s support, roughly twice as many votes as former Prime Minister Mirhossein Mousavi with most ballots counted, confounded analyst predictions of a tight race.

 

A bitterly fought campaign generated intense excitement inside Iran and strong interest around the world, with policymakers looking for signs of a change in Tehran’s approach in a long-running row with the West over its nuclear ambitions.

Listing several complaints before official results were announced, Mr Mousavi said many people had not been able to vote and that there had been a lack of ballot papers.

He also accused authorities of blocking text messaging, with which his campaign tried to reach young, urban voters.

“I am the definite winner of this presidential election,” Mr Mousavi told a news conference.

Trita Parsi, president of the Washington-based National Iranian American Council, expressed disbelief at the wide margin in Dr Ahmadinejad’s favor. 

“It is difficult to feel comfortable that this occurred without any cheating,” Mr Parsi said. 

We have just recently remembered the anniversary of dashed hopes of a Democratic China. 

 

The repercussions of that attempt go ever on, like a ripple in a pond.  Even China’s recent silence concerning the Tiananmen Square protests is a ripple. 

Looking back to the brutal events of, & folllowing 4th June 1989, the question must be asked what now in Iran? 

What of the innocent citizens of that nation that rose up in hope of change for the better.  The media images of men & women embracing a chance for change. 

Is the world ready to step in. Has the UN planned what it will do. 

‘the price of freedom is eternal vigilance’ 

will there be a price for wanting it? 

Google Ephemera

Back here I discussed at length the issue of desks and associated ephemera: real, and virtual by way of Google Gadgets. 

I regret to tell you that Google Gadgets has failed, for me. Hogging to much power and slowing down the booting up, and closing down process. Not to mention limping through normal work processes, just to indulge in some cute or handy gizmos. 

Now I have a solitary image, no screen saver and one folder icon plus the recyle bin icon and my mobile BB icon. That’s it. Neat, tidy efficent. Not cute, not helpful.

However all is not lost: I have created a fabulous igoogle homepage for myself, with all the functions I need and none of the ones I don’t.  Running Google chrome my igoogle page is just a click of a tab away. 

WHO: swine flu now pandemic

THE World Health Organisation declared the first flu pandemic of the 21st century early this morning (AEST) urging countries to shore up defences against the virus which is “not stoppable” but has proved mainly mild so far. 

The United Nations agency raised its pandemic flu alert to phase 6 on a six-point scale, indicating the first influenza pandemic since 1968 is under way. 

more

blue, white…and red.

the inspired room has gone nautical.

sikinos - greece

 

 

 

 

 

 

here

where were they stopping?

remember I am in Australia, on the east coast. 

Pohotohunter #165

sign on left: Fish 3 Anglers 0 

photo of advertisement from newspaper. 

took camera out with me today and had great shot linned up. 

batteries went flat.  took this with my phone camera. 

Professor Chris O’Brien

gone too soon

“I have remained optimistic, confident and steadfastly committed to enjoying every moment, grasping every opportunity and trying anything which may help me win this fight for my life,” Professor O’Brian wrote.

Chris O’Brien, who died overnight, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive and almost inevitably lethal form of brain cancer, in November 2006.

“It is one of the terrible ironies of life that a man like Chris would be diagnosed with the very type of cancer he did so much to fight against with his own patients,” an emotional Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said on announcing the $100 million funding top-up in April 2009.

He became well known to us all through the RPA TV series. 

Prof O’Brien was (is)  due to be honoured in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.

write your tribute here

donate here

4th June:tiananmen square

 Thousands of people were converging Thursday on a park in Hong Kong to mark the 20th anniversary of the bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Tiananmen Square.

The gathering marks the sole commemoration on Chinese soil of a dark chapter in the country’s history.

The candlelight vigil will be held as authorities in mainland China step up controls on media and Internet news and social networking sites.

more here

Obama in Cairo

“Too many tears have flowed. Too much blood has been shed,”

 

PRESIDENT Barack Obama has vowed to forge a “new beginning” for Islam

and the US in a landmark speech to the world’s 1.5 billion Muslims.

“I have come here to Cairo seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslimsaround the world,” Mr Obama said in a speech shown on television and on social networking sites. 

America is not “at war with Islam,” but says the “sweeping change brought by modernity and globalization led many Muslims to view the West as hostile to the traditions of Islam.”

He denounced the denial of the Holocaust and anti-Semitic stereotyping, and criticized anyone who would threaten Israel’s destruction.

Expounding on the plight of Palestinians, Obama said “it is also undeniable that the Palestinian people — Muslims and Christians — have suffered in pursuit of a homeland.”

“For more than 60 years they have endured the pain of dislocation. Many wait in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza and neighboring lands for a life of peace and security that they have never been able to lead,” he said.

more

here and here

 

 

 

Mid week escape: blue & white heaven

 

your arrival is worth any & all effort you had to make 

begin to let your worries go

start to relax

 

swim away your stress & soak in the view

 

enjoy your surroundings

 

the attention to detail

 

sleep well

 

it will all still be there in the morning

J.K.Place has an extraordinarily beautiful website. Just viewing it is like a vacation. 

 

Imagine Being There.

 

J.K.Place, Capri - Via Prov. Marina Grande, 225 – 80073 Capri (Na) Italy – Tel. +39-081-8384001 Fax. +39-081-8370438 - info@jkcapri.com

Ampersands With Attitude

ampersands – you wither love ‘em or you don’t i do.

more here

LOST: part 2

ooooooooooo I have lost my blog roll. Where did it go? 

ha ha I found it. 

who knew that that’s what that widget did? 

I do now.