TARONGA ZOO - S & L & H Come to Visit

What a perfect view as you walk from the entry, past the Australian Bird Avery, 

down the path towards the Giraffe.  Best real estate in Sydney.

https://taronga.org.au/taronga-zoo

 Love this pic, plus Lu's in the 'spot light'.

It was a beautiful sunny, autumn day.   

I think the cooler weather was a welcome change for the animals, as they were active and animated, which makes for a fun zoo visit.

  The Koi were larger than the spoon-bill.  

I have a 'hankerin' for a large pool with 2 or 3 Koi.  Well...a fish pond would be nice also...

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It was a lovely trip to the zoo.  Mothers Day weekend.  Sam, Lu and Henry came to Sydney for a flying 4 day visit.  We were so excited to have them to stay.  

All 3 grand-kids are growing like beans.  In the blink of an eye they are little people with views and opinions and I Love It!  

We visited the Aquarium at Darling Harbour.  So many sharks.  Ate lunch, chatted and people watched.  Sam did some shopping and Lu had a chance to check out some Sydney shops in Pitt Street Mall.  Our last stop - Toys"R'Us was a hit for Henry.  He wandered slowly, pondered long and hard, then decided on 3 toys and off we went to the airport.  It was over way too fast.

Sometime Visitors...

 CRIMSON  ROSELLAS

As the Winter Camellias come into bloom they attract lovely visitors such as these lovely Rosellas.   

EASTER MONDAY - Tick that one off the list!

Easter Monday 2015-  thank you to Percy, Duncan and Julia for saying 'yes' to walking over the Sydney Harbour Bridge.  I've wanted to do this for years.   Yay!

We take the train to Milson's Point (northshore side of the bridge).
OFF  WE  GO!

So many well known icons of Australia in one spot.  Very special.

Waiting for the old gal to take photos.

Is this a Zoolander face, Duncan?
Or just a Duncan face....not sure.

How does the harbour get so busy and no one bumps into one another.
Well,  hardly ever.

I'm actually trying to photograph the bike, Duncan...not you.
Lunch in the Rocks area.     Next to Suez Canal in fact. 

Another 'want to do' item.  Visit the Observatory.  We were just in time for the last tour of the day.  Lucky.

As we pass in the train, just on this side of the bridge,  we see many wedding photos being taken in this rotunda.
Nice view I must say.

Again, it's all about you goofy boy.  

It's getting late, daylight savings finished on Sunday morning so our days are shorter.

Happy family.  Yes I made them walk back over the bridge.  Grumble, grumble, moan.

21 TODAY, 21 TODAY.....

Celebrating Duncan and Julia's 21st Birthday.

Casa Asturiana Restaurant, Sydney, Friday March 20th 2015.
We were so pleased many of Duncan and Julia's friends, from high school days and university, were able to join with us to celebrate their birthday.
Fran and Chris Goddard,  Percy's cousin attended, as well as our dear Sam
who was able to fly up from Tasmania making this a fun and memorable birthday weekend.

~  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  ~

Guests invitations were sent on vintage Spanish postcards setting the theme for the gathering.
Julia traveled to Spain this past January, her second trip, so we carried over the feel and fun from this trip into their birthday celebrations.

Kiss Me Cake specialty cakes, made these yummy chocolate and vanilla  mini cakes which set the colour theme for the party.

Great group!

Good on you Julia!   

Is that your serious face?

Toro!   Charge

Adam frozen in time.

Sparkling conversation had by all.

Duncan planning his next move.

That's right, I'm the BOSS.

Little Treats for Someone Sweet.

HAPPY  BIRTHDAY  TO  YOU.....

'Relaxed Chris' and 'Where the heck is my drink Percy' and  'She'll be right Sam'

Long time between drinks conversation.

Profiles are always better when it's not...me.

Tea Cozy - 2015 Version

About 10 years ago Martha Stewart made a tea cosy from 'fat quarters'.  

Add some wadding, ribbon a little sewing and you have a tea cosy.  

Of course, I threw out my old cosy on our last move - St Ives to Thornleigh.  

This year the CWA Branch Craft Project is 4 different tea cozies. 

So.... I thought I would re-invent / re-do good old Martha's version.  

January Auction - Louisa's little finds

 Once I read there was a Printers' Tray in the catalogue, I thought this is worth looking at. I've placed some darling metal number plates Julia picked up on one of her trips.  All with lucky # 7 in them.  And a tiny tied bundle of used stamps from Flywheel - New Norfolk, Tasmania.

Cornish Pottery - yay!
The only pieces of CP in the auction.  Now they have a new home.

Chimney pot # 1 advertised as Vintage...I guess so, vintage looking at least. I just like the ornamental look of them.

Chimney pot # 2  smaller and with touch up shiny paint, never mind.

 These two chimney pots came in a lot with a plinth - yuck!  So I've hidden that in a bush in the garden, not really me, but will suit very well as a stand for a water bowl for birds.

      Onyx, silver & seed pearls Pendant.            I thought it may 'go with' one of my onyx rings, I think it does.  

Happy with my little finds on this my first foray into the auction world here in Sydney.  Next time perhaps more Cornish Pottery, cast iron urns, and yummy jewelry.

Australia Day 2015

What is everyone planning for Australia Day?

I see it's flooding in Tas, so I do hope the weather picks up for you all there.

It's so hot here in Sydney, at the moment, so I do hope it cools down a little as the CWA Branch I am a member will be hosting a stall for the Hornsby Shire Council Australia Day celebrations.

Percy will be fishing in NZ.

I will be going out to dinner for my 24th Wedding Anniversary - with Duncan.

Julia will be making an Aussie moment in Spain while travelling with her friend, Maddie.

Whatever you plan, I hope it is a great day for you and your family.
Thinking of you all.  x