DAY OUT WITH A FRIEND

 

I was very fortunate to be taken to Village Gold Class at Westfield to see THE 100 FOOT JOURNEY.  Spoilt rotten to be precise. Possibly a "girlie" movie. But. Having said that more like a feel good movie. Loved the food passion and how a recognisable gift and talent could be recognised by family and out of disaster, a vision and openness  became true. The food, the colour, the scenery......yep, the lot

Probably touched on one of our dreams.

And the company of Alicia, her generosity, the lovely food and drinks.....pretty special

RUNNING WITH SCISSORS

Watched Running With Scissors for the third time.

I had read the books quite awhile ago.

Back to the DVD

Based on the personal memoirs of Augusten Burroughs. 

RUNNING WITH SCISSORS is a wickedly funny, 

brave and moving tale of surviving a most unusual childhood.

Augusten's mother is an unpublished and unstable poet whose marriage to his dad is in ruins.

Soon, she is seeing a very eccentric therapist named Dr Finch, while Augusten is left in the care of Finch's wacky family including his tightly wound daughter,Hope. youngest daughter Natalie and his long- suffering wife Agnes. Constantly recording the event of his life in his journal as a way to cope.

Augusten finds himself avoiding school, learning about love from an older man, and making big decisions at the tender age of just fifteen.

The first book I read, RUNNING WITH SCISSORS, I was at a very difficult time of my life.

I had suffered a heart attack. I had lost my business. I had to learn to hold a conversation again.I had lost a lot of my hair. I had lost myself.

I had always dressed different. I didn't know how to dress myself.

I was bankrupt. My husband was dying of cancer. I was in the process of reinventing myself.

BUT

His writing was so hysterically funny. How could anyone possibly endure this.

Made me look like chicken shit. 

Oh boy, if he could do it at this tender age,

I'm a big girl, I can do it too.

How could I possibly have a sense of humour with all that was happening in my life.

But, oh my goodness, every time I turned the page I would be cracking up laughing.

I did reinvent myself, and am now in the process of doing it again.

Must check out to see if he has any more books.

Hats off to you Augusten!

coco luscious may: THE NICHOLAS BUILDING

coco luscious may: THE NICHOLAS BUILDING: L'uccello..........          A magnificent little find housed in the Nicholas building in  Swanston Street Melbourne. I love this li...

THE NICHOLAS BUILDING

L'uccello..........
         A magnificent little find housed in the Nicholas building in  Swanston Street Melbourne.
I love this little shop, as well as the many others in this building. I was looking for a few extras for my latest project, and remembered buying thread some time back. So much to see here. Well worth a look.......

 A snippet of some of the other shops.......

Some of the threads I picked up here for my " Silver Birch" rather large project.......I have made a good start, and after years of thinking it is finally happening....

Now, a little bit on the Nicholas Building. 
        The Nicholas Building in Swanston Street Melbourne was home to businesses associated with the Flinders Lane garment trade, commercial artists, medical practitioners and architects, in the city of Melbourne. The building was completed in 1926 and the Architecture style was influenced by the " Chicago Style" of architecture.

........a sort of bit of a connection to this building. The Nicholas family also owned a lovely property in Lilydale. The property was owned at that stage by people by the name of Davies.....My parents worked and lived on the property and today the house is still standing....just a little bit of useless information that my children or grandchildren might be interested in one day. 
My mother used to let me have a day off school once a month and we would go into the city for her to pay an insurance in Collins Street. I loved strutting along Collins Street with her, and loved the National Mutual building. Another smell I remember. I would sometimes have my hair cut at Jill Webb, I think in the Nicholas Building. Mum also went to a chiropodist in this building.
Only just recently do they no longer have the lift lady.....always informative!

 

Following 3 Guys On Bikes.......to........Maldon

On Sunday I packed All of my cares in a thimble, left them home,and set off  for a drive to Maldon following 3 Guys on Bikes. Myself in the MG MAGNETTE., I followed Francis on his 1950's AJS Bike. It is the third time I have driven this beautiful car. I am so lucky. It smells good, It sounds nice, Runs well, and I am convinced it is a Happy Car. Love for it to tell me some of the stories of its whereabouts. We pulled over just before Sunbury and waited to meet the others. Greg and his pillion wife Kelly, and then along came Matt.

So off we headed going through Clarkefield, Monegeetta, Romsey and Lancefield. All of these places I intend going back to one day for a good look around. One of my favourite passtimes.

A stop for petrol, etc.....Then off on the next part of the journey. I couldn't stop for photos, but boy, the countryside around here is pretty stunning. It does me so much good to get out and see this beautiful land!

The road was quite a winding road and very hilly in spots. But, the Magnette went well. Went through Mia Mia, Sutton Grange then onto Castlemaine, through Chewton, another cute place. Driving on to Maldon, arriving with the leaves on the lower branches not fallen yet. I love this place. From home to Maldon about 186km.

We had Lunch at CAFE MALDON, with bikes. All day breakfasts were Francis and my choice. Poached eggs on toast, with bacon. Very nice! and a Latte and Capachino later, and a good chat, we headed off home.

Maldon, a town steeped in History. The National Trust declared it Australia's first notable town in 1966. It once had quartz reefs that were among the world's richest, attracting a population which built grand houses and a very busy commercial centre. 135km northwest of Melbourne in the heart of Victoria's goldfields. It has retained an authentic pioneer - like appearance with history of the gold mining era being preserved.

Many events throughout the year. Lots of attractions I haven't seen as yet, even though I have been there several times. A quick glance at the accommodation online looks very reasonable. Food and Wine. Victorian Goldfields Railway linking Castlemaine and Maldon. Love to go on the Train. AND of course there are the shops. Always find something to buy here and always intend coming back for......

It would have been nice to have a passenger, but I did so much enjoy it, and at least I could sing....no radio in the MG......funny the songs that come into your head!

The Vintage Bike

My Bestie bought me a Malvern Star Vintage bike for Christmas awhile back. I needed new tyres, and its just one of those things you put off when its hard to go get them without having the bike with you. Anyhow, after moving to a new area, found an easy way for it to happen.

I would like to tell you how impressed with some small businesses around Bulleen, Ivanhoe, and Heidelberg.

As I mentioned, I needed new white wall tyres for the vintage bike. I was driving past and saw a bike shop. More racing bikes and whiz bang bikes, but decided to walk my bike over there. Andrey was very helpful and as I knew they probably wouldn't be in stock, he said he would order them in for me. He gave me a quote, I was happy with that and left the bike there. He rang me a few days latter and I walked over to pick it up.

We have some great walking / riding tracks that run alongside the freeway.

I hope to get better at my riding and increase my stamina.

My goal is to ride to the Fairfield Boat House and back.

Pee Wee Hermon

Eat your'e heart out.

GARDEN of the MAN HATTERS TEA PARTY

Last night, we watched Alice In Wonderland. Good to watch it again. Reinforced some ideas for My Mad Hatters Tea Party Garden that I will create.

Cooking Caravans Dreams

Watched the Long Long Trailer the other night. Love this movie. Love Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Although at times it makes me feel a bit sick, like watching Mr Bean. Anyhow I have acquired alove of caravans especially vintage caravans.

I bought this car and caravan for Francis, and I love this. Been trying to find a pic of Fiat Bambino with a teardrop caravan......one of my dreams and goals.


Cooked a lovely Greek Roast Lamb for the first time. No photos, but I will next time.
Marinated with garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, oregano and lemon thyme from the sort of garden. Left it marinating for 24 hours.
Cooked it for 4 hours.
Made some skordalia to go with it, but will not bother next time. I will just do ordinary roast vegies. 
It was so yummy. The next night we used the leftover lamb to make souvalaki. 
That was so yummy as well.