ENJOY THE HERE AND NOW -- BUT WINTERS COMING ?

According to the experts, Live for the Moment

Dwelling on the past could be bad for your health.

The happiest and healthiest people, are those who manage to enjoy the here and now.

I walked around my garden to-day, and was surprised to see my red winter Gladys were flowering,

almost overnight, and the little freshias had pushed through the earth and were about 4 inches high

My camellia is also flowering, One delicate flower hidden amongst the leaves.

My spirits drop a little,that means winter is coming and l have so much to do outside.

Then l think about what the experts have told us,-- to enjoy the here and now, --

after all we are only partly through Autumn ( 1/3 rd).

Daylight savings finishes to-morrow, so there is an extra hour of daylight in the morning.

Oh no, the roses are losing their leaves, these are the last roses until next Summer,

Get over it, - enjoy the here and now -

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON

Do you often see similarities  between your children and their children ( your grandchildren )

Kyle, our son has just turned 40, and our grandson Floyd is 10

They are both confident and strong, determined, and very loving.

( Half Coffee Pecan - for the adults and half Tropical for the little ones )

This school photo was taken 30 years ago, when Kyle was 10

  Floyd in his school uniform

HUG OF THE MONTH (FOR MARCH )

This photo is another of my favourite photos, especially for my hug of the month segment.

And holds many nostalgic memorys,

My husbands older sister Filomena and her fiance Bob on their engagement night over 50 years ago.

My hubby had 7 brothers and sisters, (3 girls and 5 boys altogether)

Although l wasn't around to see their engagement ,many moons later ( after marrying their handsome, special brother ) l was to acquire 7 new brother and sister- in laws

I must admit l was very nervous meeting them all as they talk very loud, and all at once, as most Italians do

I thought they were all arguing.

I was excepted by all his brothers and sisters, but not his parents.

They wanted their oldest son to marry an Italian girl, not a fair dinkum aussie girl.

It took them many years for his father to accept me, but not his mum,  I know she loved me.

Below is Filomena and Bobs Wedding Day, with some of the family

Her brother Vince, below ( my future husband ) was her Best man

Don't they look gorgeous, sisters Anna and Mary, and brother Lou
Lou is now a Grandfather !

ART WITH A DIFFERANCE- "-FOOD ART" by CHRISTOPHER BOFFOLI

Christopher Boffoli, from Seattle, in America  is certainly an artist with a difference. His humorous  creations bring food to life, with tiny model miniature figures, representations of everyday scenes.

"Coming up with an interesting image is only half the battle, ( says Christopher ) - a caption that will make people smile is also a big part of my work "

These scenes require careful planning before being assembled in his home studio.

I wonder what he named his food sculpture above ?

JIM STYNES -- A TRUE CHAMPION, ON AND OFF THE FOOTY FIELD ( 1966-2012 )

JIM STYNES,  a much loved man, has just passed away after his battle with cancer.

Heaven has gained an angel, the world has lost a beautiful man.

cartoonist - Mark knight (cartoons, pictures, information  ) are from our Herald Sun Newspaper, March 21st,2012

Thank you Ireland for a truly remarkable gift, Australians are in mourning at the passing of this much loved man.

Australia was a better place for an Irish boy's willingness to follow a dream to the other side of the world

(In 1984) 18 year old Jim was drafted to Australia as part of Ron Barrassi's program to recruit top Irish footballers to Australia
(In 1987 ) Jim played his 1st senior game of AFL for Melbourne Football Club
(1988) Played in losing grand final against Hawthorn.
(1991)  Jim wins Melbourne Football Clubs  "Best and Fairest " player
( 1991 )JIM WINS THE PRESTIGIOUS "BROWNLOW MEDAL "
the only player recruited from outside of Australia to do so
(1994)  Jim Co-founded the " REACH  " foundation with film director Paul Currie

(1998 ) Retired from AFL after playing 264 games.
( 2000 ) Married his girlfriend of 3 years Samantha.
( 2001 )Little daughter Matisse is born
( 2003 ) Jim is Inducted into the "AFL 'Hall of Fame "
(2005 )Baby son Tieran is born
( 2006 )Jim is Inducted into the " Melbourne Football Hall of Fame "
( 2007 ) Jim received an " ORDER of AUSTRALIA " Medal for his work with YOUTH
and his contribution to the AFL
(2009 ) Jim is diagnosed with cancer after finding a lump on his back, given 9 months to live.
( 2010 ) Jim has 5 brain tumours removed
 2010 ) Jim is named Melburnian of the year for dedication to the welfare of Victorians youth

Jim lives for nearly 3 years instead of his Diagnosed 9 months, not wasting 1 day, living to help others, saving many, many youths from depression, despair and loneliness

Australia was his second home, that he loved, but his wish was for his loving family to take his ashes to  his beloved Ireland' and placed in a special place.

jim

I am not really into football.
After having a husband involved in football for 16 years ( as a trainer )
and also 3 sons involved. I'm footballed out.
But Jim Stynes really got to me
Why did this loving,special, gentleman have to die ?
When their are so many violent scumbags around.

FINDING THRIFT SHOPS, (CHINA FOR MY CHRISTMAS BOLLARD, FOOTY BOOTS FOR MY SMALL GRANDSON AND SOME GREAT CUSHIONS )

I found many treasures in the THRIFT ( OP SHOPS )

Firstly; l was after more Christmas china for my Mosaic Bollard and that is a pretty hard task in March

But l did find 2 large red plates and some Christmas mugs (below )

Also my 6 year old grandson Jakob, wanted some football boots for his 1st Auskick Practice

Footy boots are soooo expensive 

l couldn't believe it, a pair of small footy boots were just sitting there, waiting to be bought.

ln perfect condition,and they are Nikes -- the cost $1 -

Also, l found a little pony for his little sister Sarah for $1.50, and some red cushion covers for myself, never been used.

The 2 little ones were $2.50 each and the bigger ones $5.- each, ( the inserts not included  )

What is it they say? " One persons trash is another persons treasure "

BOTTLE TOP ART ----- MARILYN MONROE

ARTIST -- MOLLY RIGHT

MEDIUM --Bottle tops, have captured Marilyn Monroes beauty, unbelievable Art
What a clever,clever, lady Molly Right is, with so much patience, l would love to see it in person.

Spending months arranging the little metal tops.

Her artworks sell for up $17,000

 ( The photo might not look as clear as it should, but l took the it from a great magazine called
"Thats Life" = their pic of the week )

l shall have to find out more about Molly Right !

AN UPDATE ON MY " CHRISTMAS ALL YEAR BOLLARD "

My Bollard is finally starting to look like something and is starting to look Christmassy at last.

There is definitely something about red and green, l just love, love, love those colours

l started in February, and decided to record the hours l have spent on my large 6 foot mosaic

27 hours in February, l want to finish it by September, -- this year.???

AN ANTIQUE FIND ---- LOVE IT --- OLD AND BEAUTIFUL and 10,000th PAGE VIEW

lsn't this the most exquisite Jardiniere bowl ?

lt stands fairly large, 8 inches and now lives on the centre of my table, in my pink chandelier  room.

   l was told it was over 80 years old and English, there is a number on the bottom, plus the makers name. I shall have to find out the origin etc.

I was wondering what to write for my 10,000th  PAGE VIEW ?

Then when l look at my newly acquired  Jardiniere, it shows everything associated to my blog name!

NOSTALGIA (definitely ) MYSTERY ( as it is so old, and beautiful l shall have to do some research

ARTY GARDENS  ( a delicate garden scene is painted on this Jardiniere and its such a work of art)

I know it cost more than I could afford, but I don't smoke or gamble, and I only have a glass of wine most nights. That's my excuse any way.

GROUPED BLOGS - SO MUCH EASIER TO SEE ?

I have been blogging for about 7 months now.

7 months ago l couldn't even type

Many thanks to my daughter and granddaughter, who have been very patient with me.

One of my friends said to me the other day, l was looking for your fruit cake recipe, and l had to go through over 50 stories (blogs ) before l found it.

My son said the same looking for his Desoto Car.

l was shocked, l thought the modern generation would know to press the photos on the right hand side of my blog, that say FOOD ,CARS, BEACH ,COLLECTIBLES, GARDEN, TRIVIA, FAMILY  ETC.

press on car photo on the right hand side of my blog to see a collection of old car stories (blogs ) the same with food above it.

press on mystery on the side, for all mystery stories, and  press for family, and my husband.

press on side pictures to see the beach stories, trivea and collectables

Although one of my favourite condensed blog, Christmas, shows nothing and l have made many Christmas stories

In fact 4 don't show anything, so l will need help with these, but l have learn't so much in the last 7 months.

l have had nearly 10,000 people read my blogs, from all over the world.

But l am very slack, l don't even know how to email yet.

l love watching other peoples blogs, but still don't feel confident enough to contact them.

And l nearly forgot, you can press either of the 5 stories (blogs ) below to read each individual blog .
Then there will be another 5 different blogs under the next blog and so on, and so on,  and so on !