The Pleiades' Pages

Villandry Garden of Love

2010-09-11T06:19:00.000-07:00

http://testvillandry.ecritel.net/

This is one of the places I dream to visit.

Peter Paul Rubens' Garden of Love

2010-09-11T06:12:00.000-07:00

William Blake's Garden of Love

2010-09-11T06:11:00.001-07:00

Garden of Love

2010-09-11T04:43:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about the Garden of Love today, as I was digging in my garden. Making a garden is a labour of love, and love, like a garden, must be nurtured and tended to. It was hard work with the pick, and as I turned over the soil and pulled out broken roots and rhizomes, I alternated through various states of presence and reverie. When working with a pick, you must always try and be present. They are such heavy tools. If not mindful of its weight, of the heaviness of it in your hands, and it is very easy to hurt oneself. So most of the time I was very present, and because of this I lost track of time. The first photo shows the outcome of my labours. A garden bed that is almost ready for planting. The second photo shows what was there before. I'm not sure what sort of plants they were, but they weren't very beautiful. The earth was full of their rhizomes, and I'm hoping that they do not reappear! I plan to plant a Weeping Cherry, that will grow heavy with snowy blossoms in the spring. Also some Azaleas. I had originally thought that Alba Azeleas would be lovely, with their crisp white flowers, but today I saw an Azelea that had soft pinky-lavender flowers that was just beautiful. So perhaps I'll do a mixture.

Love, like gardening, takes effort. To start afresh, requires thoughtful reflection of what was before, and why it wasn't working, why it had to change. Gardening like love can be satisfying, and if our garden is beautiful, then we may find that our ego attaches to it.

If our garden is edible, then there is a different pleasure that we derive from our garden. A hark back to a more self sufficient way of living, perhaps? A sense of connectedness to the earth, maybe? Despite gardens and lovers, we are ultimately just who we are.

Wednesday Market at Mornington

2010-09-08T03:56:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful day in Mornington - the sun was shining and the stall holders were jovial. Sophia chose a pair of rose quartz and girasol crystals to take for show 'n' tell at childcare on Friday. We have Alice the bear with us this week, so we had to do something adventurous today!

Elara Claire - born 7th October 2009

2010-09-07T16:02:00.000-07:00

My little star, my divine baby Elara.

Elara - a Greek mythology name. A lover of Zeus who gave birth to a giant son. The name of one of Jupiter's moons.

Claire - French variation of Clare. Latin for 'bright'. Luminous, simple and strong.

Made with Love

2010-02-21T02:02:00.000-08:00

I have a dream that one day I will open a shop dedicated to love, wherein people with loving hearts will be able to find the perfect gift for those they love. Romantic love. Platonic love. Baby love.

My shop would be called "Made with Love" and it would have a special exhibition space attached to it where artists interested in themes of love, including love lost, could exhibit their works.

In the shop itself, I would have a beautiful but select range of sensual fragrances and body lotions, locally made jewellery, prints, cards, lingerie...

A dream to dream a little longer.

Handorf Chocolates...

2007-03-28T21:05:00.000-07:00

Today Sophia and I went for a walk to a little chocolate shop near home. I bought 3 lovely Easter eggs and a small packet of truffles for tonight. It is such a gorgeous little shop and I thoroughly enjoyed my cafe latte and complimentary truffle!

Sophia Grace - born 7th November 2006

2007-01-09T18:33:00.000-08:00

Insightful reading...

2005-12-09T23:28:00.000-08:00

There are quite a few interesting books that have been inspiring me of late...

How to have a Beautiful Mind by Edward de Bono
Coach Yourself: It's your life, what are you going to do with it? by Anthony Grant, and
Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart: Thirty True Things you need to Know Now by Gordon Livingstone

Each one has some really interesting insights about how to relate better to others and also how to better understand ones self.

2005-05-03T05:26:00.000-07:00

In blueberry pancake heaven at the chocolate fish...

2005-04-16T05:34:00.000-07:00

Queenstown from the TSS Earnslaw...

2005-04-16T05:30:00.000-07:00

Suspended like an ornate moon, Fern shimmers in the gentle Wellington light...

Beautiful New Zealand holiday....

2005-04-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

It is almost a month since Mark and I returned from our lovely two week holiday in NZ. We flew into Auckland on 5th March and spent 3 days in the city, exploring the sites and getting acquainted with the local music scene (I could write pages about these experiences!) On the fourth day we headed south to Wellington where we stayed for a further two nights. Wellington is a creative, cosy, and beautiful city - built in a rugged and poetic landscape. The population of the greater Wellington area is 300,000+ and houses are built in the most surprising of locations. One highlight was going to the wonderful Chocolate Fish Cafe, which is situated in Scorcher Bay, right on the roadside. There are cautionary "Waiters Crossing" signs that alert drivers to the fact that waiters cross over the road to serve customers. We had the most amazing blueberry pancakes for brunch at this cafe, and could not pass up their world famous chocolate fish either (pink marshmallow, covered in chocolate... ummm!). Other Wellington highlights for me were seeing Neil Dawson's sculpture "Fern", catching the cable tram, and exploring the cafes and shops. We then caught the Lynx Inter-Islander ferry to Picton, where we commenced our journey of the South Island. We stayed in a a bed and breakfast in Picton for two nights and walked the Snout Track, which forms part of the Queen Charlotte track in the Marlborough Sounds. It was so great to get out in the fresh air - to walk through the forest and arrive at vantages along that way that looked out onto the beautiful shimmering sounds. One of my favourite days was the drive from Geraldine to Queenstown - stopping off at Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, Mount Cook & Twizel. I fell in love with Queenstown and would love to go back there again. I'm thinking of taking my Mum as I think she would love it, and it would be good for us to have a holiday together.

Since returning to Brisbane, I have had quite a few lovely expeditions to various exhibitions, with my friend Elle. One weekend we went to the Queensland Art Gallery and saw a Fiona Hall retrospective covering her art from 1988-2005. We also saw Ron Mueck's 8ft sculpture of a pregnant woman, which was quite freaky in its anatomy and detail.

Work is going well and I'm quite happy on that front. I've been involved with in a Queensland Government wide survey into Work, Family and Lifestyle Balance which is interesting. I'm also working on a few interesting projects including development of our new HR intranet and the development of new Corporate Induction Program. So work wise I'm very busy and inspired at the moment.

2004-11-16T04:23:00.000-08:00

Brass water lillies...

2004-11-16T04:21:00.000-08:00

Photo of me at Cloud Hill, taken by my beautiful Mum

2004-11-16T04:19:00.000-08:00

Art work at Cloud Hill Garden

2004-11-16T04:18:00.000-08:00

Cloud Hill garden, Olinda, Victoria

QUIDAM and other reflections

2004-11-16T04:03:00.000-08:00

On Friday night Mark and I went to see Cirque Du Soleil's 'Quidam' under the Grand Chapiteau. It was the most breath-taking and inspiring performance I've ever seen - many of the feats were quite simply, beyond belief. One that completely amazed me was a contortionist who performed upon a cluster of 6-7 metal rods, which looked to be about 1 meter high. Each rod was about 2cm in diameter and at the top of each was a small block that her hands could comfortably wrap around. With grace and incrementally slow movements, she contorted, twisted and strained her body, arching it in directions which, seemed to defy gravity, moving from one rod to another. From the side of the stage, a man dressed in white appeared, bearing another rod, somewhat longer than the others, fitted with a mouth piece instead of a block. He inserted this rod into the stage floor, slightly apart from the other rods, and went away. Meanwhile the contortionist continued with her act... gradually she positioned herself in front of the last rod, in the form of a bent handstand - her arms were positioned as in push up, with her neck outstretched, and face looking forward. Her body was arched up and over - like the letter 'J' but with crouching arms supporting her underneath. Biting upon the mouth piece, flooded with light, her arms, one by one, outstretched behind her and she held the position, biting upon the mouth piece, for what must have been 4-5 seconds - her whole body a single extension of the rod, without any other support. This was just one highlight, but there were many others too... It was a great night. They are going to be in Melbourne next year.

Another highlight of late was my trip to Melbourne in October. I stayed with my sister, her husband and and my little nephews, from the 20-27. When I arrived home in Brisbane I was feeling homesick for Melbourne - for my family and friends. Apart from Sarah and Chris, I didn't catch up with any other friends, although I had intentions too. In the end I had lots of quiet time with family, which was just what I needed. One lovely place I visited on the second last day was Cloud Hill in Olinda. If you are ever out that way, you should call in. It is a garden that was built in the 1930s and is just delightful - full of art work and beautiful established trees. It made me long for a garden in the hills, away from the sub tropical climate of Bris Vegas! They also have a commercial nursery attached, where you can buy garden art that is quite gorgeous. I'll attach some photos so you can see what I'm raving about.

News...

2004-10-14T02:19:00.000-07:00

Today I started my new job and I feel glad for the change and the new beginning... I hope that I will be able to work on some interesting corporate capability projects very soon. The first four days, however, will be settling into my new role. On Wednesday, I'm going to Melbourne to see my family. My beautiful twin, JC, is the most amazing person and I miss her very much. It will be wonderful to see her, and my parents, and to spend time with my adorable nephews R & K. I can't wait!!

Last night I went to Verve Bar for a few celebratory/farewell drinks. Verve is one of those wonderfully comfy, underground haunts. Located in the basement of the Metro Arts Centre, on Edward Street, it is a place of ambient lighting, exposed brick walls laiden with art work, wooden tables and groovy beats. I first went there with my friend RC, who is now working in Darwin for the DPP. I miss RC - she is such a creative and intelligent little soul - so witty and unique. It was great that RC was living here in Brisyland when MQ & I made the move - her friendship, and that of WG, made those early months of transition so much easier. Anyway, Verve was great, and I was inspired by the art work!! I had been making my own cards, using hand-painted Japanese paper, and some of the art works utilised the very same paper! When I get back from Melbourne I plan to get back to my card making. I also plan to take the wonderful MQ to Verve for a few drinks and eats. I love my MQ so much!!

Check out these Teddy Bears

2004-10-14T02:18:00.000-07:00

http://www.nobodyhere.com/toren.hier

Toorak Road, Hamilton, Queensland

2004-10-12T04:58:00.000-07:00

South Bank Melbourne - 20th May 2004

2004-10-12T04:45:00.000-07:00

I was visiting Melbourne for my birthday, and was staying in Quay West with my darling M. This photo was taken walking back to the hotel after visiting my Grandma in Port Melbourne. It was the last day that I would ever see her again. She passed away on the 11 July.

Some stylish sites to check out...

2004-10-12T03:32:00.000-07:00

Olga Berg designs the most beautiful bags and accessories! The Olga Berg website is: http://www.olgaberg.com.au/index.asp

I first came across Olga berg's lovelies in a little shop called Belki, located in Rathdowne Street, Carlton, Victoria. But it was actually down on the Mornington Penisula, that I bought my very own bag from a boutique called Fiona's (Main Street, Mornington). Now that I'm living in Brisbane, it is a great escape to log on to the Olga Berg website and daydream about what bag I'll buy next...

The Fred Perry website is great for shopping on line. The address is: http://www.fredperry.com/index.html

It is a little known fact that Admirmals Quarters in George Street, Brisbane, while being a 'gentlemens outfitter', also stock women's wear - primarily that of Ben Sherman! Their range of Ben Sherman is always superior to that available in the local department stores, and the staff who work there are really friendly. The Ben Sherman website is a good escape, but Aussie's can't make online purchases: http://www.bensherman.co.uk/

If your looking for male underwear checkout: belowthebelt.com.au

Inspired by the musings of the Laziest Girl!

2004-10-09T22:53:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited to be creating my own blogspot - thanks Laziest Girl for your inspiration!