Hunting with the talented Sarah Blasko

The fox is a group of 27 discreet species that are distantly related to wolves, coyotes and dogs — all from the canid family or Family Canidae. The fox, however, is not a dog, and cannot breed with a dog. It also cannot be tamed, and though these animals are quite attractive, they are not considered to be good pets, making both the owner and the pet miserable. via wise geek

Upcycled Brooches/Pins from ReRead. [If you're in Brisbane this Sunday, check out these pins, plus plenty more handmade goodness from Etsy Brisstyle members, at the Brisstyle Indie Designers Market. Full details here.]

Paying Attention

Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean--
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down--
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.

I don't know exactly what a prayer is.

I do know how to pay attention,
how to fall down into the grass,
how to kneel in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed,
how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
With your one wild and precious life?

[The Summer Day by Mary Oliver]

Post inspired by three beautiful little girls who make sure I keep paying attention to the important things. Breathtaking photographs by Jacqueline Roberts in JPG Magazine.

Cushion/Pillow Covers from all corners of the globe. Small parcels = little postage. 1. Revision Design Australia 2. Bambina 3. Gabriel Pardo 4. Heidi Devlin Home

Better Gnomes and Gardens

Gorgeous website alert! Have a look at Alannah Hill. For more garden eye candy visit Erin's Art and Gardens.

left to right 1. Terrarium from Memories Under Glass 2. Purse from The Dainty Squid 3. Clock from Blue Forest Chalet 4. The Gnomes Book of Christmas Craft from Red Hen Studios 5. Apron from Boojiboo 6. Pocket Gnomes from Lillipilli 7. Stitch Markers from Sunneshine 8. Pendant from The Pendant Factory 9. Vintage Teatowel from Modern Card

Vogue Feature 'Garden of Delights' featuring work from 1. Stephen Jones 2. Zac Posen 3. Oscar de la Renta 4. Marc Jacobs 5. Vera Wang 6. Philip Treacy Couture 7. John Galliano for Christian Dior Couture 8. Thakoon 9. Stefano Pilati 10. Nicolas Ghesquière 11. Manolo Blahnik 12. Christian Lacroix

and the journey continues...

Well the mri results are in. There are a few lesions in the white matter of the brain but not enough to give a multiple sclerosis diagnosis so I am verrry happy about that. The diagnosis is peripheral polyneuropathy – a condition that occurs when the peripheral nervous system becomes damaged. In my case, probably caused by my compromised immune system - previously testing positive to diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, shingles, cytomegalovirus (all linked to nervous system damage) – together with the congenital bronchiectasis and resultant aggressive drug treatments particularly for the ‘TB family’ bacteria. In retrospect I know that this condition has been around for a number of years but the symptoms have been explained as anxiety, lung infections, overexertion, depression. Anyway most of the symptoms have settled down – still have the ice block feet. tingling and weakness in left hand, and burning tongue and throat – but I can cope with these. Maybe they’ll go away as well, who knows…I couldn't get any answers from the neuro except for everybody being different in their prognosis. Supposedly no cure but treatment for any symptoms that arise. But I'm relieved that the wait is over and just look forward to getting on with life and leaving the last few weeks...well the whole of this year really (except for the love I've shared with so many lovely people)...behind!

photo by Laurence Philomene

Neurological Short Circuit

Hello my dears. My apologies for not posting soon. I've been unwell ...and in shock...diagnosed with a neurological disease. I'm spending time with my family and have been having tests. Have a lovely competent neurologist and am hoping for slow dehabilitation. So, definitely will be back when things settle down with the medication. Look forward to it very much. My love to you all, Chrisy