Kristy and i had a date at Balmain and i decided that it was a lovely day to take the ferry across. Balmain was wonderful, as usual. It’s such a funky yet elegant suburb with the cutest sandstone cottages and it also has two of my favourite cafes. Today, we got coffee from The Little Marionette and took some rugs (provided by the cafe) to the park opposite where we sat in the sunshine and warmed up. I got some ground beans to take home and enjoyed smelling the coffee everytime i opened my bag.

On the way back to the city, the ferry stopped by Luna Park (the amusement park at Milson’s point) and i enjoyed looking at the ferris wheel which i haven’t been on in ages. As i’m writing, i’m reminded of this:

Moons and Junes and ferris wheels

The dizzy dancing way you feel

As every fairy tale comes real

I’ve looked at love that way

I’ve always loved this song by Joni Mitchell and that scene in Love Actually where the song was played- it gets to me every time. But there does seem to be something magical about ferris wheels, especially when it includes fairy floss, sunblock lotion and squeals of delight as you reach closer to the sky.

It is only right that a kiss be shared in one of the cabins as the stars twinkle away above you.

(Speaking of Love Actually, it may be time to watch it again for, oh, the twentieth time.)

We headed down to the beach yesterday for a walk. I am still taking in the fact that the beach is right there, a few metres from our doorstep. So incredible. Jon enjoyed sitting on the rocks and being quiet while i took some photographs. We could see the rain coming in so we hurried along and walked up the very steep hill back to our home.

This morning, we woke up early (6.15am!) and went to the beach again. I must say that the fresh wind woke me up and made me feel alive. There is something so serene about being out and about at dawn, the streets empty and seeing lights come on in houses as people wake up to a new day. I spotted a man preparing breakfast in his kichen at one of the beachfront flats and that made me happy.

I made some Indian ginger tea for breakfast, taking pleasure in my ability to make it. It was a good breakfast especially when paired with some all-natural peanut butter on toast.

Good beginnings.

I hate neglecting this blog but time has gotten away from me. We moved house last week and at the same time, i received many, many exams to grade which took up all of my time. Things are still in boxes and bags in the rooms but the living, dining and kitchen are taking shape.

We bought a new carpet for the living room and i have been on google the last few minutes trying to see how i can get rid of that awful ‘new carpet smell’. Believe me, i would much rather be reading blogs so i can catch up on everyone’s lives but that is not to be this week.

On Wednesday, the semester will officially be over. On Thursday, i need to go get fabric to re-upholster our second-hand dining table chairs. Maybe next week, i will actually be able to write a proper post. Jon has promised to help me change the blog banner this weekend to accurately reflect the season we’re in now. Ah, winter.  Last week was miserably cold but today, it is 21 degrees (69.8F) so i’m not complaining.

Now, i need me some coffee and the latest episode of Brothers and Sisters. Oh! I watched ‘How to lose friends and alienate people’ on DVD on the weekend and it was so funny! Go watch it!

Words cannot describe how stunning today is. It is 27 degrees (84F) and bright. I woke up early this morning and did three loads of laundry, had breakfast, baked a batch of cookies and made some spiced nuts for a care package i’m sending to my aunties and cleared my pantry. By 11am, i was feeling very fulfilled, especially since i had done things rather than sitting in front of the computer clicking on a hundred blogs- blogs i love but still, it takes up time and makes me so tired after.

I walked to the post office to post the package and heard a violin being played in the house with a circular window. The sun high in the sky, the breeze blowing just so and the violin- it couldn’t have been more perfect or right for this Wednesday afternoon.

I had the loveliest of weekends. On Staurday, Jon and i went to our friends’ place to mow their lawn for them. Alice and Rose are sisters in their 70s (though you would never ever guess their age looking at them) who live close to us. I stayed inside and chatted to Rose whilse Jon and Alice were outside sprucing up their garden. They are amazing women and we always leave their presence feeling encouraged.

In the afternoon, i baked some delicious banana bread and we sat down with some tea to watch Lost in Austen, a wonderful twist on Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice. It was a lovey way to spend a Saturday afternoon, wrapped up in the world of the Bennett sisters. And even Jon enjoyed it (though he will never admit it to you!).

It was indeed a good weekend- enjoying the autumn sunshine, stopping to listen to the leaves rustling during our walk back from the bakery, baking, hearing strains of old love songs from our neighbour’s house and spending some time at home with each other.

Now, the smell of coconut almond muesli (or granola, if you call it such) baking wafts towards me from the kitchen. A pleasant smell just perfect for this afternoon.

It’s Australia Day today. We went to the local bakery for some treats and then stopped by Bellagio for a take-away soy latte. In the afternoon, we have a tea date with an elderly couple who used to live above us. Long weekends are great!