Tag: Share Your World 2016

Share Your World – 2016 – Week #52

Sharing My World This Week

Well here I am sharing my world for the last time this year. Where does the time go?

What’s your favorite ice-cream flavor?

Naomi and I both think that New Zealand ice cream is the best ice cream ever but I have only tried a couple of flavours so can’t pick a favourite. My favourite flavour would be honey but only Golden North honey icecream which is made in South Australia.

If you were to treat yourself to the “finer things” what would you treat yourself to? 

I am not sure what the “finer things” are considered to be these days. I don’t care about jewellery. I don’t care about cars and I probably wouldn’t use a yacht all that much.

I think I would choose antiques, a big house, a holiday home by the sea and staff to look after everything.

Have you ever been drunk?

I don’t drink a lot although I do enjoy a glass of wine with a meal or after it. I can remember a few occasions when I have been a bit light-headed after one too many but I have never, ever been falling down drunk. I would not like to lose control that way.

Complete this sentence: My favorite supposedly guilty pleasure is… chocolate.

Optional Bonus question:  What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up? 

  • I am grateful that I have ten days off from the Op Shop as our last few days were hectic and it is nice to stay home and rest.
  • I’m grateful for all the gifts given to me by friends and family from the punnet of fresh raspberries right up to the big wooden dollshouse.
  • I am grateful for the lovely day Naomi and I had on Christmas Eve.
  • I am grateful to Cee not just last week but every week for providing so many interesting photo challenges as they have really helped me experiment with photos and grow my blog

This week I’m looking forward to

  • watching a lot of cricket on television with a Test Match and the Big Bash in full swing.
  • watching the Doctor Who Christmas special which I recorded while the cricket was on.
  •  going to Hobart later in the week to see and photograph the Sydney Hobart race yachts which are currently making their way across the water to us.

Last of all I’m hoping that 2017 will be a year filled with good things and new opportunities.

Here is a glimpse of how I saw 2017.

Round The World Race Fleet by Allyson Clark
Our first glimpse of Explorer of the Seas
The Promenade Deck 5
Shakespeare Bay near Picton NZ
The approach to the City to Sea Bridge.
One of Wellington’s two Street Pianos
Vintage car Napier NZ
Hairy Maclary sculptures at Tauranga.
The view from our cabin as we left Auckland.
A red rose on my rose bush.
Cindy loves to play ball.
Leucadendron in my back garden.
Tasmanian or Green Rosella
The apple tree is starting to show some green.
This tree has a lovely shape.
The trees are starting to look like a hedge. Sept 2016
Out for a stroll with mum or dad.
The Hart’s Mill Redevelopment at Port Adelaide, South Australia
English Lavender taken with my 18-50mm zoom lens on maximum zoom.
Outside the Geeveston Op Shop.
Santa and his elf waving.
Quinton de Kock, South African Wicketkeeper.
Ovation of the Seas -The Bridge
Compostiion Shirley Temple doll c 1935
Presents under the tree.
Polly at Christmas
My gift from Naomi

Share Your World – 2016 -Week #51

Sharing My World This Week

What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas has always been my favourite holiday although I’m not religious. I have always loved the traditions whether it be Christmas Carols in the park, special food , decorating the tree or choosing and wrapping gifts (getting them is nice too.)

blogger-image-878065477What types of food is associated with your holiday?

It is summer (supposedly) in my part of the world so Christmas lunch for many Australians is a much more casual affair and often held outdoors. Some people will have a barbecue either at home or even at the beach.

I’m British though so I like the traditional roast dinner and all the trimmings. That was difficult in South Australia where the summers are hot but a lot easier to enjoy in Tasmania where it is usually cooler.

I’ve been lucky to experience both versions of Christmas when we lived in Adelaide, seafood, cold meats, salads and a few glasses of wine with David’s family who are all Aussies and a roast dinner followed by my home-made Christmas pudding with my mum when she was with us and my sister. I also love rich fruit cake and mince pies which I only eat at this time of year.

Do you travel for your holiday?

Not any more. David and I used to spend all of Christmas day visiting first one family and then the other but that was only around the suburbs. I don’t travel out-of-state for Christmas. Naomi and I have talked about going on a Christmas cruise but when it comes down to it we would miss our pets who are a big part of our Christmas celebration. They all have presents under the tree too.

Is it a religious or spiritual holiday?

Not for me. I do like Christmas Carols and have occasionally been to a local Christmas carols service but while I know what Christmas is meant to be about I probably think of it more as a time of goodwill generally than following a specific religion.

Is there a gift exchange?

Absolutely. I’ve always liked to shop for presents and Naomi and I enjoy finding something that the other really wants. We like the element of surprise so even though these days we’ll ask “What do you want?” there will always be a small “surprise” item as well. As I mentioned our pets are not forgotten and there is a selection of wrapped dog and cat toys and treats waiting for them although we will probably enjoy unwrapping them more than the pets will. It’s nice to exchange small gifts with friends too just as a gesture of friendship.

Polly can’t wait to open her presents.
Polly has discovered her presents under the tree.
How many sleeps did you say it was until Christmas?
These are all mine!

How long does the celebration last?

For us, just Christmas Day although the leftovers will last longer. Boxing Day, the day after Christmas is a holiday too. I usually spend it watching the start of the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the first day of the Test Match on television.

Optional Bonus question:  What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up? 

Well obviously I am looking forward to Christmas. Naomi and I will do our celebrating on Christmas Eve as she has to go to work on Christmas Day. We’ve not seen each other for several weeks so I’m looking forward to the day. I’m looking forward to the week after Christmas when I will have a week off from the Op Shop and will go to Hobart to see the yachts arrive as I always do. I do the same things at this time every year but I like it that way.

image train ornament
This little ornament was sent to me by a penfriend and has been part of my Christmas decorating ever since I got it.

 

Share Your World – 2016 – Week #50

Sharing My World This Week

Where did the year go? How can it be week #50 already? Anyway here are my answers for this weeks challenge.

What is your favourite smell? What memory does it remind you of?

I can’t pick just one favourite. I like the smell of coffee and toast in the morning, and the smell of something good in the oven. I like the smell of freshly mown grass and a pavement after it’s been raining. However, the smell that brings back memories for me is the smell of coal burning. When that sooty smell is in the air I remember all the happy times we had riding on and photographing steam trains.

SAR RX class at Adelaide Railway Station.
SAR 520 class “Sir Malcolm Barclay Harvey” at Adelaide Railway Station
Pichi Richi Railway – Quorn SA
NSWGR 3801 hauling the Bicentennial Train in 1988.

What type of pet do you have or want to have?

At present I have a dog (Cindy) and a cat (Polly). In the past I have had canaries and finches and when I was a child we also had budgies. I enjoy birds more in the wild now though.

Cindy and Polly
Cindy and Polly

 

Are you usually late, early, or right on time? 

I’m more often early than not. I like to allow time in case something goes wrong especially when travelling and often I allow too much and end up spending two hours at the airport before a flight. I always try to get to appointments a few minutes early to have time to compose myself as I get nervous when I have to see people.

The only time when I used to be consistently late was when David and I were out shopping together. I’d want to go off and look at dolls, clothes and other things that he was not interested in so we’d arrange to meet after half an hour or so. I hardly ever got back to him on time. Luckily he didn’t mind.

For recharging, would you rather meditate, swim, walk, listen to music, write, read, yoga, qigong other?

When the weather allows I like to sit in my garden and listen to the birds and the sound of the wind chimes that hang in the apple tree.

The garden bench.
The garden bench.

Optional Bonus question:  What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up? 

Last week we had our annual Christmas parade in Geeveston and although it was cold I’m grateful that the rain stayed away. Our Op Shop had a float in the parade and we were lucky enough to win a prize.

This week I’ve just done a quick trip to Hobart to see Ovation of the Seas and over the next week I’m looking forward to catching up with friends for a pre-Christmas get together.

 

Share Your World – 2016 – Week # 49

Sharing My World This Week

What do you value most in a friendship?

Feeling so comfortable that I can be myself and not feel I have to apologise for my habits or beliefs.

Do you prefer eating the frosting of the cake or the cupcake first?  Do you prefer a specific flavor?

I have to admit to liking the frosting but I don’t eat all of it first. I like to save some for the end as well. I don’t really have a favourite flavour.

Have you ever been in a submarine?  If you haven’t, would you want to?

I have been on guided tours of submarines and found them difficult to manage because of all the ladders. Given the opportunity I would not choose to go on another.

A large submarine travelling on the surface of the ocean.
By U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman James R. Evans – http://www.defenseimagery.mil/assetDetails.action?guid=23ba6a14523e0f73059fe08baee27ca3d60f6eed, Public Domain, Link

 

If 100 people your age were chosen at random, how many do you think you’d find leading a more satisfying life than yours?

Probably quite a few, but life is so random at times that I wouldn’t like to suggest a percentage. Sometimes you feel on top of the world and that nobody could be happier than you and at other times you feel exactly the opposite and I am sure that is the same for all of us.

Optional Bonus question:  What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up? 

Last week was a quiet one for me. I haven’t been to Hobart lately. I can’t seem to get motivated to go. I spent it doing the usual things, working at the Op Shop, blogging, watching Netflix in the evening. I enjoyed watching an exciting cricket match on TV on Sunday night which Australia won and I made two Christmas Puddings.

Later this week we have the Geeveston Christmas Parade. The Op Shop is putting in a float so I’ll be staying late at the shop and will try to take some photos.

 

Share Your World – 2016 – Week #48

Sharing My World This Week

Do you prefer eating foods with nuts or no nuts?  

I don’t really have a preference. I like nuts as long as they are not salted but in food I can take them or leave them. I would probably lean more to without thought, as nuts can get stuck between your teeth. I do tend to decorate my Christmas cakes with nuts but that is mostly because I’m really bad at icing cakes.

image fruit cake with nuts
Fruit cake decorated with nuts.

If someone made a movie of your life would it be a drama, a comedy, a romantic-comedy, action film, or science fiction?

If someone made a film of my life it would more likely be a documentary. I don’t feel that my life fits into any of the above categories. I think it would be more along the lines of “Seven Up”.

 Who talks real sense to you?

I know I can rely on my family and close friends to talk sense to me.

Do you have a favorite board game?

I have always enjoyed Trivial Pursuit although I rarely get to play it. I also like Scrabble and Monopoly but I think that my favourite board game is Scattergories.

Scattergories box
Link

Optional Bonus question:  What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

Last week was a quiet week for me. I mostly stayed at home except for the three days I worked at the Op Shop. I’m grateful to Karen my co-worker on Mondays as she is always good fun and often brings something to share for lunch. I am also grateful that Australia finally managed to win a cricket match and that I was able to watch quite a lot of it on television. The week coming up will be another quiet one, I plan to make my Christmas pudding, do some more de-cluttering around the house and perhaps have an outing at the end of the week although that will depend on the weather.

Share Your World – 2016 – Week #47

Sharing My World This Week

As it is getting close to Thanksgiving for my American friends, this week Cee has asked us to list what we are grateful for. Normally I don’t find this an effort but this year I have felt as if the world was going a bit crazy or maybe, (probably) I am becoming a grumpy old lady and finding it harder to hold onto my belief that the world is fundamentally good.
I can still find good in some things though so here goes.

  1. Your home life? – My pets, they make me laugh and give me a reason to keep a routine going.
  2. Your family? – I’m extremely close to my sister even though we can’t meet as often as we would like and David’s family is my family too and I know they are there if  I need them.
  3. Your blogging community? – My fellow bloggers are wonderful as they entertain me with their photos and stories and say nice things about mine. I feel like I know many of you.
  4. Your city or immediate area in which you live? – I am grateful every day that I am part of such a kind and caring community as Geeveston.
  5. The regional area in which you live? – I fell in love with the Huon Valley for its beauty. I love living the country lifestyle where I can have space around me and hear the birds.
  6. The country where you live? – I used to be proud to say I lived in Australia, not so much now but we don’t have war, we don’t have famine and we are still a democracy. That’s about the best I can say.
  7. You? – Apart from aches and pains and a loss of flexibility I have my health and my independence.
Ronja Huon at Port Huon Wharf
Jetty – Huon River
Apple Blossom in spring – Huon Valley, Tasmania
Wooden building at Policeman’s Point, Huon Valley Tasmania
Church Street is the main street in Geeveston.

What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up? 

I am grateful to the kind neighbour who brought Cindy home when she got out the other day when I was not home.  I’m grateful that we have had a few sunny days although the weather is still a bit unpredictable. The next week so far is a blank slate but I will try to get my Christmas cooking under way and I hope that our cricket team will do better in the next Test Match which starts later this week in Adelaide.

The new etrance to Adelaide Oval
Adelaide Oval – east gate

 

Share Your World – 2016 – Week #46

Sharing My World This Week

blue-luggage

Are you a traveller or a homebody? 

I am a little of each. I love to travel to places near and far but I love having a home to come back to. I would be frustrated if I could never go and see new places and experience new things but I also like to see my familiar things around me, my pets, my garden and my stuff. I couldn’t be one of these people who never wants to put down roots.

 

What kind of TV commercial would you like to make? Describe it.

I’d like to make a commercial encouraging people to be more well-mannered and courteous and to set a good example for their children by teaching them to respect others. I think humour is a good tool so I would make it funny so that people might remember it in a good way and not because it was annoying.

Describe yourself in a word that starts with the first letter of your name.

I had to have a think about this one. I don’t think I’m Vain or Vicious. I could say Voluptuous although it would not be my first choice.

I think I am going to run with Virtuous because I try to be.

List some fun things for a rainy day.

I’ve had plenty of practice at that lately!

  • Taking photos and doing research for my doll blog.
  • Reading posts from my favourite bloggers
  • Browsing online shopping sites.

I am often at the Op Shop during the day so my days off are usually spent either doing chores or errands which I don’t count as fun things to do but in the evenings I am:

  • Binge watching old TV shows on Netflix or YouTube. “Star Trek Voyager”, “Dad’s Army” and “The Goodies” have all been favourites this winter.
  • Knitting fashion doll outfits.
  • Reading a good book.
  • Chatting with friends online.

 

Bonus question:  What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up? 

Last week I was grateful for getting a dry day at the cricket on Saturday even though the team did not perform well. I got to take loads of photos which I’ll be sharing in a couple of days.

The Australian Team
The Australian Team

In the week coming up I may catch up with friends or with my sister as I haven’t seen her for a few weeks. I’m not sure yet where we will go or what we will do.