What are you reading?

Here's a fabulous blog that you may not know about. Jackie Kerin's Stories: the long and the short. Do yourself a favour and follow the link.

No matter if you're an absolute literary junkie, or you just like something to read on the train, there is something for you.

Jackie is a published author. Her stories are all beautifully crafted and set at a snappy pace. They range in theme from the gritty and twisted to the insightful and heart warming.

This talented lady also writes children's books.

Carols at the Substation.

We're almost ready for the big event! The second annual Carols at the Substation. Sunday, 19 December, 7.30-9.30pm. A brain-child of Michael Stuart, president of the Newport Folk Club, it is a showcase of all the amazing local talent. It is also a celebration of our wonderful local community.
We've all been slaving over hot music sheets. Newport Community Choir (Nchoir) has teamed with the fabulous women's choir, Willin Women.
Under the expert direction of WW's Jennifer Lund, and Nchoir's Alan Davies, we have put together a great show.
But it doesn't stop there. Michael has put together an orchestra. We all got together for a rehearsal on Friday in the Scout Hall. I took some pictures, quite a crew eh?
There are some solo performances, from some of our local talent, including Georgina Stuart and the fabulous Melissa.

Hosted by the dashing Simon Kerr, it is an evening not to be missed. It starts at 7.30 on the dot, no fuss, no speaches. It also finishes on the dot at 9.30. Cost is just a gold coin donation.

Hope to see you there.

Ragusa

When a local creperie and music venue in Williamstown closed down recently, it was a sad day indeed. A beautiful old building, including the old Seaman's Mission Chapel as a function room. The Newport Folk Club hosts a monthly gig there, with a range of fabulous acts.
Well, never fear, all is not lost. The new owners are keen to keep it running. They even let us in for last month's gig a day before they were officially opened.

So the venue is now a Croatian resaurant called Ragusa. It has a whole new look, but they have maintained the charm of the old chapel. The staff are lovely, and the food is amazing, and well priced. They are at 139 Nelson Place, Williamstown. I would highly recommend that you pay them a visit.

Our final gig for the year, last Thursday, was an open mic night. Always fun, and you never know what to expect. I even got up onstage myself. You can see me in the first photo backing up the Sultan of String himself, Bruce Williams. Well I was just bashing out the chords, but it was fun. (But I did make the shirt he was wearing, we're all good at something, aren't we?)

It was a fabulous evening. Other acts included, in order of photos;

Ted Smith and his fancy fingerpicking. He treated us to the Phone Song and I 'Aint Got the Blues.

Rob Richmond, Bruce Williams and myself with I Guess it Doesn't Matter Any More, Just Because and Cluck Ol' Hen.

Dave Isom with a some bush ballads and a sea ballad.

Greg Hammond with some original and inspiring songs.

Mira on the piano accordian played us, The Shadow of Your Smile.

Simon Kerr also played us some of his original songs.

Chrisitine McDonald sang Cry Me a River, in her amazing tenor voice, backed by Mira on accordian.

Simon Leverton had us all spellbound with Nine Pound Hammer, Farewell to the Gold and Canadeeio.

Bill Field sang us Mark Knopfler's Why Worry, and Luka Bloom's City of Chicago. He was warm and entertaining, and drew us in like flies to honey. I later found out that it was his first solo, on stage performance. Great job, Bill!

Also Bruce Williams gobsmacked us all with Police Dog Blues and some instrumentals on guitar.

We'll be back in 2011 from February, with some more fantastic music, stay tuned.

Who Threw Magic Beans Out My Window Last Night?

Everything has quadrupled in size! Such crazy weather.

Bitey things from the nursery.

Acacia Paradoxa-Common names, Hedge Wattle, Kangaroo Thorn, Prickley Wattle.

Most members of the Acacia family leave me feeling warm and fuzzy. These ones bite!

As you can see from the baby photos, there is something very 'Little Shop of Horrors' about them.

A large shrub, grows from 2 to 4 metres high.

Once declared a noxious weed by farmers, they are now being replanted. Their dense foliage and prickles make it an inpenetrable hedge. (If you want to prune it use very thick gloves). It is an excellent wind break, and a safe haven for small birds, lizards etc.

Also great for keeping the kids of the garden. They'll only tackle it once, but you might want to keep some tweezers on hand. Could also deter prowlers if planted along the fence line.

When in flower, it is covered in pretty yellow balls, and butter wouldn't melt in its mouth.

Another example of our fabulous local indigenous flora.

What are you reading?

The Name of the Rose. Umberto eco
This little gem has been sitting in the book shelf for about fifteen years. It has followed me in a few house moves. Now that I've finally started it........well its a rippin' good read, don't know why it took me so long.
An historical murder mystery, set in an Italian Benedictine Monastry in the year 1327.
Franciscan Friar, William of Baskerville and his young Benedictine novice Adso of Melk are sent to investigate a mysterious death. After his arrival more strange deaths occur.
There are other mysteries to solve. The monastry's well stocked library, renowned throughout Europe, is closely guarded. To borrow a book, a monk must choose from a list. He then applies to the librarian, along with an explaination of why he wants the book. The librarian makes a decision, often consulting his senior, before the monk can read his book.
The library is an inpenetrable labrynth, and the filing system is legible only to the librarian. (Sounds a bit like my house). The entrance is closely guarded, but there must be a secret door somewhere...............but where?
Although he is a man of religion, Brother William uses logic and deduction. He loves science, and even owns a pair of spectacles, a fairly recent invention. He must be careful who sees him wearing these, as he may be accused of witchcraft. It is a time of Inquisitors, fear of the antichrist and black magic. Brother William is constantly debating such themes as, 'is laughter evil?' with Jorge of Burgos, and elderly, blind monk.
I have a sneaking suspicion that we will meet the Inquisition later in the book, but I'm not up to that bit yet. If you've already read it, don't spoil it for me.
Narrator is Adso of Melk, in retrospect, as an old man. A Medieval whodunnit, full of intrigue, and of the horrors, the hypocracies and the mysteries of the time.

My Latest Obsession

Although I used to enjoy cooking, years of catering for a fussy family has killed the joy in it for me. Many food allergies, a vegetarian daughter and two highly carnivorous sons, are just a few of my ongoing problems.

A while ago my sister lent me a book about Artisan Bread Making. And now I'm hooked! I make up a huge bowl of dough (about five minutes work), and keep it in the fridge. You cut off what you need for the day and pop it in a very hot oven for half an hour. The result is amazing. Its looks and tastes like something you would buy from a boutique bakery, without the cost. The dough will keep for up to two weeks in the fridge, but at my place it is lucky to last two days.

Its a hit at any social gathering, and a fabulous after school/work snack. Last nights guests gobbled up their loaf faster than anticipated. No problem, I just cooked another one before their eyes. I felt like a goddess, feeding the multitutes.

Of course that means that I'm using a lot of flour. The organic shop in Yarraville, Plump, has been keeping me supplied with a fantastic biodynamic flour from Queensland. They have been ordering me a 12.5kg bag every few weeks. Sometimes I wonder if I'm not a bit compulsive obsessive.

Oh the Birds and the Bees and the Broccoli Trees

Melaleuca are in full flower around our place at the moment. My six-foot-fourteen-year-old thinks they look like giant broccoli. I love how kids make you see things through new eyes.

She's a Chip of the Old Block

Well we're pretty busy at our place, getting ready for visitors. I left the party girl to do the dishes, while I vacuumed.

She does the housework the same way I do.

Visitors! Visitors!

We're having company tomorrow, so everybody in the house has to wash, no exceptions.

We don't normally bath the cat, but he seems to have an infection in his mouth and can't clean himself properly. He's quite frail and infirm, so he didn't put up too much of a fight. Well, he did get a few good ones in. Not so long ago he would have clawed us to ribbons.

We're going to the vet on Friday. Hopefully he can be fixed with antibiotics.