2014 In Retrospect

For our country, 2014 has been a dramatic year to say the least - to the point that by the end of the year I refused to listen to or watch the news.  I have also found world news too much to bear. I have therefore made a conscious effort to not comment, in my blog, on many current news events throughout the year.

So I sit here, with only minutes left to this year, and, for the first time since I started this blog, I have decided to do a year in review.  I will not do a month by month review but rather pick out what I believe to be major highlights of my and my family's year.

In January, I made a new year's resolution for the first time in decades; to speak less and listen more.  This has been, at times, difficult, and only this morning, during a reflective moment, told myself I need to continue with this discipline, so I will.

In January, I also read Gone With The Wind for the first time when a friend offered to loan me her copy of the book.  I loved the book and regret not reading it a long, long, time ago.

In May my sister visited Sydney and extended family to celebrate her 60th Birthday.  It was a special time for us all.

Mr Honey Pie and I headed off to the desert in July...winter being the only time to spend time in the desert and although we visited some exotic places, it made me feel so appreciative of our home comforts. 

August saw the family pull together as we moved our Mum out of what had been the family home for the past fifty three plus years.  Poor Mum suffered a mini-stroke the week of the handover.  It was an experience we would have wished she never should have experienced. Especially at her age.

In September our second son had a piece of his jewellery selected for a prestigious exhibition called A Fine Possesion at the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney.

Mr Honey Pie's side of the family had another addition to the family in November (and so another quilt was created)

I think one of my disappointments would have to be how nature failed Sydneysiders in 2014

each time there was some exciting happening in the night sky by filling it with clouds.

Clouds are not as exciting as an eclipse.

We missed out every time. 

Happy New Year to all my blogger friends.

May 2015 be everything you want it to be.

School Holidays

Here in New South Wales, it's school holiday time and my Grand Daughter, Daughter and I had the opportunity, last week, to spend a few days in the heart of Sydney.  We left the car at home and used public transport whenever we could and when not using public transport we walked.

Day One saw Little Miss Six and I spending most of the time together while Mum was at uni. The ferry took us from Milson's Point to Circular Quay and from there we took a short walk to Cadman's Cottage and the Overseas Passenger Terminal before heading off to meet my daughter for lunch.

We caught the train to Central Station and then walked to Broadway to the new One Central Park Building which has vertical gardens growing on its external walls.

I think it's pretty amazing don't you?

After lunch my daughter returned to uni and Little Miss Six and I walked to the Chinese Gardens of Friendship.  My grand daughter just loves the gardens and has been there three times in less than two years. For $5 children can hire Chinese traditional costume to wear while visiting the gardens. (Costumes are also available for adults)
  We had afternoon tea at the tea garden and then set off to the Powerhouse Museum.

Our second son designs and makes jewelry and a piece of his work has been selected for a jewelry exhibition called A Fine Possesion which is a rather extensive exhibition of jewelry through the times.

Here is his bracelet which is made from sterling silver juxtapositioned along side recycled plastic milk bottles.   I feel very proud to know that his work has been selected for such a prestigious exhibition.

Above is the necklace worn by Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge, (the movie) and is also in the exhibition.

There is lots more to see at the Powerhouse Museum, from cars, to trains as well as kids' activities and museum.  When Little Miss had had her fill we headed towards Central train station once more but made one more visit on the way.

At Ultimo, we found the ABC Building where we found a Doctor Who Portal.

We also watched ABC 24 News live (my favourite) and got a wave from the news team!
Little Miss' favourite was the ABC Shop (of course) and I purchased a Peter Rabbit DVD for her. (She is obsessed with Peter Rabbit and can recite huge chunks of dialogue from Peter Rabbit episodes!)

By now, our legs and feet were so sore it was a bit of challenge making our way to the train station (with a stop at the supermarket to pick up supplies for dinner).

We caught the train back to Milson's Point and flaked in front of the TV until dinner time.