Time to Dust Off the Cobwebs

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 Enough is enough!

Time to brush off the cobwebs and get this blog back into action.

I can't believe it has been almost 4 weeks since my last post.
Where have those weeks gone?

Can I let you in on a little secret?

I did have a thought that perhaps this little blog had run its race and 
that maybe it was time to close the door.............

But I know just how much I would miss it.

I have finally come to realise that this blog truly feeds my soul and gives me something 
to aspire to. 

It allows me to dream big dreams, indulge my creativity, share my joy
and then put it all on paper to share with whoever may be 
passing by. 


Without it - I know I would not have the incentive to try different things or discover new projects. 
The days would simply merge from one to another without any real 
sense of achievement or accomplishment.  

It is what keeps me alive and fresh and current. 
(Who would have thought a little ol' blog could do all that!) 

 

 So I have given my header a bit of a revamp -
Revealed my face for all to see (Hmm... I kinda liked hiding behind that kookaburra!) - 
and 
Injected some re-newed energy into these ramblings.



Hi everyone - can't wait to see what you have all been up to. 


It feels good to be back!
 

Letters to Mum

A few months ago I linked up to a little party where I was asked to Define My Blog.   It was the first time since I started my blogging journey that I actually took time out to actually think about "why I blog" and "what inspires me to blog".

I'm know many non-bloggers find this whole blogging phenomenon a little difficult to understand.   Decorating and food blogs - sure.    As a  former magazineholic - the many inspiring decorating and food blogs out there have certainly curbed my desire to purchase every decorating and food magazine I could lay my hands on.    In fact,  I have saved an absolute fortune since discovering the wonderful world of decorating and food blogs! 

However, given that my blog is neither a food or decorating or craft blog - why do I feel the need to share sometimes very personal feelings and reflections on my life with absolute strangers?   What makes me believe that anyone else (other than my immediate family) would be interested in the daily musings of my life anyway?

When asked -  "why DO you blog?" - I find myself quickly replying - "that my blog is a living, breathing journal of the people and things that are important to me and the special moments that give me joy and make me smile". 

But who am I actually writing it for?  

I have seen many beautiful blogs come and go since I began this little blog.

Many have simply run out of inspiring ideas.   Many have found that the effort to sustain an interesting blog and keep their followers happy just too difficult (and time consuming!).   Many have just become too overwhelmed with the whole "stats" thing and have become totally swept up in the numbers game - increasing their blog traffic.  (I cannot believe there are actually books out there on "how to increase your blog traffic!")   They have lost their Blogging Mojo and in doing so - WE (the blogging community) have lost some truly amazing and inspirational blogging friends. 

This has got me thinking.  (Yes, there is a purpose to this long, rambling piece of soul searching (for those who are still with me!)

Who am I actually writing for?

I have finally worked it out!  (a true lightbulb moment!)

On the 29th April 2008 I lost my best friend, my confidante, my sharer of dreams - my Mum.   She passed away at just 78 years of age.  She was (quite simply) too young to die - there was still so much for her to live for.    

She lived long enough to see her grandchildren grow into adults -  but not long enough to see them succeed in their careers or find love.

She lived long enough to see  the garden she and I created together to come into bloom - but not long enough to see her beloved orchids flower.

There was SO much more for her to share with us all.

I try really hard not to dwell too much on her passing.  However, there is not a day goes by that I don't think about her or wish she was still here.  There is also not a day that goes by that I don't see her face in a cloud or feel her hand resting on mine.    Her presence is still so strong.   I know in my heart she is close by - watching over us - listening to our chatter - sharing in our joy.

So this little blog is about to change.  It is undergoing a transformation!  

 "The Views from my Valley" will be no more. 

"all my love......Sharyne"   is just like the letter I would write to my Mum if she was living in another town, another State, another country - this blog is my letter to her.   


These are the letters I will write to tell her about what is going on here in the Valley - the various projects I am undertaking - what is happening in the garden - what is happening in everyone's lives.   I know she would love it and I hope you will too!

My blog now has a purpose....... a real meaning.   Something to share with everyone and anyone -  but most of all, with her.

Looking for my Blogging Mojo

I have had a bit of a blogging lull these past couple of weeks.

 I just seem to have lost the motivation to
share or journal the things that have been going on

in my life.

I guess you could say - I have "lost" my blogging mojo.

I'm not sure where it has been?

or

Why it decided to go away?

or

Whether in fact anyone has really noticed it has been missing?

But I have missed it! 

I'm hoping that a  bit of a Header revamp

and 

Some pretty pictures of my lovely Cooktown orchids (Queensland's floral emblem) 

will catapult me into blogging action.  

PS - If you happen to find it - can you please send it back

(thank you!)

 

Have I Found my Niche?

Today I am linking up with the ever delightful Sarah at Modern Country Style for her "Define Your Blog" link party.

So sorry I'm late for your party Sarah!  Looks like I might be one of the last guests to arrive.

Let me make my Grand Entrance down the marble stairway - cue the violins!.

Define my blog eh?    Hmm.......well, to be honest I believe my blog defies definition!

Early in my blogging journey I remember reading in some "Guide to Good Blogging" that one of the key factors in establishing a successful blog was to "find your niche and stick to it."

Eeney....meeney......miney.....moe......

What sort of blog will I choose?.................

I know.  What about a TRAVEL Blog?  

Interesting photos and stories about far off lands like the trip my son Matthew and I made to
 New Zealand

No, on second thoughts I think a RENOVATION blog would be more my style.  Useful tips and amazing "Befores" and "Afters" like my little Bedroom Transformation

(See that cute little farmhouse bench at the foot of the bed - well.... I MADE that myself -

with my own 2 hands!.....)

No - too hard to keep up the pace (and in any case, I would fast run out of rooms!)

I know - A FOOD Blog.  Now that sounds more like me!  Delicious recipes and fabulous food styling like this luscious Orangey concoction :

Hmmm.....No - bad idea!   Just think of all those calories I would have to Taste Test......

I know........ a CRAFT blog!     People LOVE crafts - this was sure to be a winner!! 

I was excited.   I eagerly embarked on  crafts like :

Sarah's Cinnamon and Heart Garland

and

Sarah's Christmas Wreath

(That Sarah has a lot to answer for!!)

Decisions.....decisions.......

A GARDENING Blog :







A PET Blog!!....



A FAMILY Blog !!!.....

ARGH.........No wonder I'm confused!!

I have finally come to the conclusion that my blog is a bit like me really........

"A Jill of all trades and Master of none!"

My "niche" is the story of my life.
My blog is (and will always be) a living, breathing journal of the people and things that are important to me  and the special moments that give me joy and make me smile.

And that is just how I like it........

2011 - The Year of POSITIVITY!

Here's the thing.  I have decided  2011 is going to be The Year of POSITIVITY!


Not only is this going to apply to me and the way I go about my life and work but also to the people around me.  I intend to surround myself with positive people and positive energy! 

Over the years, I have found  the one thing that has totally sapped me is negativity and people who are constantly complaining and whingeing about the cards they have been dealt.   They are not happy unless everyone else is wallowing in their misery.  They are the people who give you every possible reason why something can't be done  rather than encouragement to give it a go!   They are the people who when the going gets tough - they get running.......

I absolutely love Randy Pausch's book "The Last Lecture" and have gained so much inspiration from his words.  It truly has become my mantra on how to live my best life.   This quote in particular really struck a chord with me :

"As I see it, there's a decision we all have to make, and it seems perfectly captured in the Winnie-the-Pooh characters created by A.A. Milne.  Each of us must decide :  Am I a fun-loving Tigger or am I a sad-sack Eeyore?  Pick a camp.....   I won't let go of the Tigger inside me.  I just can't see the upside of becoming Eeyore."

So, to all my fellow Tiggers out there - I look forward to a year filled to the brim with inspiration, creativity and positivity.   If there is one thing I have found since beginning my blogging journey - should ever I start to feel the weight of negativity weighing heavily on my shoulders,  I only have to click onto one of my favourite blogs and voila - I'm a Tigger once again!

Have a wonderful 2011 everyone.

Blogging Milestone(s)

Ta Da........Today is the first Anniversary of my foray into the blogging world!  Co-incidentally it is also my 100th post!  Not sure how I quite managed that one -although I must admit I did sneak in a quick little blog about Matthew and Micky yesterday when I realised I was close to the magic 100.

When I first started this little blog last year I had no idea that it would be something that I would still be doing a year later.  My blog originally commenced its life as a "Travel Blog" -  a way of keeping Alan (and the rest of the family) updated on the trip Matthew and I made to New Zealand last year.   I remember sitting in our motel room at the end of each day churning out long, descriptive passages about the things we had done and the sights we had seen.  In a funny sort of way I imagined myself as a "foreign correspondent" sending back news reports about life in foreign and exotic lands!   When I think back now - probably a phone call would have been quicker.......   However there is something strangely satisfying about putting pen to paper and (for me) I have always been able to express myself much better with "written" rather than "spoken" words.

Blogging allows me to combine two of my most favourite things - "Journalling"  and "Corresponding".   I have always enjoyed the idea of journalling and over the years have commenced many a Diary - only to find that I manage to fill the first couple of days and then ..... nothing!  (I have SOO many yearly diaries with blank pages from the 5th January onwards....).  

Letters - how I LOVE receiving letters.  Years ago (pre email/pre Facebook/pre Twitter - well, the "olden days" actually!) I used to have a pen friend in the USA.   Every month a letter would arrive from my pen friend in its distinctive Air Mail envelope with its unique USA stamp and I would spend hours reading and re-reading every word.  For a kid growing up in Australia in the 60's the USA was a wildly romantic and exciting place and to receive a letter from someone in the USA - well, that was just the BEST!

Nowdays I can "journal" (and include pictures!) and receive "letters" from all over the world!   Not only that, in the past 12 months I have learnt SO MUCH about a whole range of things and been constantly inspired by the incredibly talented and creative bloggers who open their lives and share their talents on a daily basis.

So, here's a little bouquet to all the blogging friends I have made over the past 12 months and all the new blogging friends I hope to meet in the next.  

Clicking onto my blog each morning and finding that a comment has been left - it really makes my day.  Reading about the incredible things you all do - well,  it makes me feel so privileged to  be invited into your lives.    Thank you all so very much.

You've Got Mail!



As a small child one of my most vivid memories was hearing the sound of the Postman's whistle at our front gate.  The shrill bleep of the "whistle" was an indication that he had a large parcel or an item that wouldn't fit into our letterbox.   I remember how I would skip down the front steps with eager anticipation to see just what special surprise the Postman had for us.  Christmas time was especially exciting as we always received the most wonderful parcels from my Grandmother who lived all the way away in Sydney.  My Nan's parcels were a sight to behold - securely wrapped in thick brown paper and tied with string in the most intricate of knots.    The front of the parcel would be emblazoned with the words "Not to be Opened Until 25th December!" in the most beautiful backward sloping handwriting.  My poor mother!  My brothers and I would beg her (as only kids can) to let us open the parcel straight away.  It didn't matter how much we whinged and whined - she never gave in.   "Patience is a virtue!" she would say.

Still to this day I get so excited to receive parcels in the mail.   The anticipation and wonder;  the wrestling with the sticky tape;  the tearing of the plastic wrapping and then finally,  the oohing and ahhing when the contents are finally revealed!   It gets me every time. 

Here in the Valley we don't have a regular mail service. (Something to do with distance from our closest town).   So instead we have a mail box at our local Post Office which we manage to clear 2 or 3 times a week.     

So imagine my excitement late last Friday when I turned the key on my little black post office box to find not one.... but two bright blue cards in my mail box telling me that I had TWO parcels to collect!  It was like the Postman's "whistle" all over again.

And then my world came crashing down .........


Oh No - the Post Office was closed - I would have to wait till Monday.  "Patience is a virtue" I could hear my mother say!

So all weekend these little blue slips tortured me!    Monday morning (bright and early) found me standing at the little "out of hours" window of the Post Office eagerly handing over my blue cards and in return these were the wonderful surprises that greeted me.

Firstly, the beautiful vintage eiderdown I was lucky enough to win in the competition the ever so generous and incredibly stylish Mel from Stripes by the Seaside recently had to find a name for her beautiful new blog.
It has been a lifelong dream of mine to own a vintage eiderdown.  This gorgeous paisley parcel of fluffy down is even more wonderful than I could have imagined.  Thank you once again Mel for your incredible gift.  I will treasure it forever.

Second surprise was this lovely little printed piece of customised art which I purchased from the incredibly talented Janette from My Sweet Prints.  A gift for a work colleague who is getting married this weekend.

My dinky little photograph does not do justice to Janette's beautiful work however the background is the most beautiful and meaningful verse/s about Love forever more.  I know Roland and Rita will love it as much as I do.   Janette's  Etsy store is filled with so many amazing pieces.  I can't wait to pick out something for myself...... and you know what that means. 



Yah...... another parcel for me in the mail!!

Yah for Me!

This is exactly how I felt when the lovely Mel from Stripes by the Seaside informed me that I was the winner of her recent "Name my New Blog" competition.   I TRULY am one of those people who has never won anything in my entire life!  I am just SO thrilled.

I have been following Mel and her journey from her beautiful country Queenslander to her new (adorable and stripey) beach cottage for quite a while now.  Through the magic of blogland I have experienced all the emotions she and her family have felt in making the difficult decision to leave a very much loved family home and make a new life at the beach.  It has been a real roller coaster for us (her blog followers!) so I can only imagine what it has has been like for Mel and her family.  Throughout this whole journey what has absolutely shone through for me is her amazing talent/flair in creating a beautiful, comfortable sanctuary her family;   her vision and undeniable style;  and her genuineness of spirit.  She has been such an inspiration in so many ways.

As it turned out - Mel ended up finding her blog name herself or in her words "it found me!"  I just happened to be the lucky name drawn out of a hat.  I have chosen my prize (Yes - I had a choice!!) and I have selected a beautiful vintage eiderdown from her collection.  I have assured Mel that it is coming to a very good home.  I will love and treasure it forever more (and will even post photos of it on my blog from time to time so she can see how it is going).   Even though I can't wait to snuggle up under my beautiful new eiderdown - I can't help but wonder about the practicality of an eiderdown in the Tropics?  But hey, how good is it going to look at the foot of my bed.......  So, thank you once again Mel.  You've made my day year!

New Blog Background

Since commencing  my blogging journey I have been fascinated to check out other people's blogs, particularly travel blogs.  I love travelling to new places, both in Australia and overseas and love reading about other people's adventures.   In this journey of blogging discovery I have been totally amazed by not only the fantastic stories and photographs  fellow bloggers have shared but also at the the efforts they have gone to in making their blogs so "eye appealing".   When I originally started blogging I was more than happy to use the default templates available on the Blogger.com site.   However after viewing a myriad of elaborately designed blogs I have come to the realisation that a Blog is not just a series of words and photos.
It is a complete visual experience!   So, in my quest to make my Blog more eye appealing I have searched through the huge array of backgrounds/headers available online and voila!  This is the result.   Being an avid Shabby Chic fan it only seemed fitting for me to have a background from ShabbyBlogs.com.  The heading was a little more intricate and involved the use of a fantastic photo editing program called FotoFlexer - this is sure to become my new "best friend" in photo editing.   I am indeed quietly pleased at what I have achieved.  Can't wait to check what other "add-ons" and "extras" I can find!

Good News of the Day :  Walked the circuit again this afternoon with Kendall.  Reduced my time by 5 minutes.