Sunday's Seven Snapshots vol.98

View from my bedroom window one morning this week

The greatest greeting card of all time

My gelato is ready for Christmas 

So is my popsicle

This kid like ribs...

...and these girls enjoyed his leftovers. It was Sally & Dolly's 3rd birthday this week. Love my destructive duo!

Even with Astro's assistance, I lost at Monopoly again. That pile of money you see?  That's the stepkid's. 

I welcome the new week. I hope you do too!

Great Pumpkin Swap Reveal

It feels so strange to hit publish on this post while I've got 4 different tabs open watching election results.  But, the world needs more kindness and goodness and togetherness right now, and I believe care packages are examples of those things.  As frivolous as that may seem.

The 5th Annual Great Pumpkin Swap was hosted by Kristin and Becky.  I was super stoked to participate because Kristin assured me someone would be willing to ship to Australia.  Y'all...that's no small feat.  My swap buddy spent $50 USD to send her care package to me.  That's generous and super, duper kind!  I am a firm believer that the world needs more care packages.  They always bring a smile to my face.  Who was this wonderful swap buddy?  It was Micah from Unabashedly Me.

When I emailed Micah to tell her some of my "likes" to help with swap ideas, this was my list:

cats

dogs

books

bright colors

fun socks

American snacks made of fake cheese (cheez-its, cheese nips, cheddar goldfish, crunchy Cheetos, etc.)

kitsch, local flair - anything uniquely from Iowa

jolly ranchers hard candy

rock music

animal print

make-up (I seriously miss cheap make-up from Target or Wal-mart like the NYC brand; it is impossible to get $1.99 eyeliner here)

And, here's what she sent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:

I received this care package on Thursday.  The giant bag of Goldfish was devoured by Sunday.

Books!  And...even better...Micah is the author of one of them, and her friend wrote the other!

Fun socks!  A kitty unicorn and a French bulldog as a vampire.

Ricky approves of the 3rd pair of socks that Micah sent me.  After all, it has lions, tigers, and tuxedo cats.  Okay, well, maybe they are black panthers, but Ricky and I prefer to believe they are tuxedo cats. 

Make-up!  And, I hadn't even told her that I'm a sucker for eye palettes too.

  Much love to Micah and the hosts! 

Have you ever participated in a blog swap?

I show you my books, you show me yours... vol.22

Jana & Steph are bringing us book lovin' bloggers our favorite day of the month again - Show Us Your Books day!  It's the day of the month that my goodreads gets the most activity...and I do love myself some goodreads.  Be my friend (if we aren't already.) 

What I've read since the last link-up:

1.  Girl Waits with Gun by Amy Stewart -

I liked this book, but I didn't love it. I never found myself getting truly stuck into the story or needing to know what happened next.  However, I did love the character of Constance Kopp and the fact that much of the story is based on actual events and people. I got a little bored with the pigeons. Not gonna lie. 3.75/5 2.  Baby Doll by Hollie Overton - An entertaining read for crime fiction fans that (as one of our hosts Steph says) passed the time just fine.  I liked that most of the characters are flawed and screwed up.  I assumed it was going to go one direction, and it went another (I think that's what we call a "twist", folks), and I liked that too.  3.75/5 3.  Heidi by Johanna Spyri - Meh. It was fine. It just wasn't as endearing as I remembered. The descriptions of the scenery and nature was the best. The characters annoyed me often.  2.75/5 What's up with these .75 ratings this month?  I don't know, but just go with me. 4.  The Island by Victoria Hislop - This is not a quick read, but it was worth it. So many stories within a story about the culture of Crete, family, love, sacrifice, betrayal, heartache, loyalty, grief, shame, hope, community, and more. I learned about an island that housed a colony of Greeks afflicted with leprosy and the culture of a small Crete village located just across from it...communities that I've never read about in fiction. 4/5 5.  I Hear the Sirens in the Street by Adrian McKinty - My second book to read from this series, and my second time to be disappointed. 2.5/5 6.  The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison - This is my kind of effed-up, thought-provoking book.  I gobbled this up in one day. Thanks to Kristen for the recommendation in this post. I didn't have the greatest month of reading, but they can't all be phenomenal, can they?  Currently reading:  Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo...and I just looked; I have 11 books that I'm waiting for my turn at the library.  We'll see what's next! I've shown you mine, now you show me yours..............

Aussie Author Challenge: Book 11

For my 11th read in the Aussie Author Challenge, I decided to give Adrian McKinty's "Sean Duffy" series another go.  I read the first one and wasn't all that impressed, but I was interested enough to try again.  So, I read I Hear the Sirens in the Street by Adrian McKinty.

Set in Northern Ireland, during the early '80s, a particular grim time in this country's history, it seems like it would be a gripping setting for a detective series.  Plus, the series gets good reviews from other readers.  But..........

.................Sean Duffy and I just aren't connecting.  For me, both books aren't quite thrilling enough for a thriller, but aren't atmospheric enough for a good mystery.  There are little quirks of Sean Duffy, for instance, he's a music fanatic.  Well, this should work for me.  But, it doesn't because I feel like all the music references come from a music snob.  He likes to read too...but it seems like I'm supposed to be impressed with those literary choices.  I feel like the author is trying to make him interesting, but it falls flat to me.  I don't want it to.  If you've been around these parts, you know that I don't like to talk bad about books.  I hate to say it, but Sean Duffy, I am going to quit you.

It's the 7th year for the Aussie Author Challenge, and my 2nd year participating (click on the picture/link to take you directly to the site for more information).  My working book list is as follows:

Female Authors:

• People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks - COMPLETED 23 April 2016
• What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty  - COMPLETED 25 March 2016
• The Natural Way of Things by Charlotte Wood - COMPLETED 24 August 2016
• Rabbit-Proof Fence by Doris Pilkington (non-fiction) - COMPLETED 17 January 2016

Male Authors:

• I Hear Sirens in the Street by Adrian McKinty - COMPLETED 04 November 2016
• Life or Death by Michael Robotham - COMPLETED 23 September 2016
• Guilt by Matthew Nable - COMPLETED 3 February 2016
• The Broken Shore by Peter Temple

Authors New to Me:

•  Past the Shallows by Favel Parrett - COMPLETED 12 March 2016
• This House of Grief by Helen Garner (non-fiction) - COMPLETED 25 February 2016
• Hades by Candice Fox - COMPLETED 21 May 2016
• Resurrection Bay by Emma Viskic - COMPLETED 14 April 2016

Sunday's Seven Snapshots vol.97

My reflection in a Sculpture by the Sea at Tamarama Beach

The stepkid (sans werewolf mask) and his Joker friend surprised me by trick-or-treating at my house. My husband and his ex are fantastic about cooperative parenting and inclusiveness of the step-parents. Neil was still working, but Liam's mother drove him over just to be able to ring my doorbell for Halloween. I love how our blended family puts his happiness first. 

It was a gorgeous day to celebrate the marriage of Neil's cousin and his new wife ~ held at the Lion's Gate Lodge in the Royal Botanical Gardens. 

She designed & sewed this dress herself ~  What a talented bride!

Niece 3 being a cutie

After a couple of glasses of Prosecco, of course a kiss by the lion statue seemed like a good idea. 

Ended the evening with a fantastic steak dinner date with my guy

It was a fantastic week, and I hope yours was equally as wonderful!

Currently... linking up vol.8

Laughing..... at myself.  Tuesday, it was "Melbourne Cup Day" here in Australia.  Think the Kentucky Derby on steroids.  They call it "the race that stops the nation."  Women wear pretty spring dresses and fascinators (sp?) in their hair.  What are fascinators you ask?  Pretty hats with flowers or feathers.  Offices throw parties for their staff.  Pubs are busy with fanfare all afternoon.  I show up to work and notice all the lovely ladies dressed up today.  What was I wearing?  A black shirt, black pinstripe pants, black flats, and my hair in a clip...the most UN-Melbourne Cup Day attire possible.  I bought a flower and threw that in my hair.  Best I could do.

Admiring..... this cover of People magazine. I've made some lousy choices with men in my life, but when I picked my lifetime celebrity crush, I did well. This man just keeps getting better and better.

Appreciating..... that Ericka thought of me when she saw the People story. We Jovi girls stick together. 

Tallying..... all the books read for Book Challenge by Erin 5.0.  After 4 months, we wrapped up at the end of October.  Hosting this book challenge brings me a lot of joy, and I love being a part of community that encourages each other to read.  Next one will be held January 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 with categories announced December 1st!

Participating..... in other book challenges too:  Semi-Charmed Winter Book Challenge, Aussie Author Challenge, Around the World in 80 Books, USA Reading Roadtrip; Yep.  I love a good book challenge. 

Finding.....  new books to read.  Goodreads announced nominees for Goodreads Choice Awards 2016.  I blew up my "to read" list (as if it wasn't ridiculously long already) looking at all the books nominated.

Reading.....  I Hear the Sirens in the Street by Adrian McKinty.

Watching.....  movies for the fall film challenge; Okay.  Let's be honest.  I'm not watching many.  I'm pretty sure I've watched the least amount of movies in this challenge than I've ever watched before, but I've watched a few.  One that I watched was Pride & Prejudice.  I'd never read the book, and I'd never seen the movie.  I finally watched the movie, and yes, it was lovely.  Damn, that last scene between Kiera Knightly and Donald Sutherland is acted to perfection.

Looking.....  forward to cracking open a bottle of wine that a customer gave us this week to thank us for years of good customer service.  How nice is that? 

Wearing..... a headband.  You see, I have this super stylish friend that I've known for almost 30 years.  He's also super sarcastic (one of the reasons that we are friends.)  He shared a pic of Sandy in Grease singing "Hopelessly Devoted to You" and said that he was going to bring headbands back into fashion.  I replied that I still wear them as I'm not one to follow "what's it" and "what's out" kind of rules.  So, yea, I busted out a headband this week :)

Needing..... to read some blogs.  I'm usually pretty good with devoting a little bit of time everyday to this wacky world of the blogosphere, but I feel like I've gotten behind lately.  I'm sure no one has noticed.  I'm the one who has noticed.   

Announcing..... a new email for the blog; it's now texerin-in-sydneyland@hotmail.com

Linking..... with Kristen and Gretchen:

Linking up with  Kristin:

Sculpture by the Sea

"Sculpture by the Sea" is celebrating its 20th year featuring Australian and international artists along a coastal walk between Bondi Beach and Tamarama Beach.  I've lived in the Sydney area for almost 8 years, and I'd yet to take myself to this spectacular showcase, combining the beauty created by nature along the Pacific coastline and those created by the hands of man and woman. 

I'd heard the crowds can be overwhelming (and hinder enjoyment), so I decided to take myself on a Monday morning, thinking this would be less crowded than other times.  I was right, and the weather cooperated with me...it was perfect...seriously, not a cloud in the blue skies, comfortable temperatures and breezes from the ocean. 

I apologize for the photo overload, but I think these pictures are worth the share.  An outdated iPhone5 and no filters were used.  Can you imagine how breathtaking these images were in real life?  Trust me.  Amazing.  If my photos aren't enough for you, check out the glorious images on the event's website. 

Some of the sites without sculptures...

After taking a short train ride from the city (15 minutes, maybe?), I grabbed a bus from Bondi Junction to Bondi Beach.  Again, another short trip.  I started the walk at the Iceberg's end of Bondi (the south?...sorry, I'm directionally-challenged...I use landmarks to get around).  Iceberg's is photographed often...it's a restaurant, bar, clubhouse, and swimming pool that overlooks Bondi Beach and the ocean. 

Some of the walk is protected by railings, but a lot of it is open to the rocks, water, and grassy areas.  It's not a difficult walk and only about 1.4km long (a little less than a mile) with some steps but not many. 

After a stroll along the coast, the sculptures join a big grassy park.  There is a café for people to stop and have a snack if they choose.  Everyone is free to roam around and view the sculptures from all angles.  

I do have one question - what part of "do not touch the artwork" is so difficult to understand?  Language barriers.  I get that.  But, men and women coupled up having a chat about the materials from which a piece of art is made and then knocking, rubbing, feeling it up and down.  No.  Unacceptable.

It was in this park area that I spotted my favorite piece (pictured below)..."Embrace" by Geoffrey Bartlett.  I posted this on my ig, and the artist thanked me for admiring his work.  Clearly, he wants to be my best friend.  Seriously, admire I did.  I sat down and just looked at it, listening to the ocean waves below, feeling the cool breezes, watching photographers come and go. 

You know what sculpture I didn't take time to admire?  The one with the ginormous group of shouting school kids running in and out of it.  Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that schools expose kids to such artistic endeavors, but it wasn't my day to practice patience for them.

After spending my share of time at the park, I ventured along the coastal walk.  I looked down a path of stairs (not a part of the exhibit) and saw a sign for "McKenzies Bay".  In the midst of tourists, locals, school children, retirees, joggers, photographers, and dog walkers, I found a place to retreat...all by myself...no one else came down there.  I sat down and just watched the waves for awhile, listening to a natural waterfall behind me.  Then, I remembered "hey, I've got about 100 pages left of my book to read."  Yep.  I opened that book and finished it right there on that rock...with this view:

After my moment of me, the ocean, and my book, I continued the walk to see more sculptures. 

My walk and the exhibit ended at Tamarama Beach (or some start here and walk the other way.)  I took off my shoes, put my toes in the sand, and checked out the sculptures on the beach.

I ended my morning at the park along the beach and enjoyed a raspberry "icy pole".  Did I mention that this event is FREE to the public?!  It was a time that I actually stopped to think about my gratitude to sponsors and endowments for offering such a spectacular collection for FREE.  I spent about 3 hours enjoying the sites and sounds, and I enjoyed every minute of it. 

 This adventure checks off a "to do" on my 50 Before 50.

Sculpture by the Sea is held every year late October/early November.  Who wants to join me for 2017?