Camels & Other Surprising Things

What's your week been like?

Mine was filled with all sorts of Australian goodness and, honestly, a little bit of worry. This country = so unexpected and beautiful. My life = the same.

Here's the unexpected: I spotted this camel mural on a building in Avalon. (Did you know there are 750,000 camels roaming the outback? We have the world's largest feral camel herd. They were introduced here in the 19th Century from Arabia, India and Afghanistan.)

And beautiful? Waratahs are in season. Gorgeous, huh?

More beautiful: I celebrated a birthday with another favourite 66 Baby. I savoured a slice of this flourless chocolate cake with the Heart Girls, my forever-writing-friends.

And later that afternoon, it was summery enough to buy a great kid a frozen yogurt.

When we stepped outside, this grevillea's colours matched his sugary yogurt...perfectly.

There's beauty everywhere, if you're willing to look for it. And there's worry everywhere, too.

Anne Lamott, a writer I love, has a grown up son. When Sam was about 8, he told her, "I think I've finally figured out life. Mostly good, some problems."

Yep, Sam, you're right. I wrote about that dance here. It's so important to remember that today is as it should be.

Mostly good, some problems.

Maybe it's time to relax those shoulders and take a deep breath. Are you with me??

If Wishing Made It So

Hello from Queenscliff! We're lucky enough to be here while some work is being done on our house. 

Surfers, uber-fit mums, gorgeous sunsets and, according to our teenager, the best grilled chicken burgers on the planet...all on our doorstep. It's such a different vibe to life in the leafy North Shore! 

I'm loving nights like this:

And days exploring our new neighbourhood:

Australia, even your weedy laneways are enchanting.

If you take time to notice it, the world is so beautiful.

I've lived half my life in one country and half in another. I wish I could share both with you. I'd send my Canadian friends a beach and my Aussie friends a snowfall.

If only wishing made it so. :)

Wherever you are, I hope something wonderful happens to you today.

Smart & Sassy

How can you not love a country when you see a sign like this in your local flower market?

Aussie women are hilarious.

If it made you laugh, let me know!!

I know Aussie girls will find this ho-hum, but for my Canadian friends…I still pinch myself that I’m so lucky to live with all this beauty. Here’s my local flower market café. I’ll take you for lunch when you visit me in Sydney!