Gotta Dance!

Have been feeding my silver screen fix for the last few days.  I recently pulled out and dusted off my boxed set of 'That's Entertainment' and spent a few hours just watching Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Ann Miller and company light up the screen.

It really has been ages since I have even so much as glanced at the 'classics' section of my DVDs, but I saw something on TV earlier this week and it just got me hankering to watch my all time favourite legend Gene Kelly.  Unfortunately for moi I'd forgotten that I've packed most of my DVDs away in boxes - to save room for my books - oops!  So I sought comfort on the net, trying to find a couple of really great photos.  Talk about trying to find a needle in a haystack! 

I did happen across a truly wonderful photo thanks to a friend who emailed it to me {big thanks to you!}.  I just have to show you because it shows Gene Kelly the man, not the polished star.  For all you Kelly fans out there, little white attic, enjoy!

Who do you love?

I've been asked this question a lot lately, "Who is your favourite author?"  and while I could take the easy way out and just say Jane Austen, Karen Rose, or which ever author I'm currently devouring, this morning I just sat and really thought about it for awhile and came to the conclusion that I'm not a one author gal.  I just can't honestly say that I love one author above all others.

During said rumination I bounced from literary snobbishness ". . .but I only read the classics!", to Para-Rom tart where only Kate Daniels, Elena Deveraux and other kick-ass heroines are welcome.  So were do you draw the line?  If I'm totally honest with myself and you, it really depends on when you ask me.  So as you've asked me today this is my answer.

In no particular order, here are the top ten author's that have pride of place on my bookshelves.

•  Laurell K Hamilton - Anita Blake (books 1-10 only) and Merry Gentry series
•  JD Robb/Nora Roberts
•  Kylie Chan
•  Ilona Andrews - Kate Daniels rocks
•  Anne Bishop
•  Ella Wheeler Wilcox - brilliant poet
•  Nalini Singh - Guild Hunters series
•  Jane Austen - Je rêve de toi, Mr Darcy
•  Janet Evanovich, and finally
•  Stephanie Laurens

Yes, I know I have an ecclectic palate.  It seems my tastes vary wildly in both literature and music.  You'll notice that some names are missing, and while I really enjoyed Christine Feehan, Sharon Sala, the Arcane Society and Twilight series I wouldn't class them as some of my all-time favourites.  These are the books that I just can't help but return to again, and again, and again, and again . . . you get the idea.

Do you agree with me?  Let me know if you think I should include a certain author in my top ten.

PS - for those Kate Daniels fans out there I have included a small banner and picture that I've made for Curran.  Hope you enjoy.

A mini milestone achieved!

woo hoo!  100 blog entries posted . . . go me!  I wondered how long it would take me to reach it.

For this momentus occassion, I'm going to share with you a truly simple but scrummy recipe for BBQ Pork Spare Ribs (they'll be ready for lunch) that came from an unlikely source.

I've been cooking this periodically for more than 10 years, and so far to date it's turned out perfectly each time.

If you want to, adjust the spices and salt to suit your tastes.  I use just a plain old run-of-the-mill tomato sauce, but you could use any type of catsup you fancy.
Okay, first the recipe.  I've used Pork, but you can use any type of meat you want.

click to enlarge

Now this recipe actually comes from a beat up old cookbook that I found in a thrift shop called Gone with the Wind Cook Book.  Usually recipes found in some of the 'movie' based cookbooks are a tad bizaar and not food that I'd usually cook.  If you ever come across this recipe book, snap it up.  The recipes are simple and easy to reproduce time and time again.

Gardening anyone?

Sorry about the lack of entries lately.  I've been absorbed by my gardening projects at the moment.  I've been up to my elbows in potting mix and mulch planting roses and veggie plants.

To read about my 'missing time' from this blog, head on over to A Lazy Gardener to see what I've been doing.

Will be posting new reviews of Nora Roberts Chasing Fire and Treachery in Death by JD Robb when back.  Should also have my new delivery of books from the UK by then.

It's nearly here!

I can't believe it's nearly time to order in the new Kylie Chan book!  I have been reading this series since it first hit the shelves.  Although set in modern day Hong Kong (mostly), they delve into the world of Eastern mythology so realisticly that you don't even question why centuries old demons are using mobile phones ;-D

The latest offering, Heaven to Wudang,  is the last book in the second trilogy - confusing I know - and will hit Australian and New Zealand shelves on 1 June 2011.

Ancient Chinese mythology comes to life in this bestselling series of martial arts and demons,

dragons and gods, legends and lies ... and a journey to the depths of Hell.

 

The demons that could control stones and elementals have been defeated, but the most powerful of Simon Wong′s associates still remains -- the one who can create almost undetectable copies of humans and Shen. This demon has allied with Kitty Kwok and together they plot to trap Emma and Simone in a web of copies.

 

Wudang Mountain is enveloped by dark foreboding as Xuan Wu begins to reappear -- sometimes human, sometimes turtle, but always without memory. Emma and Simone must race from Hong Kong to Hanoi as

they try to rescue Xuan Wu before the demons capture him.

This is not the last book in the series ladies and gentlemen.  This is only the conclusion of the 2nd trilogy and yep, you guessed it.  There is one more trilogy to go!

Spider Update

Oops, nearly forgot.  Remember that funky spider I spotted on my rose?  Well, it turns out that she was just a large, but common variety of garden spider.  My bad! {hangs head in shame}  I finally got a good look at her after sunset.  She was not the best subject to photograph as she kept moving or curling up into a tight ball so the quality of the photo isn't that great.

PS - she must not have liked the fact that her picture was going to be posted online as she scarpered the next day.

Bored senseless

It's time for the Easter holidays here in Australia so every child (and their iPhones) are roving around the shopping centres in packs. Thank GOD it's been too much trouble to go into town for anything other than the basics.

This week has been one of the most boring that I can remember.  I've been re-reading books that I've already digested many times over, TV has just had the most annoying and stupid programs on - and those that I've actually wanted to watch have coincided with others of interest making me choose, damn it.  {stamping foot in little tantrum}  With all this rain any outdoors activities or chores have had to be postponed as it is extremely soggy underfoot.  I ask you, what's a girl to do?

To fill up some time I've been studying - again boring - and trying to keep my mind active with lists and notes, etc. 

Stick a fork in me, I'm done.  I'll just crawl into bed and pull the covers over my head . . . wake me when it's over!

What happened to the weather?

Yesterday was a perfectly crisp Autumn day.  Today?  Back to rain!  Come on. . .

So today I'm sitting in front of the computer, studying as well as playing around with my blogs.  All I'm really thinking about is being able to get back to my room and cosying up on the bed with my blanket, a cup of tea, a good book and some chocolate -  okay, no chocolate since cutting back was my new years resolution,  but you know what I mean.

At the moment I'm re-reading my Stephanie Laurens books.  I've started off with the Bastion Club since this is the only series that she has completed.  I'm up to the fourth book, A Fine Passion, Jack and Clarice's story.  Sometimes I have to make myself read all the books in a series, not just my favourites. 

You can tell which ones I like by the spines :)

Weird spider

This has to be the weirdest spider that I have ever seen.  She has built a nest in the petal of my rose bush.  Her green colouring meant that I nearly touched her when I went to wipe what I thought was a catapillers silk off the leaf.  It gave me one heck of a shock I can tell you.

I called out to my aunt, who is an ex-Pest Inspector, to find out if she recognised it.  All she could tell me was that it was a garden spider of some variety.  It's like nothing we've ever had here.  She is a pretty apple green colour with black dots on her thorax similar to a ladybeetle.  On her butt on either side of her spinners are 2 black dots that look like eyes.  Do you recognise what kind of spider she is?  If so I'd love to find out.

How Cute!

Australia Zoo,on the Sunshine Coast has welcomed a baby white Rhino calf in the wee hours of this morning.  The newborn - who weighs in at more than 60kg (ouch!) - was born at 3.15am to mother Caballe.  This is her 4th calf, but the first born to the zoo.  Incidentally, Caballe is originally from Hamilton Zoo, NZ.  I've been watching 'The Zoo' on Gem that shows a behind the scenes look at the Hamilton and Auckland Zoo's.  Don't remember seeing her yet, but maybe in future eps.

The SMH has posted an online article with some photos of the new bub here.

ANZAC Day approaches

It's that time of the year again.  We received our first ANZAC Day flyer in the mail today.  I tend to get all emotional over ANZAC Day.  It celebrates those that made the ultimate sacrifice in aide of their country.  My grandfather lost two of his uncles - one in Egypt, and one on the Somme.  Although he never spoke much about them, you could tell that his memories of the war were still very much vivid.

Each year our little town has a ceremony around the memorial in the local park.  For a community who seems to be loosing it's community spirit, I am amazed that each year more and more locals seem to be attending the ceremony.

Last year we grew some beautiful poppies (below) and even put some on the shrine.  Hopefully they'll be just as good this year.

I found a 'Making Poppies' PDF from the Australian War Memorial for kids and thought that I'd put it up here.

It seems that nearly 100 years later, nothing much has changed.  People still die in the name of their country.  You would have thought we'd have evolved a little bit beyond that, wouldn't you?

Sunny days

Finally, a sunny day!

After what feels like forever the sun has finally peaked out from behind the clouds to grace us with a truly spectacular autumn day.  All that it needs to top it off would be some autumn leaves falling - but it doesn't get cold enough for that here.

There are two liquid ambers in the park down the street and the poor things only start to loose their leaves when it hits winter here (down to about 5°c / 41°f at night).  At the moment its in the high teens at night, but still chilly enough to put on a heavier bedspread.

Have to get a few plants repotted today (poor ferns) and lightly prune the roses in pots as a certain creepy crawlie has decided to take up residence somewhere amongst the leaves.

So, I'll finish downloading study materials, have lunch and then enjoy the sun while it lasts.

Misplaced photo's

I recently found a number of digital photo's that I'd taken ages ago (and forgotten about . . . oops!).

Seeking go hide, go hiding go seeking.
I'm seeking for you, your hiding from me.

Beautiful Day Lily in back yard

Cutest little bee

St. Andrews Cross spider catching her dinner

 .

Goddess Summoning series

Yesterday I found the next book in the Goddess Summoning series by P.C. Cast that is being re-issued in Australia - with new covers of course.  Goddess of Spring is the tale of Hades, God of the Underworld, and how he falls in love with his queen.

"Lina's trendy bakery in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is proving to be less than lucrative and when she stumbles upon an Italian Goddess cookbook, she can't help but think she's found the answer to her problem - even if it meanbs invoking a goddess to save her business.  Soon enough, Lina finds herself face to face with Demeter, who has a plan of her won.  She proposes that Lina exchange souls with the Goddess of Spring, Persephone, who will breathe new life into the bakery.  In return, Lina must bring order to the Underworld.

Now that she embodies the enchantingly beautiful Persephone, Lina has weightier things on her mind than dough and second dates - like the formidable task of bringing spring to a world of spirits.  But when the handsome, brooding Hades kindles a spark in her heart, Lina wonders if this Lord of the Underworld might be the man of her dreams . . ."

This book was an enchanting read.  I have previously devoured her Goddess of Legend, the Roses, and of Troy, but was a little hesitant about the story of Hades and Persephone/Lina.  Thank God that I ignored my concerns and dived in.  Cast has a way of breathing new life into mythology and making it more of a modern day romance than a 2000 year old story.  Hades is wonderfully insecure with Lina and Lina is just magical, including her connection to animals, especially the dread steed of Hades, Orion, and a certain three headed canine guardian of the Underworld.  While not a long and complicated story, it will transport you into a world of Gods and Goddesses.  Try it, I heartily recommend this series.

Rating: 3½ / 5

Back in the Saddle

. . . for now anyway.  Seems that my contrary computer's modem is playing nice today so I can finally go online and do some studying.  The downtime has given me a chance to catch up on some reading.  I've dived back into my regency books, Stephanie Laurens only, and using this extra time have re-read some of my not-so-favourite titles - you know, just to see if time has made them any better.  Guess what?  It worked!  I was never too fond of the last book in the Bastion Club series (Christian Allardyce, Marquess of Dearne's story) but found that having not read any regencies for over 6 months, I got into it.  While it is by no means my favourite book in the series, I did enjoy it a lot more.

I'm still waiting - not so patiently now - for my Amazon UK parcel to arrive.  I  bought a copy of Jean Auel's Land of Painted Caves for mum, plus a copy of Treachery in Death by JD Robb.  I know that I could reserve a copy of the book from the library, but I'm doggedly waiting for my copy to arrive. . . someday?

On the home front, the weather has turned rather chilly the last few nights.  Not doona weather really, but you certainly need more than a light blanket on the bed.  This gave me a case of 'spring cleaning', so I attacked my rooms, dug through the linen cupboard and washed my flanelette sheets (no laughing okay) so that they would be nice and fresh to sleep in.  There's nothing nicer than snuggling down in a freshly made bed to sleep at night. 

I just thought I'd throw this in here at the end.  Our local neighbourhood peacocks are still on the loose here.  I woke up the other morning to find the beautiful male just wandering past my back door.  I rushed in to get the camera but by the time I got back to the door all I managed to get was a photo of his tail feathers disappearing around the corner of the tank.  So I crept up on the back landing, quiet as a mouse, and managed to locate them around the other side of the house.  I waited until they made their way back towards the shed before I managed to get a picture of the cheeky little buggars.  They are as quick as lightning when they want to be, and have you heard their calls?  They sound like a sick goose on steroids!  Hooooonk, hooooonk.  That when they aren't screaming bloody murder.  There's an old couple that used to live on acreage at the end of our street that used to breed them.  As a child, you'd hear them going at night, and I would have sworn it was some poor screaming her lungs out.