This is Ellie.

This is what I am doing.

Have a lovely weekend!

Asylum seekers

Something has been on my mind for the past few days.

Like many others, I have been watching the SBS series Go Back to Where You Came From.

Thank you SBS for this show, I just hope those who need to see it do. The fact sheets on the SBS web site are great. I for one would be willing to share our open spaces and freedom with the relatively low number (compared to those arriving in other countries) of refugees who are lucky enough to arrive safely on our shores.

I didn't want to vent BUT - had the participants on the show never watched the news stories or read about wars, genocide and hunger around the world? Why did it take this trip to consider the refugees in detention centres as people fleeing from such horrors? Are we really so ignorant or is it just easier to believe the media hype around 'queue jumpers' 'illegals' etc?

Anyway, I will be doing some background reading, then I am going to write some letters or e-mails. If you want to do something to, details of where to start here on the Pocket Carnival blog and at UNHCR.

Reading other blogs and a glance at the discussion on the SBS site, I am not the only one who was affected by this show:

Chunky Chooky
Pocket Carnival

I have watched a couple of episodes of Baker Boys on the ABC. Equally disturbing.

I also watched this documentary on SBS this week - John Pilger - The war you don't see. With the US pulling out of Iraq you have to wonder why we were all there, the level of dis/mis(?)information from governments around the world is scary!

nanna blanky

My nanna blanket is slowly growing. I am almost out of wool, so I think I'll finish it soon, it could go on forever.... I definitely need it on my lap in the evening now to keep me warm. I will set a target to get it done and the ends sewn in this weekend!

This is my reading at the moment, Sohi and the latest Peppermint.

and my new toy. I have printed some photos from Vietnam on my new Cannon printer and they are great. 

Temple of embroidery

In Hue, Vietnam we stumbled across a hidden gem, through an arch off a main street. It appears that embroidery is a highly regarded skill in Vietnam and this group of buildings include a temple to the embroidery master. I have never seen such amazingly delicate silk embroidery, I was tempted to buy one and I am not big on embroidery.

It was night so the photos don't do them justice. 

This one was 3D.

It was an oasis in a busy city after a long hot, slightly stressful day on our holiday and nice to see this art given so much respect.

Rockin' weekend

What a wonderful weekend! Surrounded by creative, passionate people; an open fire, steamed pork ribs, live music and laughs, all in our own home. 

We hosted a pin-striping weekend at Moose Lodge. Bikes, helmets, old bowling pins all got the treatment. Amazing to watch the free hand accuracy of the lines and the creativity in the designs and colours chosen.

Art work by Airspeed.

This weekend made me realise how great it would be to be able to do something you love and to share it with others. Whether it be making music, creating art, crafting, cooking, working on cars, motorbikes or bicycles ....... 

This quote below is resonating with me tonight.

To find out what you love to do demands a great deal of intelligence; because, if you are afraid of not being able to earn a livelihood, or of not fitting into this rotten society, then you will never find out. But, if you are not frightened, if you refuse to be pushed into the groove of tradition by your parents, by your teachers, by the superficial demands of society, then there is a possibility of discovering what it is you really love to do. So, to discover, there must be no fear of not surviving. - Krishnamurti

Ooooh it's cold

Unfortunately since I have been back from Vietnam I have had a tummy bug and now a bad cold, as well as some difficulty in fitting back into my normal routine. I am hoping this is due to the cold weather and being ill. All weekend has been spent in doors in front of the heater drinking Lemsip, crocheting, watching bad tele (why did I give in and get an aerial?), reading, catching up with internet stuff and sleeping. So much for that bit of gardening and general home maintenance I had planned :-(

I have lost a few kilos (you have to focus on the positives) and of course I did find some things to covet while catching up with blogs. A subscription to Mid Century Magazine and these stamps. Sorry I can't remember which blogs I found these on. Maybe I will treat myself for my birthday. I am looking forward to celebrating with my family and friends, if I can organise something at short notice for the long weekend.



I haven't done very well with my resolution to stop buying myself things this year, however I have improved. I don't believe I have bought any fabric this year and I haven't spent as much as usual on clothes, books and magazines. It is part of a long process, changing habits, thinking before I buy, using alternatives, avoiding temptation and resisting that 'I want that' urge. I now have a clearer idea of what I really want to spend my money on and am trying to focus on simple pleasures.

 

I hope you had a lovely weekend.

For my home

I would like this picture.... 

 

Venezuelan artist Armando Barrios (1920-1999) Found via

and this shadowbox ....

Pic taken at the Reunification Palace in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. Nice.

Vietnam

Back from our Vietnam trip last week.  Fantastic. 



Before we went the autumn colours in Canberra and surrounds were just emerging. Now it is winter and we have noticed the difference in the countryside on the drive between home and Canberra. It also felt like construction work that we regularly pass in Canberra has gone up overnight and that it is much colder than usual.

My garden is a disaster, dead grass, dead tomato plants ..... This weekend will be spent pruning, digging and tidying the garden. The Vietnamese make use of all spare land and it is sad to see all of my back garden so bare. The stray cats made themselves at home while my cats were at my parents, so I have to clean up all of their mess from the grass also (strays don't bother to dig holes or cover it up :-(

Anyway nice to be home. I guess........