Everyone that knows me well, knows I stink at good-byes. I get misty weeks before the actual good-bye events.
I love being around loved ones. That's it. Good-byes usually accompany others prying me off, finger by finger, not willing to let go.
Not wealth, not anything can take the place of being around those you love all the time.
Being surrounded to those who I love the most, all the time, is the closest thing to heaven, I feel, that we can have ... Read More
Featured News
Until August..
Everyone that knows me well, knows I stink at good-byes. I get misty weeks before the actual good-bye events. I love being around loved ones. That's it. Good-byes usually accompany others [+]
Waiting in New Zealand..
“For a while" is a phrase whose length can't be measured.At least by the person who's waiting.” ― Haruki Murakami, South of the Border, West of the Sun If saying [+]
Mothers Day Continued..
Not sure how it happened, but we bought our first book together and it was declared my Mother's Day present. Orchids of Western Australia Then John suggested we go [+]
Mothers Day..
I missed my own mom and my children on this day, but it was sweet to spend it with John. I got told Happy Mother's Day very early in the [+]
Birthday..
Since my birthday and my time here coming to a close was in the same week, the day was a bit of an emotional roller coaster. Won't do that again. But [+]
Whiteman Park Kangaroos..
John drives home from work past Whiteman Park and often sees kangaroos at that time of day. So on his day off, we went by at around the same time... [+]
One More Time at John Forrest National Park..
After nearly a week of rain, John and I thought we would make one more trip to John Forrest National Park, in the hopes that with all the rain, we [+]
Bird Watching..
And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” Genesis 1:20 First part of the [+]
The Chairs..
John and I decided each time I am in Perth that we should take on a project, like the last time it was the kitchen floor. We were online when [+]
Whiteman Park Classic Car Show..
Whiteman Park is a beautiful place and just the area alone would be an attraction for me, but it seems to hosts a lot of events and always seems to [+]
Posted By Xerraire On Saturday, May 18th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: beam me up, good-byes, heaven, sad, transporters |
Everyone that knows me well, knows I stink at good-byes. I get misty weeks before the actual good-bye events.
I love being around loved ones. That's it. Good-byes usually accompany others prying me off, finger by finger, not willing to let go.
Not wealth, not anything can take the place of being around those you love all the time.
Being surrounded to those who I love the most, all the time, is the closest thing to heaven, I feel, that we can have ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Friday, May 17th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: airport, auckland, fog, middle earth, money, new zealand, sunrise, sunset, time, waiting |
“For a while" is a phrase whose length can't be measured.At least by the person who's waiting.”
― Haruki Murakami, South of the Border, West of the Sun
If saying good-bye to my husband, being injured and worried, and a long trip ahead of me wasn't tragic enough, I had a 15 hour wait for my flight out of New Zealand. I think it's pretty bad when you arrive before sunrise and leave way past sundown, but that seems to ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Thursday, May 16th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: book, fortune cookies, Hillary's boat harbor, mothers day, orchids of western australia, oriental food, sunset, wok in a box |
Not sure how it happened, but we bought our first book together and it was declared my Mother's Day present. Orchids of Western Australia
Then John suggested we go to Hillary's Boat Harbor, which I loved the idea.
I love the area, the shopping, the eateries. A lot of Moms were there.
Dolphins sculpture at Hillary's, it's also a wishing well.
It was shaping up to be a nice sunset.
Ripples made by a passing boat.
Hungry, yet no ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Monday, May 13th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: alan, Barb, dad, flowers, graham, hilda may, iris, john, mothers day |
I missed my own mom and my children on this day, but it was sweet to spend it with John. I got told Happy Mother's Day very early in the morning by the man I love and I sunk into his arms all smiles.
The plan was to go to Dad and Iris's early, but unknown to me was the other plan to go to the Cemetery where John's mother is laid to rest.
Immediately I became aware that the cemetery was ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Monday, May 13th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: 50 pounds, airlite, Barb, birthday, injury, john, orange, samsonite, shower, suitcase, travel |
Since my birthday and my time here coming to a close was in the same week, the day was a bit of an emotional roller coaster. Won't do that again.
But it was also very happy, it was my FIRST birthday in Australia!
John, in spite of the infinite about of hints given to him, didn't know what to give me for my birthday. Finally, that morning, I gave him a long list. Didn't really get any of it, though we looked. ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Monday, May 13th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: Barb, john, kangaroos, whiteman park |
John drives home from work past Whiteman Park and often sees kangaroos at that time of day.
So on his day off, we went by at around the same time...
... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Monday, May 13th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: Barb, bottlebrush flower, daisy, john, john forrest, kangaroo, national park, waterfall, wild |
After nearly a week of rain, John and I thought we would make one more trip to John Forrest National Park, in the hopes that with all the rain, we might actually have a waterfall to look at.
28 Parrots were there in the picnic area.
I loved watching them parade around the picnic tables.
Catching them in flight is fun too.
These two seemed to be having a disagreement over a gumnut.
Lovely in the tree.
Arriving at the ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Monday, May 6th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: black faced cuckoo shrike, grebe, heron, pardalote, whiteman park, willie wagtail |
And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” Genesis 1:20
First part of the chair project done, it was time to do something fun. We have a list of things we wish to do and one by one scratching them off. Bird watching is something we like to do. So off to the Whiteman Park Bird hide and Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary we went.
... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Sunday, May 5th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: Barb, chair, dad, dining room, fabric, foam, john, mom, sanding, upholstery |
John and I decided each time I am in Perth that we should take on a project, like the last time it was the kitchen floor. We were online when we discussed the next project. Since airplane tickets are so much money, getting new furniture all the time is out of the question. John had two sets of tables and chairs given to him, both old, and one set was one too many. We decided which table to keep and ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Tuesday, April 30th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: 2013, armstrong siddeley, bill cosby, car, chevrolet deluxe, citroen, classic, daimler, delorean, GT40, holden, humber, lotus, mini moke, model t, mustang, rover p3, shelby cobra, show, tail end charlie, the bandit, the chev blitz, tintin, tractor, vauxhall velox, whiteman park, whiteman park classic car show |
Whiteman Park is a beautiful place and just the area alone would be an attraction for me, but it seems to hosts a lot of events and always seems to have an emphasis on children. Last weekend though, they held the Classic Car show.
The largest display of collectible vehicles can be seen at the Classic Car Show which caters for a wide range of motoring enthusiasts in Western Australia. Each year the show attracts around 1 000 cars and ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Sunday, April 28th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: australian rules, australian rules football, Barb, footy, georgie, john, matt |
Georgie likes Aussie rules and her son Matt plays, so I was curious what the game was like. Georgie invited John and I to watch her son play, so we went.
The game's objective is to move the ball downfield and kick the ball through the team's goal. The main way to score points is by kicking the ball between the two tall goal posts. The team with the higher total score at the end of the match wins.
A goal, worth ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Thursday, April 25th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: anzac day, Barb, birds, biscuits, chocolates, cookies, jamie, jeff, john, kangaroo paw, lullfitz, nursery, pink fairy orchid, pizza, skyrim, watercolor, World of Warcraft |
Anzac Day Cookies
Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders "who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations" and "the contribution and suffering of all those who have served." Originally 25 April every year was to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli in the Ottoman Empire during World War I. Anzac Day is ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Tuesday, April 23rd 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: banksia, bird, Eucalyptus caesia, garden, silver princess, white cheeked honey eater |
Long before John started calling me "Princess" I admired his photos of this flower. All my other times to Australia, these were not in flower in his garden. I was so happy when I noticed this time around it was starting to show its lovely pink flowers.
Eucalyptus caesia, commonly known as Caesia, Gungurru or Silver Princess, is a mallee of the Eucalyptus genus. It is endemic to the central Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, where it is found on a ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Monday, April 22nd 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: art deco, Barb, brockman house, bussel family, cat, Chapel of St. Mary and St. George, grace bussell, grammar school, Guildford, heath ledger, john, Roses, sam isaacs, town hall, western australia |
After riding through Guildford some time ago on our way to somewhere else. we decided to return as it looked like a lovely place for photos.
Guildford was established in 1829 on the Swan River, being sited near a permanent fresh water supply. During Captain Stirling's exploration for a suitable site to establish a colony on the western side of the Australian continent in the late 1820s, the exploration party of boats found a fresh water stream across the river from ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Tuesday, April 16th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: birthday, cake, candle, cheesecake factory, cvs, enric, jenny, laura, lilac, miquel, miranda, party, party hats |
When you're far from the ones you love, sometimes you just do what you have to do to be with them, especially on important occasions. Enric set it up so that we would Skype when they would celebrate Miranda's actual date of birth, as it seems she already had a sweet weekend to celebrate, which is the Lopez way. So my Tuesday morning in Australia, and the family in Maryland their Monday night, we were off.
It was just getting ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Tuesday, April 16th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: aquarium, aqwa, blue devil fish, crayfish, daisy coral, devil fish, lion fish, lobster, moon jellies, ray, sea horse, sea snake, spotted jelly, stone fish, touch pool, turtle pool, western australia |
Continuing from Part 1 of our visit to the Aquarium of Western Australia
Lobsters, called crayfish here, have teeth in their stomach!
I had always admired John's photos of moon jellies in the past. This is my attempt.These animals have no brain, blood or heart!
Spotted Jelly
The Common Lionfish is a spectacular looking fish that has 13 venemous dorsal fin spines.
The Scorpian Fish
Blue Devil Fish
Sea snakes are some of the most venomous snakes in the world! ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Tuesday, April 16th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: aquarium, aqwa, clown fish, grey nurse sharks, leafy sea dragon, pineapple fish, shipwreck coast, slime, sting ray, weedy sea dragon, western australiam |
So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:21
This is only my second visit to the Aquarium here in Western Australia. The first visit was new and sweet, but this second visit seemed to give us more time to explore.
AQWA is divided into five ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Sunday, April 14th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: carnival, children sand, Hillary's boat harbor, L.I.T., lights, perth, rides, sunset, western australia |
We weren't sure it was a good night to get sunset photos with all the clouds, but we thought Hillary's would be a good place to try. Even if the sunset wasn't a great one, there are other things to do at Hillary's Boat Harbor.
Been here a few times and never noticed that little lighthouse.
There started to be a little color in spite of the thick clouds.
Loved the color on the wet sand.
Then it got ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Sunday, April 14th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: australia, Barb, dining room chair, john, porch, rainbow, sanding, skies, verandah |
I call it a porch, John calls it a verandah.
The view across the street while sitting on the porch.
John sanding the dining room chairs, our project this year.
The view from the side of the porch.
One morning, a rainbow.
Another day's view across the street.
What's growing in the yard.
One of many Banksias. ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Monday, April 8th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: Barb, blue crab, boat, canals, crow, cruise, dolphin, john, kisses, mandurah, signs, silly, tour |
We should have known we were in for a silly day the way it started.
Earlier in the week, John received a call from a fellow who was interested in buying one of his photos. They were settling on price and a place to meet for delivery, how many photos and what size, and then John found out where he lived, in Mandurah. Instead of meeting somewhere or having the man come here to pick it up, John offered to take ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Sunday, April 7th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: Barb, beach, john, joy, perth, psalm, rejoice, sunset |
We went off to look at what looked like it could be a nice sunset. To the beach in a hurry and we barely arrived in time. It was a lovely sunset and as we were walking towards it, we looked back to the houses that were perched there and were so curious as to how people could build a house right by the ocean and not stop each day and appreciate the sun setting, all balconies were empty.
But finally, ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Sunday, April 7th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: Barb, dutch, duyfken, fishing, Fremantle, harbor, john |
In 1606, the small Dutch ship Duyfken sailed from the Indonesian island of Banda in search of gold and trade opportunities on the fabled island of Nova Guinea.
Under the command of Willem Janszoon, Duyfken and her crew ventured south-east. They sailed beyond Os Papuas (Papua New Guinea)and explored and chartered part of the coast of Nova Guinea. They did not find gold - but they did find the northern coast of a huge continent: Australia. Captain Janszoon was the first ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Saturday, April 6th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: adelaide steamship, Barb, fadunito, Fremantle, gabez, japan, john, pietro porcelli, port authority building, rob torres, streets, unbrella, wilson signs |
As I wrote in my last blog, Fremantle is a bit of a puzzle to me, so many different things to see and observe in one place.
After a visit to the markets, we strolled around the streets of Fremantle, with more than the ususal to see because this time Freo was having its annual Street Arts Festival. So sometimes we were looking at the buildings and architecture and other times watching a comedy routine or a juggling act.
I recognized ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Thursday, April 4th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: anchor, art center, Barb, boys school, cheese, churches, emu oil, england, fig tree, Fremantle, insane asylum, john, looney bin, markets, naval memorial |
Fremantle is a hard place for me to get my head around and to describe to others. It reminds me of Annapolis in that there is a harbor and it's very historic. There really is more to it than that. It has Aboriginal history, it has this whole Navy and Submarine base background, it's a fishing town, a University town, it has a historical prison, but it also has this bohemian, artsy, carefree, relaxed ambiance amongst buildings that look like ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Wednesday, April 3rd 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: Barb, dam, dragonfly, good friday, john, john forrest national park, kangaroo, waterfall |
Less than a month ago we went to John Forrest National Park, hoping that we could see a waterfall, but there had been no rain to speak of and no waterfall, not one drop!
With a holiday weekend ahead and two good rains behind us, we thought we would try again. I mean, the weather had said they got one month's rain in one day, worth a try, no? John wasn't making any promises for water.
This time, we went a different ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Wednesday, April 3rd 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: Barb, beatles, changes, desk, jeff, john, office, space, wave of her hand |
"Changing my life with the wave of her hand.." The Beatles
I've been repeatedly accused of changing the house with 'the wave of my hand.'
Well some changes were needed, but I now really like that Beatles song. :)
I had some difficulty convincing my husband that his new bride needed an office space of her own. He would point to his desk and wave his hand as if to say, we can share this. I thought about it, looked around and just ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Sunday, March 31st 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: grammar school, heath ledger, kangaroos, picnic, salmon, sexy |
We were off on an outing, so I was glad to have my camera ready.
Like when John casually announced as we drove through a town that this was a complex where Heath Ledger...
attended Grammar school. So I grabbed a photo for Laura.
Not just any boneless salmon sold here, we get the :"sexy" kind.
I was glad to have the camera ready when a mob of kangaroos show up at the picnic area of the park! This one ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Wednesday, March 27th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: big, koondoola, spider, western australia |
If this thing moves closer to our house, I won't be able to sleep at nights!
I've seen these before but they were up high, this one was closer to eye level and as big as my hand! See the little one above it? I thought it was a baby, John thinks it's the male.
I mistakenly thought that the daddy spider was above.
Mrs. Spider was definitely busy eating a bee.
a magnificent creature, no doubt, I just hope ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Wednesday, March 27th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: Barb, cream, john, panda, recipe, scones, strawberry jam, tea, tea mug, washington dc zoo |
Tea is an important item in the house. Having fun things to eat with the tea can be a bonus.
So, I made John scones to have with his tea. He was right, they tasted much like my mom's biscuits.
John's tea mug from Washington D.C. and his scones with strawberry jam and cream.
Basic Scones Recipe:
Ingredients
plain flour, for dusting
3 cups self-raising flour
80g butter, cubed
1 to 1 1/4 cups milk
jam and whipped cream, to serve
Step 1Preheat oven to 200°C. Lightly dust a ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Wednesday, March 27th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: beaches, bicycle, bus tour, lighthouse, olive tree, osprey nest, quokkas, Rottnest Island, shipwreck, tea trees |
After our adventure boat ride, we hopped on a bus for our tour of the Island on dry land. I guess it was too late for some, we were the only two people on the bus.
Salt lakes occupy ten per cent of the area of Rottnest Island.
As an A Class Nature Reserve, Rottnest Island preserves and protects its natural beauty; spectacular flora, abundant marine life and wildlife and many unique species.
Cars are not allowed on the island, ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Tuesday, March 26th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: adventure tour, beaches, bella diva, boat, calm, caves, fur seals, movie, other half lives, peaceful, perth in the distance, rottnest, unsinkable, you tube, YouTube |
After taking the ferry ride to Perth, and getting there late, we had no time to waste climbing aboard our next tour, the Adventure Tour around Rottnest Island. Basically this was the excitement I had been waiting for all week!
Our first view of Rottnest Island while still on the Ferry.
This was to be the next vessel to go around the island. They don't tell you a few things when you purchase your ticket; like children three and under ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Tuesday, March 26th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: Barb, boarding, cargo, cvs, eye glass, ferry, Fremantle, jellyfish, john, ladies, marinas, perth, repair kit, Rottnest Island, sailboat, views, world travelers |
Last weekend we booked a ferry to Rottnest Island and I have to admit, I was very excited about going.
To get to the island, one option is the ferry. We chose to leave from Perth. The ferry ride takes 90 minutes.
We got there early, and we got a chance to get a good look at the ferry we would be taking while waiting to board.
Almost 30 minutes waiting after boarding, I am still smiling and very excited still ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Monday, March 25th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: creamer, front yard, garden, Rubí, Silas, street, sugar bowl, valentines |
New creamer and sugar bowl for our kitchen :)
Valentines arrived from Silas and Rubí and were quickly placed on the fridge.
On my walk this day, couldn't help but take a photo of this front yard on the street where we live. ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Monday, March 25th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: Barb, bird of paradise flower, devonshire tea, fire station, frappelatte, Hatch Buiilding, high tea, jacaranda trees, john, moon and sixpence, mural, nescafe, perth, perth mint, river, St Andrew's Uniting Church, The Palace Hotel, Trinity Uniting Church, underpass |
Carrying on from the bus tour part 1
:)
One of the fun things of John taking me places in Perth is his ability to point out, "See that sign? I had a hand in making that." This is just one example, and I asked him to let me get a photo in front of it as the bus went past.
A look back at Perth
Crossing the river to Burswood
It wasn't until it was almost over that we were ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Monday, March 25th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: bankruptcy, Barb, bus tour, city, hotel wentworth, Illustrations house, john, kings park, lemon scented gum trees, milton chambers building, palm trees, perth, Perth Architecture, Perth Arena, perth bell tower, queens building, swan bells, telephone exchange, tobacco warehouse, willis building |
After a fun wait
So this was a trip around Perth with the Hop on Hop Off Option...
and...
This was the bus. :)
...We finally made our way on our tour passing by Kings Park's Lemon Scented Gum trees...
and past a view of Perth.
Desborough House
Illustrations House, 885 Wellington Street, Perth, WABuilt: 1903
The architectural inspiration comes from "Eternity", a highly complicated puzzle – with a 2 million euro award for who can solve it – and from the ... Read More
