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

After some hard work getting ready for the greens collection, we were ready for it to be picked up. Even though it was a holiday for most (Labor Day), the truck with workers arrived. I guess the closest thing we have to this in Pasadena, is when they pick up our leaves in autumn. I leaned that in Australia, this is what a rake looks like: A little different from our design? I think mom would like it for spring raking. It ... Read More

After our sunrise at Whiteman Park, John suggested we go to the river. So off we went. I kept seeing something snake looking pop up out of the water and disappear quickly. Because of its long and slender neck, the Australasian Darter is sometimes called the snakebird. Usually inhabiting freshwater wetlands, darters swim with their bodies submerged beneath the water’s surface, with only the sinuous neck protruding above the water, enhancing its serpentine qualities. Darters forage by diving to depths of ... Read More

According to Wikipedia, A poker run is an organized event where participants, usually using motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, boats, snowmobiles, horses, or other means of transportation must visit five to seven checkpoints, drawing a playing card at each one. The object is to have the best poker hand at the end of the run. The event has a time limit, however the participants are not timed—winning is purely a matter of chance. Over the years, every February, John has shared with me ... Read More

Here, making each day of the year Changing my life with a wave of her hand Nobody can deny that there's something there ~ The Beatles My husband is learning that as a general rule, women are nesters, and I am no exception. I guess with a wave of my hand, I am making some changes, some are practical... ...like the whimsical dolphins now at the bottom of the tub. Unfortunately I slipped and fell last week, and Georgie donated them! Up ... Read More

God’s beauty is displayed in every sunset, His renown blazes brighter than every star, His grace is sweeter than honey. The world that surrounds us declares the glory of God! As a painting dimly captures the beauty of nature, so does nature itself dimly capture His splendor. The sky is a mirror reflecting the wonder that is our God.   Even before we were married, I asked John to get me to as many sunsets over the Indian Ocean as possible. ... Read More

Today wasn't as hot as it has been and the humidity was lower too. Seemed a perfect day to get out of the house, and why go alone when we have two active children in the home that aren't interested in taking naps. :) As we make our way out, Silas poses by my newly applied Australia Bumper sticker. He wants to go there so badly one day! Silas bends over to look into the drain by the side of the ... Read More

Saw this on Facebook, and I loved it. It looks like starting now, and if all goes to plan, Lord willing, I get to celebrate our Independence Day and Australia day there in January! ... Read More

From Wikipedia: Yowie was a brand of chocolate encased toy line, manufactured by Cadbury Australia and based on the mythology surrounding the Australian Yowie. Invented by Bryce Courtenay and Geoff Pike, they were similar to Kinder Surprises in that they are basically a chocolate shell around a plastic capsule, with a toy inside. Unlike Kinder Surprises, the toy is usually an Australian or New Zealand animal. There have been several series of Yowie toys; the first were animals, with limited edition ... Read More

Saturday, John and I were unsure what to do. Since he lives close to Whiteman Park, we decided to go there.     Magpies make me nervous, as I know they can be very aggressive. I  knew it wasn't their aggressive time of year, but I was leery just the same. John also seemed respectful of the bird as well. I do love the sounds they make.   ... Read More

Lake Monger is a large urban wetland on the Swan Coastal Plain in suburban Perth, Western Australia nestled between the suburbs of Leederville, Wembley and Glendalough.The lake is presently used extensively for recreation as well as being a major tourist attraction with up to 12,000 visitors per week (Middle, 1988). Activities include bird watching and exercise. A 3.5 km paved walking/cycling track encircles the lake which takes about 30 minutes to traverse by foot. After going to church on Sunday, and a ... Read More

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After our visit to the lighthouse, we made our way up the coast back to Siesta Park. We took our time exploring. Our first stop was at Foul Bay. There was nothing foul about it, it was peaceful, blue, pristine...I can never understand how we visit all these beaches and they always seemed untouched by humans. In the U.S. a beach like this with no shops or hotels wouldn't exist. We also drove through the Boranup Forest making our way up the coast. ... Read More

I am finally in Perth, and it's been a wild and crazy ride! I've done some hard things in my life, but saying good-bye to my family for a few months was definitely up there. Enric, Miranda, Laura and the kids all took me to the airport. It was BUSY and there was really no time for long good-byes. We were even late boarding, and I  guess I didn't really need to head into the security area as soon as I did, but ... Read More

I can't believe how fast this Christmas season seems to be going... We got our Australia package. John continues to spoil us. He sent very Aussie Christmas ornaments like the one pictured above, Boots for Laura, a Jarrah pen set for Enric, books for the Kids and Miranda, and also for Miranda some socks. He gave Rubí a stuffed toy Platypus. T-shirts for Silas and Cameron. To help mom with her collection, he sent her an adorable platypus figurine and for us ... Read More

I don't know Rupert Murdock personally, nor do I know much about him. I do know he has been in the news of late associated in a legal scandal regarding part of his empire called News of the World in England. My first question to myself was, "Why pick on just him?" Of course, I distrust the news media as much as politicians, so, given all the examples out there of media bias and their corrupt policies, it's hard to understand why ... Read More

A few things today... #1. The White House wants you to know that the military action in Libya is not a war. In the last few days, Obama administration officials have frequently faced the question: Is the fighting in Libya a war?  From military officers to White House spokesmen up to the president himself, the answer is no.  But that leaves the question: What is it?In a briefing on board Air Force One Wednesday, deputy national security adviser Ben ... Read More

I am not sure what the reason is for the changes of gifts, of traditional to modern,  from one head of state to another these days, but ipods filled with songs seems to be the new gift of choice. Author and nationally acclaimed gift-giving expert Robyn Spizman contacted the White House during the recent flap over President Obama's iPod gifts to Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Gordon Brown at the London G20 Summit.Spizman supported the President's non-traditional choice of ... Read More

I loved the quote, "Now that I've been to WA, I know so much more what it is to be Australian." Luke Webb & Desmond Neysmith's musical journey inspired by Australia ... Read More

Cronyism is partiality to long-standing friends, especially by appointing them to positions of authority, regardless of their qualifications. Hence, cronyism is contrary in practice and principle to meritocracy. Cronyism exists when the appointer and the beneficiary are in social contact; often, the appointer is inadequate to hold his or her own job or position of authority, and for this reason the appointer appoints individuals who will not try to weaken him or her, or express ... Read More

I am starting to upload to my gallery photos of Wave Rock in Australia. The visit there was short and a lot left to be explored. I hope to go back. :) Wave Rock Photos | Australia Photos Also I've created a short Animoto Slide show: Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com. ... Read More

People are increasingly starting to realize this truth due to successful grassroots campaigns. In yet another victory against this pervasive toxin, on February 8, 2011, the Calgary (Alberta, Canada) city council voted to stop 20 years of water fluoridation by a 10-3 vote. According to Calgarian James Beck, MD, PhD and co-author of The Case Against Fluoride, "This is important for the health of 1.1 million people right here. But also it will help us stop ... Read More

For photography of course! My first present of the year came from Australia via the Amazon! Amazon.com of course! Westcott 301 Photo Basics 40-Inch 5-in-1 Reflector So Laura and I went out to immediately try out the reflector for portrait photography. For those who don't know, reflectors help send light to your subject. Laura was my volunteer for my practice how to drive the reflectors today. We like the results! Thank you, John. I LOVE them! I promise to use them lots! ... Read More

While in Australia, we stopped by Yallingup Beach. It was breath-taking. I finally put a few photos of this wonderful place >> HERE Yallingup is a coastal township positioned on a hill overlooking the stunning Yallingup Beach. The coastline here is dramatic, as jagged rocks and high cliff faces are met by a haze of sea spray from the swell below. Yallingup Beach, Smiths Beach and Injidup Beach all offer some of the finest surf breaks in the world. One of ... Read More

My photos are now posted in the gallery »  HERE VALLEY OF THE GIANTS TREE TOP WALK east of Walpole, only 10 minutes from Nornalup, Bow Bridge and Peaceful Bay, in the Walpole-Nornalup National Park. The park is nearly 20,000 hectares of towering karri ... Read More

I just finished putting up Hamelin Bay photos up in my gallery. Please visit HERE! Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com. ... Read More

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com. Just finished today putting up the photos taken at Cape Leeuwin. Cape Leeuwin is the most south-westerly mainland point of the Australian Continent, in the state of Western Australia. A few small islands and rocks, the St Alouarn Islands, extend further to the south. The nearest settlement, north of the cape, is Augusta. South-east of Cape Leeuwin, the coast of Western Australia goes a lot further south. Located on headland of the cape is the Cape ... Read More

Naturally one of the places I had to take Georgie was downtown Baltimore and its Harbor. We lunched at Phillips Seafood and had some of their award winning crab cakes. Georgie liked both the crab cakes and the local beer. The dessert cart looked good, but we were stuffed. Georgie was interested in seeing the Aquarium, so after lunch, we were off to the National Aquarium. The first place we headed was the Australian section of course! We got to see wonderful creatures ... Read More

SHOP AUSTRALIA: Australian store for Aussie Souvenirs, Gifts and Foods. Worldwide delivery and Low prices. Find out more ... Read More

I've posted photos on my gallery of our two visits to Perth Zoo. Click Here, there are two pages to see! Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com. ... Read More

Just a quick movie to let you know I have uploaded a good many photos from the Kings Park Flower Festival. To see all the photos, click here, there are two pages. These are amazing flowers, so different than anything we have here in Maryland. Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com. ... Read More

Quite a few people have expressed interest in the photos taken in Australia. I took over 6,000 photos, but am trying to hand-pick a few to put in my gallery. The following is a start in a slow process. I hope you enjoy! Here is what I have so far: Random Photos of Australia Perth Hillary's Boat Harbor AQWA In the Hills Caversham Wildlife Park (2 pages) ... Read More

How could I say there is no God? When all around creation calls!! A singing bird, a mighty tree, The vast expanse of open sea I said to John while still in Australia, remarking on all its natural beauty, "If I didn't already believe in God or a Creator, I sure would now." It was really hard to look out the window of the car as we past so many living proofs of how amazing God is, and not just praise over and over again ... Read More

Kings Park is a 4.06-square-kilometre (1,003-acre) park located on the western edge of Perth, Western Australia central business district. The park is a mixture of grassed parkland, botanical gardens and natural bushland on Mount Eliza with two thirds of the grounds conserved as native bushland. With panoramic views of the Swan River and Darling Range, it is home to over 300 native plant varieties and 80 bird species. It overlooks the city as well as Perth Water ... Read More

Naturally as you go somewhere different you feel familiar with the similar things you see, but often what is different can be curious and exciting. In our short visit there, we saw a few curious and different things... As you go down the road, beware of Bobtail Lizards, they were out in some number. One night we did "Take Away" (we say carry out), and Jamie brought his own Chicken salt. Well, being open to try things, we quickly tried it on our ... Read More