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

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

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

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

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

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

  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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"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

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

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

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

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

Our backyard has a lemon tree. I went out there with the intention of getting some lemons for my tea. There were many to choose from. It occurred to me that I really don't know when one is ready to be picked. I soon deducted if it comes off easy with just a tug, it's ready. Our wedding photos wall grouping is now complete. If it makes anyone feel better, even professional printers have issues with their in home ... Read More

Then I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. Leviticus 26:4 Normally, rain doesn't excite me, we get enough in Maryland. We make plans and even create rain dates when the plans fall through thanks to the weather. This is Maryland life. Just this week John and I went somewhere to book an outing, and as John was paying for it, I asked the ... Read More

Any day that looks like it might have an interesting sky for  sunset, we usually head out to the beach. It was a nice way to wind down John's birthday. We chose a location we had been before. I am sweet on it, since he brought me here right before we got married, trying to cheer me up from my lost luggage. That had a happy ending. I never get tired of studying the water and how the waves come ... Read More

This day was John's actual birthday. He woke up as usual but this time with an excited wife and presents. Of all things, this day was voting day, a state election. We decided to take part in a guided bushwalk and then we would go to vote. As we drove by the polling place, a school, I got a photo. It looks much like an American voting place, I thought, Banners, lines, and volunteers helping their candidates. Introductions made, it was ... Read More

I've been known to give my children a birthday week, not just a birthday day. Sometimes it's even felt like a birthday month. I wouldn't love on my husband any less, and he had a birthday week. All week he had special things prepared for him and such. So, a few days before his birthday, I had Jeff and Jamie over for a special pre-birthday dinner. When the boys arrived they both took notice that the house is starting to have a ... Read More

Often when John takes me somewhere, I think of my children, if only they could see this...but today, I REALLY thought of my kids. They love a nice hike and the prospects I saw for Enric to enjoy mountain biking were abundant here in John Forrest National Park. John Forrest National Park is one of Australia's oldest conservation areas and Western Australia's first national park. The area was first established in 1898 as a reserve to conserve its many natural and cultural ... 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

John needed to have some work done to his car. We drove it to the shop and decided to walk back home through the bush. It was early and not yet too warm for a nice walk in the bush. Soon we came to a discovery of inch ants. I had already heard John speak of these creatures enough to know to respect them, but not enough to have me run in the other direction, no, I needed to take ... Read More

We reached the one year mark. We spent the whole day together, which was present enough for me... I guess as a wife I passed the test, and now we have a bank account together :) So that was the first order of business, and the rest of the day was spent shopping, eating out, strolling together. John had a gorgeous lunch: Do you think that eclair is big enough? My husband sure has a sweet tooth. In the evening, we went to Hillary's ... Read More

Carrying on from our trip to the Wildlife Park... Two what seemed, lovey, Purple-crowned lorikeets. Australian Kestral Pacific black ducks Wood (Maned) ducks   Then it was time to visit the koalas. This and the Kangaroos is the best part of the park. They are soooo soft. This is the most I have seen one MOVE. :) Red-browed firetail finch Tawny Frogmouth Barn Owl Blue-faced honey eater John revisits the loorikeets. 4 posts to show off one visit to Caversham Wildlife Park and ... Read More

What's a visit to Caversham without seeing the blue fairy wrens that roam about freely? Blue fairy wrens just make me happy. The male still had some of his color. They hopped and flitted around us for a good while. John got a movie. :)   We got to meet the Wedged-tailed eagle and watch her have some lunch. I couldn't help but wonder if Silas would be fascinated...or upset to see the eagle eat the baby chicken. Perhaps because we went on ... Read More

I guess this is my third time going to Caversham Wildlife Park. Each time John takes me, it's a happy event. I love this place, it's just that special. Rainbow lorikeets. Found in forests of north and east Australia, introduced in the Perth area, I was quite taken with them. Especially when they became so playful. John enjoys watching me with the birds I think. They just make me light up. :) This one was quite taken with himself, his ... Read More

Each year it is made available greens verge collection in John's area. Years ago when I first met John, I didn't even know what verge meant. Verge = a strip of grass or other vegetation beside a road. I guess we would call it a curbside collection. They are limited to tree prunings ONLY up to a total of 3m3. We are lucky the weekend was cooler.I dedicated myself to be John's helper, not willing to brave his ladder or tools ... Read More

We got to Bold Park a bit late, but it was a cooler day and I think we both just wanted to walk somewhere. Bold Park is a 437-hectare (1,080-acre) urban bushland area in the suburb of City Beach, in Perth, Western Australia. It is located 8 km directly west of the central business district, its western border less than one kilometre from the Indian ocean. To the east, Perry Lakes reserve is directly adjacent to the park. The hilly topography ... 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