Perfect Day

The weather was absolutely perfect today, the temperature was 28 C, the sky was blue, and there was just a slight northerly breeze. It was what one would call an idyllic spring day.

So after enjoying a hearty husband cooked breakfast of bacon, eggs and button mushrooms, followed by buttered toast with marmalade and a cup of Earl Grey tea, we set off to enjoy some of that lovely sunshine.

Pup was sitting safely in his booster seat looking out the  car window as we set off up the road to Cardinia and Crystal Brook Park.

THE WATER TOWER

Cardinia Reservoir is truly stunning when the weather aligns as it did today . . . the water was a brilliant aqua and quite spectacular. Cardinia itself is a stunning expanse of water and is Melbourne's second-largest reservoir. The dam at the Reservoir is a rolled earth and rockfill embankment, and was completed in 1973.

NOT MY PHOTO

Crystal Brook Park that surrounds it, features a dedicated Kangaroo Viewing Trail, about 15 minutes one way, starting at the spillway carpark. The kangaroos are most active and easiest to spot grazing on the open grassy slopes during dawn and dusk. We were there mid morning, so all we saw was all the roo poo left behind after their dawn graze.

NOT MY PHOTO

Crystal Brook picnic ground is the perfect location to spend time relaxing in nature and exploring. There is plenty of parking, a playground which you can see here with the dam wall behind, barbecues, shelter and toilets.

We then drove to Emerald (the home of Puffing Billy) and stopped at the Over the Road Café for ice-cream cones. I had strawberry, hubby had mango sorbet and pup tried a little of both while we sat outside in the sun.

THE CAFE IS THE ONE WITH THE UMBRELLAS

Driving home via Beaconsfield meant hitting the Freeway and we were surprised by the amount of traffic on the road, it was like peak hour. Everyone has been airing their grievances about the cost of fuel here, however, it certainly didn't deter them from taking advantage the beautiful weather today.

Hope you enjoy the pics!

Big hugs,

X

A New Red Haired Doll

It was this time last year when I emailed Maxine at My Doll Best Friend to ask for a red haired Chosen Gotz Happy Kidz doll and she told me something was in the pipeline. I've been waiting ever since and had almost given up expecting one to arrive.

Then this morning at some unholy hour, I received an email saying there were TWO red haired Chosen dolls. I decided then and there to bring this one home . . . I mean look at her hair, it's gorgeous!

Her name is Orla, she is part of a really special double release in the exclusive Chosen series with Götz, limited to 250 worldwide.

For the very first time, they've used a brand new super pale vinyl colour. If you are aware of resin art dolls you will know exactly how special Orla is with her delicate pure appearance.

Orla will be my Christmas present to myself, and will make a perfect sibling for my Chosen blonde haired Kitty (2017).
Big hugs,
X

Things I Love and Those I Don't

Some of the things I love, apart from hubby, family (this includes my fur baby) & friends are :-
Dolls of course, teddy bears, doll houses, fabric & yarn (I have a stash of both), warm sunny days and being surrounded by colour.

I also like blogs which are interesting, and bloggers who really want to be part of a community, who want to converse with other bloggers.

Some of the things I enjoy doing:-
Designing clothes for my dolls (both knitted and sewn), writing short stories (especially fantasy ones) & poetry, illustrating, photography, going to fashion exhibitions with my daughter, blogging and chatting with my online blogger friends.

It's because of that last item, that I have been looking for more active blogs to add to my reading list, particularly those written by doll or craft enthusiasts. Well I did find a few, some were interesting, a couple that were . . . well they were just a bit boring (my attention isn't captured by a lot of moaning). Then there a few blog that would have really been interesting, if only they hadn't had so many distractions down the side columns.

Things I'm not fond of:-
Like most people, there are somethings I dislike, such as all white walls in a home, gossip, and grumpy people. There are of course, other things I just tolerate, like going for medical check ups.

However, one thing that really gripes me, is blogs that are inundated with advertising, so much so you cannot read a paragraph before you are bombarded with unwanted intrusions. Also blog layouts that are over the top, featuring highly decorated, maximalist or cluttered aesthetics.

I guess I'm a KISS person at heart and prefer people to . . . Keep It Simple Sweetheart!

What do you look for in a blog? Do you prefer to read simple style blogs, colourful blogs, "ad free" blogs or perhaps a combination?

Do you have any things you particularly love or dislike that you would care to share? Don't be shy, I'd love to read your thoughts.
Big hugs,
X