Sighted at our front gate this morning. Pretending that it's quite okay for him to be nibbling on the shrubs, given the cuteness factor.

Labels: Australian life, my everyday life

This headline caught my eye on news.com.au this morning. Made me think, hmm, Tim Tams for breakfast, mmm. Except I have no Tim Tams in the house so made do with a bagel and cream cheese and marmalade. Mmm. But back to the TimTam, which happens to be Australia's favourite chocolate biscuit (in America you might call that a cookie) to the tune of 400 million per year, making it the highest per capita chocolate biscuit/cookie consumption in the world. I'm not surprised. We do love out Tim Tams, we do. I also learned that the Tim Tam is named after a Kentucky Derby winner. And that there is indeed a tasting panel for quality control (both hands up for THAT job!) Lots of other facts and trivia as well as the process of making them in this gallery.

Labels: Australian life, chocolate, Tim Tams

Have been watching the spring racing carnival (racing = horse racing; carnival = Melbourne.) Two things that tickled me. The first is, during betting updates, the references to "top-flight" money. Example: the racing desk crosses to smickly dressed bookmaker for an update and bookmaker says, "all the top-flight money is for Cinderella Deal." Who knew some money was better than the rest?

Second thing that caught my eye is a set of racing colours or silks. Owners have their own registered design, a combination of colours and patterns, worn by the jockey. Some use a logo. Some are quite plain. The owners of a mare named Absolutelyfabulous decided on distinctive. Their colours are designed to look like a tuxedo or dinner suit. Wish I had a picture, but I don't, so take a look at this picture and imagine with black sleeves and sides, white down the centre front. And a black bow tie at the neck. I kid you not.

If you owned a racehorse, what colours would you put your jockey in?

Labels: Australian life, my everyday life

For those who don't have spring flowers to enjoy at the moment--I have irises, in mauve and deep purple, pure white, the tenderest pink, and a rich apricot--then here is your own spring flower garden to enjoy without even leaving your computer. Click and enjoy. I'm off to water, since it hasn't rained again. :-(

Labels: Australian life, my everyday life

As a season, spring distracts me more than any other. In winter, it's perfect to sit inside all warm and cosy in front of the computer. In summer, same deal but with air-conditioning. Our autumns come with dust and wind; but spring brings green and sunshine and a sense of regeneration. A perfect fertile time for the imagination, for story-building, for thoughts of romance: all true. But it takes mighty willpower to spend these perfect days at a computer, lost in someone else's world when this one -- the real world -- is at its best.

In spring I'm drawn to walk, to garden, to do anything that is an excuse to be outdoors. There is also the distraction of spring sport events. Our football finals for example, both Australian Football and rugby league, take place late in September. See what I mean?

Then there is the horse-racing. Have I mentioned that I am a complete fangirl of beautiful glossy athletic horses? And spring brings out Australia's best, all leading up to our Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday in November.

Spring also means birth, and although we aren't expecting any foals this year we do have plenty of lambs. We have one more than we might have done this week. A pair of wedge-tail eagles took up residence on our property a couple of years back. Magnificent birds, but their stocks took a dive last week (much like all stocks, but that's another story) when they decided on lamb for dinner. Not a small newborn but a guy this size ====+=>>>>>

Luckily my husband noticed and rescued the poor traumatized fellow who, fingers crossed, will pull through. (Don't you love a happy ending? And a hero who is all cool and capable?)

Another spring distraction that is no fun at all is the angry buzz of cropdusting planes. They are spraying for aphids and heliothis in neighbours' canola crops, some days three of them working together. A sure way to shatter the spring ambience.

Labels: Australian life, farm, my everyday life

This year will be my fifth RWA conference and my fifth signing. Here is the list of participating authors. All 520 of them. If anyone can fit THAT in a photo, I would love to see it!

Labels: Australian life, Conference, RWAmerica

Yesterday was the most godawful day down here in the land of Oz. Gale-force winds howling around my office windows, blowing dust through every hint of a crevice. I swear it got into my eyes while I was sleeping last night. My first job today (after washing my eyes) was dusting, not because I'm housework obsessed or anything, but because I hate the feel of grit beneath my fingers on the keyboard.

Apparently it was even worse further south. This picture is of Melbourne; if you look hard you can just make out the cityscape in the background through the dust.

Moving on from boring weather details to Idol. I was trying to think of a clever segue from dust to Dolly, but that would be just disrespectful and Dolly always seems so nice. And she's so tiny.

Anyway, a whole show of Dolly Parton songs? I thought this might prove a trainwreck but I liked their interpretations, mostly, with only Ramiele and Jason not so much. Who'd have thought the guys would shine on Dolly songs? Both Davids and Michael were terrific. Can't pick one from those three as my favourite performance.

I think the bottom 3 this week might be all girls. Ramiele, Syesha, Kristy Lee.

Labels: American Idol, Australian life

...when last week there was only dust.

This is our farm taken from the air a week ago, when a friend flew past on a dirty, dusty day. Hopefully after this week's lovely, slow, gentle rain we may be green in another week.

Labels: Australian life

Three disparate subjects it would seem, but they do share a common link. Competition. I'm not sure how or why competition fits into pursuits such as writing and singing. I know there's no definitive: this book is better than that book, or this singer is better than that. It all depends on who is reading or listening and in the case of competition, who is judging.

My mixed feelings don't stop me hanging out for the announcement of RITA finalists each year. These are the books which gained the highest scores from the fellow RWA members who read them in first-round judging. That's five readers, five opinions, five scores. But because it's a peer-judged contest, we authors do love RITA.

I entered books from 2002-2006, got some truly horrendous scores and then in 2006 I was the world's luckiest writer and a triple finalist. I decided it could never get any better and so I haven't entered since. Yet yesterday, when the calls to finalists went out, I had the jitters something fierce. Probably on behalf of all my mates who'd entered. Congratulations to all the finalists, with a special Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, oi-oi-oi shout-out to Kelly Hunter, Anne Gracie and Anna Campbell, and to Golden Heart finalists Tracey O'Hara and Helene Young.

Have you checked the finalists? Any books you read there that you read and loved last year?

This week I've been glued to the nightly coverage of the Australian swim championships, also our Olympic trials. We have top swimmers, no question, but they've been swimming Very Fast Indeed this week in their high-tech swimsuits. Apparently they were partially designed by NASA. Apparently they cost $600 each. Apparently in the past 39 days, 13 world records have been broken, 12 by swimmers wearing them. My husband says they should be banned. I say they should be made available to all swimmers, not just the countries that can afford them, so in Beijing everyone is on the same playing field...or pool.

Between RITA and the swimming, I almost forgot about Idol last night. I missed Ramiele but caught the rest. Loved Michael's Queen tribute but then loved David Cook's interpretation of Billie Jean even more. He's not my favourite personality but props to him for crafting the old classics into contemporary versions.

I'm worried that Carly might go. Really did not like her last night, horrid song at the best of times and she looked soooo tense that I couldn't watch her. Worryworryworried about her surviving. Do I look as tense as she did?

Labels: Australian life, Idol, RITAs, sport

Yesterday was the most awful day down here in the land of Oz. Gale-force winds howling around my office windows, blowing dust through every hint of a crevice. I swear it got into my eyes while I was sleeping last night. My first job today (after washing my eyes) was dusting, not because I'm housework obsessed or anything, but because I hate the feel of grit beneath my fingers on the keyboard.

Apparently it was even worse further south. This picture is of Melbourne; if you look hard you can just make out the cityscape in the background through the dust.

Moving on from boring weather details to Idol. I was trying to think of a clever segue from dust to Dolly, but that would be just disrespectful and Dolly always seems so nice. And she's so tiny.

Anyway, a whole show of Dolly Parton songs? I thought this might prove a trainwreck but I liked their interpretations, mostly, with only Ramiele and Jason not so much. Who'd have thought the guys would shine on Dolly songs? Both Davids and Michael were terrific. Can't pick one from those three as my favourite performance.

I think the bottom 3 this week might be all girls. Ramiele, Syesha, Kristy Lee.

Labels: American Idol, Australian life

January 26 is Australia Day, the national day set aside for celebrating everything that is wonderful about Australia and being Australian. Today on my way home from the weekly grocery shop, I was listening to a radio phone-in on "what's unAustralian". Very funny stuff, much of it as dry as the red centre (as opposed to the flooded north), and much of it referencing our laidback, let's-not-take-life-too-seriously lifestyle.

On Australia Day many communities host organized fun events--parades and fireworks, sporting events and concerts--as well as the more formal events which include flag-raisings, citizenship ceremonies and presentation of community achievement awards. These local ceremonies often include a keynote speech by an "Australia Day ambassador," that title a recognition of the individual's contribution to society.

We also acknowledge Australians who have made extraordinary contributions. In 2008 the "Australian of the Year" is popular country singer-songwriter Lee Kernaghan, who has been a real champion for country communities battling the long drought. He's also a genuine, all-round good guy who has never let fame turn his head. Of course, where there's an Australian of the Year there must also be an UN-Australian of the Year and apparently that dubious honour has gone to our new Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for...wait for it...visiting a New York strip club and acting like a complete gentleman. Apparently that is unAustralian. Bron rolls her eyes.

Why do we celebrate our national day on January 26? Because on this day in 1788 Captain Arthur Phillip took formal possession of the colony of New South Wales. Cool little piece of family history: one of my ancestors had the dubious honour of carrying Captain Phillip ashore. Apparently naval captains didn't much like getting their feet wet. Even more interesting is that he and his wife--Henry and Susannah Kable--were part of the first (group) wedding ceremony at the new colony. Henry and Susannah Kable were transported to Sydney as convicts, along with their illegitimate child who was born in prison. They were able to travel together on the "Friendship" in the First Fleet after Lord Sydney intervened to prevent them being separated. A true hero.

Labels: Australian life

I live pretty close to a licorice and chocolate factory. This place makes the yummiest chocolate-coated licorice evah and also has become quite the tourist attraction with guided tours that take you through the process.

Mmm, licorice.

Since, I am feeling in a celebratory mood today, I may just go treat myself. And while I'm there, I could purchase an extra pack to go with the August contest prize.

Would that be a good idea?

Labels: Australian life, chocolate, contest

It's been a blogging drought here at the Sunburnt Country but I saw something on the weekend's news that I just had to break the drought to comment on. Mostly because I just love that headline. Mandrought. Isn't that a cool term? I could imagine using it all kinds of ways when writing (although, rats, it does not suit my current characters' situation!)

Anyways, in the story I saw on Weekend Sunrise it referred to a shortage of men in Cairns, a decent-sized city in the far north of Queensland which is very popular with tourists. Apparently men in their 30's-40's are far outnumbered by women, so in the interests of public service I thought I should get that message out. Y'know, in case anyone's looking to visit and wanting to check out the manscape. ;-) Although I should point out, in the interests of full disclosure, that there are plenty of men in the 50's-60's demographic.

Mostly I just wanted to use the words mandrought and manscape!

Labels: Australian life, fun stuff

Religious beliefs aside, what is the Easter weekend to you? Here in Australia it marks the start of school holidays (2 weeks), the Sydney Royal Easter Show, the autumn racing carnival, and a four-day weekend which sees most Aussies either immersed in family foodfests or camping. That long weekend paired with the weather--still early-autumn warm days, but with crisp nights that are perfect for campfires--has turned Easter into a massively popular time for camping in the land of Oz.

Myself, I've never been the camping type. Who was it who said something along the lines of: the only stars I camp under are the five-star variety? Well, that describes me, pretty much. Not because I don't like the outdoors--I do!-- but from what I've observed camping involves a lot of work, in preparation, in cooking over said fire (I cook every night at home; holidays for me involve NOT cooking), and in packing up and cleaning everything on return home.

That said, I admit to camping on the outback safari we did a couple of years back. That was pure necessity and we had guide-people who did the cooking and everything was supplied, pretty much, so I guess it was camping for cheats. And I must admit I loved the company and the conversations around the campfire, so maybe I should give it a try again.

Labels: Australian life, holidays

Australia has a handful of icons that are instantly recognisable. Uluru, kangaroos and koalas, the Opera House, Hugh Jackman, the Sydney Harbour Bridge (affectionately known as the coathanger.) This weekend just passed saw Sydney, a city that just loves an excuse to party, celebrating the bridge's 75th Anniversary. Hundreds of thousands walked the bridge (see picture) and after sunset watched a cool light show from vantage points around the harbour. No fireworks this time, a good call since they've been done already this year for New Year's and Australia Day. Apparently a crowd of 750,000 turned out for the opening 75 years ago. Now THAT'S a party!

Labels: Australian life, Sydney

No, I'm not at the beach today. I'm sitting here in my office chair avoiding the heat and dust and flies that represent summer where I live, and doing a thousand-and-one accumulated business tasks. Then I have a synopsis to write. IOW, I'm procrastinating.

Anyway. I realised that although I blogged about heading off on the beach holiday, and I blogged about some of the non-beach activities, I didn't actually mention the beach. So here it is. The beach. From where I reclined in a rented lounger under a rented beach umbrella (I don't do baking in the sun anymore), watching the world dawdle by. I did swim. Despite the bluebottles and the announcements from the Surf Lifesavers that we shouldn't worry. The suckers sting, but once you've ridden the pain you'll be okay. Nice to know, although I'm not a fan of pain.

I took a book, natch, but spent more time people watching. Seeing what *they* were reading. Watching more athletic people than I running and playing beach volleyball and surfing. In the picture you can see a group of school kids heading into the water with their boards. We figured it had to be school sports afternoon. How lucky are they, surfing?

Labels: Australian life, beach, holidays

...has 21 light bulbs, according to a story on tonight's news. I just did a count and, guess what? Our home has exactly 21 light bulbs. I guess I can honestly say that I live in "an average Australian home."

There was a reason for the news story, by the way. In a world first, the Australian government is phasing out the manufacture and use of ordinary light bulbs. Over the next two years they'll be replaced by fluorescent alternatives which will greatly reduce the greenhouse emissions/global warming thing. By 2009 we will all be using the safer, cooler, more energy-efficient model and the old ones will be banned.

I love my country.

Labels: Australian life

I've seen the iconic Sydney landmark more times than I can count, yet I still reach for my camera and click-click-click every time I'm this close. It's just so...Sydney. The skyline would be empty without those white sails, and I guess that is why the Opera House appears on so many covers of romance novels. Often placed in completely unbelievable locations. I saw one recently with it visible in the background of a surfbeach. Um, no, not really. Have also seen it combined with the Harbour Bridge in ways that defy perception. It has even graced the cover of one of my foreign copies (see below.) Do you have a favourite landmark or building that you can't help snapping whenever you see it?

Labels: Australian life, holidays, Sydney

I will get to the memorable read in a few, but first a quick lesson in Australian geography. A range of mountains (which, by international standards, are more akin to large hills) runs the eastern length of our country, separating the heavily populated coast from the significantly less populated interior. One of the first challenges for early European adventurers was traversing that range. From where I live (the interior) we have to cross The Great Divide to get to the beach.

(Mini lesson over.)

Crossing the mountains on Sunday, we drove past a guesthouse where mt dh and I spent a romantic weekend many years ago. We reminisced about that weekend and the convolutions that got us there. I'd booked the accommodation, booked the babysitting sister-in-law, and then Wheel of Fortune rang with an invitation for a return appearance. They were doing a Champion of Champions week. Would I be interested?

Long story short, I arranged to fly to Adelaide (South Australia) for the taping and back to Sydney from where I would catch a train to the Blue Mountains guesthouse. My dh would drive up from the other side and there we would meet. Kinda like a clandestine rendezvous. Cool and romantic.

It all worked out as planned and there I was at Sydney Central, waiting for my train. I browsed for a book to read on the several-hour journey and I picked up my very first Silhouette Desire. Title: Private Reasons. Author: Justine Davis. Why this book: I love me a romance which is also a horse story. This one featured a free-spirited heroine who ran stables and she was training this fabulous black stallion. Quite the picture she made for our hero, a starchy accountant single-father, battling to understand his rebellious (horse-loving) teenage daughter.

This book made such an impression on me. I loved the characters, the sensuality, the storyline, and I gulped it down cover-to-cover on that train trip to the mountains. I hadn't yet started writing but when I did this book, on some subconscious level, influenced the kind of books I would write. I love writing opposites-attract stories. I love giving animals/pets a secondary role. And I did write my own starchy single-dad financier and my own free-spirited heroine.

A lot of books are brilliant, wonderful, cover-to-cover, can't-put-down indulgences, but this one made such a mark I can still remember the whole story of HOW I came to read it as well as the read itself. How about you? Do you have one such memorable read, where you remember where you were and how you came to choose that book?

Labels: Australian life, holidays, reading, Silhouette Desire