~Floriade~

Floriade has come and gone for another year here in Australia

Floriade is Australia’s biggest celebration of spring. This iconic Canberra event, which is now in its 26th year, runs for 30 days over the months of September and October.

The tulips are the attraction here for most people

but when going with JoJo it is the Australia Fair Street Organ and it's Boss.......Rick!

“Australia Fair” is a Belgium built travelling Concert Organ. It was built in the workshops of Verbeeck’s Organ Works (Est 1884) in Antwerp and is the only travelling Concert Organ in Australia. It has entertained at all levels from local functions to “Yarralumla” – the residence of the Governor General of Australia.

The organ has the equivalent sound of a 20-piece band and operates on air pressure generated by a bellows and regulated by a reservoir. 

Jo's Hero Rick

Some of the 'books' played

After Rick comes the Ferris Wheel

above is a pic from the Ferris Wheel in action

All the while we meander through luscious beds of Tulips.....

Amongst them was this sign......there must've been a competition or something on

I had never heard of remote control candles before until Anita from Castles Crowns and Cottages told me about them so I had to have them!

They change colours too with the flick of the remote!!!

After we were finished there.........and had gone back to Rick 3 times we headed off back into the Canberra Centre shops and saw these beautiful models only I likened them to Faeries!

A great day out and always lovely to catch up with Rick again and watch JoJo's absolute joy with him and the Australia Fair Organ and the Ferris Wheel!

* S I N G *

Here's a pic of the 'Sing' bag I saw at Steph's recently

The bag is by Anni Downs and is from her latest book 'The Simple Life'

On the back it says 'Sing and the world sings with you'

Oh my goodness I'm so excited!!!

I think I have had 5 singing lessons for all of which I have been doing 'excersises' and yesterday I was given my first song......totally unexpected seeing I didn't do any practice whilst at Nundle...
I did think about it though Girlfriends (maybe JoJo may have started something here LOL by calling the Nundle girls Girlfriends)

My first song is 'Sweet and Low'  (Wind of the Western Sea)

It's a little Folk/Ballad Nursery Rhyme......Sweet and Low

to listen to it go over here

  I have read that it was originally written as a poem by English poet Alfred Lord Tennyson (1809-1892) and set to music by English composer Joseph Barnby (1838-1896)."

My version is from the book 'Jacky Dandy Song Book'
compiled and illustrated by Deborah Niland
Music by Patrick Niland

I must admit that I had a little tear as the words are so beautiful
My teacher said that's all right as Maria Callas apparently once said
I cry when I hear it
I cry when I sing it
and I cry when I rehearse it

How perfect is this bag now for me now that I have 'music and words' in a folder along with my practice CD!!!

So now it's off to practice I go......and start choosing fabrics for my SING bag...

~ F L O R I A D E ~ 2012

Last week JoJo and I took the drive up with Mr Armchair to see Canberra's Floriade

but secretly the real reason JoJo loves this event is that the Australia Fair Street Organ is there

along with the Ferris Wheel

Front of the Organ

and back...JoJo with Rick the Gentleman who travels with this marvelous piece and me

JoJo's choice of music ~Phantom of the Opera~

and I couldn't help thinking of my Brother when I saw these

He just loved Al Johnson while growing up

JoJo was thrilled when Rick gave her his postcard

Thanks so much Rick......we'll be back again next year......but you know that don't you

Next was the ferris wheel ride

The view looking down on part of Floriade

JoJo had to have a clown game

Gorgeous tulips

For last year's trip to Floriade and more pics click here

By then it was time for a coffee

Check out these light fittings in the tent

One of the stalls had a vast array of felt goods

Lovely 'stick ladies'

We caught the freebie bus back into town......this bus reminded me of a London Bus with its top deck

One of the scenes going back into town

A beautiful floral display in the Canberra Centre

On the way home we called into my Daughter's for dinner before driving back home again

Here I am with my little Grand daughter Lidija......she just loves cuddles......and to sing songs

We thoroughly enjoyed our lovely day out and look forward to next year's Floriade

~Girls Day Out~ and a surprise package from The Netherlands~

Pancakes with maple syrup it was!!!

Every 2nd Monday JoJo doesn't go to her programmes...

she loves a trip into town to have a cuppa and something to eat followed by a walk around our shops...

Seeing the kitchen floor (post below) was in it's last drying stages yesterday morning we headed out for breakfast on the waterfront...

And here she is outside the cafe with the Clyde River in the background...

work is being done due to storm damage hence the barriers in the foregroud

'Devonshire Tea Pancakes'......a bit full on with the jam and cream though!!!

Yesterday's purchases...

Music runs through JoJo's blood as does appreciation of movies and musical theatre...

her tastes vary greatly......Pink Floyd......Michael Crawford......Dean Martin......instrumental......Big Band

There is music in the family background which has helped her so much and if she could that's all she would do all day!

Other Mums of children with a disability have commented how much it must help with her having that interest......and it sure does, more that I can ever say
It gives Mr Armchair and I time whilst at home, especially on the weekends

All finished off with a nice new haircut in readiness for her upcoming birthday which is the talk of the household at the moment...

I came home to parcel for my belated birthday and geeeezzz it was like a birthday all over again...

From my dear Blogging Friend Simone

And all wrapped in this gorgeous paper......even including the Eiffel Tower...

the card......Simone often sends me food related cards...

the message...

the goodies...

Zakka style etui......small ornamental case

It could even fit my glasses in but I might put pencils in in as a lovely pencil came with the gift...

Pincushion...

I thought this little cushion might be a magnet but it is filled with dried rosebud and has a lovely scent!

Goodies all together...

and a pack of tissues with tulips on them...

this made me think of the song Tulips from Amsterdam which I hadn't thought of for many years...

Now I think I will be singing that tune all day now!!!

And for fun a Blast from the Past from You Tube Max Bygraves singing 'Tulips from Amsterdam'......Enjoy, Dzintra

Thank You/Bedankt so much Simone......I had a birthday all over again!!!