Happy Easter everyone

 Happy Easter to everyone 🐣🐣🐥 I hope everyone has a safe and happy Easter weekend. Enjoy the beautiful flowers in bloom and the company of those you love. 

Happy Valentine’s Day

 

Wishing everyone a happy Valentine’s Day and a wonderful weekend. You don’t need to be part of a couple to enjoy something nice. Treat yourself to something special whether it’s a cake and tea out somewhere or buying a bunch of flowers to liven up a room. Just have a wonderful day

Happy New Year 2026

 Let the New Year rip people, just don’t eat after midnight and don’t get wet and we should be good to go 🤣🤣🤣

On a serious note; a nice Scottish blessing to everyone. May the best that you ever see, be the worst that you ever see ❤️🍾🥂🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇦🇺

Tinsel and Home Alone back in style as TikTok seeks comfort in #90sChristmas

 https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/dec/20/tiktok-90s-christmas-trend-tinsel-home-alone

I think most people would reminisce about their childhood Christmas experiences regardless of age or era. Decorations  from their parent’s  or grandparents homes are usually treasured memories, and many people may want to recreate that nostalgia. This is a personal thing, I know that I do, I loved my paternal grandmother’s Christmas decorations and the 1950’s and 60’s fairy lights that came in all sorts of different colours styles and each bulb was different. There was always the testing of the fairy lights every year too, and without fail one or two would have burned out. 

Then it was a rush to the shops to get replacements. Just one light bulb not working would cause the set of lights not to light up. There were Santa faces, churches, reindeers, bud shaped bulbs of various colours, swirl styles and much more. I loved these bulbs as they were so colourful and varied in style. The lit up the lounge room window which looked great from the street at nighttime. 

The wall decorations are not so good nowadays as the quality has diminished as well as the length of the decorations. Original store bought decorations were a colourful tissue paper type in a honeycomb design, that stretched across the room. They lasted much longer than the foil decorations. The individual paper ones such as bells , Santa, snowmen or stars were two or three times the size of that is in the shops today. Unless you were a child prior to 1980, you may not have seen these particular types. You can of course see them in vintage style magazines and antique magazines that show old photos of the old days. 

When I was getting married I came across some glass ornaments similar to some of my grandmother’s and just had to buy them. That was back in 1988, lol, back in the day when we actually had quality products, and I still have them to this day too. I also have a few from my parents and my husband’s parents. 

I must admit that I love the old Home Alone 1 and 2 movies and watch them every Christmas. Not to forget the Muppets Christmas Carol and Miracle on 34th Street. I even have DVD’s of the original Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and old Christmas cartoons from the 1930’s. I still listen to the original Christmas music by Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra etc. These were a staple of my childhood Christmas memories and I introduced them to my children. I loved the old style fairy light bulbs and the smell of cigars at Christmas too, especially in Scottish winters as the air was cold and the aroma hung in the air. 

There is a special warmth from old memories, which are important in human memory and a foundation of our collective belonging and feelings as we grow up. Then we have our own children to share our experiences with as part of their family heritage. I don’t think the times are actually the reason for this resurgence, it’s cyclical and nostalgia. Without any experience from the past we have nothing to form a future no matter what the situation is. Humanity needs a history or past to make a future.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp398e49egpo

If you feel happy with what you do to celebrate Christmas then go with it, this is yours to enjoy and not to follow what is trendy. It’s not for others to tell you what to do. 

Christmas Lols

 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone

 Wherever you live in this busy world, have a wonderful weekend and take it easy. 

                                  Miss Ruby looking very cute, the photo is an AI image done by a friend. 

Christmassy vibes on YouTube YAY

 Righty'o  my precious possums how about some lovely vibes from YouTube? Get your party frocks on and enjoy some fun. 

This week I have been playing  Christmas videos on my tv, I just love the smooth Jazz with a lovely Christmas background video or Christmas songs and tunes. Here are some that I have watched, if you love this stuff then subscribe to the chanels. Relax Jazz cafe is one of my favourites and 25 Christmas Lane, Cozy Coffee Shop, I hope you enjoy watching these videos as much as I have. Credit to all the amazing people that make these beautiful videos. They give me so much pleasure even if the sound is switched off on my tv, I like the videos as a background feature  with the beautiful graphics. I love the old Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby songs, they bring back memories of childhood in Scotland. 

Enjoy watching xx

Peaceful Melodies, This is lovely music it's almost 4 hours long wow

LOl, l had to sneak a cat one in, lol. I love cats and especially glossy black cats 

Happy Thanksgiving America 2025

                                 Wishing everyone in  America a beautiful Thanksgiving 

Happy Father’s Day 2025

 Wishing all the dads a beautiful Father’s Day today and especially the first time dads it’s a big daunting task when the first baby arrives and life is forever changed in many ways. Enjoy your special day.

I include fur daddies in this too because being a fur parent is very important too, you are your fur baby’s world.  

Happy International Dogs Day Everyone

 Wishing all the doggies of the world a beautiful and happy International Dog Day, such beautiful souls deserve a wonderful and happy day every day of their lives. They give such pure and unconditional love to humans. Make sure you show your love to your beautiful fur babies every day ❤️🐶 

                                               Miss Ruby my little Empress ✨❤️✨

Christmas in July, it’s an Aussie thing

 https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crevj4nn34yo

Yeah, I don’t remember when this started but it’s a bit of seasonal fun for everyone to enjoy in our cold winter weather. This year has been exceptionally cold in Canberra, so it’s something that brings some cheer to everyone. I love Christmas decorations and winter anyway, so any excuse for fairy lights and tinsel is good enough for me. Many restaurants and clubs in Australia hold Christmas in July every year so people can enjoy the experience. I think we should put solar fairy lights around the garden for the winter to add some warmth and make the streets look welcoming. We often see fairy lights in the trees around shopping centres or restaurant strips all year round and they look lovely, giving a romantic atmosphere. So why not brighten up the winter with celebrating and creating a warm ambiance for everyone to enjoy in their own way. 

Happy 14th Birthday Miss Ruby

Happy 14th birthday my sweetheart ❤️🐶 the years have passed so fast with many beautiful memories and funny moments. Ruby is such a beautiful and loving soul and very much a big part of our family life. For a senior canine she still has plenty of energy to burn don’t you worry. She can move like lightning, especially if she hears someone at the door and puts the fear of god in strangers 🤪😂🤣 

Jack Russell’s don’t slow down not until their last breath. To be honest I would be lost without her, she is full of fun and keeps me on my toes, whether it’s stealing shoes to get a treat, doing the shopping bag inspection when we come home from the shopping or getting up to shenanigans. She love her food and treats, well she is royalty after all. The empress of the house  and a fine tea connoisseur to boot, she shares every single cup of tea with mummy and daddy, then drinks her own little cup of tea.The Jack Russell tax has to be paid with every cup of tea or every bite of food, and biscuit.  I just hope we have many more years with our beautiful girl, she is one in a million.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY  SWEET-PEA  WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH ❤️🥳🥳🥳🍰🐶

Australian winters shouldn't feel this unbelievably cold

 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-21/australia-winter-cold-insulation-freezing/105421176

Lol, try living in Canberra or down the Snowy Mountains, that’s cold 😂😂❄️☃️ I woke up to minus 7.8 this morning and still waiting for the dreaded minus 8 still to come. We used to have gas ducted heating in our house until the ACT government made it so expensive to use because of the BS climate change. They also stopped people having combustible fires to heat their homes too. Electricity prices have skyrocketed too. So heating your house in Canberra is very expensive now, many people have switched to using solar panels for energy efficiency but at night time you don’t get free electricity and you need to warm your house or you will freeze. Damned if you do and damned if you don’t. 

Off to spotlight everyone to buy thermal lined curtains and snakes for the doors. 😂🥶A good idea for open doorways is put a heavy curtain up to keep the heat in the room and stop the drafts coming down the hallway. Perhaps even a heavy curtain at the front door on the inside to close when you are home for the evening. Insulation tape around windows and door frames to prevent the cold from coming through also. 

I have noticed some people commenting online about using bubble wrap on windows in winter to use as insulation too. I guess you have to do what you have to do to, but don’t neglect ventilation to prevent black mould from building up on your windows, because that will make you ill. 

The writer of this article is a twat because fossil fuels will never run out that is utter BS. It is impossible for this planet to run out of fossil fuels or water either for that matter and everything in the universe goes in cycles that can be scientifically proven as well astrologically proven. And it’s the Dutch that wear clogs not Scandinavians, sheesh. 

Happy winter solstice 21 June 2025

 Yay the winter solstice is here today and it’s the shortest day of the year in the southern hemisphere and the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. In southern Canberra it was minus 7.5 to start the day and it felt like minus 10. Not a penguin in sight though, they are hibernating I’m sure. 

Enjoy your day wherever you are ❤️🍁🍂🌏❄️

                                   Happy Summer Solstice to everyone in the Northern hemisphere

 

Mouldy clothes or bedding in winter

 https://www.bhg.com.au/lifestyle/cleaning/how-to-wash-mould-clothes/

With the cold and damp weather back, mould is back too. There are natural ways to remove mould from clothing, bedding and other things. One of the most common and effective ways is using borax, using white vinegar or bicarbonate of soda in your washing machine. 

Sunlight is a powerful tool in not just drying your laundry but also killing spores and fungus. Make sure that your laundry is completely dry before bringing it indoors. If you have an inverter tumble dryer that will completely dry any damp clothes that will help. 

Water must be at least 65 degrees celsius to kill bacteria and that includes your washing up water when washing dishes. If your sink water is only 50 or 55 degrees centigrade then you can’t kill bacteria, either so add boiling water from the kettle or buy antibacterial dishes washing detergent. 

For bed linen to keep fresh and avoid mould in a damp environment use borax, you should ventilate your rooms and use moisture removal products like damp rid, regularly to pull the moisture out of the air. These tubs fill with water quickly depending on where you live and if the house is prone to dampness. You can buy the replacement granules for your damp rid pots which works out cheaper than buy new tubs when the crystals are used up. Keep an eye on your windows for black mould too and wipe them down often through winter. Some houses and flats or apartments get mould on the inside walls too so you may need to move furniture to check for mould especially near beds. 

I remember as a child and newly arrived in Australia when I lived in a Sydney flat with stone walls inside, and my mother had to keep cleaning the mildew off the walls in our bedrooms. She was fastidious about cleaning the house and always opened the windows every morning but still the mildew would happen. 

 Mould does affect your health and must be taken seriously as mould can lead to serious illness including cancer. 

https://www.blants.com.au/natural-pure-borax/ 

ANZAC Day 2025 marks 110 years since the landing at Gallipoli in 1915

                       He that doesn’t learn from the mistakes of the past is doomed to repeat it. 

Lest we forget!  

Happy Easter 2025 everyone

 The other big day of celebrating the seasons, Easter is almost here, it’s such a pretty time of year whether you’re in the northern hemisphere or the southern hemisphere. There are beautiful colours to see and enjoy with beautiful flowers, bulbs in bloom, the leaves on trees are either lush green or in beautiful autumn colours. No  matter where you live in the world, I hope you have a safe and pleasant Easter weekend. Let the inner child within you out to enjoy the sunshine and festivities of the season. 

Blessings to you and your families, warm and fuzzy hugs 🤗 🤗🤗🐣🐣🐣

Alex 

Autumn weather finally comes

 Well everyone in Canberra must be having a sigh of relief this morning, we are finally getting rain and cooler overnight temperatures. That 17 degrees overnight is not winning any favours, we are heading back into single digits this week. About time too, I am fed up with sleeping with two fans on and waking up with my eyes constantly watery. Dry eyes make me miserable, the constant over fluid that happens when you have dry eyes is so annoying to live with on top of allergies and the constant pressure behind my eyes from painless migraines (that’s a weird thing). I am happy to know that real autumn is now here. 

Bring on the cooler nights and the beautiful colour show that Canberra is so famous for. Daytime temperatures are lovely in the low 20’s and dropping to the high teens. Just perfect in my books for picnics and the great outdoors.

The change of season is always refreshing and good for the soul. It’s just overwhelming when the season goes on too long and we are hankering for change. My preferred seasons are autumn then spring and winter. I can do without summer. 

Today I will enjoy the ambience of rain falling and the colour change in my garden. My front yard is full of elm trees and a Chinese Pistachio tree which is a delight all year round. I have a green wall of Photinia and Viburnum around the edge of my garden as a screen giving it the look of a secret garden and it’s fantastic to waken up to this sight every morning. I just love to be immersed in nature, that’s my world.

My little bunny rabbit visitor has returned too, so I am delighted to see him after him missing in action for a couple of nights. Bliss moment for me, yay. 

Happy Lunar/Chinese New Year 2025

 Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous Lunar New Year, Year of the Wood Snake 🐍 let’s wriggle ❤️

Happy Australia Day Possums

 

Don't forget your Lamingtons! Have a peaceful and wonderful day everyone, and thank you to those that have to work today and tomorrow.

Warm and fuzzy hugs xxx