Queen's Birthday

Today is the Queen's Birthday in Australia, (except in Western Australia where it is celebrated at the end of September/beginning of October) or rather the public holiday for it is. On an English website I read her actual birthday is in April, but the weather is better in June! Because in the Northern Hemisphere the season is summer. Forget about Australia - down here it's winter and cold. Anyway, being a public holiday and being a Monday, means a long weekend. (You know three days off)

I tried to come up with something that would tie in with this, something to do with queens and came up with the following -

Queen Victoria Market
(Well, it was named after a queen)

 

Above: The famous front sign

A Crown
All queens need a crown.

 

Above: A crown fit for a queen


Postage stamps and More

 

Above: Postage stamps and Currency
If you are a Queen, you get to have your face on a postage stamp. And money. Not bad eh?


Queen Victoria

 

Above: Drawing of Queen Victoria
I do think Queen Victoria had one of the most recognisable faces in the world, don't you? She always looked like she was smelling something nasty!


Today's quote: It's all to do with the training: you can do a lot if you're properly trained ~ Queen Elizabeth II

Weekend Reflections ~ Priscilla Jones

Take a look at the Joneses.

 

Above: Thru the Jones's window
Priscilla Jones cafe at the Gasworks Art Precinct in Albert Park has high quality and delicious foods as my non-existent waistline will testify. From Priscilla’s Quinoa Granola to Croque Monsieur to Sweets n’ Treats like Grandma Jones’ famous Almond Bread, it's as though you have stepped back in time. I took this photo after Sunday brunch recently.

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Today's quote: We don't have to keep up with the Joneses - we are the Joneses.

The Red Umbrella

 

Above: The Red Umbrella
I spotted this on the upper level on the back of a building in one of the little laneways that Melbourne is famous for. It reminds me of a 20th century Mary Poppins - remember how Mary Poppins held her umbrella high and flew up over the treetops? Well it almost seems as if these two are about to do the same. One of the things I find so endearing about this sketch, is the look of love on the mother's face as she looks at the child and the look of trust on the boy as he looks back.

Today's quote: Until the sun comes out again for you, my umbrella is big enough for two ~ Author unknown

Dogs - with Attitude

 

Above: Priscilla
Doesn't the expression just say "Princess Poodle"?
This amazing sculpture was created by Janette MacGregor and was part of her art show "The Quirky Side of Life" at the Gasworks Arts Park in March this year.

She used a gutter wire armature which she sewed together then used shredded paper to make a professional papier mache mixture to build the body. Janette then embellished it with imported tiles, paint, glass eyes and false eyelashes on the poodle which was a gift from her makeup artist daughter and mirror tiles on the poodle. The dog is life size.


Today's quote: They're not poodles, they're art ~ Rachael Leigh.

Theme Day ~ The Beauty of Decay

 

Above: Animal, Vegetable, Mineral
The rusty bolt and dead dragonfly were on the old timber ledge of my carport. Even in death, the dragonfly is beautiful to behold with its lacy transparent wings. This is Hemianax papuensis - Australian Emperor.

 

Above: Australian Emperor
Close up of the dragonfly. If you look carefully, you will see the front legs are reminiscent of holding one's head in one's hands.


Today's quote: I have always looked upon decay as being just as wonderful and rich an expression of life as growth ~ Henry Miller.

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