Revival

A message from Brigid ....

I have been a blogger since 2005. At the height of my blogging busy-ness, I had "a small stable" of blogs on different topics: social and political commentary; desert spirituality; food; waste and ....

A few years ago I called time and ceased blogging altogether - although there was an occasional post. I had called it quits. I am an aged woman these days with a couple of serious illnesses. I am not allowed to drive. I am no longer active in organisations. I think it fair to say that I am housebound. I am active on Facebook, although I am not there as often as once I was. I have decided to embark on a re-entry into the blogging world ... beginning with The Trad Pad and, possibly, a return to my food blog, Oz Tucker. I have always used a lot of photographs on my blogs ... and I miss not being out and about with my camera.

The Trad Pad has been my blog for the lovely things of life. The controversial or political has seldom intruded. Occasionally, the spiritual has found its way in, but I kept spirituality for the blog, Desert. I don't yet know if I will revive that. I will stick pretty much to food and the lovely things of life. If I have some regularity with those two categories, I feel that I will be doing well. I hope that, with this blog new friendships can be formed and old friendships renewed; new lovelies discovered; new reflections can enter into the meaning of modern life. I would love to hear from you - particularly if you have suggestions for new topics to enter into the conversation. So, it is a new year. Let's see what it has in store, what it can bring to us. And I hope that those who share the spirit of The Trad Pad can spread the message of a world of beauty, the creativity of humanity, and the joys of simplicity and tradition. ~~~ February, 2017

Friday, March 31, 2006

A pressie in the post...

The lovely lady in the white van comes down to the end of our street where The Trad Pad is and she toots her horn. Always excitement, but even more so to-day. I have never done this blog-present-swap before so I was really excited and bounded out the door of the office and away from the computer to greet her as she came in the gate with a box in her hand. My present came from Dolly. Into the dining room to open my parcel. I opened it up and here is what I found:

A lovely crocheted runner lined the box.

Inside were beautifully wrapped chunks of stuff.


And when I unwrapped all the prettiness, here is what I found:

That long skinny tube is a lavender bed wand. This is novel. I am about to find out what a bed wand is. Then there is the vanilla and cranberry scented orb - a lovely globe of a candle. I haven't lit it yet - but in my mind I can smell it. Or is that the scent from the Ultra Brilliant, Ultra Shiny Lip Gloss found in the Juicy Tube. My lips are now a lovely mulberry colour. Talk about appealing to the senses! I can smell it, it feels nice on my lips, I can taste it - am I meant to eat it too? And then there is the french lavender soap - La naturel jardin. And when I am scented with the soap, relaxed with the aroma of the candle, made pretty with the lip gloss, and have scented my pillow with the lavender bed wand, I put on those cuddly cosy bed socks (which will go well with my blue nightie), grab my good book (at the moment it is Theatre by Somerset Maugham which has been made into the film, Julia), and tuck into the chocolates. Now isn't that the sort of pampering we all need and love.

Thank you, dear Dolly.

Your parcel and you are much and well appreciated.

And thank you, dear Ms Robyn, who dreamed all this up and put it into action.

Thursday, March 30, 2006

Claire exhibits at Hudson, Balaclava





along with two colleagues, Van Sowerwine and Christina Gordon,

has been exhibiting her talents and her wares at Hudson

on the corner of Carlisle and William Streets, Balaclava in Melbourne's inner east.

Today, I went over to Balaclava and to Hudson to have a look.


Exhibits in the store window

A familiar figure

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Piece de resistance

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Wednesday, March 29, 2006

The Tim Tam is tops


Now is the time for all good Aussies to come to the aid of the Tim Tam.
Over at yarnstorm, Jane is singing the praises of a brand of chocolate biscuits which she favours. Miss Eagle has left a comment in which she speaks on behalf of all Australians.
Miss Eagle thought she could (with safety and certainty) so Miss Eagle did.
Would welcome your support for the Tim Tam here and on Jane's blog.

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

For Kali


Kali, this is for you. Enjoy your journey.
It is not a Christmas Pudd nor is it a Christmas cake.
I am hoping that someone as creative and as vintage oriented as you will find it of use.

Vale, Pro Hart

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The Three Horse Race by Pro Hart


One of Australia's greatest brushmen of the bush is dead. Pro Hart, a commited Christian, has gone to another place.

Pro Hart was born in Broken Hill, NSW, Australia in 1928. He grew up on the family sheep station "Larloona" situated near Broken Hill, and he was educated by correspondence with this brother Bob, and their mother as tutor. In his early twenties, Pro moved to Broken Hill and worked underground as a miner. In 1960 he married Raylee June Tonkin and they had five children, three boys and two girls. To develop his gift, Pro attended a few local art classes but he was mainly self-taught. He was discovered in 1962 by a gallery director in Adelaide. From there his success as an artist began to flourish.

Pro was nothing if not prolific. This together with his longevity has meant that the prices of his paintings were not governed by exclusivity. Even working class Australians could stretch things a bit to own a Pro Hart, even if it was only a small one.People who loved the Australian bush and the lifestyle and the mystique of The Outback loved Pro Hart's work. He brought life and love to the depiction of our country. In fact, like his Maker with whom he now rests, he is truly a creative spirit.

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