I invite you to come travelling with me here on the jillballau blog.
Saturday, March 25, 2023
A-Z Challenge - Theme Reveal
I invite you to come travelling with me here on the jillballau blog.
Feast for the Senses
Shrek - Program Cover |
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
March Birthday
On this day many years ago I remember being told that I had a new baby cousin. Today she is celebrating another birthday. As I do each year I sent her a message. This year it was in the form of a card made on Canva and sent to her via Facebook.
The first photo of Jane and I together |
Today I am sending a shoutout to Jane on her birthday and to one of my favourite tools, Canva, that makes it so easy to prepare graphics for all occasions.
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
Reading Challenges 2023
You can read my challenge reports here.
I was all fired up for another year of the challenge but could not find it online so I went searching for alternatives.
I devoted a bit of time to finding challenges and signed up for two hosted by the Aussie Readers' Community at Goodreads. My aim is to read some of the books on my "To be Read" Pile.
A Section of my To Be Read pile
The first is Aussie Readers' A - Z Annual Challenge - Follow the Clues!
In this challenge there is a list of 26 prompts, one for each letter of the alphabet, that can be read in any order. From time to time I will share progress reports on this blog.
The Second Challenge is Aussie Readers' Annual Challenge 2023 - Calendar of Books
I have opted for the Hard Challenge
Hard Challenge. (24 books - minimum 6 Australian Authors) Do both Titles PLUS Authors, choosing a book for each month where the first letter of the author's christian or surname is the same as the month.
e.g. January. James Patterson
February. Nicci French
March. Michael Connelly
and the title that starts with the same letter as the month
e.g. January. Justice for Sara
February. Forty Words for Sorrow
March. Mistake Creek
While I am on track for both of these challenges I haven't had time to blog my progress due to our recent gallivanting in Japan and the Pacific.
Monday, March 6, 2023
Mapping our ways
My February Travel Map |
Some of the places I have visited since 2013 |
A Day's driving in Tahiti |
Sunday, March 5, 2023
It came our way
Come from Away set at The Civic |
Friday, March 3, 2023
Skip-Bo
Paddy loves joining the family for a game of Skip-Bo. He enjoys teaming up with his big sister.
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Sea Days
I love cruising for a variety of reasons and have spent more than 500 of my days at sea on various ships.
Most of this time has been spent in recent years on our favourite cruise line. When we were young and single both Robert and I cruised separately around the Pacific. Our cruising today is much more relaxed and comfortable than in last century.
I now find the port intensive cruises where we visit a new site each day are exhausting. I have developed a love of "Sea Days" that give us a chance to sleep in and recharge our batteries in between our explorations.
On our recent cruise last month we had about half of our days at sea, we were fully occupied with, games, lectures, leisurely meals and socialising. My favourite activity was a series of workshops/lectures with professional photographer, Benedict Brain who encouraged us not just to take photos but to Make Photos. As well as sharing many practical tips Ben talked philosophically about photography. He made this person who takes snapshots think about taking and making photographs.
I spent much time on those Sea Days experimenting with my phone camera, exploring new apps and thinking about and playing with my photos.
While on board I took many shots of the sea, some of which I put in this collage. Thanks to Ben for encouraging me to try different things.