summer. coming.

This morning run pic indicates I am justified in feeling hot + bothered post-run and wanting nothing more than to plunge into any kind of cold water body upon finishing. Yup- the frangipani says it all- summer is on its way to Brisbane!

Praise the slow!

I have blogged about the return to slow before... Veg boxes, DIY and Home style deliciousness... On the weekend a mob of us got together for lunch... In the true Italian sense- home made pasta!! It took 6 of us 2 hours to make from mixing to rolling to cutting to cooking but at the end we had the most delicious fresh bolognaise to enjoy over Sunday lunch with friends. Thanks Italy for leaving your mark :)

I love Bne in the spring time...

I am having the most wonderful time lately, living locally, acting locally, loving Bne! I was chatting to some friends the other night about how Brisbane is just the right size, just now. It is big enough that there is loads going on and loads to do but small enough that young, small + local groups have the confidence to start up their own creative inspiring projects... This pic from the weekends West End Twilight Markets is a prefect example. Young peeps- doers rather than talkers (though plenty of space for talking and sharing great ideas as well...), people who share the love of local and the love of people and who love bringing it all together- hooray!
L.

special voyage to biff

Last night I felt so humbled and privileged to be in the audience for the Brisbane premiere screening of Inuk as part of BIFF. I went in with no preconceptions- actually I didn't have any knowledge of what I was about to see- I simply accepted a ticket from a friend and proceeded to spend the entire night glued to the screen. The film took me in- the beauty of the frozen land, the gripping anxiety and reality of life there and the comparisons and contrast that kept popping into my mind of our own red dust desert and indigenous people. (You can read more about the film and its story on their website.)
The end of the film came with much applause and strangers in the audience couldn't help but make conversation with neighbours about the gripping journey they had just experienced, via a little silver screen in the backrooms of the Tribal Theatre on Brisbane's George St.The best bit was still to come...
At the end of the film, BIFF introduced us to the lead 'actors' from the film- all the way from Greenland. I say 'actors' because Inuk used no professional actors in its filming, only real people, most of who were involved with the real Uummannaq childrens home, about which the film is centred. My goosebumps were enormous as I listed to these wonderful people, including the social worker and 4 children from the home talk about their experiences, love for their country and difficulties facing Greenlandic Inuit's.
I felt so overwhelmingly lucky to have been in the audience, so greatful that in Brisbane, we have a strong arts culture that allows things like BIFF exist and that their programming is such that it lets ordinary Brisbanites be part of such wonderful events.
Happiness gush over for now! Go see + support Inuk! :)

twilight buzz run!

Last night I was so excited to be part of the launch run for a new community exercise crew I have been working on called buzz!
We had a beautiful run through the Brisbane twilight- the city was definitely buzzing after Melbourne Cup lunches and celebrations! We finished with drinks and chats at the Ship Inn at South Bank. We are hoping the group will evolve and grow to make the community come alive by connecting through exercise - so feel free to pass it on and come along- check out the blog or facebook pages for details.

clare delights!

A weekend spent in the Clare Valley, cycling to wineries, collecting, cooking and eating great food and having delicious good times with great people- 10 out of 10 weekend! It was my first time to the Clare Valley- my first time to South Australia! I was wowed (and wooed) by the Adelaide Markets (pit stop for weekend fuel!), delighted by the beauty of the Valley, amazed at the age of the original stone farm houses, exhausted from riding (thanks cogwebs- you were amazing and I can't recommend you highly enough!) and partying with wonderful, energetic, like-minded and fun loving people. Life. Love. Happy days :)