Francessco , a fishy story.....

Our 'New' addition to the family

Its very hard to get a fish to stay still for a great shot !

Here are the supplies for set up we purchased at the pet shop in Oxenford ,

 I already had this bowl & was told it was 

perfect for one 'fighting fish'.....

First the kids added the rinsed white stones.....

Then we added the living plants & water with a few drops of water ager

There he goes being gently lowered in by two little peoples hands.....

Keeping a close eye as he swam around in his new surroundings....

Happy in his new home.....

We were going to get a puppy but we weren't ready yet

for such a big responsibility (in time Master. J )

We of course picked white stones & him for his stunning blue colour.

What a surprising joy Francessco is , we have since added a mirror we take in & out 

each day for his daily stimulation & exercise , as they are a fighting fish & we were told by the pet shop they need to.

Well my brother had gotten a red one the same week as us.

When his looks in his mirror he becomes very aggressive as you would expect.

But not our Francessco he looks in his mirror & says (in a French accent of course)

"I am a lover not a fighter" sure he fans out his beautiful tale but he likes what he sees.

Often when I am doing my bookwork at the bench he swims over & looks at me.

Its funny but with my youngest of to school now , 

Francessco is lovely to watch for a calming destraction when Im working.

He only eats a few tiny pellets a day & we clean his bowl about every 10- 14 days.

The only trouble we had for the first week was our cat took a interest in him.

The novelty wore off after a few days of putting a food net over his bowl when were weren't around.

Karyn x

All images Hope Island Home

New "RESPECT" App

Thought for today

So often I have seen this happening , especially around children.

Be aware of this, what are we teaching the next generation about human communication.

Our children & family deserve more.

Show respect , teaches respect

Karyn x

Wagga & many Aussie towns flooding.......

Here we are again ! 

Too many towns to mention across NSW & Vic flooding

A farmer tries to save his sheep. 

So many heads of cattle have been lost to rising flood waters. Bare a thought for the helpless animals that are at the mercy of the gods.  Hopefully these will be the lucky ones. 

Prayers to you all

Stay safe

Karyn x

We miss you magic land.......

We miss you magic land at Gallery Of Modern Art , Brisbane

It is an immersive and vibrant installation.

Created by artists Pip & Pop

Made of coloured sugar , it took 8 weeks to construct

A must see this weekend as it finishes this Sunday the 4th.

Pathways & peepholes will lead you  to different worlds ....

a magical forest filled with strange flowers , vines , 

mushrooms & animals.....

Miss. S was in a girly dream.....

complete with twinkly stars......

I wish I had close ups , the photos were only taken on the iphone.

We went a couple of times over the summer , best of all the exhibition is free.

Karyn x

Sunday Musings - Matisse Drawing Life Exhibition

We visited the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane for the Matisse Drawing Life Exhibition ,

Highly recommended 

It is the most comprehensive of Henri Matisse's prints & drawings ever mounted.

Presented in partnership with the Bibliotheque nationale de France.

First you take in the exhibition ,

Exploring the themes and subjects to which Matisse repeatedly turned throughout his long career, providing insights into the artists daily drawing practice

with over 300 drawings , prints & illustrated books.....

The drawing room is an interactive large scale drawing studio for visitors inspired by Matisse &

his working enviroments to encourage visitors in the creativity of drawing.....

There is even a violinist playing in the room adding o the ambiance......

See the nude statue in the middle of the room .....

Well, when we arrived I said to my 9 year old where would you like to sit & draw first (after all we were there for her , she is my little artist)

All the lovely areas with displays of  flowers & fruits 

No she walked over to the nude sculpture perched herself on the stool right in front , in the middle of the room , crossed her dainty legs like a little lady & proceeded to sketch the nude sculpture.

I stood back to observe , give her space , all the while thinking is this politically correct ? 

Twenty minutes later , she comes over to me , hands me one complete head to toe nude man sketch.

(at least he wasnt a live model)

My daughter using one of the interactive tablets also available to use...

This is where I was sitting next to her & decided to 'have a go' .

 Ive never been able to draw but I was so drawn into what was going on in the room , I 

become oblivious to every one around me. And produced not one but three sketches. I first did the bottles in front of me & then the large leaves in the beaker.

Here are the leaves I did , I was pleased with my effort , considering I never sketch.

(the one in the background is my nine year olds sketch)

All the beautiful quality paper , pencils & clipboards are provided.

A selection of the still life arrangements 

which include sculptures to fabrics & furniture......

(See the blue & white pot with the white orchids , it has been added to the list of 

must haves for the house )

Even the Matisse Cafe is inspired by his work.

More study's influenced from Matisse's time in Tahiti overlooking the Brisbane river....

to finish off there is an amazing exhibition shop for all Matisse books, art supplies

& fantastic French items.

I know this is a long post but I was so impressed with this exhibition & I learnt so much about the artist.

Im not by any means a artist or a expert & Ive taken my daughter to all the major

exhibitions at the gallery the last few years , but this one had drawn me in the most.

The exhibition is on until 4th March.

Karyn x

A day on Hamilton Island

5am Good Morning from the Reef View Hotel

A early morning visitor decided to join me on the balcony

He is a real poser !

He decided to come a little closer to have a chat 

(really I think he wanted a fed)

See the church in the background , many couples come here to get married in this beautiful location.

As we both pondered on our day ahead ......

Child No. 1 awoke

(clearly there is a sign not to feed the birds as it creates an imbalanced environment)

Sorry Mr. Cockatoo 

As child no.2 & no.3  hubby slept we decided to go for a early morning walk on the beach

The tide is a long way out in the morning , its fun seeing all the tiny crabs scurrying about

Back to the pool for a early morning swim

before returning to the sleeping ones.....

A drive in the buggy around the island.....

Stop at the church & the wildlife park

(do you remember this face ? Its baby Oprah (I posted about her last year, when she had just come out of her mums pouch.

This year she was out having photos taken with guests.

Ahhh  another stunning view , if only I could wake up to this every day......

( just putting it out to the universe )

This family will be , sigh.

 Maybe I will be a lottery winner, one day

I wanted to take a closer shot of this house, there were gorgeous stone walls being constructed

A swim in the sea.....

Fun in the pool.....

Dinner at sunset over the marina.....

The pool looked so inviting that at 8.30 pm

Child No.2 & I went for a swim

while the others were sleeping.

Full Moon

10pm Reefview Hotel

Goodnight 

xox

Karyn

All images - Hope Island Home & Living