January 2011 will see Karen and I jetting off to Los Angeles and San Fransisco for 10 days to attend CHA.
CHA is America's Craft and Hobby Association's 4 day trade show. We will get to see new release products, have the opportunity to attend classes and well just have lots of fun. We've been talking about going for about two years now and decided life is too short we were going! We have booked our flights and accommodation and I think the next four months will just fly by.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Monday, August 02, 2010
Wonderful Weekend in Healseville and Marysville
I had a fantastic weekend away in the Yara Valley and am feeling very chilled. We stayed in an awesome 4 bedroom house in Healesville - country charm and nick knacks EVERYWHERE. Along with the charm of the house it had the most comfy beds and came with a 4 legged security alarm / alarm clock - Jasper the donkey. He greeted us loudly as we got out of the car just on dark - well 4 women near dropped their luggage in fright.
We spent Saturday wandering the streets of Healesville and Yarra Glen and all managed to buy something special to remember the weekend by.
The afternoon was spent at a couple of wineries tasting a mix of really nice to screw your face up and spit wines. I actually managed to find 2 at Innocent Bystander that I really loved.
Sunday saw us heading home via Marysville - still very moving and hard to comprehend the damage and devastation.
We visited the lolly shop - still in a container and with the most amazing selection of lollys from our childhood .... Fry's bars, Choo Choo bars, honey bears, apple lollypops and wine gums in a roll ....yum yum yum! We had a quick coffee then headed to Bruno's sculpture garden. Devastated on Black Saturday Bruno has restored much of the garden - while rebuilding his home - lost in the fires.
My room |
Country Kitchen |
Jedda House |
it even came with games |
and a pool table |
and a piano - the candle sticks were freaky |
gorgeous gardens |
We spent Saturday wandering the streets of Healesville and Yarra Glen and all managed to buy something special to remember the weekend by.
The afternoon was spent at a couple of wineries tasting a mix of really nice to screw your face up and spit wines. I actually managed to find 2 at Innocent Bystander that I really loved.
Tasting Champagne at Chandon |
Stunning views |
Sunday saw us heading home via Marysville - still very moving and hard to comprehend the damage and devastation.
signs of the fires are still everywhere |
there are signs of recovery |
once lined with shops and homes |
The local post office still operates out of a container |
We visited the lolly shop - still in a container and with the most amazing selection of lollys from our childhood .... Fry's bars, Choo Choo bars, honey bears, apple lollypops and wine gums in a roll ....yum yum yum! We had a quick coffee then headed to Bruno's sculpture garden. Devastated on Black Saturday Bruno has restored much of the garden - while rebuilding his home - lost in the fires.
photos of the devastation of the gardens |
I loved the toolman |
the drunken man |
along the entrance path after the fires |
she looks gorgeous on the creek |
The piano man |
one of the many restored sculpture |
there is still a lot to smile at |