little dog artworks

Little Dog watching oncoming bushfire from atop the hill;

Little Dog wishing on a shooting star;

Little Dog about to get into trouble.

I can tell Autumn is here....

because last night our puppy mooches went straight to the couch to snuggle up, and this morning a cold wind is blowing my shop sign around and around and around....

Why I love mornings....

I have been reading about two girls who posted a photo each day on a blog they shared, a photo from their mornings: http://3191.visualblogging.com/ and it makes me wonder what I love about my mornings, which are surely, in Autumn especially, the most glorious time of my day.

I love it when the cardboard boxes and parcels arrive, ready to be opened, full of surprises...

For example yesterdays boxes were filled with the glorious ceramic tags and pencils from Kylie Johnson's Paper Boat Press, and who wrote "count me the stars". I love everything she makes. http://www.paperboatpress.com/

I love Suzanne Vega's "my name is Luca", playing loud on my stereo while I blog and drink steaming freshly brewed coffee...

I love seeing my favourite cookbook on the shelf each morning, it makes my insides squirm with a "mmmmmmm" knowing what is inside its pages....

reminders of certain smiles...

Sometimes things happen during a day,
and a memory returns
of someone who has gone but left behind
a legacy of something,
like a smile...

bit's n pieces...

Mosque balls from Turkey hang on the tree inside the window, and beautiful recycled wrapping paper fills the bookshelf behind the counter....

Fabulous new snippets from fabulous creative people!

Oh so glorious handbags ($120 - $160) and clutch purses (@$60) from Only Midge, and creative fun "things to do" packs from Seedling.

RAIN?????

It looked so promising too. Early this morning I became excited and wandered out in my jaamies with tea, to take a few snapshots from my verandah. Sadly, we got a pattering of just a few small, but gloriously wet droplets which I pranced around in with the dogs for a second or two before it blew over...

Inspiring local artists now in the little shop

I am very proud to write about a small yet talented collection of local authors and artists whose marvelous works are now stocked in this little shop. There is something for everyone in this collection, so if you are after a unique pressie or a fascinating read, pop in and have a squizz at:

Two beautifully illustrated books for mums by Stephanie Corkhill Hyles called “25 ways to awaken your birth power”, and “25 ways to joy and inner peace for mothers”. Written by Danette Watson. ($29.95)

The imaginative sculpture works of local artist Al Phemister. Currently small versions of his pears ($165 - currently SOLD but Al is making me another!) are available, and tea cup and saucer ($225) – the only place in town where Al shows his work. We are the lucky ones; we get to see them all day!

The wonderfully tactile ceramic necklaces and brooches from Spinning Earth Artist, Sophie Curlewis ($32.95) (I keep buying them all for my friends!). MAIL ORDERS ACCEPTED. Send us an email!

poems from the past

It's oh so quiet in the shop today, just a smattering of books have walked out the door. Sultry jazz plays on the stereo, vanilla bean melts burn away leaving a lingering yummy scent, and I'm reminded of another day not so long ago in the bookshop...

Moments in a day

Outside, it’s quiet and sunny.
A dusty ute drives by, working dogs bark.
My shop flag says “Books”,
It blows up and flips over its pole,
Twisted now.

Rain last Sunday, I remember.
Dead lambs scatter brown hills.
It’s August. Ugh. Wind.
I must take the chimes down,
They are adding to my sleepless nights.

“Emergency Sex” faces outwards,
A man, green woolen jumper with holes,
Wanders in, picks it up. Puts it down.
Wanders out.
Another fool fooled by that old adage.

I call it the town drop-in centre.
My friend brings me rosemary
To hang nearby.
It helps heavy shoulders deal with unsolicitored stories.
My shoulders. Their stories.

Old man whose wife died recently from cancer,
Today he tells me, daughter-in-law too last week.
He joined the men’s shed and is bringing me art
From Boorowa to sell.
I never remember his name.

Now, buds on the tree outside are gently swaying.
I sip tea and wonder if this is where I am to be planted.
They say, you should grow
Where you are planted, but a moment in a day
Can change everything.

furry friends in the kids room

Come into the children's bookroom and read amongst friends...!

Fabulous reads from January and February...

* Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

* The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society

* The Uncommon Reader

* The Reader

* The Slap

* The Brooklyn Follies

* The Zookeeper's War