lately (two):

blueberry pancakes for lauren's birthday breakfast;
when even your littlest sister is twenty-six years old
(not to mention "great with child"),
it is impossible to continue to deny your status as a grown up.
happy birthday laurenbidgee!

lately (one):

in a trippy world of floating spheres at the gallery of modern art;

beautiful animation;

we can't walk on water but we walked under it;

postcards to uknown friends;

bright splashes of colour;

seriously not rubbish;

everybody loves lego;

happy happy happy!

wheeeee!
(have i mentioned my favourite art is
the stuff you can actually interact with?)

i spy the socially awkward penguin!

memes: recognised by twenty-first century art!

is it ironic that i took pictures of the technology exhibit
and twenty-first century art on my ipod, leroy?

ps. thanks for your lovely comments and your warmth! i treasure all of it. conversations will be on hiatus for a little while until i get back to my regular posting schedule but i still welcome your comments. if you have any questions -- or really just want to say anything -- feel free to email @ daniellecentral at gmail dot com. love!

positively not drowning;

I'm glad none of the blog posts that I've composed in my head over the last few days actually made it to the internets. Cos folks, they weren't pretty. All laments in various minor keys about busy, busy, rush, rush, insanity, no time to make posts (which did actually prove to be true, I guess) -- and all of that. Also, I just felt grumpy and sad and I had headaches, all for reasons that still remain a mystery to me.

(I'm pretty sure my family started looking at ways they could adopt me out, maybe foist me off on some unsuspecting family before said family could find a chance to meet me.)

Besides the grumpiness, nothing's actually changed since then; it still seems to be that when I cross something off my to-do list, I add two more things on the bottom of it. Also, my sister and I are actually making appointments to call each other for chats. And there are some rather major time-sensitive projects (like, things to do with packing and moving house and also with babies getting born -- and the one thing we know about babies is that they will out) that I haven't even started on. Nevertheless, now that I'm engaged in actively working towards those things, or even simply working on other things so that then I can work on the next thing, they seem a whole lot more manageable. It feels like I might actually be doing something and getting somewhere.

All of which sounds very self-important and very busy and we all know that we hate to hear people talk about how busy they are. So I will say no more except -- I hope to be here as much as possible but you'll forgive me, won't you, if occasionally I just post little pictures of my days with a word or two here and there? Just till things settle down in a few weeks? Thanks. You're all awesome.

Actually, you're all so awesome that you've visited my blog twenty thousand times. Yes, I know; that's just a monkey's sneeze in the big top of this circus known as internetland, but it means something to me. Cheers to you! *clink*

* * * * *

Conversations:

Anonymous -- hehe yourself!

Mitanika -- yes please do do a daybook! (I'm sorry; that "do do" looks grammatically painful, but I'm leaving it there). Yum. Now I really want a cheeseburger.

Ruth -- ^ see above re. cheeseburger.

Rebecca Simon -- ah, I miss New South Wales and its very obvious, storybook celebration of Autumn. WANT.

Staish -- hi :).

Daybook #7

Outside my window it's really not Autumn enough yet. Wherefore art thou, season of my heart?

I have been listening (between lectures on Hegel and political theory and Sigurd and Brynnhild) to Marc Streitenfeld's Robin Hood soundtrack. It's instrumental music that tells a story, and it yanks at my imagination and pulls me in.

I have been wearing whatever keeps me cool; away, deathly humidity!

I am thankful for interesting things yet to come.

I am pondering just why Words With Friends is so addictive. Also, how can I get more done in a day? And before you suggest that solutions to both ponderings may be linked, I hasten to assure you that I only play games during my breaks. Promise.

I am reading lots of little fluffy things in between meatier stuff, but also lots and lots of Icelandic sagas, and a Viking tale (not school-related) called Wolf Cry.

I am creating a really long to-do list.

I am hoping and praying for Japan.

I am looking forward to going to the movies with my folks tonight.

One of my favourite things, newly instituted, is cheeseburger date night with Ruth. One down, many to go, I hope.

A picture-thought I'm sharing is of this dude's latest work of art. It's sculpture, painting, and garden fusion. Cutting edge stuff.

* * * * *

Conversations:

Lachlan -- I love that Crowder song, and I've been singing it pretty much since you posted the lyrics. It's a great one to hold onto.

HCH -- <3

Amanda -- I'm glad you were encouraged.

BushMaid -- it really is; it's been such a strengthening thing in my life.

Mitanika -- that definitely wins as the best surprise church happening ever. How cool! And such an awesome song.

Unshakeable

I have nothing to say about Japan that hasn't already been said.

We all know what happened and we know what it is like to grieve and feel helpless. We've all seen the pictures, felt our heartbeats quicken, and still wondered that in spite of it all, we can't quite believe it. We know what it is to feel this survivor guilt, to be ashamed that our days continue on as if nothing happened, as if the earth and sea didn't just combine to dance wildly and furiously over thousands of other peoples' lives. We know the sense of disgust and horror as those unaffected by the horror rush forward to lay blame or push propaganda out there into the wake of fear. We know what it is to have no words except a repeated calling out of God's name. We know how to help, financially. We know how to pray. And we know that this planet is a scary place right now.

So when someone posted Owl City's cover of In Christ Alone on tumblr, I clung to it, and I'm sharing it with you right now in case you, too, need a reminder that there's Something to cling to that nothing can wash away.

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From a life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from His hand
Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand

I will stand, I will stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground, all other ground
Is sinking sand, is sinking sand
So I stand

* * * * *

Conversations:

Sandie T -- it's the bayside region south of Brisbane :).

BushMaid -- yes, I love my Canon! It's a 1000D.

Samantha R -- so true; beauty is everywhere.

Jessica -- sprung! I totally cheated; a caption explaining there will be no captions!

Anonymous1 -- thanks!

Anonymous2 -- and thanks to you, too :)

Mitanika -- it's always a pleasure to help you procrastinate, most excellent friend.

Katie -- thanks so much! We had fun making pictures :).

Asea -- I was so happy to capture the dragonfly. I've been trying since I first got my camera :). And I know what you mean entirely about the novelty of it being opposite seasons on different sides of the world. It never fails to amuse me :).

Dappled things (glory be to God for them)

I love words, and since they are very likely to always have first place in my heart, pictures must come a close second. Therefore, I usually disagree with that old cliche about a picture being worth a thousand words (give me the words, I say!). Sometimes, though, pictures mean words aren't even necessary -- and so I offer these to you, uncaptioned. Just me, one of my favourite people in the world, two beloved cameras, and the wonders of sunshine, shadow, and earth.

* * * * *

Conversations:

Caitlin -- unfortunately for Tain, I had to ignore his stern injunction. :)

Samantha R -- our life is definitely a million times funnier because he's in it.

BushMaid -- hey, Jasmine!! Nice to reconnect with you! And please, stalk anytime :).

Staish -- we can choose to believe he wrote 'xo'.

The First Rose -- brothers can definitely be wily, devious creatures when they've got A Plan.

Awesome thing of the day #8

My little brother woke up this morning full of all sorts of great ideas (this is not unusual). "So, what's the plan?" he asked (this, too, is fairly standard). "I have to study," I told him, "and you have to do school." His response: -- "NO STUDY TODAY."

Later, when I made my way into my office, I grinned when I found two cute love notes stuck to my door. I raced downstairs to thank Tain. "You made me love notes!" I cried, "thank you!" "No," he said seriously, "NO STUDY! NOT ALLOWED."

Sure enough, when I looked a little closer, the previously-assumed adorable portrait of delighted older sister was actually a picture of me sitting in front of a bunch of books -- with a big cross over the books and a cross over me. And that friendly "yo" in the second note, which I thought was just Tain's cool gangster way of saying hi? I'm pretty sure it's meant to be "no." And the pink post-it notes were obviously just close handy. So... yeah.

* * * * *

Conversations:

SandieT -- and thank you for your lovely comment :).

Unanonymous -- you almost cried? (Cool!) ;)

Elisabeth -- so true; one of those memories that will keep you warm during dark nights of the soul.

Bek -- :D

Julia -- I felt squeeish :)

Samantha -- I'll make sure there's some Milk Coffee biscuits here when you arrive ;).

Ransomedsea -- now to preach that admonition to myself every day and consistently do something about it... Also: viking love!!!

Rebecca Simon -- you are such an encouragement. x

LindaOz -- I love that analogy! And being someone who has learnt to play the piano but who will never be gifted musically, I definitely understand it. Thank you for your comment!

Flashback Friday :: the blessing

It's been a long time since I've written one of these...

Though it was only four years ago, I felt unmistakably like a very small child in the presence of a very big grown up. It wasn't because she was patronising. In fact, she was far from it -- more like the embodiment of Emma Thompson's character in Stranger than Fiction, with all the best authorial characteristics but with more femininity, less neuroticism, and no chain smoking. Her voice -- clipped and clear with a gentle British accent -- only added to the impression. Here was a real author with real experience. Compared to her, I was most certainly a child.

Although it was ostensibly an author's panel wherein we -- the small knot of students -- would ask questions and she -- the teacher -- would share from her experience, she didn't get to say much. One of the other women kept bringing the discussion back to her "mermaid novel", leaving the author little space to talk. During a break, the author leaned over and whispered to me conspiratorially, "It would have been fun if it was just us two."

When the evening was coming to a close and coffee was being served, I found myself in the coffee queue near the author and we got chatting. She asked about my life and I told her about our crazy gypsy ways and the time spent in some of Australia's most unique places. When we got to talking about words, I confessed that my lack of writerly education and my own naivete sometimes held my back.

"Don't let it," she said seriously. "I believe that the craft of writing can be taught. You can learn to write. But you cannot learn to be a writer; some people are and some simply are not. To be a writer requires something else entirely, something that makes you different from others. You need a unique backstory." She looked at me closely, and I had the undeniable feeling that I was standing at a turning point in my own coming-of-age story. "I can see that you have it," she said. "In your experience, you have everything you need."

Perhaps, here in the retelling, what the author said sounds merely motivational, something to cheer along a hopeful girl. But in that moment, nothing felt further from the truth. Her words were a blessing. Her words were a benediction. And when I remember them, they give me courage.

* * * * *

Conversations:

Jessica -- but I'm jealous of how golden your peanut butter bars turned out! Mine look too pale :(

Meaghan -- I KNOW RIGHT?

Rebecca Simon -- absolutely!! They are totally an excellent alternative for Reese's Pieces.

Unanonymous -- do you basically just have a stash of these in your fridge at all times? Yum!

Asea -- this pathetically teeny image is a slice tray. :)

Carla and Alastair -- the peanut butter bar love continues around Australia! Hee :)

Brooke -- totally working on the technology to do just that. ;)

Samantha R -- I've been wondering if Milk Coffee biscuits are similar to graham crackers? You'll have to come to Australia to find out...

Amanda -- you DEFINITELY need to make these :D

Chocolate and peanut butter oh MY!

Um, these no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars were (note the past tense) totally as NOMsational as they look.

I had seen the recipe floating around the internet in various places, and I finally gave Jessica's version a go, Australianising and Danielleising the recipe in the process. Since they actually worked and they were actually yum, I'll share the recipe here (so easy. So good. SO GOOD).

225 g melted butter
250 g packet of Arnott's milk coffee biscuits, crushed
1 1/2 cups icing sugar mixture
1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
250 g block milk chocolate
4 tbpsns peanut butter, extra

Mix butter, cookie crumbs, icing sugar mixture, and peanut butter (I used a food processor to make the crumbs and then blend the mix). Press into a slice tin lined with baking paper. Melt the chocolate and peanut butter together and pour over the top of the slice, spreading the top smoothly. Allow to set in the fridge and then cut into fudge-sized squares.

It's actually that easy.

* * * * *

Conversations:

Samantha R -- ooh, I hope you enjoy the album :).