Another quiet weekend

I knew I would want to read Donna Tartt's "The Goldfinch", the moment I knew it was due to be published this year. However, it was going to be difficult to justify reading a nearly-800-page book for pleasure when I'm supposed to be reading as many new books as possible in order to have a wide range of recommendations at hand when consulted by our customers at work. Then, by a stroke of luck, "The Goldfinch" happened to be a featured title in our shop's Christmas catalogue. All staff are instructed to read as many titles as possible in our catalogue, so there you go. I could have a guilt-free read after all. And I did. And I loved every minute of it.

It's taken a while, but by yesterday I was down to the last 300 pages, so I did nothing all day but read. Such an engrossing, beautifully written book.

In other book news, more new babies to find a spot for. It's always a lovely surprise to find out new cloth-bounds have been released.

As usual around these parts, it is raining, and rather cold too. Hard to believe summer is just a few days away.

Today will be another lazy day. I woke up really early (for a Sunday) to watch the "Doctor Who" 50th anniversary episode (so good, by the way), and now I'm feeling rather sleepy.

Some sort of mindless activity which doesn't require major brain function will probably be undertaken. Light housework perhaps?

Hey, there Mr Blue

 

These photos were all taken this morning, within a 20 minute time frame. So why is the sky a different shade of blue in each of them?
Not to worry. I've certainly appreciated this glorious sky today, in all its hues.

Melbourne in the Springtime

I realised I hadn't ventured further than three kilometres from home in over a month, so a city outing was in order. Melbourne's lovely in the Spring.

 

 

       

  Gorgeous old building.

  Book shop browsing.

  A visit to Hopetoun Tearooms is becoming a tradition.

 My pear tart.

C's lemon meringue pie.

in just spring

To say I'm over cold weather and generally overcast days would be a bit of an understatement. Normally, I wouldn't mind it, but this year it seems to be going on and on. Perhaps I'm noticing it more due to the extra month of winter I had in Europe in February-March.
Anyway, consistently warmer weather (as far as that's possible in Melbourne!), will no doubt be upon us soon. In the meantime, there have been a couple of pleasant days this Spring - good enough reason to get out the camera and capture a few moments.

 Our wisteria put on a fine show this year. Unfortunately, every single flower blew away in the wild winds of the past week.

Quite a common sight with the intermittent rain and sunshine lately.

Perfect day

Couldn't have asked for a more perfect day to celebrate Father's Day and the beginning of Spring.

We enjoyed a traditional Aussie barbeque and lounged around in the sunshine all afternoon.

 Bliss.

And here is the father of my children with one of his precious babes.

Very thankful.

Winter (spring, summer, autumn)

Bare winter trees

 

Spring blossom (and bee)

 

Bright blue summery sky.

 

Autumn leaves, still.

 

All photos taken during my walk today.

This is why I love Melbourne.

Roses

 

Worth the wait.

 

 

 

"Spirit of Hope"

 

Delbard "Henri Matisse"

 

Delbard "Hommage a Barbara" 

Delbard "Edgar Degas"

 

 

Delbard  "Alfred Sisley"

Survivor of 2010 renovation, name unknown.

Climbing rose grown from a cutting taken from the garden of my childhood home.

 "The Children's Rose"