When in Rome

Like most travellers in this modern digital age, I took possibly thousands of pictures while travelling through Europe a couple of years back.  Apart from the usual touristy shots, I loved capturing candid images of the local population.  My favourites were the Romans.

Everyone in this shot is caught in intense conversation, save the gentleman to the left.  Here's what I like to think is really going on.  He has taken delight in inviting his secretary out to lunch, not knowing that his wife (in the pink cardigan) has chosen the same restaurant to dine with her bridesmaid, who is filling her in on his every move.

Don't you wish you had the courage to get away with this?  I can just hear her: "I mean, like, what's the point?"

I love the way Roman women dress up, even to do their local shopping.

While the parents are distracted, this little prince is plotting his escape.

Meanwhile in Piazza Navona, these two residents are flirting outrageously with each other high above the crowded piazza.  Note the clever hand signals of the gentleman.  Thumbs up for dining out tonight, while pointing to the chosen restaurant.  Let's hope his wife and her bridesmaid don't pick the same place. 

April

There are some months in the year which have happy connotations.  April for me is one of them.

It's the month of happy weddings; our son and his bride celebrated their tenth anniversary last week, while yesterday our daughter and her husband celebrated their ninth.

We also had two family birthdays; Mr Fudge on 9 April and one of our granddaughters five days later (but in different years).

Then there was Easter with all its celebrations.

And of course the Royal Easter Show.  We hadn't been in years, so there was the extra delight of going with our daughter and her family, experiencing it all through the eyes of our Sydney grandchildren.

Yes, we have so much to be grateful for and sometimes it's good for the soul to stop a while and reflect on it.

These beautiful images are provided by the lovely Sara of Boutique Baby Photography and the dress is available here and here.

Confessions of an addict

I'm a bit of a hunter and gatherer.  In some circles I go under the title of Magazine Queen.  I stalk newsagents for the latest magazines (usually food related), gather them, and store them for leaner times.  It's not that I cook up a storm at the drop of a hat - I simply love to read them like a novel.  For a while they reside on the coffee table.

When the pile threatens to collapse, or if The Spouse becomes a little suspicious of the number entering the household, I push them into the nearest drawers.

Some of them eventually make their way to the bookshelves.

However, my favourite beast of prey is fabric, which I hunt and gather obsessively.  The better specimens are carefully stored on rolls.

Some make it to shelves and baskets in the closet.

The balance fight for survival in the scrap heap.

Then there are the cotton reels.

While some may think it's time to join MAFA (Magazines And Fabrics Anonymous), let me assure you that they are all part of the woven texture of my life.  OK, maybe not the magazines, but all the other things.  I turn the fabrics into quilts.

And clothing.

Image: Boutique Baby Photography

Even the scraps are put to good use.

My name is Robyn.  I am a Magafabriholic.  And proud of it.

Show Time

We've been back in Sydney for eight months now and we are still experiencing the novelty of the difference in the seasons.  Brisbane's Aprils are still in summer mode, but here in Sydney we are certainly feeling the early bite of winter.  However, the one of the rewards is the blooming of the beautiful sasanqua camellias which are everywhere.

Another reward is the Sydney Royal Easter Show, which we Fudges have such fond memories stretching back to the early post-war years when our parents would take us faithfully every year.  We carried on the tradition with our own children in the Seventies and Eighties and this year we visited the Show with our grandchildren.

We were so fortunate that the day was gloriously warm and sunny, the last gasp before winter sets in.   

 The children were keen to see the animals.  Who would have thought that judging bunnies was such a serious business?

High on the list was the dog pavilion ... 

... where the children immediately fell in love with this Australian Shepherd (an American breed - very confusing).  Methinks their parents are in for some serious begging-for-a-dog times ahead.

Snack time found us at the wood chopping arena.

This young boy was celebrating his 15th birthday by competing with experienced axemen, including his world champion father.  The worrywart mother in me was terrified that he would take a tumble as he balanced precariously on the top plank which was high off the ground.  However, he came through it unscathed, to the wild acclamation of the crowds.

Time to calm down and take in the more genteel arts.  These two delightful ladies were giving their expert opinions on the cake decoration display (I'm guessing that the cardigan is all her own work).

I was so pleased to discover that two of my new friends from St Ives Quilters, Judy Day (above) and Heather Watts (below) were prize winners in the Quilts section.

I know from my own childhood that the most important part of the show is the Show Bags Pavilion.  Nothing has changed - except the prices.   

What a privilege it was to experience the show through the eyes of our young grandchildren.  

Time to go home.

Don't eat the ears

Food colouring.  Have you ever wondered if it's possessed by a mischievous spirit?  No matter how carefully a few drops are aimed at cake frosting, it will take a leap to the left and land on your clothes, the floor, your hands, anywhere except where it was intended.

Once you get that red food colouring on your fingers, you can kiss any important social engagements goodbye for the next three days.

Yesterday in the city our favourite chocolate shop was doing a roaring Easter trade.

The window displays were so tempting - we had to buy one of those fish.

This morning, armed with Easter eggs and the bunny cupcakes, headed off to visit some of the family.

We were treated to a delicious roast lamb lunch.

Time for the cupcakes and the cry went up, "Don't eat the ears!"

After such a wonderful meal we sat back and enjoyed a piano recital.

And a quiet game of chess.

A very Happy Easter to you all.  I hope you managed to spend the day with loved ones.