Wednesday 29 June 2011

Volleyball Anyone? (Wordless Wednesday)





Friday 17 June 2011

Celebrating The Winter Solstice

Tomorrow is The Winter Magic Festival. This is a festival held in The Blue Mountains near Sydney, Australia each year on the weekend nearest the Winter Solstice. The Winter Solstice in Australia this year falls on June 22nd. Of course, for those in the northern hemisphere, it is the summer solstice.

So what's so special about the Winter Solstice? Apart from the fact that it is the shortest day of the year which means the days start to get longer once it is passed, it has special significance in many cultures. Some countries mark their seasons from the equinoxes and solstices. We don't in Australia, preferring to use the first day of December, March, June and September instead.

 The Dragonfly Dance Troupe warms up for the Grand Parade

The Winter Magic Festival is a colourful community event which brings together locals and visitors in a celebration of Midwinter. Pagan and Wiccan themes share street space with art, music and food. Highlights of the weekend include the Grand Parade up Katoomba Street and the evening Fireworks from the roof of The Carrington Hotel.

Winter Magic also marks the beginning of Yulefest or Christmas in July as it is also known, in the Blue Mountains. It is said that a group of Irish travellers happened to be in Katoomba in winter and being a little homesick, asked the chef in the hotel they were staying to prepare them a traditional Christmas meal. It is now very popular for locals and visitors alike to enjoy a winter feast in the tradition of Christmas.

How do you mark the June Solstice?

Thursday 16 June 2011

Dress Up Your iPad





It's sexy. It's intriguing. It's from Apple and it's this year's must have item on Santa's wish list. It's the Apple iPad and it's kicking up a storm. If you've got one you are more than likely the envy of your friends and colleagues. If you're getting one I bet you're counting down the days until your beautiful new iPad arrives in your hands. But this gorgeous item needs protecting. The last thing you want is a scratch, mark or ding on its lovely surface. Luckily, there is an abundance of amazing choices for your iPad available to you. And you really have an opportunity to adapt your iPad to your personality in your selection of case. For example, if you love your music check out the incredible range of iPad Cases with a music theme at iPad For Music Lovers You will find cases featuring drums, guitars, pianos, saxaphones among other musical themes

Closing Down? (Wordless Wednesday w/Linky)





Monday 6 June 2011

Our Journeys Define Us

According to Dictionary.com, a journey is defined as a “passage or progress from one stage to another: the journey to success“. This is definition number four and follows those pertaining to travel. In this sense it is a uniquely personal experience and could equally describe one person’s transition through a major career change or another’s confrontation with a serious or life threatening illness.

Personal journeys are often life changing experiences whether through an acquisition of knowledge or skills, or from a sense of self-betterment or fulfilment. And since they are so personal they often remain unpublished but likewise can be some of the most compelling tales.

I had the opportunity to call on some of my fellow Squidoo lensmasters to share their personal journeys and have gathered them together into a unique collected wisdom in A Collection of Journeys.

One Month In Italy

Pinterest