Posted by Sally Cummings on Wednesday, June 30, 2010,
In :
Professional
Well, today is the last day of #blogeverydayofjune
It's also my last day at work, having finished my contract at the Victorian Parliamentary Library. Again.
Although I'm ready for new adventures in new libraries in new places, I will always have the fondest memories of working with the wonderful group of people at "Parl" :)
I played tourist in my own workplace today and got snap happy. I hope you enjoy these photos of the gorgeous library that I've been lucky enough to work at for the last three... Continue reading ...
Posted by Sally Cummings on Tuesday, June 29, 2010,
In :
Professional
I'm generally reluctant to state opinions on my blog. I really enjoy discussing hot topics with friends and colleagues, but part of my enjoyment of it comes from the fact that the exchange of ideas goes both ways. Although we may agree to disagree, more often than not I'll learn something from the discussion and consider issues from different viewpoints. But blogging isn't really like that. If I put something out there, it feels like I'm publishing a "statement". So I'm going out on a bit of ...
The first time I listened to a Barry Manilow album, it was for a joke. But the joke was on me, because I loved it! I promptly stole all of my parents' LPs and picked up some more at op shops. I bought and read his autobiography. I got one of my LPs *signed* by Barry himself at Westfield Doncaster. And I went to one of his ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Sally Cummings on Monday, June 28, 2010,
In :
Professional
This post was actually inspired quite early on in the #blogeverydayofjune challenge by @geomancer's gratitude post, in which she lists her eyesight as something she's very thankful for. This immediately touched a cord in me, as I also feel very fortunate to have my - heavily corrected by optometrists - eyesight.
I started wearing glasses as a teenager. Most of the time it's easy for me to take this vision correction for granted, but now and then I wonder what life would have been like for me...
Posted by Sally Cummings on Sunday, June 27, 2010,
We have a cat. Her name is Roxy. I love her.
Except when she throws up on the carpet, scratches the furniture, sheds hair all over my clothes, sprays on the laundry hamper (only once, when she was stressed), won't swallow the darn tablet, causes an allergic reaction when she scratches me, hogs the doona, and rips up the carpet at the front door so that we can't get into the house.
But then she snuggles up to us in bed each night, follows us around the house because she likes to be in the same r... Continue reading ...
Posted by Sally Cummings on Sunday, June 27, 2010,
In :
Creativity
Well, I missed another #blogeverydayofjune post yesterday due to illness. I don't know if I can make up for it in the few days left, but I'll do my best ;)
I love flicking through vintage craft books. Occasionally I will buy one to add to my book collection, but there are so many out there that I have to restrain myself! I try to only collect books that have continuing appeal, but I must confess to having picked up a so-bad-it's-good book from time to time :)
Posted by Sally Cummings on Friday, June 25, 2010,
Yesterday was manic. So crazy, so busy, so packed, that if I tried to tell you all about it I would probably collapse in an exhausted heap just from thinking about it!
Anyway, something had to give, and in this case it was my daily blog post. I'll do an extra one over the weekend to make up for it :)
Tonight, I'm having a deliberately unproductive night. I'm going to make a pizza and watch Poirot telemovies on the couch.
Then I'm going to make like the cat and sleep, sleep, sleep ...
Posted by Sally Cummings on Wednesday, June 23, 2010,
I have a real soft spot for nonsense verse :)
On the Ning Nang Nong by Spike Milligan
On the Ning Nang Nong Where the Cows go Bong! and the monkeys all say BOO! There's a Nong Nang Ning Where the trees go Ping! And the tea pots jibber jabber joo. On the Nong Ning Nang All the mice go Clang And you just can't catch 'em when they do! So its Ning Nang Nong Cows go Bong! Nong Nang Ning Trees go ping Nong Ning Nang The mice go Clang What a noisy place to belong is the Ning Nang Ning Nang Nong!!
Posted by Sally Cummings on Tuesday, June 22, 2010,
I was just having a quick look through my folder of draft blog posts (searching for something that I could finish off and post quickly) when I came across a post that I wrote when I was blogging every day in December - my Advent calendar of blog posts. Oh, and yes I am obviously a glutton for punishment to do it all over again!
The post that caught my attention was called "Hot Day". And it occurred to me that the perfect title for this blog post, 6 months later, is "Cold Day". Last night was...
This is how the State Bank handled internal correspondence until 1974. It reminds me of the tubes used to disseminate "information" in George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four. Also, check out the shoes!
P.S. Let's not talk about how much time I spent on Flickr looking for a photo that I liked, when I could have been ei... Continue reading ...
Posted by Sally Cummings on Sunday, June 20, 2010,
In :
Creativity
I was a bit surprised that I hadn't written more craft-related blog posts this month, considering how much I talk (and think) about it, but then I realised that I've spent so much of my spare time blogging that I didn't have much time left over for crafting!
Despite that, I did find some time to play with my new crafty toy. It's a French knitting bee, also known as a knitting nancy or a spool knitter (remember those cotton spools with nails hammered into the top?). Most people come across thes... Continue reading ...
Posted by Sally Cummings on Saturday, June 19, 2010,
I first discovered Georgette Heyer's books when I babysat the children of a family friend. I can't recall now whether she loaned me some of the books, or whether I read them at her house after the children had gone to bed, but I do vividly remember that she had a whole shelf full of them, and I thought it was wonderful!
Once I started reading Georgette Heyer, I couldn't stop! I absolutely devoured her books as a teenager. The Regency romances were my favourites, but I also enjoyed her histori... Continue reading ...
Posted by Sally Cummings on Friday, June 18, 2010,
This post is dedicated to Jenelle! It's a response to her blog post about Icehouse that sprang from a fun Twitter conversation / singalong :)
The Sharp released most of their singles during my first couple of years at Uni. I saw them perform at Union House (University of Melbourne), and thought they were pretty wonderful!
They are probably better remembered for their skivvies and the big double bass than their music, but they really did create some terrific songs. I still play them on a fairly ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Sally Cummings on Thursday, June 17, 2010,
I have so many blog posts in draft form, but they need more polishing than I have time for tonight. *sigh*
So I thought I'd share a photo of one of my favourite things :)
This beautiful Hoya Carnosa is growing on my back balcony. I adore its waxy texture, starburst shape, sweet scent and velvety petals - truly a feast for all of the senses!
Hoya Carnosa is my favourite variety (we always had a plant growing next to my parents' front verandah), but there are many different Hoya species available ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Sally Cummings on Tuesday, June 15, 2010,
In :
Professional
I don't normally blog about my workplace, but I'd like to share an experience that I had today.
This afternoon I spent four hours on the reference desk, and during that time I encountered what is often referred to in library circles as a "nutter".
Happily, not in person. My workplace is a special library, and is something of a closed shop to the general public. But we do have a phone number, and sometimes take questions from members of the public, as long as they are relatively easy and quick ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Sally Cummings on Monday, June 14, 2010,
In :
Food & Recipes
I know it hasn't been very long since my last recipe blog post, but I brought these coconut macaroons along to #creativebarter on Saturday and was told that I *must* post the recipe :)
Easy Coconut Macaroons Makes approx. 15
Ingredients:
1 cup coconut
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tb cornflour
1 egg
pinch salt
Method:
Combine coconut, sugar and cornflour in bowl. Beat together egg and salt, stir into dry ingredients; mix well.
Place heaped teaspoonfuls of mixture on to greased and cornfloured oven tray (or tray cover...
Posted by Sally Cummings on Sunday, June 13, 2010,
In :
Creativity
Thank you so much to Kim for giving Ruth, Zaana and I our first crochet lessons on Saturday!
We were all terrible fumble fingers to begin with, but one by one we started to get the hang of it :)
My first attempt is pretty wobbly looking. I accidentally twisted it at some point, so I'm pretending that it's a crocheted Möbius strip ;)
I've been itching to learn crochet for *so* long! The technique feels very strange, especially for an ex-knitter (though not a very good one). I can see a lot of pr... Continue reading ...
Posted by Sally Cummings on Saturday, June 12, 2010,
In :
Creativity
Today I spent an awesome afternoon with fellow Twitterers, librarians and crafters Ruth, Kim and Zaana when we met up for a #creativebarter swap session.
I've described #creativebarter in a previous blog entry - basically we swap items that utilise our own special creative skills. Kim creates amazing crochet pieces, Ruth makes gorgeous pottery, and Zaana is a talented artist and print maker. Oh, and I cross stitch amongst other things :)
I'd like to extend my personal thanks to Zaana for being ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Sally Cummings on Friday, June 11, 2010,
Just a few days ago I was talking about plans on this blog. Well, Tim and I were pretty set on our latest plan, and excitedly looking forward to putting it into action.
And then ... I saw a job advertisement in my inbox. All of a sudden, we're looking at a completely different possible future - also an exciting one.
So instead of all the things that I expected to be doing tonight, we ended up hashing out the pros and cons of our two options, which included doing sums to figure out what we could... Continue reading ...
Posted by Sally Cummings on Thursday, June 10, 2010,
In :
Food & Recipes
This recipe for walnut meringues is one of my favourites! I usually double it because they're so yummy (and more-ish!). Meringues are much easier than you would think - try this out for yourself and see! The walnuts make them extra special :)
Walnut Meringues Makes approx. 10
Ingredients:
1 egg white
1/4 cup castor sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 tsp baking powder
Method:
Beat egg white until soft peaks form, gradually add sugar, beat until dissolved. Fold in brown s...
I use Tumblr in addition to my more traditional blogging platform here. I use it differently - it's more for finding, recording and sharing sources of art/craft/visual inspiration that I find on the web.
Posted by Sally Cummings on Tuesday, June 8, 2010,
Sometimes I joke that collecting is in my genes - after all, both of my parents were avid collectors. But really, I was *taught* to collect from an early age. I learnt from the example set by my parents, and I was also encouraged to begin my own collections.
As a child, I collected:
stickers
anything related to Snoopy
badges and pins
Avon perfume bottles
novelty erasers
Princess Di memorabilia
At University I got hooked on science fiction and Star Trek, and began collecting bas...
Posted by Sally Cummings on Monday, June 7, 2010,
In :
Travel
I'm in the mood for sharing some photos :)
I've just uploaded to Flickr a collection of photos taken on a trip to Strahan, on Tasmania's west coast, in August 2006.
We flew from Melbourne to Burnie to meet up with a friend who was working there at the time, then drove down to the pretty township of Strahan. We went for a walk along the beach, explored the town and had dinner at the pub. I loved our accommodation at Risby Cove - complimentary port! The next day we went on an amazing Gordon River... Continue reading ...
I've been feeling a bit low today, so I'm going to post a link to a video that never fails to cheer me up :)
This pie fight scene is from The Great Race. Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon were wonderful on screen together (Some Like It Hot is another of my favourite films). Tony Curtis plays the hero, The Great Leslie, complete with sparkling white teeth. Jack Lemmon is the villainous Professor Fate, dressed all in black (he also plays Crown Prince Hapnick in a mistaken identity subplot). Natalie Wo... Continue reading ...
Posted by Sally Cummings on Saturday, June 5, 2010,
I've been thinking a bit about the ups and downs of planning for the future. I'm talking about personal plans, the 5-year and 10-year kind.
The problem with making these sorts of plans is that you never know what's around the corner. Career, family circumstances, relationships, health, study, etc. - all of these things can jump up and throw your plans into disorder.
BUT - that's no reason not to plan. We all need something to look forward to, and aim towards. In my own past experience, writing ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Sally Cummings on Friday, June 4, 2010,
In :
Food & Recipes
I suspect I'm not the only blogger dusting off old draft posts for the #blogeverydayofjune challenge, so here's one I prepared earlier ... *lol*
Some time ago, there was a discussion on Twitter about the joys of bench mixers. I regret to say that I still haven't used my Kenwood Chef to whip something up as I promised that day. You'll know when I do, though, because proud pictures will be posted!
That discussion got me thinking (and not for the first time, I'll admit) about the number of kitchen... Continue reading ...
Posted by Sally Cummings on Thursday, June 3, 2010,
In :
Food & Recipes
I've just arrived home after a lovely evening of dinner and DVDs with my Mum. The dinner was fish and chips (or in my case, a vege burger and chips) and the DVD we watched was a couple of episodes of early Poirot, starring David Suchet.
But the excitement that my blog post title refers to was in regards to a new local shop that we discovered this evening while waiting for our chips ...
An Indian grocery store!!!!
To put this high level of enthusiasm in context, you need to know two things:
Posted by Sally Cummings on Tuesday, June 1, 2010,
In :
Professional
An absolute flurry of tweets erupted today, with many of my library friends and colleagues from Australia and New Zealand committing to blogging every day in June. Thanks to @stephmcg and @flexnib for starting the ball rolling! :)
I've "signed up" to the challenge, partly to enjoy and participate in the community spirit of it, and partly to re-energise my blog. I found the experience of blogging every day of the Advent calendar in December to be both challenging (thinking of things to write ab... Continue reading ...
